Medellin: Things to Know Before Your Visit
Here's our travel guide on the things you should know before visiting Medellin, Colombia. This city has been super-popular lately, but its contradictory reputation often confuses travelers, especially the first-time ones. Here's everything you should know about Medellin before you go.
If you are an enthusiastic traveler, you've probably already registered that a new shining star appeared among the world's top destinations.
It is Colombia, a wonderful country in South America that has been lately attracting travelers from all around the world.
Why Colombia?
According to us, this destination has everything from buzzing cities to sandy beaches, from colonial towns to high snow-capped mountains, from sweeping valleys to dry wastelands.
Let's take a closer look now at one city, in particular, that is at the moment THE destination, a place that no traveler can miss.
It is Medellin.
Medellin is one of the best places in Colombia that simply needs to be on your travel itinerary.
And why should you travel to Medellin?
Well, we write about it more closely in our other post on the best things to do in Medellin, here we would like to focus more on the things you should know before visiting Medellin.
It is very likely that when you back at home told someone your plans to visit this second-largest city of Colombia, it was not received with cheerful reaction.
Yes, Medellin still drags behind the shadow of its murderous past.
But the transformation from one of the world's deadliest cities to a sought-after tourist destination, altogether with beautiful surroundings, interesting culture, and friendly people, is exactly what attracts people.
Medellin is often called the city of transformation.
Despite all the efforts, we would say the transformation hasn't been yet fully completed.
And this is exactly the reason why you should know what to expect before your visit, especially if you are a first-time visitor not only to Medellin but to South America as well.
To make your visit to Medellin as smooth as possible, we've created this helpful travel guide where we share tips and things that we think are worth to know before your trip.
FIRST TIME VISIT
What we think that is one of the most important things to know before arriving in Colombia, and especially in Medellin? It is putting your prejudice aside.
We like to read information about a destination before our travels and advise you to do the same.
The only problem with all those articles is that they are always a bit biased, depending on the perception of the writer.
Therefore, do not expect Medellin to be black or white.
Do not expect a sketchy city where you have to scan your surroundings all the time.
On the other hand, do not expect a city, where you can wander anywhere you want after dark (or even during the day).
We want to encourage you to travel to Medellin with your mind and eyes open.
Remember everything you learned about the city, all bad and good, and be ready to explore Medellin your way.
This travel post also aims to guide you, it provides you with information you should have in your subconscious.
Always have in mind, that when you arrive at a destination that is supposed to be amazing, your expectations might be high and it is possible you won't enjoy your stay that much.
It also goes the other way around. If you arrive scared and will expect to be robbed behind every corner, your visit will be affected by that as well.
So what else should you know before visiting Medellin for the first time?
SAFETY IN MEDELLIN
One of the most common questions a traveler might have is whether is Medellin safe.
Well, for everyone who left the city without experiencing a safety issue, is Medellin, of course, the safest city in the world.
Those who were robbed on a busy street or in an abandoned alley after dark would have something else to say.
So how is the current situation?
We would say that the bottom line is, that Medellin has gone far from the old days.
The city was once called the most murderous city in the world, especially in the 80s and 90s, when the drug business caused violence on an everyday basis.
Fortunately, this is not the case anymore, and we would say that safety concerns should not put you off visiting Medellin.
Still, there are a few things a traveler should know.
To be honest, we would say that you should exercise caution in Medellin same as in other cities in Latin America - to know more, read our more detailed post Is it safe to travel in South America.
It is safe to walk around the city, but at the same time, do not be reckless.
Tourists are easy prey, so always keep your valuables out of sight.
If possible, store your electronics in the hotel room - it is safer than have it in your backpack.
Do not flash your valuables around. Take out your phone or camera only when you want to find a way on a map app or if you want to take a photo.
In more crowded areas, wear the backpack on your belly where you can see it.
Do not wander off to abandoned alleys, especially after dark.
In cities like Medellin, it is always better to travel in a group of more people, and if you decide to go for a drink at night, remember that drunk travelers are the easy target.
We would not say that some of the parts of the city are safer than others as it is then easy to be more heedless in supposedly safer areas.
It is also good to know that when someone targets you and decides to rob you, there is not much you can do about it.
