8 Things to Know Before Moving to Rural Colombia

When I first arrived, I did not think I would stay in rural Colombia, so I never considered these things. However, I am not one to plan much of anything.

I also understand that most people do want to plan their move abroad and know some of what to expect.

Being born in the county, most do not phase me, but I have realized they might be useful if you plan to spend a significant amount of time in the countryside of Colombia! So, let’s talk about them.

Bugs, big ones, small ones, all kinds of bugs.

This morning, I was on my first walk with the dogs, and when I got home, I noticed a bug had bitten my lip. Bugs don’t bother me; they don’t bite me too often, and when they do, the redness goes away in a few minutes.

I was on the phone and noticed that my lip was getting bigger and bigger. I told my sister I looked like a botched lip injection patient.

I do not remember getting bit, but I assumed it must have been a baby wasp since other bugs do not make me swell. About a month ago, I stuck my hand in a wasp’s nest accident and got bitten.

For about a week, my hand was the size of a baseball, and the feeling was similar. Luckily, my lip did not swell badly, so it must have been a baby. It still feels funny but is not swollen. I put a little baking soda and water on it, which helps.

However, we also have mosquitos, cockroaches (big ones), ants, and other random bugs.

As I said, they don’t bother me, but if you hate bugs like my roomies, you will need a good bug spray and window screens.

Snakes

While cleaning the yard a few weeks ago, I lifted some boards and saw a snake. The other day, I saw one going across the street. I’m not fond of snakes, but my fear has disappeared since I did ayahuasca.

I still do not want them, but I no longer have an irrational fear for them. While living here, I have seen a few; I am just cautious of my steps.

Loud animals

This can include random dogs barking at all hours of the day/night. The dogs here also run free, so you will have to adapt if you do not like dogs running at you while walking down the street. Yet most people here carry a stick, and most dogs respect the stick and will not bother you.

Lately, the cows across the road have been making many noises, either calling out to one another or just being cows. They also smell, so when I walk by my neighbor’s house, I can smell the cows before I see them, which is common in the countryside, as almost everyone has cows, chickens, or at least one or two dogs running around.

Oh, did I forget the rooster will crow at all hours?

Luckily, where I live, there aren’t many roosters, but I have lived in places where they crow all night long. However, this is not just a countryside issue; they also have roosters in the cities here!

Random loud music

The Colombians love to party and play music loudly. Across from the finca, where I live, they play music all weekend. Luckily, they are pretty far away, so the music isn’t unbearable, but you can still hear it, especially if you are sensitive to loud noises.

I am moving across town this week and praying my neighbors are quiet. I will find out this weekend. The pueblo I live in is one of the quietest pueblos I have ever lived in or visited.

It is common for every store to blare a different song all day. Cities, pueblos, and loud music are part of living in Colombia, not just the countryside.

Bad wifi/Electricity issues

Rural living might be difficult if you depend on good wifi for work. Unless you have Starlink, we have Starlink. It is fantastic, but the Pueblos wifi is not so great.

Another issue is electricity; it is not uncommon to lose power at random times, for example, during a thunderstorm or just because. Don’t worry; you can not do anything about it, so have a good book on hand or invest in solar panels, which I will do in the future. However, they are costly, and local electricity is affordable.

I can not justify it since I do not have a full-time job where I must always be connected to the grid. I switch tasks and wait for the electricity/wifi to resume.

You do not need a car.

Even though you might think rural, as in the US, in rural N. America, you need a car to go everywhere. We have moto-taxis, tuk-tuks, and an excellent public bus system here.

There is no need to have a car; it is more common to have a motorcycle. However, you can survive without one. Most people in rural Colombia can not afford a vehicle and rely 100% on public transit. Many still use mules to carry their goods if they live in the mountains.

Get used to walking

I walk everywhere. I walk to town, I walk the dogs, and I am not the only one. Here in the countryside, you will rarely see anyone overweight, even though we eat a lot of fried empanadas, drink a lot of coffee, and eat a lot of sweets. Everyone walks up and down hills all day, every day. It will keep you in shape.

My 80-something-old neighbor cuts grass for his cows with a machete, and he is on his hands and knees doing this. Can you imagine your 80-year-old grandfather cutting grass on the hill with a machete to feed his cows… I will guess you said no. Same.

My goal is to walk up and down these mountains in my 80s.

Get used to small talk.

Colombians, especially campesinos, love small talk. Not only do they love it, but they expect an answer. You do not ask a question and continue walking; you stop engaging and continue after you have said your pleasantries.

It is also good practice for Spanish, as repetition is the best learning method. Colombians are very polite, and a little kindness will go a long way, especially when you live in a small town and stand out.

Rural living can be challenging to adapt to, but I have lived in cities and the country and will choose the country every single time. I could add so many more things, but for the sake of not writing a dissertation, I will end it here!

XOXO

S