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Picture of Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Travel Guide for
Medellin

Colombia

Mild, spring-like, moderate rainfall

Introduction

Medellin, nestled in the lush Aburrá Valley of Antioquia, Colombia, is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” thanks to its pleasant weather—mild, sunny days typically around 22°C (72°F) in early December. Once marked by tumultuous history, Medellin now shines as a vibrant hub of innovation and culture.

The city’s friendly local culture, lively coworking cafes, and reliable internet make it perfect for digital nomads on a budget. Enjoy walking through colorful neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles, explore impressive museums, and unwind with delicious local coffee while taking in stunning mountain views.

Customized for these preferences:

Travel StyleDigital nomad

Dates01-14 December 2025

BudgetAverage budget

AccommodationNot specified

Interests and Activities:

festivals and eventsnightlife and entertainmentoutdoor adventuressightseeing and tours

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Picture of Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Key Facts

Location

Andean Region, Colombia

Currency

Colombian Peso (COP)

Religion

Roman Catholicism

Population

2,569,000

Language

Spanish

Electricity

110 V, 60 Hz, plug types A/B

Time zone

UTCColombia Standard Time (UTC-5)

Country code

+57

Internet access

High availability, broadband and 4G/5G

Climate

Mild, spring-like, moderate rainfall

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-toh kwes-tah es-toh)
  • please

    por favor (por fah-bor)
  • thank you

    gracias (grah-see-ahs)
  • excuse me

    perdón (pehr-dohn)

Map

Logistics

Getting to Medellín is most convenient by air; José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro connects the city to major destinations in the Americas and offers a range of budget airlines. From the airport, take a shared shuttle, taxi, or app-based service for the 45-minute trip into the city.

Long-distance buses are affordable and connect Medellín to cities across Colombia. The main terminals, Terminal Norte and Terminal Sur, are easy to reach by metro. There are no direct trains and no boat routes for entering Medellín. December travel is popular due to festivals, but weather rarely disrupts transportation. Book flights early for better prices during this peak season.

Weather

Medellín, known as "The City of Eternal Spring," boasts a mild, spring-like climate year-round. Average temperatures range between 17°C and 27°C (63°F to 81°F), with gentle breezes and lush greenery. The city experiences two rainy seasons—from April to May and September to November—while December brings drier, sunnier weather.

From December 1 to 14, you can expect pleasant conditions with minimal rain and lots of sunshine—perfect for exploring the city’s vibrant nightlife, festive Christmas lights (El Alumbrado Navideño), and outdoor adventures like hiking or paragliding. Extreme weather events are rare during this period, making it an ideal time for sightseeing tours and enjoying Medellín’s lively December festivities.

Food & Drink

In Medellín, savor delicious local dishes like bandeja paisa, arepas, empanadas, and sancocho, washed down with fresh fruit juices or a cup of Colombian coffee. Try street food for a budget-friendly taste of local flavors. Don’t miss a sip of aguardiente, a local anise-flavored liquor, in social settings.

Great places for digital nomads to eat, work, or socialize include Pergamino Café for coffee and WiFi, Alambique for modern Colombian cuisine, and Mercado del Río for diverse food stalls. Bars in Laureles and Poblado, such as 37 Park or Envy Rooftop, offer fun social vibes. Most restaurants add a 10% service fee, but extra tips are welcome.

Vegetarians will find some options, though menus lean toward meat. Medellín is very affordable by international standards, especially if you explore menu del día (set lunch menus). Drinking bottled or filtered water is recommended for visitors.

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 digital nomads visiting Medellin, El Poblado is the most popular neighborhood, known for its coworking spaces, lively atmosphere, and safety. Hotels.com features excellent mid-range options here, such as the Diez Hotel and Hotel Du Parc. Laureles is another great area, offering a more laid-back vibe, walkable streets, and plenty of cafés.

If you’re on a tighter budget, several quality hostels like Selina and Los Patios offer both dorms and private rooms, ideal for networking. Book early on Hotels.com if visiting between December 1 and 14, as accommodations fill quickly due to Medellin’s famous Christmas lights festivities. Wherever you stay, reliable Wi-Fi and community workspaces come standard.

