I Was a Digital Nomad in Medellín and I Have Thoughts

If you’re a digital nomad, you’ve probably heard a fair amount about Medellín. Especially for North Americans, it has become a digital nomad hotspot.

I’ve been living without a lease for two years traveling the world, and I’ve been down to Medellín twice, both in 2023 and 2024.

Here are some inside tricks, the good spots, and what you should know about safety, from someone who’s been there and who’s familiar with the ins and outs of Latin American culture.

First, Let’s Talk About The Ethics of Digital Nomading: You Are A Guest

Before we get into where you should stay, work, and what to do, we have to talk about the ethics of digital nomading. This applies everywhere, but especially in a rapidly changing and gentrifying city like Medellín.

Above all, when You’re a Digital Nomad, you are a guest.

When you’re visiting a country, you should treat it like you would a friend’s home if they invited you over for dinner.

Just as you’d take off your shoes and say please and thank you, do the proverbial same thing here.

This means you should respect the locals and their culture, try to speak their language and abide by the rules of etiquette in their home, NOT the other way around.

A Primer on Gentrification

One of the big appeals of being a digital nomad is that with the freedom to live wherever you can chase things you can’t have otherwise. This may be good weather, cultural experiences, and certain activities. It also can mean a lower cost of living.

This is great for you, but it may not be great for the place you stay, and Medellín is suffering from these gentrification effects.

when there’s an influx of people willing to spend more on housing, food, and more, the cost of living for everybody goes up.

Landlords charge more for rents for everybody, food and goods prices go up, and those who previously lived there get priced out and displaced.

When the locals who made the place and its culture what it was get displaced, it often gets replaced by a more upper-class culture that becomes only accessible to those with wealth. Chains flood the place, and the neighborhood begins to feel like a big mall (I’m talking to you, Downtown Brooklyn.)

As a nomad, the place gets less attractive for several reasons.

First, it’s not as cheap as it once was.

Second, the culture that you came for gets displaced and replaced by expats and their culture. (As Medellín’s reputation among DNs, this means it’s filled with dudes seeking drugs and sex, the worst kind of digital nomads.)

In the end, nobody wins but the real estate developers and big chains. There’s both a KFC and a Domino’s in Medellín’s main nomad area, and it’s awful.

This has been extensively documented in cities like New York, San Francisco… actually literally every major US city.

Now, this gentrification effect is not your fault in the same way that individuals using iPhones, flying planes, and driving cars are not the core cause of climate change.

Blaming the individuals takes the responsibility out of the systems that cause this in the first place. It’s the responsibility of the cities and countries to institute laws and regulations that protect the people who are from there. It’s the responsibility of big businesses like real estate companies to consider their social impacts.

In the same way that to fight climate change we need systemic shifts, to limit gentrification we need systemic changes.

Just because it’s not your fault, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware of your impact.

Being aware of this can help you make different decisions, whether that’s with housing, where you shop, and more.

Medellín, like Lisbon, Bali, and other expat hotspots, has seen rising costs of living and the displacement of local people and culture.

Consider the impact of Your Housing Choice

If you choose an Airbnb owned by a big real estate company, you’re taking an apartment away from a local who can’t afford it. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it (on one of my trips, that’s what I did), but consider other options.

Try to support legacy and local businesses. For example, with gentrification often comes a flood of places like Starbucks, expensive food that caters to nomads, and more things that shut out the local businesses. Instead, aim to join the existing Colombian culture.

Hit up some local arepa spots and eat lots of ajiaco and sancocho.

It’s okay to spend money on the nice, expat-centered stuff. I spent tons at coffee shops that were built for nomads, although I did avoid international chains. But also spend your money with the small local businesses, so they can reap the benefits of tourism money too.

Again, I return to the “guest” analogy. There are good guests and bad guests. There are upsides and downsides to having guests over. If you’re a polite, respectful guest, it’s more upside for those hosting you, and you’ll be welcomed back.

Read “How To Kill a City”

If the concept of gentrification is new to you, I recommend the book How to Kill a City as a great, easy-to-read starting place. It’s about gentrification in US cities, but the ideas directly apply to digital nomad hotspots as well, perhaps in a more extreme way.

While you’re at it, get it from Bookshop, not Amazon, since they give a percentage of profits to local bookstores.

With this out of the way, let’s get into the draws of Medellín for digital nomads.

