How to get to Medellín?

Travel Guide Medellin

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By Airplane

How to get to Medellín?
Read about the different ways of transportation to Medellín, of which traveling by plane is a popular option.

International Flights
Airport: José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro, 35km from Medellín.

Flights from destinations such as the ones below, land on this airport.

  • Latin America: Mexico City, Panama City
  • USA: NYC, Miami and Orlando
  • Caribbean: Curacao (EZ air, Wingo ) Aruba (Wingo)

From Europe, there is no direct flight to Medellín. Most flights have a stopover in Bogotá. One option to fly to Medellín from Europe is with Air Europa through Madrid.

Domestic flights
Airport José María Córdova International Airport and Olaya Herrera Airport national Airport in El Poblado. (Easyfly and Satena).

Flights from several national destinations land here, such as:

  • Bogotá, Cartagena, Santa Marta
  • Pereira and Armenia (Coffee Triangle)
  • Nuquí, Bahía Solano (Chocó, Pacific)
  • Cali

Transportation from the international airport

From José María Córdova Airport →Medellín
There are several ways to get to Medellín.

1) The official airport cabs
The white taxis will take you to Medellín for a fixed price. (20-30 min, depending on traffic and your final destination). The fixed fare is COP 90,000 / $23 (2022). There are also yellow taxis that drive to and from the airport, for around the same rate as the official airport cabs.

2) Private transfer pre-booked online
We personally like this option, especially if you arrive late in Medellín. After booking, you get the WhatsApp number of the driver, who waits for you in the arrival hall. There is no unnecessary delay, you can leave right away and you don’t have to pay anything more. It’s more expensive than an airport taxi, but we think it’s well worth it. You book a private transfer here.

3) Shuttlebus
The cheapest way to get to Medellín is by the airport shuttle minibus, Aeropuerto Combuses. The fare is COP 13,000 $4 (2022). Buses run from 6:30 a.m. until the last flight of the day.

The bus can drop you off at 2 locations:
1) Centro Comercial San Diego (El Centro, 25 min). Nearest metro station is Expocisiones (5 min)
2) Behind Hotel Nutibara ( El Centro, 45 min). Walking distance from Parque Berrio metro station. Tip: If you travel at night, do not use this stop. This is not a safe neighborhood to walk around in the evening.

Bus Transportation

There are two bus stations in Medellín:

1) Bus terminal del Norte
Buses to/from the north and east including:

  • Bogotá
  • Cartagena
  • Guatapé
  • Rio Claro
  • Santa Fe de Antioquia

How to get there
-taxi ride 20 min. from el Poblado
-3 min. walk from Caribe subway station (line A)

2) Bus terminal del Sur
Buses to/from the south include:

  • Manizales
  • Pereira
  • Cali
  • Jardin
  • Jericó
  • Abejorral

How to get there.
-3 min walk from Olaya Herrera Airport
-15 min walk from el Poblado subway station (Line A)
-taxirit 10 min. from el Poblado

Learning Spanish in Medellín – Our tips

Travel Guide Medellin

Our tips

When you go to Colombia, speaking a word of Spanish with the locals not only makes your visit a lot easier but also more fun. Greeting a Colombian on the street, a chat in the supermarket or just chatting on the bus….

Whether you have absolutely no knowledge of the Spanish language, or already have a foundation; there are many language schools in Medellín for every level.

During my trip to Medellín, I chose to study Spanish at language school Total Spanish, in the middle of the lively neighborhood of El Poblado.

How do you begin?
You have the opportunity to learn in one week, the first touches of the Spanish language. You can also take classes for 2,3,4 weeks or longer. When registering on location, a brief intake interview will be done to see what level you are at and whether you would like individual lessons or prefer group classes.

Group or private lessons?
Group classes begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. (20 hours per week). In individual classes, you have the freedom to determine your course times with the instructor (10 hours per week).

Private lessons
I myself had the private language course because no one else had signed up at my level of Spanish. For that reason I had 10 lessons spread over 4 days instead of the full week. Because you get 1 on 1 lessons it is quite intensive but doable. Dreaming away and expecting another student to give you the answer is out of the question -:)

Price tag
-Group lessons: from COP650,000/$162.50 pp per week
-Private lessons: from COP700,000/$175 pp per week
-The longer you stay, the cheaper the lessons!