Itinerary

Settle into Medellín, get oriented with your neighborhood, and enjoy your initial taste of the city’s vibrant atmosphere and local hospitality.

Neighborhood Stroll in El Poblado

Ease into Medellín by taking a relaxed stroll through El Poblado, known for its trendy cafes, coworking spaces, and tree-lined streets. This is a great way to get your bearings, meet fellow travelers, and see where you'll be spending your working hours over the next two weeks.

Evening in Parque Lleras

Dive into Medellín's lively nightlife and social scene at Parque Lleras. This vibrant square comes alive at night with music, street performers, and open-air bars—ideal for meeting new people and experiencing local entertainment.

Pablo Escobar tour

Pablo Escobar tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

It is just history, we do not glorify. This is private tour, beyond visiting the iconic places in the life of the drug lord, we focus on discussing different points of view around the country and the problems related to drug trafficking. Our purpose is the understanding of such scourge and its impact in our country, and the process Medellín has gone through in order to become an innovative and safer city.  We do not glorify Pablo or see him as a hero, we simply seek to understand the political, social and economic context of that time. From the place where  you are staying, we go to: - The cemetery (where we will discuss on his family and the closest people) - The memorial park (where we will talk a little about some versions and points of view around Pablo). - The neighborhood (donated in the early 80´ prior to his political campaign) - Roof and house where he died Optionally we can stop to grab some snacks Daily tours at 9:00 am or 1:45 pm

5.0 (56 reviews)

From $89 USD

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Attractions

5.0 (38 reviews)
Pablo Escobar tour and comuna 13

Pablo Escobar tour and comuna 13

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

This is private tour, thus the best chance to take two of the most exciting tours in Medellin, for those travelers who have limited time: First, we focus on discussing different points of view around the country and the problems related to drug trafficking. Our purpose is the understanding of such scourge and its impact in our country, as well as the process the city has gone through in order to become an innovative and safer city. We do not glorify Pablo nor treat him as a hero, we simply seek to understand the political, social and economic context of that time. Secondly,we visit comuna 13, the sample of strength and resilience of Medellin inhabitants. The city hall has implemented certain programs that have significantly improved living standards. You will learn about the history of our city, with its positive and negative aspects, you will discover the transformation of Medellín.

From $84 USD

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5.0 (63 reviews)
Comuna 13 tour and cable car

Comuna 13 tour and cable car

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Beyond the numbers, military operations and casualties, Comuna 13 and the city went through certain complex events that now contrast with the artistic and entrepreneurial spirit of its people, so with this tour we want to show the new face of the city, that face of innovation, art and resilience, all through art, culture and urban transformation that the city has had. Nowadays, the people who inhabit this district are example of strength and resilience. The local government has implemented certain programs that have significantly improved living standards. Also, you will learn about the history of our city, with its positive and negative aspects, you will discover the transformation of Medellín. Our goal for visitors is not just to go and take photos, we also work along with this community. - The cable car in San Javier - The escalators - The main neighborhoods and graffities

From $90 USD

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5.0 (7 reviews)
Exotic flowers farm and silleteros cultural tour

Exotic flowers farm and silleteros cultural tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Immerse yourself in our culture of exotic flowers and traditional silletas in this awe inspiring half day tour, where you’ll experience a spectacular flower farm blooming with rainbow colored gardens, hosted by the original silletera family, who are the pioneers of this tradition. Enjoy a blissful journey as we drive through the lush landscape. Enjoy incredible vistas of the evergreen Andes mountains, where the cultivation process of radiant and exuberant flowers will be brought to life for you by the traditional masters, the farm owners wear their original garments while conveying their secrets of making the best flower arrangement silletas in a fun and charming way. Guests get to interact with the family and ask any questions.

From $129 USD

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5.0 (9 reviews)
Private Tour to Guatapé & Coffee Farm from Medellín!