Why Come to Medellín As a Digital Nomad? 7 Big Draws

For digital nomads, Medellín checks a lot of boxes. It’s no surprise it has become so popular.

1) Great Weather

Medellín’s weather is often described as “la primavera eterna,” the eternal spring.

It’s near the equator, but with its altitude and ample plants, it doesn’t get too hot. Most places don’t have AC in Medellín because you don’t really need it.

It has tons of outdoor activities nearby as well, from hiking to lakes. The only thing it lacks is a beach.

2) Low Cost of Living Compared to The US (Although Not Low For Latin America)

If you live in a major US, Medellín will seem like an absolute bargain.

I would say you can live like the upper class on $2k-3k USD per month, but you can definitely live for less. You can also live like my friend Peter Tzemis, who moved to Medellín two years ago and invited me to check it out. He lives like a king for a fraction of what it would cost in the US.

However, due to the influx of remote workers, the price has risen a lot in many parts of the city.

3) Lots of Remote Work Infrastructure

Medellín is the benefit of some network effects. Think of it like Facebook in the early days: it’s only useful if other people are on it.

More nomads means more nomad infrastructure, like coffee shops with wifi, co-working spaces, and widespread high-speed wifi.

Medellín checks all of these boxes.

This is double-edged, though. If you’re looking for a more authentic Latin American experience, you won’t love El Poblado. (I put myself in this camp that prefers a place with fewer tourists.)

I’d look into the neighborhood Laureles or the town over, Envigado.

Or try your hand in a city like Lima, Buenos Aires, or Mexico City, all of which have good remote work infrastructure but aren’t swarming with North Americans like El Poblado is. I’ve been to Lima and Mexico City, and can personally vouch for them as great cities for Spanish speakers.

4) Convenient Time Zone If You Work For A North American Company

A benefit of Latin America in general over other countries is the time zone is the same as North America.

It aligns with Central Time in the northern hemisphere summer, and Eastern Time during the northern hemisphere winter due to daylight savings.

I’ve worked from Barcelona for months while working for a California-based company. That’s a 9-hour time difference, and the 10pm calls definitely get old. With Medellín, that wasn’t a problem at all.

5) Several Expat Communities, Including Crypto

Several expat communities have strongholds in Medellín. If you want to be more involved in this, then Medellín might be for you.

For example, bitcoin and other cryptocurrency communities have a lot going on down here. There’s a “Crypto Caffe” right on the main coffee shop street in El Poblado.

There are also lots of online coaches with interests in psychedelics down here because it’s both legal and accessible. There probably aren’t as many influencers and coaches as in a place like Bali or Austin, TX, but it’s still a hub.

In both cases, if that’s you, I would say tread with caution.

These have also made Medellín a hotspot for fake psychedelic shamans trying to make a buck off North Americans, and crypto bros who absolutely will take your “investment money” for their dumb startup if you give them the chance.

If you’re in these communities, you’ll know about the upsides and downsides much better than me and know how to navigate the legit from the scum.

6) Good Urbanism In The Expat Areas

Now, overall I’d say the urbanism in Medellín is pretty good, although it’s behind most European cities. However, the urbanism in El Pobaldo, where most expats live is excellent. Envigado is also quite good and easy to walk around.

I write more about this in my article on city design lessons from Medellin.

7) A Great Culture!

I can’t leave this out.

If you want to eat great food like sancocho, ajiaco, arepas, and much more, Medellín is a great spot.

If you love to dance salsa and bachata, love reggaetón, and love to speak Spanish, then Medellín is a great city for you.

Culturally it has so much to offer and in my experience, like so much of Latin America, some of the most welcoming people on the planet.

Is Medellín Safe For Digital Nomads? Steps to Mitigate Risk

Look, it’s Latin America. It’s not the safest place on earth. Certainly, you will get your phone stolen, or worse, if you’re negligent. Medellín is not a risk-free haven, and I don’t want to give the impression that it is, even if you do “everything right.” Lots of locals get their phones stolen too.

Just a few decades ago, at the height of the drug cartel, Medellín was dubbed “the murder capital of the world.” That is usually preceded by the discussion of its remarkable turnaround, and it absolutely is remarkable. It’s demonstrably safer than it was in the 90s.

Yet, in the last few years, more foreigners have been killed. While I was there in January-February 2024, three Americans died in four days, including in the “expat” neighborhoods.

