Visiting Medellin? My advice for first-timers
Medellin is high on the list of “top travel destinations” these days. After spending 2 years living in Medellin Colombia, and holding my company retreat here for 24 employees, I get asked for travel advice from people visiting for the first time.
So I decided to compile my tips & recommendations in one place.
Is Medellin safe?
I have lived here with my family for 2 years with my family and we have never felt unsafe. Of course, its a city where you should be careful — don’t walk home alone late at night, etc. The area where most visitors stay, El Poblado, is the safest and most populous area of the city. This is also the “zona rosa” and the most lively area of the city. I have some more specific safety tips below.
Do they speak english in Medellin?
Not so much! But don’t worry, I have survived here with zero to minimal spanish for over a year. All the touristy experiences are offered in english, and you can certainly get by in restaurants and using Uber. The Google Translate app is your friend.
What is Medellin known for?
Really, you never heard of Narcos? ;)
Besides the dark period of the 90s where Medellin was one of the most dangerous cities in the world, Medellin is known as “the city of eternal spring”. Year-round, the weather average is around 22 degrees celsius (72 farenheit). This is because of altitude (the city is approximately 5000 feet or 1500 meters above sea level) and that it is nestled in a cradle of mountains that surround the city. Other fun facts:
- There is a major coffee growing region nearby, with coffee farms in the mountains, some of which you can tour.
- You can get delicious tropical fruits and avocados here very cheap. And probably some fruits you have never heard of or tasted before.
- Colombia is the second most biodiverse country on the planet (after Brazil). The country occupies the first position worldwide in number of orchids and birds, second position in plants, amphibians, butterflies and fresh water fish.
- The city has become very popular with digital nomads in recent years, with lots of great coffee shops, reliable wifi, and low cost of living.
- Medellin is currently the reggaeton capital of the world (fusion latin / hip hop music) — love it or hate it!
- The traditional dish here is the Bandeja Paisa, an enormous plate of rice, beans, chicharron (fried pork belly) and other meats, an arepa (rice cake), an egg, a plantain and avocado.
- The nearby mountains are great for hiking and paragliding.
Day trips from Medellin
- Day trip to Guatapé town. Visit this picturesque and colourful traditional colonial town of the east of Antioquia, located approximately 85kms from Medellín. There’s a beautiful natural landscape, surrounded by a man-made lake for hydroelectrical purposes and a natural giant rock formation, the Peñol Rock. At 200 meters tall, you can climb this monolith with a stairway of 640 steps. The town of Guatape itself is one of the most picturesque and colorful in the country. There is also a fun theme park called la Culebra nearby where you can do kayaking, water slides etc — if you still have energy after climbing El Peñol. Many local tour companies offer trips to Guatape.
- Day trip to Fredonia. Visit a coffee plantation in a very beautiful rural area. Learn first-hand the process of growing and processing Colombian Coffee and why is this the best coffee in the world. Many tours will take you on a traditional “chiva” jeep or bus which is an experience in itself.
- Day trip to Santa Elena. A quaint mountain village with fresh air and a hippy vibe. Some cute restaurants here. Chillier than the city — bring warmer clothes.
Other ideas for weekend activities
- Juan Pablo II Aeroparque — water park with some slides, 4 pools including a wave pool. Lots of grassed areas for lounging and you can buy drinks snacks there or bring a picnic. Great for a couple of hours (close to midday) on a warm day, especially with kids.
- Ciclovía — on Sundays between 7–1pm the entire Avenida Poblado Is closed to traffic, creating a thoroughfare for runners, cyclists, walkers. A great way to get some exercise and see the city. Bring cash for snacks from vendors.
- Parque arvi — beautiful, very large eco park with an intriguing entrance. You take a cable car (gondola) up over a neighborhood and to the mountain-top. There is a market at the top and some trails to hike.
- Salsa dancing — by popular demand, was activity is NOT on our retreat agenda :) But if you want to try salsa while here, there are many options to choose from. (see here and here)
- Hiking to Pan De Azucar — my favorite hike in Medellin with amazing views! The first portion, to Pan De Azucar, is about 2 hours — the rest is pretty hard to do without the wikiloc app.