Homework
Classes are held in small rooms with a whiteboard, inside the Total Spanish building. During the course you will receive lesson materials and homework for the next day. Your homework will take a maximum of 30 – 60 minutes per day.

Salsales
In addition to classes, there are also activities offered that you can do with other students. Think of a trip to Comuna 13, Colombian cooking together or a salsa class. The activities are done after lunch.

Activities

  • Every Monday there is a “welcome lunch” for the new students so they can get to know each other and the teachers (COP15,000/$4)
  • City tour (COP25,000/$6)
  • One hour of salsa lessons (free)

Additional activities

  • Comuna 13 and graffiti tour COP35,000/$9
  • Tour to fruit market COP25,000/$6

Participating in activities also keeps you in contact with other students, even if you have private lessons. That’s great! Do you feel like joining activities after the course, but want to do your own thing in the evening? No worries! You are not obligated to spend your free time with other students, you can just do as you please.

Reference for your studies?
The teachers are qualified and the lessons are designed using “The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).” Still, this is not enough to get an exemption for your studies. You can learn Spanish on a recreational level, but you cannot use the course as a reference for your studies. For this, it is better to study at a university in Colombia, where this is possible.

 

Written by Mellijn
 Travel date December 2017 , updated June 2024

#NaarColombiaTips

#Tip 1
 Stay with a host family
A great way to immediately put your new knowledge into practice and to rotate with a local family. Prices including meals start around $150 per week.

#Tip 2
Prefer to take lessons at home? Then sign yourself up for private online classes. Look here for more info: website Total Spanish language school

Transportation in Medellín

Travel Guide Medellin

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Metro, Taxi, Apps

Metro

Medellín’s modern metro system is the pride of the city. Travel by metro is reliable, fast, cheap and safe. And this system does not consist only of the subway. In addition to two metro lines, there are a streetcar line, 5 Metrocable lines (cable cars) two Metroplús bus lines, an electric bus line and small vans that connect to the metro stations. Especially if you want to go to the city center, the metro is more convenient than a cab. Because of the heavy traffic, it takes a long time to get to the center and traffic is often jammed there.

Metro lines:

Line A: from north to south, this is the main line for travelers, with 21 stations, including Poblado, San Antonio, Parque Berrío (centro) and Universidad (metro station for tourist attractions in the north, such as Parque Explora and the botanical garden). Line A also takes you to Acevedo station, for the cable car to Santo Domingo/ Parque Arví
Line B: from downtown to west, with 6 stations, including Estadio (Laureles/Estadio)
Line L: cable car from Santo Domingo Savio to Parque Arví

Check out here for the map showing routes and subway stations.

To avoid lines at the ticket office, you can buy a rechargeable Civica card at any of the metro stations, the Tarjeta Eventual. Purchasing the card (without credit) costs COP5000 and you can use the card with multiple people. The card can be recharged at the metro stations and many other points in the city. Standard fare per ride with Cívica card is COP 2880/$0.72. (rate 2023). Standard fare per ride without Cívica card is COP 3280/$0.82 (2023).

*Mouth caps are mandatory on public transportation (June 2022 update)

 

    Cab

    Traveling by cab is efficient and inexpensive. If you travel by cab in the evening, have your hotel call a cab for you instead of stopping one on the street or order a cab through one of the cab apps.

    Prices
    (standard rates 2022)

    • Metered cab ride (Banderazo): starts at COP3800/$1.00
    • Starting fare regular ride: COP 5800/ $1.60
    • Rate per hour is COP 25,500
    • Ride to/from airport COP90,000/$22.50

    Apps

    In addition to the Uber app, there are other cab apps in Colombia, such as InDriver, Didi and Easy Tappsi These apps work like Uber, where you can track the driver. This makes it a safe, alternative way of ordering a cab.

    Uber is known among locals as the more expensive app. We ourselves have had good experiences with InDriver. The app is easy to use and both during the day and at night, we never had to wait longer than 5 minutes for a cab.

    How does InDriver work?
    Unlike the other apps, you, the customer, offer a price for the ride. The drivers can accept your price or make a counter-offer. There are often more than one driver willing to do a ride, so you can make your choice and even view reviews about the driver if you want.

    The minimum fare is COP10000/$2.50 for a ride and that is what we paid for most short rides in the city. We started with an offer of COP10000 and this was almost always accepted. For the longer rides, you pay around COP15,000/$3.75. If you go to one of the suburbs like Sabaneta then you pay around COP20,000/$5.(prices 2022)

     

    Traveling by subway

    Medellín has a metrocultura
    That is, there is an unwritten rule, not to make phone calls in the metro and not to eat and drink there. As a result, it stays remarkably clean in the metro and it is pleasant to travel.

