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Picture of Medellín, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Travel Guide for
Medellín

Colombia

Mild, spring-like year round

Introduction

Medellín, nestled in Colombia’s lush Aburrá Valley, is a vibrant city known for its spring-like weather—expect mild days and cool evenings if you visit in December. Once infamous, Medellín has transformed into an innovative hub with friendly locals, efficient public transit, and a thriving digital-nomad community.

The city boasts colorful neighborhoods, trendy cafes with reliable Wi-Fi, and co-working spaces perfect for remote work. Beyond work, explore its rich Paisa culture, festive December lights, and lively nightlife, all while enjoying excellent coffee and affordable living.

Customized for these preferences:

Travel StyleDigital nomad

Dates08-21 December 2025

BudgetAverage budget

AccommodationApartment or house

Interests and Activities:

arts and culturegastronomynightlife and entertainmentfestivals and events

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Picture of Medellín, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Key Facts

Location

Antioquia, Colombia

Currency

Colombian Peso (COP)

Religion

Roman Catholicism

Population

2,549,000

Language

Spanish

Electricity

110V, 60Hz, plug type A/B

Time zone

UTCCOT (UTC-5)

Country code

+57

Internet access

Broadband, 4G widely available

Climate

Mild, spring-like year round

See More Colombia Facts

Language:

Spanish

  • hello

    hola (oh-lah)
  • goodbye

    adiós (ah-dee-ohs)
  • yes

    (see)
  • no

    no (noh)
  • how much

    ¿cuánto cuesta esto? (kwan-to kwes-tah es-to)
  • please

    por favor (por fah-vor)
  • thank you

    gracias (gra-see-ahs)
  • excuse me

    perdón (pehr-dohn)

Map

Logistics

Medellín is most easily reached by air, with José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) welcoming direct flights from major cities in Colombia and some international destinations. The airport is 35 minutes from the city; affordable buses and taxis connect travelers to the city center. Domestic flights are frequent and cost-effective.

Long-distance buses connect Medellín with other Colombian cities like Bogotá and Cartagena, but trips can be lengthy due to mountainous terrain. Trains and boats are not practical for reaching Medellín. Between December 8 and 21, weather in Medellín is typically mild, though holiday crowds can cause transportation delays—book tickets in advance, especially for flights and buses.

Weather

Medellín is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” thanks to its pleasant, mild climate year-round. Average temperatures hover between 22°C and 28°C (72°F to 82°F), with nights staying comfortable. The area has two rainy seasons (April–May and September–November), but showers are usually short and clear up quickly.

From December 8 to December 21, you can expect mostly sunny, warm days and cool, fresh evenings. This period marks the beginning of the dry season, so rain is less likely, and extreme weather events are rare. Perfect weather combines with vibrant arts, colorful festivals, lively nightlife, and delicious gastronomy during Medellín’s famous Christmas light displays and celebrations.

Food & Drink

Medellín’s cuisine features hearty staples like bandeja paisa (a platter with beans, rice, meat, plantain, and arepa), fried empanadas, and refreshing aguas frescas like panela con limón. Popular spots include Alambique for modern Colombian flavors, Mercado del Río for diverse food stalls, and Pergamino Café for excellent coffee and a digital-nomad-friendly vibe.

Visit El Poblado and Laureles neighborhoods for trendy cafés, craft beer bars, and affordable menus del día. Tipping is usually 10%, either voluntarily or added as “servicio” to your bill—check before you pay. Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly available, but it’s best to ask staff about ingredients due to the meat-heavy local diet.

A picture of Ajiaco

Ajiaco

Ajiaco is a hearty Colombian soup made with chicken, corn, potatoes, and a variety of herbs. It's a...

A picture of Bandeja Paisa

Bandeja Paisa

Bandeja Paisa is a traditional Colombian platter featuring a generous serving of rice, ground beef, chicharrón, chorizo, black...

A picture of Arepa

Arepa

Arepa is a popular Colombian staple made of corn dough and often filled with cheese, meat, or eggs....

A picture of Sancocho

Sancocho

Sancocho is a traditional Colombian stew featuring a variety of meats, including chicken, pork, and beef, along with...

A picture of Lechona

Lechona

Lechona is a popular Colombian pork dish made by stuffing a whole pig with rice, peas, and a...

Accommodation

For a digital nomad, El Poblado and Laureles are Medellín’s top neighborhoods, offering great Wi-Fi, cafes, safety, and easy Metro access. You’ll find many stylish apartments and short-term rentals available on Hotels.com, perfect for mid-length stays and remote work. Look for units with fast internet and dedicated workspaces—common in these areas.

If you prefer apartment-style accommodation, seek "apartahoteles" or well-rated condos, often offering better value and space than traditional hotels. December is a festive time in Medellín with the city’s famous Christmas lights; book early on Hotels.com to secure the best spots, as accommodations fill up quickly during this busy season.

