Note: This was originally written in 2019.
During his travels, author and podcasterTim Ferriss mentioned on comedian
I traveled to Medellín, Colombia, both to explore for a week on vacation and then to immerse myself in daily life, while working remotely as the creator of
Tours
Whether your interest is history, marketplaces, art, or coffee, there is something for you. I have always avoided what I thought of as "traditional tours." After experiencing RealCityTours "free" city walking tour, where you pay with a tip, it is an experience I will actively seek out on future trips. The free tour was led by a local who was an interactive storyteller.
It's best to base your tours on personal recommendations and/or online reviews. I got suckered into a "transformation tour" through a popular hostel chain that was advertised as educational to learn about the positive evolution of neighborhoods.
In actuality, it was a drive to three different tourist spots to look around and spend money with the tour guide’s friends.
I've had a great experience and received excellent in-person feedback on the tours below.
freetour.com Real City Tours :Free walking tour ,Exotic fruits tour , andTransformation tour Comuna 13 Medellin Graffiti Tour Urban coffee tour
Markets
Marketplaces refer to anything from "mom and pop" merchants where everyday people or businesses buy groceries, to hubs with restaurants from around the world. Both are worth exploring. The former lends itself to more adventure.
Traditional Marketplaces
Plaza Minorista San Alejo 1st Saturday of the monthSan Fernando Plaza Market Square Envigado Central Mayorista de Antioquia Placita de Flórez El Pulguero Llanogrande Limited to a few times per year
Restaurant Hubs
Resources
Markets map The Best Markets in Medellín, Colombia by CultureTripThe Best Street Food Markets in Medellín by CultureTrip
Social scene
Through the handful of nights I went out, I experienced the variety the city offers. I explored a battle of the bands at the
My social circle grew through roommates, informal events friends hosted, tech meetups, etc.
One of my favorite experiences was
If looking for the hostel party scene, there are well-known "party hostels" like
An alternative to the bar scene is language exchanges like
Outdoors
Within a quick trip from downtown, you can be in the jungle jumping into a waterfall or overlooking the cityscape. The proximity of the locations and range of difficulty in accessing these sites make the samples below easy to get to from downtown.
I'm happy I did
You can take Uber or public transportation to the trailhead at
Next time I'd love to do El Cerro De Las Tres Cruces because of how easy it is to access and the citywide view. The hike up lasts only 30-45 min. To get to the trailhead, take an Uber to
Here are more great outdoor adventures.
La Ruta hiking Facebook group Parque Arví bike Parque Arví hike Parque Arví night hike - ATV tour offered by Rango Hostel
- Mountain bike descent offered by Rango Hostel
Spas
After a week of exploring, it is nice to wind down with a massage on the rooftop of the
If you decide to go to Diez, the following descriptions of the menu will save you my confusion.
Masaje terrenal : Full body using hot stonesMasaja tropical / nuez de coco : Using coconuts- Masaja de caña: Using bamboo
Masaja atardecer llanero : Using hot wax
For a less fancy and highly rated experience,
Lastly, I explore how to work effectively, Medellín — Work remotely
If you're curious "Why Medellín?" or for the best local flavors, read the following.