    Tip from a local for traveling during rush hour
     Can you avoid the subway during 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.? Perfect! During rush hour, the metro is packed and travelers are crammed close together. If you do have to travel during rush hour, don’t give pickpockets a chance. Phones are especially popular. While boarding and alighting, thieves can get in and out of the subway unseen. If you stand resolutely to the left against the wall when boarding, you won’t give pickpockets a chance.

    Bus transportation for trips in the area

    There are two bus stations in Medellín:

    1) Bus Terminal del Norte.
    Buses to/from north and east including:

    • Bogotá
    • Cartagena
    • Guatapé
    • Rio Claro
    • Santa Fe de Antioquia

    You get to Bus terminal del Norte with a 20-minute cab ride from el Poblado or 3-minute walk from Caribe subway station (line A)

    2) Bus terminal del Sur
    Buses to/from the south include:

    • Manizales
    • Pereira
    • Cali
    • Jardin
    • Jericó
    • Abejorral

    Bus Terminal del Sur is located at 3 min walk from Olaya Herrera Airport and 15 min walk from el Poblado metro station (Line A). A cab from el Poblado gets you there in about 10 min.

    Where to stay in Medellín? – The best neighborhoods + tips

    Travel Guide Medellin

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    El Poblado or Laureles/Estadio?

    Where to stay in Medellín? Find the best neighborhoods + tips here. El Poblado and Laureles-Estadio….beide neighborhoods are attractive to travelers for their safety, central location and easy accessibility. There are hotels, hostels and apartments for every budget: for $10 you have a dorm bed in a hostel and a comfortable mid-range hotel for $30-$60. There is also a wide choice of luxury class hotels, especially in El Poblado. Which neighborhood is the nicest and most convenient to stay in? That depends entirely on what you want to do in Medellín and where! We have stayed in both neighborhoods during our trips to Medellín and find that both neighborhoods have their charms. Hopefully our tips will help you get started in making a choice!

    El Poblado

    El Poblado is a green, hilly neighborhood, 6 km south of the city center. It is an upscale neighborhood, with some of Medellín’s fanciest restaurants, but there are restaurants for every budget.

    El Poblado is a large area made up of smaller neighborhoods. You can therefore spend a lot of time walking to and from your accommodation and the metro station. Therefore, choose your hotel or hostel smartly and depending on what you want to do.

    If you plan to do a lot of shopping, then an accommodation near Avenida de El Poblado (Milla de Oro / golden mile) is convenient. Here you will find shopping centers such as Santa Fe and Oviedo, large supermarkets and many restaurants.

    This section is also the business center of El Poblado. The hotels are mostly high-rise.

    If you prefer to stay in the heart of the nightlife, grab accommodation near the cozy Lleras Park, the Zona Rosa of El Poblado.

    The locals’ nightlife has lately moved more to Vía Provenza, around the corner from Lleras park.

    In the Provenza and foodie district of Manila, you will find a number of boutique hotels, such as Manila hotel boutique
    and Patio del Mundo in Provenza, where you imagine yourself in the jungle -:)

    Conveniently, if you are staying in El Poblado, you can then join organized tours leaving from El Parque del Poblado, such as various (bus) tours to Guatapé, Comuna 13 and the free El Poblado walking tour.

    There are 4 metro stations: Poblado, Industriales, Aguacatala and Ayurá. There is a bus station in El Poblado, the Terminal del Sur, for buses to nearby villages such as Jardín. Furthermore, the national Olaya Herrera Airport is located in El Poblado.

      Laureles-Estadio

      Laureles-Estadio is centrally located, west of the city center (El Centro). This makes it a great base to visit El Centro, grab a museum there or do a city walk. Laureles-Estadio is close to Estadio metro station (line B).

      Like El Poblado, Laureles-Estadio is a popular neighborhood with travelers, but without the tourist “hype.” Here you will find a more local vibe than in El Poblado. You already feel the different vibe when you get off at Estadio metro station; it’s messy, there are more street vendors, in short, it’s more Colombian.

      Laureles-Estadio is a pedestrian-friendly, flat neighborhood. There are nice restaurants and coffee shops, and prices are lower than in El Poblado.

