Colombia has been on our list of must-visit places for a long time. So after a lot of research and a few recommendations, we decided to embark on a journey to Medellín.
After a relatively short travel day from our home in Ecuador, we arrived in the vibrant neighborhood of El Poblado, with its bustling streets and lively atmosphere. Our AirBnB offered a breathtaking view of the city, allowing us to take in the beauty of Medellín from above.
One of the first things we noticed was the abundance of large trees, colorful flowers and plants with enormous leaves. It felt like we were walking through a jungle with a city in it!
As we explored the city, we stumbled upon a world of flavors at local restaurants like Kaime, AMA Restaurante, and Florez Food Garden. The food was so delicious that we found ourselves returning to the same places way too many times!
We spent our days soaking in the sun on the patios of these restaurants, surrounded by the sounds of people from all over the world speaking different languages. We felt right at home amidst the diversity.
As we walked the streets of El Poblado, Sabaneta, Laureles, La Floresta and other areas during our visit, we were impressed by how developed and modern it was. The city is truly special, full of life and energy.
Our trip to Medellín was far more surprising and memorable than we expected. And far too short! We left with full hearts, full bellies and a full camera, eager to share our experiences with you.
We can’t wait to return to this beautiful city and continue our adventures, but next time, we’ll stay longer than a week!
Watch Our Video from Medellín Colombia
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https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Medellin-Colombia-Cover.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2023-02-05 08:00:532023-03-20 18:35:04Medellín Colombia: A Jungle With a City In It!
Are you looking for a travel destination that has it all? From modern high-rises to stunning natural beauty, great food, and friendly locals? Look no further than Medellin, Colombia!
Our first trip to Colombia was even MORE surprising than we expected! We spent a week in Medellin in the neighborhood of El Poblado, which the New York Times just listed as a “must-visit place in 2023.” We also visited some of the other neighborhoods, like Laureles, La Floresta and Sabaneta.
So, in this article, we’ll tell you about the top 10 things that surprised us about Medellin, Colombia.
#10 Medellín Is a Modern City
Colombia may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of modern cities, but Medellin may just surprise you.
The city is full of high-rises and great places to live, including the AirBnB in the Blux building where we stayed. It was a studio apartment on the 13th floor with incredible views of El Poblado!
The city has reliable utilities and internet with wifi speeds in our AirBnB of 100mb download/30mb upload.
And you can drink the tap water, which is a huge plus! However, it is highly chlorinated so it tastes a bit like pool water straight out of the faucet. Chlorine evaporates at room temperature so I filled our bottles and left them sitting on the counter and the pool flavor dissipated after a few hours.
The city has a great transportation system, including a metro, buses, taxis, and Uber.
#9 Medellín Is Clean
Medellin is a clean city without a lot of graffiti, and street cleaners keep it tidy. You won’t find much trash on the streets, and the air quality is surprisingly good, especially when compared to other Latin American cities like Guadalajara or Mexico City.
The locals had their dogs on a leash and picked up after them, and we didn’t see any stray dogs, so that means we didn’t see a lot of dog poop on the sidewalks.
#8 Medellín Is Walkable
Medellin is a very walkable city, with nice wide sidewalks without a lot of hazards, although we did see a few open holes.
The city is also pedestrian-friendly, and El Poblado even closes down some of the streets to cars on Sundays so that everyone can enjoy walking, jogging, or bike riding.
Parts of the city are hilly, especially where we stayed in El Poblado. We typically walked downhill to the main restaurant area and then took an Uber back.
Amelia did make me walk back uphill a couple of times after dinner (because it’s good for me) and I was cursing her name the whole way!
#7 Medellín Is a Foodie’s Paradise
Medellin is known for its gastronomy, and there are lots of restaurants to choose from in the neighborhoods we visited, especially El Poblado.
You can find international cuisine as well as traditional Colombian dishes. Some of our favorite places were Florez Food Garden, Kaime, and AMA Restaurante.
The city also has several mercados and grocery stores, including Carulla, Éxito, Jumbo Santafé, Tienda D1 de Todos, and most neighborhoods have a farmer’s market on the weekend.
#6 There Are Lots of Foreigners in Medellín
Medellin is a popular destination with young and old travelers from all over the world, and we heard lots of languages spoken during our trip. However, you still need to speak Spanish, as it’s the main language used in the city.
The city is particularly popular with digital nomads and retirees, and El Poblado is known for its nightlife and party crowd.
#5 Medellín Is Crowded!
With a population of 4 million, Medellin is bigger than Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The traffic can be bad, and there are lots of people on motorcycles, so beware of moto robbers.
#4 Medellín Has Great Weather
One of the things we loved about Medellin was its perfect weather!
At an elevation of around 5,000 feet, the city has a mix of sun, clouds, and rain. Temperatures are typically in the 70s and 80s F, making it comfortable to explore the city throughout the day.
However, it’s still important to wear sunscreen during the day and bring a light jacket for cooler evenings.
#3 There’s Lots To Do In Medellín
Medellin has a ton of activities and attractions to offer. From shopping to museums to outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone.
We enjoyed visiting Santafé Mall. It’s HUGE and has a wide variety of shops and attractions. It’s has an inner and outer ring with 5 levels and a rotating display that changes monthly, featuring dog shows and flower gardens. It had an ice skating rink when we visited.
If you’re interested in exploring the city’s culture and history, you can check out the sculptures of the famous Colombian artist Botero in Plaza Botero.
There are also plenty of parks to enjoy, including the beautiful gardens of the El Castillo Castle, which you can visit for just 17,000 pesos (about $3.50) to walk around the grounds or 20,000 pesos (about $4) for a castle tour.
For those looking for day trips, Medellin offers plenty of options. You can go bird watching, visit the nearby town of Guatape or Santa Fe de Antioquia.
#2 Medellín Is Super Affordable
One of the most surprising things about Medellin was how affordable it is. The cost of living is low, making it a great destination for budget-conscious travelers.
You can find fully furnished rentals for as little as $400 per month, and cell phone plans start at just $10 per month. Internet service is also reasonably priced at around $40 per month.
Getting around the city is also affordable, with bus fares costing less than $1 and taxis costing around $2 for local fares.
Whether you’re a budget traveler or just looking to save some money on your next trip, Medellin is a great destination.
#1 Medellín Is a JUNGLE with a CITY In It!
Finally, the most surprising thing about Medellin is how green it is!
Despite being a bustling city of 4 million people, Medellin is surrounded by mountains and filled with lush greenery, including big trees, flowers, and plenty of birds.
It truly feels like a jungle with a city in it!
Conclusion
Medellín is an amazing city that surprised us in many ways. From its modernity to its affordability to its natural beauty, Medellín has a lot to offer travelers.
Whether you’re looking to explore the city’s culture, enjoy its great weather, or just soak up the greenery, Medellín is a destination that should definitely be on your list.
Plus, with a variety of visa options, including a new digital nomad visa, Medellín is a great place to work and play! We certainly plan to spend more time there in the future!
Watch Our Video About Medellín Colombia
FREE Weekly Newsletter
Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to:
This newsletter covers topics we don’t share ANYWHERE ELSE! You’ll get all sorts of timely information about living abroad and expat-relevant news that might affect your plans to travel or move abroad.
https://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Medellin-Colombia-Cover.jpg7201280JP Stonestreethttps://ameliaandjp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amelia-And-JP-Logo-v4.pngJP Stonestreet2023-02-02 16:00:562023-03-20 18:35:04Medellín Colombia: Even Better Than We Expected!
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