The City of Medellín, in Colombia, is one of the most prominent in the entire south of the continent, it is the capital of the department (State) of Antioquia and has among its streets a combination of avant-garde and modernity, at the same time that it houses an extraordinary diversity of cultures and subcultures.
Take a look
It is well known in Colombia that the “paisas” have a lot of impetus when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship. Recently, Medellín was recognized as one of the most innovative cities in the world. Its work stands out mainly in social rescue, from being the capital of the guerrilla and lair of hitmen, to an avant-garde, safe and otherwise fun city.
Commune 13
Although the word “commune” may have an uninspiring connotation, the reality is that it is the format in which the city of Medellín is distributed, that is, everything in Medellín are communes, as in Mexico City they are colonies or subdivisions. However, Comuna 13 stands out for the history and radical transformation it experienced in recent decades. From being the most violent in Colombia and one of the most dangerous in the world, through its neighborhoods, they come to life with friendliness and an unimaginable tourist sense. A local effort, where private initiative, the government, but above all, the neighbors themselves, participate and maintain it with great impetus. There are free tours to visit the commune, learn about the graffiti and other street cultural expressions that converge there. It is highly recommended to make the visit in the company of one of the guides who are also inhabitants of the Commune, since they share a real vision of what was experienced there and the efforts that all the neighbors have made so that people could to move freely through its streets again. This way you will enjoy the exoticism of a community that developed the tourist vision, and that is now proud of its rebirth. Going up the escalators, which cross the middle of neighborhoods, is a unique experience. You will also enjoy incredible views of the city.
Guatapé Unmissable!
80 kilometers from Medellín is the town of Guatapé, which owes its name to an ancient chief who controlled the area. A picturesque little town that takes you through time, with the warmth of its inhabitants and beautiful views. Here, the “Piedra del Peñol” stands out, a 220-meter monolith that invites you to enjoy extraordinary landscapes at its summit, when climbing the 659 Z-shaped steps.
Gorditos in the square
Medellín is the birthplace of a lot of talent in various industries, the artistic one among them. One of the great exponents of international art was born here, you probably know him, his name is Fernando Botero. The Paisa artist has his own plaza in the center of Medellín, where various points of his famous works wander around. The robust silhouettes, which describe everyday life, accompany your walk through this square through 23 sculptures, among which those of “Eva”, “Woman with a mirror” and “Man on horseback” stand out.
Nightlife and gastronomy
Medellín is a city that never sleeps, which also contains places for all tastes. If you are one of those who love retro vibes, we recommend going to “Melodía para dos”, a very casual place where locals gather to watch videos and Latin American music from the 70s and 80s. From Ana Gabriel to Roberto Carlos, the music is chanted by everyone while they toast with Colombia's emblematic liquor: aguardiente (O guaro, as they call it locally). If you are looking for a more intense nightlife, you will find it in “El Poblado”, the trendy area of the city, where cosmopolitan life combines with reggaeton itself. You will also find multiple restaurants with global gastronomic offerings, from traditional Colombian empanadas, Mexican tacos and even fusion cuisine. To eat deli, I recommend going to “Mercado del Río”, to choose from very gourmet options ranging from Italian, meats and haute cuisine. But the streets also offer delights, don't miss trying the traditional Colombian empanadas with chili (spicy), they are addictive. The emblematic dish of Medellín is the “Bandeja Paisa”, a generous dish that combines shredded meat, blood sausage, red beans, rice, ripe plantain, ground beef, chicharrón, fried egg, chorizo, avocado, arepa and a stew. All that! . Patacones, arepas and ajiaco should be on your Must Try list.
Coffee and other souvenirs
It is well known that Colombia stands out worldwide for its wonderful coffee productions. A whole culture surrounds this grain, which is enjoyed not only in a cup, but also in sweets, cookies and even delicious beers made from coffee. But that's not all, since Medellín offers a series of extraordinary products that can be a great gift and travel souvenir. Mainly clothing items, especially those made of leather, wallets, passport holders and many highly designed leather goods. We recommend visiting the “El Tesoro” shopping center, where you will find local brand stores, as well as enjoying incredible views of the city, in a complex with large outdoor spaces and entertainment areas for the whole family.
The weather
Finally, we know that you want to know what is the best time to visit Medellín and the answer is simple: ALWAYS. Due to its geographical location, the city has a very rich climate all year round, constantly maintaining temperatures between 20 and 28 degrees. The seasons are not marked in this area of the planet, which helps maintain that good climate throughout the year.
To stay
I recommend looking for hotels in the area of “El Poblado”, you will find different prices, both well-known hotel chains and even boutique hotels to immerse yourself in the Paisa culture.
Arrive and transport
Flying to Medellín from Mexico City is very simple, there are a couple of Mexican airlines with direct flights every day and at a very good price. The flight is approximately four hours and you will arrive at the “José María Cordova” airport in Río Negro, from where we recommend ordering Uber. You can also take one of the taxis found at the airport, but prices may vary in this case. In the city, we also recommend using the Uber service to get around, you just have to keep in mind that this service is restricted throughout Colombia, however, it is active; Therefore, the driver will ask you to travel in front to avoid controversy, just as a precaution.