      We stayed on a quiet side street of La Setenta, the Zona Rosa (entertainment district) of Medellín. La Setenta is a long street with many restaurants, bars and clubs.

      The famous Son Havana salsa club is also located in Laureles-Estadio.

      When there are soccer games at Soccer Stadium Atanasio Girardot, you will find many soccer fans on the streets, coming for drinks after the game. Soccer fans who do not go to the stadium come to watch the game in one of the many bars.

      You can store at the large shopping center Centro Comercial Unicentro.

      Furthermore, in Laureles/Estadio you will find the parks el primer and segundo Parque de Laureles, where there are also some nice hotels.

      If you are staying in Laureles-Estadio, then you are not far from Caribe Metro station, where you can catch the bus to Guatapé.

      Other neighborhoods

      In El Centro (la Candelaria), you will find some of the city’s main attractions and museums. Still, we don’t recommend this neighborhood to stay overnight, as it is less safe at night. Besides, you can easily reach El Centro by metro, for a day of “sightseeing.” (Metro stations Parque Berrío, San Antonio (line A)

      Envigado and Sabaneta are actually 2 separate cities, but because there are no visible boundaries, they are considered part of Medellín. These traditional neighborhoods are south of El Poblado. If you are in Medellín for an extended period of time, these are great neighborhoods to stay in. Both Sabaneta and Envigado are easily accessible by metro (line A). If you are coming to visit the tourist attractions, it is more convenient to book accommodation in El Poblado or Laureles to save yourself a lot of travel time.

       

      300*250 RentalCars English

      Tips for booking your hotel or hostel

      1) Check the distance to the nearest metro station
      Especially in El Poblado, as this is a large, hilly area. Even a short walk can be fairly intense

      2) Check if the hotel is right on a busy street or 1 or 2 streets behind it.
      This can make a world of difference to your sleep! If the hotel is on a busy street, check if it has “soundproofing” rooms or ask for a room not facing the street.

      Our pick:
       Our favorite hotel in El Poblado for location and comfort is Leblón Suites (around $60). The hotel has very spacious suites with kitchens and is on a quiet street behind Avenida de El Poblado (Golden mile). Because of this, we were not bothered by the traffic. The hotel is within walking distance of Parque Poblado (starting point of several tours), supermarket Carrulla and shopping centers Oviedo and Santa Fe. Around the corner from the hotel you will find a drugstore, restaurant Parmessano and coffee shop Tostao.

      Bonus tip:
      Do you like a bit of luxury during your city break? Then check out these hotels with jacuzzi in Medellin.

      Check out more hotels and hostels in the different price ranges below.

      $ price range up to $30

      $$ price range $30 – $60

      $$$ price range above $60

      El Poblado

      $

      $$

      $$$

      More hotels in El Poblado-Medellin

      Laureles/Estadio

      $

      $$

      $$$

      More hotels in Laureles-Medellin

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      The best restaurants in Medellín – Food and drink.

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      Eating and drinking in Medellín

      There are good restaurants in Medellín for every taste and budget, from traditional to international. Medellín even has a starred restaurant: Elcielo in el Poblado, which received its second Michelin star in 2022. There are some streets/neighborhoods in Medellín with a large concentration of restaurants, such as “La Setenta” in Laureles/Estadio, Parque Lleras and Manila in el Poblado and Calle de la buena mesa in Envigado. To learn more about typical local food and drink in Medellín, check out the page Medellín Culinary for more info.

      Coffee culture
      Medellín has a real coffee culture. At specialized coffee shops, you choose the coffee beans and the method of preparation yourself. With these, the barista prepares a delicious cup of coffee for you.

      Nightlife
      Lleras park, Manila and vía Provenza (El Poblado), La 70, La 33 (Laureles) and Barrio Colombia are popular nightlife areas. Barrio Colombia is a 10-minute cab ride from El Poblado. In this industrial area, a number of warehouses have been turned into clubs.

       

       

      Our tips

      COFFEE SHOPS

      PERGAMINO

      Lleras park (Poblado)

      Favorite of many locals and travelers for the good coffee, tasty cakes and breakfast. Roast their own coffee beans from local coffee finas. Hotspot among digital nomads.

      TOSTAO CAFÉ Y PAN

      Poblado

      For a cheap and tasty cappucino with a quick snack to go with it. Several establishments in Medellín, including on Avenida El Poblado and Oviedo shopping mall.

