Medellin

Medellin aka one of my favorite cities in the World. A bit sketchy from time to time, but not enough to not make you want to visit, and stay!

[Medellin is truly a wonderful city, but as in any big city you need to be careful with your stuff. As the Colombians say, you should “no dar papaya” which basically means not to show off your valuables.]

Medellín, Colombia's second-largest city, is a dynamic metropolis nestled within a stunning valley in the Andes Mountains. Often referred to as the "City of Eternal Spring," Medellín’s temperature is around 24 degrees all year around, making it an attractive destination for travelers. As a past hub for drug cartels, Medellin has become a city full of history and stories ready to be heard.

With its remarkable transformation and a warm, welcoming population, Medellín is a city that offers a blend of innovation, culture, and natural beauty, making it an exciting destination for travelers seeking a vibrant Colombian experience.

Moreover, Medellín's breathtaking surroundings make it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. The surrounding mountains offer hiking and outdoor adventure opportunities, and nearby towns like Guatapé boast unique attractions such as the stunning El Peñol Rock with a panoramic view of the region.

Accommodation :

• Hostels: Masaya Experience - El viajero - Centro Medellin

Best Neighborhoods to stay at in Medellin:

• El Poblado/Provenza: El Poblado is a trendy neighborhood located in the heart of Medellin. It is a hub for international tourists, expats, and young professionals, offering a cosmopolitan atmosphere. If you are looking for some nightlife, you should definitely check out the area! It has numerous bars and clubs that come alive in the evenings.

  During the day you will find many coffee places prefect for Digital Nomads such as: Hija Mia Coffee, IMAGO, Mija Masa Madre

  To eat : Restaurante Mondongo’s (traditional Colombian food), Koto Sushi, Herbario (Fusion). Lorenzza Pizzeria

  I would recommend you stay in one of these two hostels : Masaya Experience or El viajero. They both could be (or even are) boutique hostels, with nice decoration and a welcoming vibe. You will definitely make some friends there thanks to their rooftop, rooftop bar, swimming pool/sauna and relaxing areas.

• Center: The city center bursts with life. From corner shops selling fruits to street musicians, to prayers from the impressive churches, to the sound of taxis honking and people talking loudly as they always do over there.

  I would recommend you stay in this hostel : Centro Medellin. It is very well located, cute, comfy, and clean ! You get free breakfast in the mornings and they take the time to make a different one every day! The workers are absolute angels too.

How to get around in Medellin:

To get around Medellin is very simple. You can either take a taxi (always ask for the price before you start the ride), or the metro (aka underground or tube) which is very modern, fast, and clean.

You also have the metrocáble (cable cars) which is an aerial cable car system that serves as a vital part of the city's public transportation network. 

The city buses are called Metroplús and have their own lanes. These lanes are often physically separated from the road, which allows for smoother and faster movement.

What to see/do in Medellin: 

• Comuna 13: For its artistic Expression, Historical background, and Cultural Hub. You will find many colorful murals which represents the city’s freedom from oppression. How to arrive there ? Go to San Javier metro.

• Parque Arvi: Take the cable car that overlooks a major part of Medellin and discover nature niched a few km away from the Metropolitan.

• Jardin Botanico (Botanical Garden): A nice botanical garden to walk through when you feel like you need a pause from the city

• Pueblito Paisa: A Colombian heritage made of small houses niched on the top of a hill. You will have to either take a taxi or climb the steps. I recommend climbing the steps if you can, it’s so rewarding!

• El Peñon de Guatapé: Guatapé is a picturesque town located in the Antioquia Department of Colombia, 2 hours away from Medellin. Although I often plan everything without tours, I do recommend you take a tour for this one. You will find many people selling them in Medellin. The typical day would look like this: You will leave early in the morning by bus. Your first stop will be to have breakfast in a typical Antiqueño restaurant. Then you will stop in the village of Marinilla before visiting the town of Guatapé. After that you will go to El Peñon and you’ll be able to climb the steps to get a 360 degrees panoramic view (beautiful !!). When everyone is ready, you get a boat ride on one of the lakes before heading back to Medellin. What a day !

• Casa de la Memoria Museum: This is one of the most moving museums i’ve ever been too. During the entire visit you learn about the armed conflict Colombia went through, and how it destroyed the nation. At the end, you have a dark room with hundreds of photos of people that went missing and were never found. It was terribly moving, but so worth it. You leave the museum with so much compassion for and knowledge about Colombia’s past.

  Plaza Botero: Also known as Plaza de las Esculturas, is a public square located in the heart of the city. It is named after the famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero, who was born in Medellín and is renowned for his distinctive style of creating oversized, rotund figures. Plaza Botero is one of the city's most iconic landmarks and is dedicated to displaying a collection of 23 bronze sculptures.

• Walk around in the streets, and get that Medellin vibe!

Nightlife:

As I said before, El Poblado and Provenza is probably where you’ll end up going out, unless you meet locals who show you other areas in the city.

Salon Amador and Sonorama are THE TO GO places if you’re a techno fan. If you prefer dancing “el perreo” then you should go to El Perro Negro.