In case something like this happens, hand over your belongings and do not fight back.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
AVOID CARTEL TOPIC
We all know that Colombia was notoriously known for drug trafficking and drug cartels, and this topic became lately very 'popular' because of many TV shows such as Narcos on Netflix. Yes, we saw it too.
But even if you are interested in this problem and want to know more about it, it is important to realize that locals are not proud of the reputation Medellin has because of its past.
For us, travelers, it can be weirdly attractive, but please realize, that most of the people you meet on the streets had to live in this terror, many of them even lost their friends and relatives during the years when Pablo Escobar ruled the city.
This is the reason why locals do not like to talk about it, so try to respect that and if possible, do not even mention the name of this infamous person in public.
Medellin works hard to disengage from the past and this reputation, and us, travelers, can help it, when we appreciate the architectural transformation and shift in society.
Even though many people want to make money on Pablo Escobar's legacy, tourism that celebrates this criminal is, at least according to us, not the best thing to do in Medellin
Yes, it is part of the city's history that cannot be undone, but it is much better to take a guided tour to Comuna 13 and learn how things improved than visit places where Escobar lived, etc.
Simply, do not make locals feel uncomfortable, and avoid this topic unless they bring it up themselves.
To learn more about times when Medellin was better to avoid, we recommend visiting Museo Casa de la Memoria.
CITY OF ETERNAL SPRING
The elevation of Medellin is 1495 meters above sea level.
The relatively high elevation, location near the equator and in the middle of the valley create a unique environment and weather conditions.
Medellin is often called the City of eternal spring, which means you can expect an almost constant temperature throughout the year, the average is 22.5°C.
Days are usually warm, around 27°C, but nights are cooler.
It also frequently rains in Medellin, with peaks in April, May, and then September to November, and thanks to it, the landscape around the city is lush and green.
You do not have to worry about visiting Medellin in the rainy season though, because it usually rains in the afternoon, and you can normally expect showers than long torrential rains.
What should you pack for visiting Medellin?
You can often read that you cannot wear shorts or sandals in the city because of the more conservative culture, but we did not notice anything like that.
Indeed, locals usually wear long trousers all the time, but tourists are not judged by the clothes and shorts or short-sleeved t-shirts usually do not offend anyone.
For exploring the city we recommend wearing sneakers, shorts or travel pants, and a short-sleeved t-shirt.
If it rains, one layer of the warmer waterproof jacket is usually enough, and you might consider to bring an umbrella or rain poncho.
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Getting around large cities in South America can be a nightmare, but Medellin is an exception.
You do not have to rely on an overpriced cab, or walk many kilometers on foot, as there is a better way of getting around Medellin.
Yes, you can use public transport, which is safe and reliable.
If there is something locals are proud of, it is their metro system.
If you travel around Colombia for a while and Medellin is not the first stop on your itinerary, you will probably notice that metro stations are exceptionally clean and the area is often guarded by police.
No matter where you decide to stay in the city, make sure it is on the metro line.
The system also includes buses, but these often connect suburbs sprawling on the hills surrounding the city, and they are not that reliable.
Most of the must-visit places in Medellin are accessible by the metro system.
It is very easy to navigate yourself around the city by metro, and if you are a budget traveler who plans on staying in Medellin for a while, make sure to purchase a Civica card that will allow you to use public transport for a discounted price.
Medellin transport system also includes cable cars that efficiently connect the center with suburbs that were in the past neglected, because it was pretty hard to get to schools or to work from here.
We highly recommend you to enjoy the cable car ride, for example to Arvi Park, which is, by the way, one of the must-visit places in Medellin, and you will get amazing views, a mixture of nature and urban environment.
WHERE TO STAY
When planning your trip to Medellin, you should not underestimate choosing the right neighborhood alias barrio for your stay.
The city offers a large selection of accommodation, ranging from cheap hostels, mid-range boutique hotels, to high-end chains.
The positive thing is, that we are confident every type of traveler will be able to find suitable accommodation, the downside is, that it is often hard to decide where to spend the night.
We knew that we wanted to visit mainly the city center, make a few day-trips, and as we traveled around Colombia by bus, so the most important criteria were that we wanted to be within walking distance of a metro station which would later take us back to the bus terminal.
Decide by yourself what is most important for your stay.