      CAFE REVOLUCIÓN

      Laureles

      Cafe near Primer Parque Laureles. Makes a good cup of coffee as well as a tasty iced coffee.

      URBANIA CAFÉ

      Poblado + Viva Envigado mall

      Café with a relaxed ambiance and delicious cakes for coffee. Fine workplace for digital nomads.

      RITUALES

      Laureles

      Rituales uses coffee beans from plantations in La Sierra in Medellín. Also have a social project in this barrio.

      DESAROLLADORES DE CAFE

      Provenza (Poblado)

      Here you can choose from coffee beans from all over Colombia. Surprising; the cocktails with coffee.

      BARS & CLUBS

      CAFÉ CLICHE

      Laureles

      For ” la belle vie à la francaise” in Medellín. Café-bistro with live music on different days of the week.

      SON HAVANA

      Laureles-La 70

      One of the best salsa clubs in Medellín, with live bands and free salsa classes.

      ENVY ROOFTOP

      Lleras park (Poblado)

      For a cocktail and snack with a great view, from the 18th floor of the Charlee hotel. You can sit at one of the poolside tables, or one more floor up, where the view is even better.

      CERVECERIA 3 CORDILLERAS

      Barrio Colombia

      Micro brewery with bar, where you can taste 5 types of beer. (included in entrance fee). There are tours on Thursday evenings.

      TRÍLOGIA

      Barrio Colombia

      Popular bar with live music by our own “house band” among others. The band has a varied repertoire from rock to salsa, merengue and ballads.

      SALON MALAGA

      Centro

      Do you love tango, boleros and Colombian music legends? Then step back in time at one of Medellín’s oldest cafes.

      RESTAURANTS

      CREPES Y WAFFLES

      Sweet and savory crepes, soup and salad, waffles and superdeluxe sundaes. Crepes & Waffles has several locations in Medellín, including in the shopping malls. Crepes y waffles is at the top of our list of best restaurants in Medellín!

      MONDONGOS

      Popular spot with Colombian families, who descend on the Bandeja Paisa and other traditional dishes. There is a restaurant in El Poblado and in Laureles. Our favorite: the Ajiaco soup, not just any soup, but a whole (filling) meal with all kinds of things around it like avocado, rice, banana, capers and sour cream.

      MEDELLÍN BURGER COMPANY

      For the tastiest burgers in Medellín, only Angus beef is used. Also, if you feel like a nice cocktail (with or without alcohol), this is the place to be. Medellín Burger Company has a branch in El Poblado and on la 70 in Laureles.

      MERCADO DEL RIO

      In an old warehouse in Ciudad del Rio, you will find more than 30 restaurants, 2 breweries, a wine bar, and two cafes. There are restaurants serving traditional local food and international restaurants.

      TONY ROMAS-DANN CARLTON

      Dining in a slowly rotating restaurant, on the 18th floor of the Dann Carlton hotel. A special experience in Medellín! During your dinner you will enjoy the 360-degree view and after about 1.5h, you will be back at the “starting point.” Tip: go for the baby beef.

      CARMEN

      A sophisticated cuisine in El Poblado, specializing in “tasting” menus with all kinds of small dishes. The owners are graduates of the famous Cordon Bleu culinary academy.

      What to do in Medellin? How to book excursions safely + bonus tips

      Travel Guide Medellin

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      What to do in Medellín? Too many to mention! We give you tips for the best (free) things to do, the best city tours and the best excursions from Medellín. That way you’ll get the most out of your trip!

      Fun things to do

      10 tips + bonus tips

      1. By cable car to Parque Arví.

      Travel with the locals on the metrocable. The view of the city as well as the comunas is impressive; villages with narrow streets built steeply against the mountain. Despite the visible poverty, it looks cozy because life takes place outside. Nature reserve Parque Arví is the last stop. You can hike there and it is a nice place for lunch among the locals on Sundays.

       

      2. Take a picture of a real Botero

      At Plaza Botero in the city center, you can admire the artwork of the “master.” Botero is known for his abstract, “oversized” sculptures of people and animals. There are 23 bronze Boteros scattered around the plaza. If you want to learn more about Colombia’s most famous artist and also see his paintings, visit Museo de Antioquia, which is also located on the square, right away.

       

      3. Shop till you drop in Colombia's largest mall

      The giga mall with nearly 400 stores and a large food court, is located 5 minutes from Envigado metro station. Viva Centro Comercial includes a large Exito “Wow” store, Homecenter, 16 movie theaters, large Viva park especially for kids and even a sports center with soccer and volleyball courts. Look here for more shopping tips in Medellín.

