Medellín – Colombia

Traveling to Colombia is a rite of passage for every digital nomad. It’s one of those places that online-working travelers gravitate towards, and it’s no surprise as to why. Although Medellin is the digital nomad capital of the country (and possibly even the world), there’s so much to see and do around Colombia. 

Whether you’re here to embrace the digital nomadism of Medellin or you’re more inclined to bop around and see what the rest of the country has to offer, this is a destination worth checking out. 

We all know that Colombia has had a rocky history over the years, and in some ways, this has given this South American country a bad reputation. But most of the turbulence was left in the past, and the country is completely safe for you to explore. 

One of the things that makes Colombia so special is its diverse terrain. You can go from Caribbean beaches to mountainous cityscapes in a matter of hours, all while sipping on rich Colombian coffee. It’s home to 10% of the world’s biodiversity, so experiencing the landscape and wildlife should be at the top of your list of things to do here. 

Try not to fixate too much on the Pablo Escobar era (and never bring up his name in a local setting). There is so much more to the country than just those rocky years, so you’re better off exploring the outdoors, getting to know the local culture, and immersing yourself completely. 

When you look up a list of “main attractions” or “popular activities”, you’ll see that the options are essentially endless. If you plan on spending some time in the country (and not just in the El Poblado area of Medellin), here’s what I recommend: 

• Spend some time in the historic walled city of Cartagena 
• Go horseback riding through Tayrona National Park (near Santa Marta)
• Soak up the sun on Providencia Island or San Andrés
• Explore Colombia’s Coffee Triangle (Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindio)
• Climb the giant granite rock steps in Guatape

Medellín

Medellin has been dubbed a “digital nomad destination” too many times to count. A huge reason for this is the fact that Medellin is a city of infinite springtime, and the weather could literally not be better. It’s located in the Aburra Valley of the central Andes, so not only will you have spectacular weather, but also amazing mountain views. 

The coolest neighborhood of Medellin is without-a-doubt El Poblado, but the Poblado area isn’t your only option. If you’re trying to get away from the hip and trendy vibes and prefer a more authentic experience, you might also consider staying in Envigado, Laureles, or Sabaneta.

Keep in mind these neighborhoods have a much grittier feel to them than the wealthy El Poblado area, but that doesn’t mean they’re not safe. A lot of ex-pats who choose to settle down in Medellin prefer to get away from the touristy vibes of Poblado, while others are completely happy with the trendy cafes, fancy gyms, and luxury apartments. 

Getting There

Internal flights within Colombia are easy and affordable, so you can easily hop on a flight from Bogota or Cartagena to Medellin. If you’re traveling internationally, fly directly into the Medellin airport (José María Córdova International Airport) and take a taxi, bus, or prescheduled ride into the city. 

Getting Around

Taxis are super cheap and the same goes for Uber, so if you prefer not to break a sweat by walking up and down the hilly streets, you’ve got options. 

Poblado

There’s also the option to take a bus from other parts of Colombia, but this is a massive country, so bus travel isn’t the most efficient way of getting around. From Bogotá to Medellin, it can take anywhere from 12 to 15 hours on a bus, and it’s about the same from Cartagena. 

Things to Do

There’s plenty to keep you busy if you choose to stay in Poblado – shopping, good food, bars, cafes, coworking spaces… this area literally has it all. It’s recommended that you venture out of the Poblado area every now and then to get a better taste of Colombian landscape and culture. 

Take a day trip (or overnight trip) to Guatape to climb the Piedra del Peñol, a massive granite rock that has hundreds of steps carved all the way to the top. You can also sign up for a paragliding tour over the city, take a graffiti tour, or go paragliding over the city. 

It’s recommended that you go on one of the transformative barrio tours that take you to Comuno 13 (the area that was known to be the most dangerous neighborhood in the country). 

Places to Eat

I won’t go into too much detail on this where to eat in Poblado since there are TONS of choices. Where you eat depends on what you’re looking for; the city has every type of food imaginable, including authentic Colombiana, sushi, Indian, American-style bar food, cafes/bistros, and more.

For a true taste of Colombia, Mondongos is the best place to eat. The restaurant is massive, but it always seems to be packed with locals and tourists. Compared to the more touristy establishments in the area, Mondongo’s is a great spot for an affordable lunch or dinner. 

The best fancy restaurant in Poblado is Carmen, but don’t expect the same cheap prices here as you would at Mondongos. This is the prime spot for a 5-star meal, like ribeye steak and a bottle of vino. For a hearty vegetarian meal, check out Cafe Zorba for tapas, pizza, and live music. 

Bars & Nightlife

Similar to food options, you’re not limited to choices when it comes to going out for a few drinks. The Envy rooftop bar at the Charlee Hotel is a great spot for drinks any night of the week, and you won’t find better sunset views of the city. Gato Resto Bar is another fun spot for food and drinks, same with Burdo (which is right next door to Gato).