Private Tour to Guatapé & Coffee Farm from Medellín!

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

If you're here for a short time and want to maximize your experience per trip, this is the perfect tour for you. Picture this: in just a single day, you'll embark on not one, but two of the most popular and captivating tours in Medellín! We'll journey through the vibrant wonders of Guatapé and also experience the fascinating world of the rich coffee culture. This exceptional combination guarantees an unforgettable adventure that will leave you with cherished memories of the real Colombia! In additional, we specialize in delivering exclusive tours, ensuring we provide a truly exceptional and memorable experience to our customers, all of our tours would include private transportation, local and bilingual guide. We avoid large group tours for a better and more personalized experience, where you have the freedom to ask any questions and customize the tour according to your preferences. We want to share the love we have for colombia, let us show you how magical this country really is!

From $110 USD

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5.0 (19 reviews)
Pablo E. with Commune 13 Tour

Pablo E. with Commune 13 Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

We will visit places where Pablo Escobar carried out his operations that take us to a lot of history behind each corner of these places, such as in prison, as well as the cemetery where the house is buried where they carried out the extensive and delicate operation that led to his death. of this drug lord as many know him, we will also know the history of now and after the time of Escobar, that is why we are waiting for you to live this great experience full of history and culture. It has a professional staff trained to serve you and provide you with the best comfort and experience on each tour. Come and learn everything about this wonderful city that only camantoursMedellin offers you.

From $95 USD

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5.0 (5 reviews)
Medellin Tango City Tour

Medellin Tango City Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Discover the tango-lover’s city of Medellín on a 4-hour guided tour that combines Colombia’s best musical venues and iconic monuments. View city treasures that pay tribute to Carlos Gardel, an idolized tango musician who died in Medellín and left an unforgettable legacy for locals and visitors alike. You’ll visit the Casa Museo Gardeliana (Casa Gardeliana Museum) near Gardel´s monument at Manrique community east of Medellin. Next, tour stops at Gardel Plaza before dropping by El Patio del Tango (Tango Patio) and finally stoping at downtown to visit the oldest tango bar in Medellin at Malaga. Tango’s passionate rhythms and sensuous movements are sure to enthrall you!

From $125 USD

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5.0 (12 reviews)
Private and Night Tour of the City of Medellin

Private and Night Tour of the City of Medellin

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

We will offer a unique and personalized experience covering the largest number of tourist sites in the city, showing not only the tourist but also the everyday with different types of environments that adapt to different tastes. We will visit a wide variety of emblematic sites of the city of Medellín such as Parque Lleras and Provenza neighborhood, Parque de los pies descalzos, Intelligent building of the public companies of Medellín, Plaza Mayor, Parques del Rio, Plaza Cisneros, La Alpujarra, Government and Mayor's Office, old railway station and Teleantioquia, Plaza Botero, Barrio laureles.

From $150 USD

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5.0 (63 reviews)
Colombia cycling trip

Colombia cycling trip

MANUAL
Free Cancellation

The Antioquia region is bigger than Costa Rica, is characterized by its historic towns, its traditional Colombian cuisine, its biodiversity, and its routes full of flowers and coffee plantations that have made Colombia famous. We started the tour in Medellín, the second-largest city in Colombia, located in a valley and characterized by its beautiful surroundings, smooth roads, picturesque towns, and hundreds of cyclists riding on weekends along the routes where famous cyclists currently train in the peloton . international. We stay 45 kilometers outside the city to pedal our first rides at 2,300 meters (8,202 feet) above sea level and then we move to the southwest of Antioquia, where we will learn about coffee in Colombia. Distances: 40-100 km Elevation gained per ride: 940 m to 2,200 m Duration: 7 rides / 8 nights Level: King of the mountains, Beetle and Classicomaniac Price: $2,390

From $2974 USD

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4.0 (1 reviews)
Private Silleteros (Flowers) Tour

Private Silleteros (Flowers) Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

We want to make you feel like at home taking care of your needs. You sit back and we do the rest. We always give our best in each and evry tour we do

From $360 USD

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