Itinerary

Ease into the Medellín lifestyle, getting acquainted with your neighborhood and soaking in the initial local atmosphere and energy.

Coffee at Pergamino Café in Poblado

Start your day unwinding at Pergamino Café, one of Medellín's most beloved coffee shops. Savor Colombian coffee, enjoy pastries, and soak up the local digital nomad vibes while planning your week.

Neighborhood Stroll Around Provenza

Take an unhurried stroll through Provenza’s leafy streets, discover vibrant street art, indie boutiques, and get oriented with local supermarkets and pharmacies. This is a great way to feel at home quickly.

Private Half-Day Pablo Escobar Godfather Tour in Medellin

Private Half-Day Pablo Escobar Godfather Tour in Medellin

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

The Pablo Escobar Godfather Tour is the most sought out private tour here in Medellin! This tour takes you to sites situated in 4 counties! See the last house he lived at, the house where he died on the roof, the house where " Narcos" was filmed, the famous soccer field, the cemetery where he lays in the outskirts of Medellin, the Church Sanctuary where his hitmen blessed their bullets for "perfect hits", and his favorite restaurants where you can have a snack. For a limited time only, there is a Tour Upgrade Option to " Meet Pablo Escobar´s Sister at her Penthouse & Exclusive Museum" to see art, photos, collectibles and a Sit Down with her to ask any questions about Pablo and the Cartel! Unforgettable Experience! There is also a Tour Upgrade Option to “LA CATEDRAL”, Pablo´s Jail nestled high in the Andes mountains overlooking the city. The most famous narco-compound in the World! Tour guides in other languages such as French, Portugese & German are subject to availability.

4.8 (263 reviews)

From $79 USD

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Attractions

5.0 (2 reviews)
Private tour: The Art of Botero - Cultural experience Medellin -Antioquia museum

Private tour: The Art of Botero - Cultural experience Medellin -Antioquia museum

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Fernando Botero - literally Colombia`s most famous artists and a reference of the Latin American Art scene. His iconic style of paintings and sculptures, better known as “Boterismo”, is unique due to the exaggerated volume of his figures. Nowadays he is among the most successful artists of the world. Botero uses traditional techniques and has established his own clear style of art. As Botero was born in Medellín, the city museum offers an impressive permanent exhibition of Botero ́s work throughout the last decades. Visit the permanent exhibition of Fernando Botero at the Museum of Antioquia with your private expert guide of the art of Botero. Explore the range of sculptures exposed on the so-called “Plaza Botero” and throughout the city centre. Visit the famous sculptures “Birds of Peace” bombed by the FARC guerrilla in the mid 1990s. Take advantage of your expert guide and obtain deep insights on the cultural dimension of the Fernando Botero and his cultural impact on Colombia.

From $73 USD

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4.9 (51 reviews)
comuna 13 graffitour & cable car

comuna 13 graffitour & cable car

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

In this Comuna, ghetto or slum you can take a tour of the history of its neighborhoods and some of its streets, a review of the gallery of messages captured by graffiti artists on various walls, which speak of the memory of this area. The inhabitants of the area define the commune 13 as -The best balcony in the city

From $55 USD

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4.9 (9 reviews)
Medellín Museums Tour and Fernando Botero´s Antioquia museum

Medellín Museums Tour and Fernando Botero´s Antioquia museum

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Join a local guide for a unique tour of Medellín's many museums that highlight the city's history and the art, including works by Fernando Botero. Learn why Medellín was dubbed the world’s most innovative city in 2013 by the 'Wall Street Journal,' as you gain insights into the city's past and present. The tour highlights Medellín’s transformation and progress over the decades on visits to the San Pedro Cemetery Museum, Museum of Antioquia, Museum of Modern Art and Castillo Museum.

From $125 USD

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5.0 (38 reviews)
City Tour & Comuna 13

City Tour & Comuna 13

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

This tour will show you the most tipycal places in the city, also will include the comuna 13 that normally is a different tour, it includes all entrance fees and very knowledgeable guides that speak very fluent english. in half day you can see most of the nicest places in the city

From $77 USD

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4.7 (20 reviews)
Medellin City Walking Tour plus Metro Cable Cars

Medellin City Walking Tour plus Metro Cable Cars

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Experience the main hot spots of downtown Medellin during this 3-hour guided tour. Visit the old churches, learn the historical and artistic context of the magnificent bronze statues of maestro Botero, hop on board the aerial cable cars and enjoy a spectacular view of the city, walk alongside your expert guide and feel the vibe in the comuna, or 'barrio', to see how people live and survive on a daily basis. Tour guides in other languages such as French and German are subjected to availability.

From $79 USD

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FAQ

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