- Minorista market — Medellin’s huge fruit and produce market. Do not walk here — take a taxi. Or consider a guided tour.
- Football game — you can go to a football (soccer) game if one is on. This is a really exciting experience because south americans LOVE their soccer. Please ask for advice from someone who has been before, because if you buy a ticket to the wrong area it could be uncomfortable. (Further reading)
- Climb Cerro Tutelar Las Tres Cruces (Hill of the three crosses) for an amazing view of the city. I would take a taxi there and some cash in order to buy a snack from the vendors.
- Cooking lesson at Via Cocina. Learn how to make traditional Colombian food under the tutelage of a chef at this business that gives back to the community.
- Telemedellin Park is a must-visit if you have small kids itching for some playground time.
- Europa is a cool pool/billiard bar in the Manila area, with plenty of restaurants close by. Players are very social.
General caution about neighborhoods
The following “barrios” are most commonly visited frequently by tourists: Poblado, Envigado, and Laureles. They all have their own vibe, and neighborhoods within these barrios. For example, Provenza is the “party area” of Poblado which is known for its nightlife, but it’s not the best place for a low-key stay. Manila is the hip and slightly less chaotic) section of Poblado with great restuarants and cafes.
A personal favorite area of mine that flies under the radar is Astorga. It’s close enough to walk to the happening spots in Manila, but much quieter.
Please be careful anywhere near the Centro neighborhood, this is where some attractions are but some areas can be prone to pick-pocketing.
Also, prostitutes and drug dealers are known for drugging and stealing from clients, but it can also just be pretty young girls at a bar. There are an estimated 50,000 Scopolamine incidents per year.
Where and what to eat
I won’t give many specific restaurant recommendations as they may be out of date. But I’d suggest sampling the full range of culinary options in Medellin, all the way from fine dining options like Carmen (book far ahead), to street food vendors.
I specifically recommend that you try a warm fresh buñuelo at least once. These are cheesy, calorific donut holes usually eaten in the morning. It was a tradition for me to justify a buñuelo s before a ciclovia walk each Sunday.
You must also try the Bandeja Paisa at least once. It may be the only meal you need to eat that day!
There are fruits you have probably never tasted before, too. My personal favorite is the Granadilla — similar to a passionfruit. Mora is a blackberry you can often find in the wild. There’s also the Guanabana and Zapote, and several fruits I never got to try like the Borojo that can only be grown in certain parts of the country.
My recommended tours
Here are some guides /tours that either I have personally done, or my guests have done and recommend.
- Real City Tours — Medellin’s most popular city tours. There is a free city walking tour where you just provide a tip at the end. They also tour the Minorista (below). Here is a good summary of various Medellin walking tours.
- Go Explore Colombia I am probably Marcelo’s best customer :) we have done at least 5 tours with him, including with my parents, mother in law, and a 24-person company retreat. He is very knowledgeable about everything Colombia-related and offers a boutique, custom experience for every group.
- Mountain biking and rafting tours. I did these tours with my parents and it was a great way to get out of Medellin to see the beautiful mountai scenery, learn more about the area, and get an adreniline hit.
Pack List
- Walking shoes
- Comfortable clothes suited to 20–27 degrees celsius days
- Light jacket for mountain areas outside of Medellin
- Bug spray — mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be an issue
- Swimsuit or clothes suitable for water activities
- Debit card for getting cash from ATMs (notify your bank of your travels!) credit cards are accepted at most places but you’ll still need some cash for incidentals.
These are just some starting points for Medellin. I wouldn’t say it’s a place you should just wander around without any plan at all. But the city is constantly changing with new restuarants, shops, and attractions that wont be included here. Choose some safe, happening areas to wander around; get out to the countryside; try some new foods; and enjoy a slice of the Paisa life!
And if you have more questions about Medellin, comment below so I can add some more details in.