      4. Stroll around a castle garden

      A castle, right in the middle of Medellín? Yes, you read correctly! In the garden of Museo el Castillo in El Poblado, parrots sit high in the trees and squirrels jump around. You can also take a look at the small museum, but you come here for the garden. Also fun; picnic in the garden -:) You can order a picnic basket from Museo el Castillo’s website.

      5. Grab a bike on car-free Sunday (Ciclovía)

      On all Sundays and holidays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., part of the roads are closed to cars. This makes Sunday the ideal day for a bike ride or a walk. For example, you can bike from El Poblado to Envigado (6.5 km). There is a pleasant bustle of stalls and many strolling families.

      6. Take Spanish lessons

      Medellín is a popular city with students. At the language schools, classes are available at any level and for any length of time. In between studying, you can join excursions organized by the school. Read about our own experience and our tips for Studying Spanish in Medellin

      7. Dive into the history of Medellín

      A visit to Museo Casa de la Memoria, is almost a must, if you are going to do a Comuna 13 tour. It is a modern, interactive museum, where you will gain insight into the history of the drug conflict. There is a separate room, where the victims of the years of drug violence have been given a face through the many photos and stories. One thing is for sure: after visiting this museum, the stories of the locals in Comuna 13 will impress you even more! Tip: Bring your earbuds, connect to the wifi in the museum and download the English-language app! Admission is free. The museum is located in Parque Bicentenario in the city center. It is a bit further away from the tourist attractions. From Plaza Botero (Berrío metro station) you can get there by the Tranvía.

       

      8. Move your hips during a salsa class

      We think you can’t go to Colombia without trying a dance -;) Medellín may not have the salsa “status” of Cali, but there are several dance schools or cafes where you can learn your first salsa moves. Not sure yet if salsa is for you? Then take a free trial class, at Café Son Havana or dance school Dancefree, among others.

       

       

      9. Chill in the botanical garden

      The Jardín Botánico is located on 14 acres of land next to Parque Explora. Among other things, you can walk along a small lake with turtles and there are several species of birds and iguanas. Little (and big ) kids can ride a funny little train through the park -:) Jardín Botánico is also popular for festivals, weddings and the annual orchid exhibition, during the Feria de las Flores.

      11. Enjoy the skyline (insider's tip)

      There are many great places to enjoy the view of the city. One of our favorite spots and a real insider’s tip is restaurant la Octava Maravilla / Mirador Sabaneta. The eighth wonder of the world is located in Sabaneta, a suburb of Medellín. The view is stunning and here we drank one of the most delicious -and beautifully decorated- piña coladas ever. Come early because the restaurant is very popular with locals and you can’t make reservations. You can’t pay by credit or debit card, so bring plenty of cash. A taxi from el Poblado through a taxi App cost us around COP20,000/$5 and the ride takes 30-40min. Read here about our own experience at La Octava Maravilla.

      10. Try the delicious food and drinks

      Order a drink at one of the colorful cafes in Lleras park, sample a craft brewed beer at a cerveceria and check out Manila’s “foodie” district in el Poblado. Sample typical local food like the delicious Ajiaco soup at Mondongo’s on la 70 (pictured) or dine in an old warehouse at Mercado del Rio. For our tips on the best restaurants in Medellín. Want to know more about typical local dishes and the best street food in Medellín? Check out the page Food Medellín Buen provecho!

      12. Go to a soccer game with a local

      Colombians are passionate soccer fans, and the most fun way to experience this passion up close is at the stadium. Medellín has two teams: Atletico Nacional and Independente Medellín (DIM). The rivalry between these teams is huge. Don’t know any locals going to the game? Then book a guided tour. You can book such a tour here. If you don’t go to the stadium, you can watch the game in one of the many cafes in Medellín.

      Bonus tips

      1. Visit Medellín during Christmas

      If there is one city in Colombia known for extravagant Christmas lights(El Alumbrado) it is Medellín! Don’t think simple decorations here! The culture of Antioquia is depicted, as well as flowers and animals from the region. To give you an idea of the scale: 28 million LED lights, 1,000 kilometers of cords of Christmas lights, 30,000 handmade figures and 250 people installing the decorations. The Christmas season begins on Dec. 7, but the lights are lit a week earlier and can be admired through the first week of January. Each year the locations for the decorations are announced. You can also go on a guided tour of the beautiful Christmas lights, in the different neighborhoods of Medellín. You can book the tour here.

