Medellín Itinerary: 3 Days, 5 Days, or a Week
Updated for 2026 Three days is enough for the main sights. Five days feels much better. With a full week, you can slow down and see something beyond the standard tourist route. The quick versionThree days: Plaza Botero and the center, Comuna 13 with a Metrocable ride, plus time in the neighborhood where you are […]
Free Things to Do in Medellín: A Local’s Guide
Updated for 2026 The quick version: Medellín is one of the best big cities in Latin America to enjoy without spending, because so much of what makes it special is public: a free botanical garden, a free world-class memory museum, a plaza full of Botero bronzes, viewpoint hills, Sunday streets closed for bikes, and a […]
Four Classic Medellín Attractions
Parque Arví, Pueblito Paisa, Jardín Botánico and Parque Explora Updated for 2026 These four places appear in almost every list of things to do in Medellín, but they offer very different experiences. Jardín Botánico is a free green space in the middle of the city. Parque Explora is a hands-on science museum that works especially […]
Plaza Botero Medellín: Sculptures, Museum and How to Visit
Updated for 2026 The quick version: Plaza Botero is a free public square in downtown Medellín with 23 large bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero. The plaza itself takes about 30 to 45 minutes, but the visit is much better when you also go inside the Museo de Antioquia and walk through the nearby Palacio de […]
The Best Area in Medellín for First-Time Visitors
Updated for 2026 The quick version: For a first trip to Medellín, stay in El Poblado, the most tourist-ready part of the city, with the most English, the most hotels, and the easiest landing, with the calmer Manila side being the sweet spot. If you want something slightly more local but still effortless, Laureles is […]
Solo Female Travel in Medellín: An Honest 2026 Safety Guide
Updated for 2026 The quick version: Medellín is manageable for solo female travellers, and many women have an excellent trip here. The city has good public transport, busy tourist neighbourhoods and plenty of group activities. It also rewards sensible habits: stay in Laureles or the quieter Manila side of El Poblado, use an ordered ride […]
Do They Speak English in Medellín? (And Do You Need Spanish?)
Updated for 2026 The quick version: You can visit Medellín without speaking Spanish, especially if you stay in El Poblado, use organized tours and rely on translation apps. But English is far from universal. Taxi drivers, small restaurants, market vendors, pharmacists and many older people may speak little or none. You do not need fluency, […]
eSIM and SIM Cards in Colombia: Getting Online in Medellín
Updated for 2026 The quick version: For a short trip, buy a travel eSIM before you fly. It is the easiest option and lets you use maps and WhatsApp as soon as you land. For a longer stay, a Colombian prepaid SIM or local eSIM is usually cheaper and gives you a local phone number. […]
Money in Medellín: ATMs, Cards, Cash, and Tipping
Updated for 2026 The quick version: Colombia uses the peso (COP), worth roughly 3,600 to the US dollar in 2026, though it moves a lot. Medellín is card-friendly, but you still need cash for taxis, small shops, markets, and tips. ATMs are the best way to get pesos, but the fees are high and the […]
Medellín Metro: How to Use the City’s Trains, Cable Cars, and Trams
Medellín’s public transport looks more complicated on the map than it feels in real life. Once you understand Line A, Line B and the Cívica card, most visitor journeys are straightforward. The quick version Fare: COP 3,820 with a frequent-user Cívica profile, or COP 4,400 for occasional users on the basic network.Hours: Usually 4:30 a.m. […]