MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA
Known as Colombia’s “second city”, Medellín is complicated. For starters, Pablo Escobar is loathed here. He has given Colombians a bad name since his rise to power in the 80s and I recommend not buying merchandise with his face or name on it. Most Colombians see this as a slap in the face. Conversely, something Paisas (or locals of Medellín) take a lot of pride in is their metro system. When it was built in 1995, it gave those in under-resourced communities hope; it gave them a link to the city. When you walk through the streets of Medellín and learn more about its story, you’ll sense an energy and spirit of perseverance unlike any other!
Attractions:
Comuna 13 Street Art Walking Tour: I definitely recommend this tour. In the 80s, Comuna 13 was the most dangerous neighborhood in arguably the most dangerous city on the world. There is amazing street art everywhere, public escalators, and the stories embedded in these streets are extremely interesting and engaging. You will not regret this tour. When you do this, be sure to stop somewhere and get a michelada (a beer with lime and salt - so good)! This tour was 70,000 COP through Selina (my hostel).
Real City Walking Tour: This tour is also super informative. If you want a crash course on Medellín’s evolution throughout history, you should do this tour. So much information and ground covered over this 3-4 hour tour. Do not worry; you will make stops at both Plaza Botero and Parque San Antonio!
Arvi Park: This park is quite the jaunt but it is also totally worth it (about 90 minutes one way from El Poblado). First, you need to get to the Acevedo Metro Station on Line A. From here, you will transfer to Line K and take that to Santo Domingo. From Santo Domingo, transfer to Line L and that will lead you to the park. Line K and Line L are cable cars! The experience of riding those alone is super cool (reaching heights of nearly 400 meters and giving you a breathtaking, carnival-like view of the entire city). Upon arriving to Arvi Park, there are dozens of miles of trails you can follow that will take you through the green space (you can also do a guided tour; I am not sure what this costs). The park is open from 9:00am-6:00pm every day but Monday. If you go on a Sunday, there will be live music, dancing, and a cute market. If you are hungry, I recommend Cable a Tierra Vegetarian Organic Restaurant. The owner is very sweet and she has great pricing!
Pueblito Paisa: This was not my cup of tea but I see how people can enjoy it. This attraction is a replica of a traditional Antioquian (one of Colombia’s 32 districts or “departments”) town. There are restaurants, trails, and spaces to sit down and relax here.
Other spots to check out include: Explora Park, Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden, North Park, Antioquia Museum, and Parque Pies Descalzos.
Accommodation:
Selina (El Poblado): This hostel is poppin’! If you are looking for a relaxing place to stay, this is likely not the hostel for you. If you’re looking to party and hear live music at the hostel bar, this is likely the hostel for you. The main space is very large and the amenities are really nice. Depends on what you’re looking for!
You’ll likely stay in El Poblado which is the super trendy and hip neighborhood of Medellín. It is super safe here with loads of restaurants, bars, and clubs for all tastes. If you’re looking for something more relaxing and a bit more central, Laureles is the neighborhood for you.
Transportation:
José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) is 1 hour taxi ride from Medellín and costs 75,000-90,000 COP. There are also colectivo buses (Aeropuerto Combuses) that run from MDE to two separate locations in La Candelaria. One runs to San Diego Mall (15 minute walk from Exposiciones Metro Station) and one runs to Hotel Nutibara (5 minute walk from Parque Berrío Metro Station). These buses cost 10,000 COP and operate from 3:30am-10:00pm.
Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) is Colombia’s domestic airport. Depending on where you are looking to go - the city center or El Poblado - your taxi ride should be no longer than 15 minutes and cost no more than 10,000 COP.
Note: Medellín has two main bus terminals (North and South). The North terminal services cities north and east of Medellín (Cartagena, Santa Marta, Bogotá, etc.) and is accessible via the A metro line - there is a stop in El Poblado. The South terminal services cities south and west of Medellín (Cali, Salento, Armenia, Pereira, etc.) and is near Olaya Herrera Airport. The South terminal is not accessible via public transit but it is very close to El Poblado. A taxi from the South terminal to El Poblado costs 10,000 COP.
Salento is 6.5 hours by bus from Medellín and costs 54,000 COP. The road is very windy; if you get carsick easily, prepare yourself! There is no airport in Salento. If you want to fly, you must either fly to Pereira or Armenia and then take a taxi from there. Flight plus taxi from Medellín to Salento is 2 hours of travel time.
Via Pereira: Non-stop flights from Medellín to Pereira are only available via EasyFly. The flights are 45 minutes and cost 350,000-800,000 COP. A taxi from the Pereira airport to Salento is 1 hour and costs 145,000 COP.
Via Armenia: Non-stop flights from Medellín to Armenia are only available via EasyFly. The flights are 45 minutes and cost 550,000-950,000 COP. A taxi from the Armenia airport to Salento is 1 hour and costs 85,000 COP.
Bogotá is 10 hours by bus from Medellín and costs 80,000 COP. The flight is 1 hour and costs between 70,000-160,000 COP on LATAM or Viva Air.
Cartagena is 14 hours by bus from Medellín and costs 155,000 COP. The flight is 1 hour and costs between 100,000-550,000 COP on Viva Air, LATAM, or Avianca.
Santa Marta is 16 hours by bus from Medellín and costs 155,000 COP. The flight is 1 hour and costs between 130,000-450,000 COP on Viva Air, LATAM, or Avianca.
The above “Vida” picture of me was taken by a fellow traveler - I never caught your name but thank you!