Medellin Tourism

Situated in the Aburra valley of the Andes Mountains in the South America, Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia and also the capital of Antioquia department. Once considered as one of the dangerous places to be in, Medellin has slowly raised to the stature of being one of the most liveable cities of the modern generation. Rock-solid infrastructure, innovative thinking, and meticulous planning have put Medellin into the minds of the people planning a holiday vacation abroad. Set against a backdrop of a scenic range of mountains, Medellin is adorned by buildings that reach up to the sky and add to the characteristic of the city. Bestowed with a pleasant spring-like climate throughout the year, Medellin is called 'The City of eternal spring' and blossoms with flowers all the time.

Medellin is also the place to be for coffee enthusiasts. It is located in close proximity to the coffee growing centers of Colombia and the city itself has a budding coffee culture on its own. Besides coffee and flowers, Medellin also offers a wide range of products that you can purchase from the roadside vendors and the shopping malls. These especially include handicrafts that are made with absolute detailing and vivid colors.

The tidy and the vibrant city is center to the traditional Paisa roots and is home to a number of festivals. Medellin is also quite popular for its night culture. Attracting the young and the beautiful crowd, the city's enthralling night scene comes alive during the weekends. As the dusk hits, the locals in Medellin head out to the discos and pubs and soon techno music starts echoing. This is a total contrast to the quiet Medellin of the mornings that is surrounded by beautiful villages and a relaxed mountainous setting.

With its amazing weather, fashionable streets, and natural setting, Medellin has become one of the liveliest and most desirable places to visit for a vacation.

Essential travel information and Medellin tips for your visit

General Info:

  • Time Zone: Colombia Standard Time (COT). UTC/GMT -5hours.
  • Currency: Currency used in Medellin is Colombian pesos (COP).
  • Electricity: The electrical voltage in Medellin is the same as that of the US with 110 - 120 Volts and 60 Hz frequency. The power sockets used in Medellin are of type A and B. Check your electrical devices for their voltage consumption and use adapters if necessary.
  • Internet: Almost all the hotels in Medellin provide free WI-FI connectivity and there are plenty of free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city, especially in the major public spots.
  • Languages: Colombian Spanish is the widely spoken language in Medellin.
  • Security: General Emergency: 123, Tourism Police: (+57 4) 265-5907/437-6125, Firefighters: 119.
  • Tipping: Tipping in Medellin is very much expected. You can tip anything between $2 to 5000 Colombian pesos (COP).
  • Tourist Traps: Be wary while riding in a private taxi. The drivers may charge you extra. It is advisable to negotiate before starting on with your ride.

Customs:

  • People of Medellin are incredibly friendly and greet each other with a kiss (un beso) on the cheek. For a more formal greeting, a handshake will do.
  • Do not hand over your original documents to strangers who pretend to be someone from the force. Demand that you need an explanation and request them to accompany you to the police station.

Medellin Trip Planner

Plan your customized day by day trip plan for Medellin. Choose from various experinces categories as adventure, romantic and family and kids friendly for your trip using using Medellin trip planner.

The best tours and activities in the city, guided by experts to give you a local insight to the best of Medellin