One of the first challenges abroad is not cooking — it is shopping.

The ingredient may exist, but not under the name you know. Or the local version may be slightly different.

Useful habits:

Learn the local name and generic name
Take photos of ingredients you like
Ask vendors what is ripe “para hoy” or “para mañana”
Shop at plazas and fruit stands, not only supermarkets
Expect imported products to cost more
Try local substitutes before recreating your exact old grocery list

For Colombia, learn common basics:

Papa criolla
Yuca
Plátano verde and maduro
Guasca
Cilantro
Arepa varieties
Panela
Lulo
Mora
Maracuyá
Tomate de árbol
Queso campesino

The best food advice often comes from neighbors, vendors, lunch spots, and people who cook daily.