The most famous place to stay is El Poblado that offers restaurants and lively nightlife, but this is not the only option.
Especially if you prefer to connect with locals and do not want to stay where all other gringos, you should skip Poblado.
Another popular barrio is Laureles, which offers a more laidback, almost hipster atmosphere, and what is important, this part of the city is also safe.
Belen and Envigado have a more residential feel, and prices are very reasonable.
Another alternative is staying in El Centro.
El Centro alias La Candelaria offers a selection of hostels, but it must be said that some of them are quite shabby.
Also, the reputation of El Centro after dark is not the best, but we are sure you will enjoy wandering around this area mostly during the day.
We've handpicked a hotel in every area that has a great ratio of price and quality, make sure you check it out!
El Poblado | 574 Hotel - This charming hotel offers modern design, perfect location in the lively area, within walking distance to the metro station. Great reviews only confirm the exceptionality of the service.
Laureles | Hotel Medellin Gold - Air-conditioned rooms, newly refurbished hotel, and friendly staff that works 24/7 are the main reasons to stay here.
Belen | Hotel Zona Verde - This hotel features amazing views of the greenery, so it is a place to relax and enjoy free time.
Envigado | Arame Hotel - This 4* property boasts spacious and comfortable rooms, it is close to everything a traveler might need. This area is recommended for families with kids or travelers looking for a quieter place to stay.
El Centro | Medallo Social Hostal - El Centro is known for cheaper hostels, but the problem is they often have bad reviews. This hostel is the exception, so if you are looking for a clean place where you can also socialize with other travelers, this is the place to stay.
TAKE A FREE WALKING TOUR
If you read our blog on regular basis, you've probably noticed that we prefer to travel individually.
We like to explore cities on our own, at our own pace.
But sometimes it is good to do something differently.
Before we visited Medellin, we could read that a free walking tour is worth the time, and because we already had an experience with a free walking tour in Bogota, we decided to give it a try.
We have opted for a well-rated Real City Tours, and can only recommend it to you as well.
In about four hours we got the right mixture of information about Medellin's past from a local, we could try traditional food (for an extra fee), and what is the most important, we got to see some of the top sights this city has to offer.
This tour is well-balanced, and for sure it is worth it.
We think Medellin is exactly the city where a knowledgeable guide is priceless.
There are more reasons why we think that, but one of them is the troubled history that on this tour was told very realistically.
Another reason is, that Medellin, even though it is an interesting city, is not that captivating at the first sight, so we found having a guide who told us stories about the most prominent buildings, very helpful.
We are sure that thanks to it, we have much better memories than we would have had without joining this tour.
Anything else to know? Well the free walking tour is not entirely free, as it is expected to give to a guide a tip at the end of the tour, but you can pay as much as you want.
DIGITAL NOMADS
Medellin is not known only among travelers who like to explore the city for two or three days, but also among digital nomads.
The city gained a reputation for being a friendly destination to people who can work from around the world, and the community of expats is unusually strong here.
Even though we did not find Medellin that captivating and cannot imagine living there, we can see the point.
First of all, the weather is pleasant year-round.
Secondly, the booming coffee culture and many new coffee shops represent a great working environment for many digital nomads.
Medellin is also a perfect place for those of you who want to learn Spanish.
If you are looking for a place to stay for several months, where you can work but where are also many things to see and do, and where is a wide array of possible day-trips outside the city, Medellin might be the right place where you can base yourself for as long as you want.
Or for as long as your visa allows.
BANDEJA PAISA
Do you like beans? What about sausage (chicharron), rice, plantain, fried egg, avocado, or arepa?
Well, when you put those ingredients together, the result is bandeja paisa, which is the traditional food in the Medellin region.
Paisa people, which is how the people of the area call themselves are proud of this meal, and there's probably not a single one restaurant in the city that does not have bandeja paisa on the menu.
When a local asks you what you think of bandeja paisa, it is expected that you will talk about this meal only in superlatives.
Well, we have a small confession to make.
When we talk about Colombia, its’s only in superlatives. Except when it comes to food.
Even after two months of traveling around Colombia, we weren't able to make any real connection with the local cuisine.
At least at our (budget) price range.
We like fresh food with spices, lots of vegetables, and the plate where all those ingredients mixed together created a brownish color, was not something we would particularly enjoy.