       

      2. Fun things to do with the kids

      Parque Explora
      A large interactive museum, including aquarium and planetarium. Here the kids can be active themselves. Good to combine with the Jardín Botánico (5 min. walk)
      Hacienda       Napoles
      A theme park located 178 km from Medellín. The park consists of a water park and zoo, built on the former estate of Pablo Escobar. After his death, the Colombian government wanted to do something positive with the property and it is now a popular family park. You can stay overnight at one of the hotels in the vicinity of Hacienda Napoles or Doradal.

       

      Organized tours

      City Tours

      Free city tour

      A city tour is a convenient introduction to the city. You’ll see the highlights while hearing stories about Medellín’s history. The guide also shares useful tips with you. The tour is not completely free: at the end of the tour, you tip the guide. Indication is about COP 30,000 / $ 7.50 per person. You can book the tours at Real City Tours, among others. We found a surprising free tour to be the El Poblado tour.

      Read here about our experience with the El Poblado tour.

      Comuna / grafitti tour

      Medellín is the city of transformation and during the community tours, you will hear the real story of the locals behind that transformation. The most popular tour is the graffiti tour in Comuna 13, where the graffiti and other street art depict life in the comuna. There is a wide range of Comuna 13 tours. We had a good experience with the tour in the Graffivan.

      If you want to visit a more unfamiliar Comuna, you can visit Comuna 8 (Barrio Sierra), combined with a visit to a coffee plantation. Note: You cannot visit Comuna 8 independently, it is not safe. There is 1 authorized organization to do tours here and that is Urban Coffee Tour.

      Read here about our experience with the Urban Coffee Tour.

      fruit tour

      During a tour of the fruit market, your senses will be indulged with many different colors, tastes and smells. During the tour, you will taste many kinds of exotic fruits and fruit juices. With a guide, you will get the most out of your visit. The guide knows the large, hectic market like the back of his hand and a chat with the vendors is easy. The guide will also tell you the stories behind the market and the people. You can book a tour of the fruit market here.

      Day trips

      Day trip Guatapé and el Peñol

      The most popular day trip from Medellín. The trip usually includes typical Colombian breakfast, lunch in the colorful village of Guatapé and a boat ride on the reservoir. If you want to climb el Peñol, keep in mind that entrance is usually not included. (approx. COP20,000/$5)

      Look here for our travel guide Guatapé en el Peñol

      Active “adrenaline rush” tour

      Paragliding, rappelling, rafting, off-roading with an ATV, hiking…no shortage of opportunities to get nice and active! If you really want a kick; try out these zipline hammocks Here you book the hammock zipline tour from Medellin.

      Tour to coffee plantation

      For a coffee tour, you don’t have to go far; coffee plantations can be found even in the outskirts of Medellín, such as in Sabaneta and Envigado. During a tour, you’ll learn all about coffee, from “bean to cup.” Our tip; combine a tour of a coffee plantation with another authentic Colombian experience; horseback riding! With such a combination tour you get the most out of your day. You can book such a tour here.

      Weekend getaway

      Glamping in Guatapé

      (83 km from Medellín)

      If you stay overnight in Guatapé, you can enjoy the surroundings to the fullest. Especially if you stay in a tent, in the middle of nature. For extra luxury, book a tent with a private jacuzzi -:) During the day you can hike or take a kayak trip on the lake. Also ‘n take a mono cab to Guatapé, for a cup of coffee in the “most colorful village in Colombia.” Check out these luxury tents: Bosko glamping and Domus glamping

      Go back in time in Jardín

      (131 km from Medellín)

      Jardín is one of those villages where time has stood still. On Sundays, the farmers come to town on their horses, for a cup of coffee (or something stronger). The nicest place in the village, we think, is the central square. Order a cup of coffee and let village life pass you by. In the surrounding area you can do some nice hiking, bird watching or hiking to a spectacular cave. Check here more quaint villages for a side trip from Medellín.

      Río Claro Reserva Natural

      (152 km from Medellín)

      Near natural reserve Río Claro you can hike and bird watch and there are all kinds of activities to do such as ziplining, rafting (the quiet version) and cave exploration. Accommodations range from a room at the eco-hotel to a private cabaña.

      5-star tours

      Day trips

      Adventure/Paragliding