Once infamous as the world’s most dangerous city, Medellín—Colombia’s vibrant second-largest metropolis—is just a stone’s throw from the capital Bogotá, a mere 30-minute flight away.
Let me skip what you can already find plastered all over the internet:
1. The city is divided into six distinct zones, numbered 1 to 6. Zone 6, known for its safety and affluence, stands in stark contrast to Comuna 13, a neighborhood in zone 2 that has become a hotspot for visitors eager to explore its colorful street art and transformation story.
2. Think of Medellín as Colombia’s answer to Chongqing—a bustling, mountainous city where steep hills and winding roads define the urban landscape.
3. Meat lovers rejoice! Steak here is wallet-friendly, with a regular cut costing around 100 pesos and a T-bone priced at about 200. While tastes vary, the hearty peisa—a plate piled high with beans, rice, plantains, and meat—is widely regarded as the national dish, as seen in the last picture.
4. For getting around, both Uber and Didi are readily available, though the latter often offers slightly better prices.
5. Contrary to its gritty reputation, Medellín isn’t nearly as perilous as people imagine. Having traveled through Panama and Medellín, I’ve found the dangers are often overstated.
Tourists rarely venture into the less savory slums of zones 1 and 2, and staying cautious by avoiding late-night outings ensures a smooth experience.
6. About a two-hour drive (a leisurely 80km away) lies Guatapé, a must-visit destination. Though the mountainous terrain slows down travel due to the lack of highways, this gem of Colombia—often dubbed the “Thousand Islands”—features an awe-inspiring giant rock formation worth climbing.
Afterward, take a stroll through the charming, rainbow-hued town nearby.
7. Coffee and flowers reign supreme as local specialties, and the city boasts numerous trendy eateries. I’ve compiled some recommendations in the screenshots for your convenience. If you’re a coffee enthusiast, consider picking up a bag of beans, though be warned—they tend to have a pronounced acidity typical of South American varieties.
8. Time permitting, make a detour to Cartagena, where the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea paint breathtaking landscapes. And don’t miss the vibrant seascape near Bogotá, reachable in just an hour’s flight.