We even remember that we arrived in Medellin after we were already a month in Colombia, and at that time we felt really tired from the food that was the same all over again.
That's why we did not even try to taste bandeja paisa.
Well, see, even travel bloggers do not have to do everything just because it is the norm.
Instead, we went every day to a market and bought fresh fruits and veggies.
However, bandeja paisa is one of the typical Colombian meals, and you might want to try it!
You know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!
ONE-DAY TRIPS FROM MEDELLIN
How many days do you need for visiting Medellin?
It all depends on whether you plan on exploring only the city itself, or if you would like to base yourself here and travel around the area more thoroughly.
Depending on your Colombia itinerary, it is possible to make a few one-day trips from Medellin.
One of the most popular day-trips from the city is the bus journey to Guatape, which is a colorful colonial town popular with travelers and locals alike, and on the way, you have to visit the stunning Piedra del Penol.
The climb to this monolith is a bit tiring, but the views are really worth it.
Make sure to read this travel guide: Guatape and Piedra Del Penol day-trip.
Unless you plan on visiting Jardin as a separate tourist destination, we think you should go there at least on a one-day trip from Medellin.
This cute town lies already in Zona Cafetera, so except for enjoying the colorful houses and hilly surroundings, you should not skip another activity, which is sitting on the square and enjoying a freshly made coffee.
It is easy to get to both destinations by bus, but there are also cheap tours available.
From Medellin runs this well-rated Guatape and Piedra del Penol Tour.
And in case you prefer a tourist bus, you can check out this transport service from Jardin to Medellin.
FERNANDO BOTERO
Colombians can be proud of several things, such as hospitality, coffee and wonderful nature, for instance.
But have you ever heard of Fernando Botero?
We think chances are that you have, or at least you have seen his art without knowing his name.
If you haven't, you will for sure learn this name during your trip.
Fernando Botero is one of the nation's most respected persons.
It is a Colombian artist and sculptor, one of the most recognized living artists in Latin America.
Most of his work is easily recognizable because he likes to play with dimensions and proportions.
Why do we think you should know Fernando Botero before visiting Medellin?
Well, he was born here, and the city is rightfully proud of it.
When walking around the center of Medellin, you will surely encounter a few sculptures that Botero donated to the city for free, because he wanted locals to have access to art without paying for a ticket in the museum.
We also saw a sculpture from Botero in Cartagena, and even visited a museum dedicated to his work in Bogota.
And we must say, that we really enjoyed his work.
HOW TO GET TO MEDELLIN
When planning your trip to Medellin, we are pretty confident you might be looking for practical tips on how to get there.
In general, unless you get around the country by private shuttles, it is possible to get there either by bus or plane.
If you are traveling on a strict schedule and your budget is higher, consider flying in as it saves a lot of time, and it’s not that much more expensive.
Especially when arriving from the capital of Bolivar department, Cartagena de Indias.
Medellin has two airports.
One is in the city, but it is only for domestic flights, while the international airport is about 35 kilometers from the city.
Thanks to a new tunnel the drive does not take that long and you can choose to get to the city either by taxi, colectivo, or regular bus.
We traveled around Colombia by bus, and as the country is large, it often involved many overnight bus journeys.
It is good to know that Medellin has two main bus terminals, North and South.
As the name suggests, the North bus terminal serves cities and towns north of Medellin and the South bus terminal the places that are south of the city.
It is very easy to find a bus to your next destination from Medellin, and it is not even necessary to buy a ticket in advance unless you travel on holiday.
We usually bought the ticket to our next destination when we arrived in case we knew exactly how many days we wanted to stay.
COFFEE
Colombia is known for its coffee, but it does not mean that the quality of this brown beverage is everywhere perfect.
If you are a coffee lover, Medellin with its many coffee shops might be a place where you would like to stay a bit longer.
The city is only a few hours' drive from Zona Cafetera represented by towns such as laidback Jardin, buzzing Manizales or colorful Salento, so the supply of quality beans is guaranteed.
Buy a cup of coffee, and start exploring the city of Medellin, we are sure you gonna love it.
And by the way, you might want to visit also Salento for its Cocora Valley and trekking in Los Nevados National Park even if you are not a coffee lover.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