First, you must accept some risk when coming here. I can’t guarantee your safety. Nobody can. Second, if you’re not willing to follow Latin American etiquette, attempt to speak Spanish, and stay away from drugs and prostitutes, don’t come to Medellín.

Just don’t.

Yes, you can find countless forum posts saying, “I was in Medellín for XX months and I never once felt unsafe.” Don’t confuse the blissful ignorance of “feeling safe” with actual safety.

I can’t say “as long as you x and avoid y you’ll be safe” because that’s not the reality. You could everything right and still run into trouble in Medellín. So you must accept some risk and become a student of Latin American etiquette.

With that said, coming from a Spanish speaker who has traveled to half a dozen Latin American countries, here are the simple guidelines to limit the risk of trouble.

Learn Spanish

When I speak Spanish, I have always been treated well in all of Latin America.

For Spanish speakers the service gets better, people get more friendly, and I’ve never felt unwelcome in public spaces.

The only times I’ve felt the opposite is when I was speaking English with non-Spanish speakers. When I spoke English, the service got slower, the people were more aggressive, and the general vibe felt a bit off. A few times I even tried to get charged more.

The best thing you can do to stay safe and feel welcomed in Latin America is to learn Spanish. And dedicate time to your accent.

If your level is zero right now, I don’t recommend Medellín for your own safety. If you have a Spanish-speaking friend to go with, you can be okay.

Even in this case, sit down for a few hours and practice basic phrases. Practice your “buenas” as your default greeting, your “gracias” and how you’re going to order food. I highly recommend knowing enough to “fake it.”

By greeting people and trying your best, you’ll earn respect immediately. If you’re not willing to do this, your risk goes up increasingly.

If you’re bilingual, try to stick to Spanish in Medellín’s streets. Speaking English in the streets can immediately put a target on your back, if only for the street hustlers.

Don’t Flaunt Wealth

Nice watches, phones, and chains will make you an immediate target for petty theft.

Leave the watch at home.

Try not to take your phone out while you’re walking in public. Staring down at Google Maps doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out you might be an easy target.

Definitely don’t buy the whole bar a round of shots.

Don’t Engage With Street Hustlers

They will try to shove candies in your face, or wash your car windows. A proactive “No gracias” will send them on their way. More subtlely, looking like you don’t know how to handle street hustlers will signal to others to approach you.

If You Get Robbed, Give Them Everything And Move On

Latin America is also famous for corruption. If you think calling the police is going to help you, don’t be too sure. The police will probably have more empathy for the guy robbing you than for the gringo with the watch that’s worth more than most people make in Medellín make in a year.

So if somebody threatens you, cut your losses. Give them your phone like you just baked them brownies, and go on your merry way.

Always leave a credit card and emergency cash where you’re staying. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Stay Away From Sexual Tourism and Drugs

Sexual tourism is a big problem in Medellín and what I hate most about the place.

If you want to come for drugs and prostitutes, go eat rocks. If somebody offers you drugs, don’t take them.

Steer clear of this stuff with a 50-foot poll. Personally, I also stay away from where this happens at night, like Parque Lleras. At best it’s a tourist trap, at worst it’s the capital of sexual tourism in Latin America.

Tread With Extreme Caution on Dating Apps

In late 2023 the US embassy in Colombia put out an official warning to not use dating apps in Colombia, and it was specifically targeted at Medellín.

Never meet someone from a dating app in a private place. There’s a case to be made that you just shouldn’t use dating apps at all.

If you do, meet in the daytime in public. Make sure someone you trust has your location and knows where you’re going and when you plan to come back.

Even after first dates, be skeptical. If somebody seems too into you, they probably are.

Don’t Walk Through Neighborhoods You Don’t Know At Night

The telltale sign of an unsafe street is if you’re the only one walking on it. If you’re in doubt, call an Uber. Especially do this if you’re alone.

This goes for every city in the world. Safe streets are typically busy streets.

I Don’t Say This to Scare You, I Say This to Prepare You

If you do the above, your chances of getting into any kind of trouble are much lower.

The Language Barrier: How Necessary Is Spanish?

If you live in El Poblado, strictly speaking, you don’t need Spanish. In this area, it’s so expat-heavy that you’ll be able to get by with English.

However, as I mentioned, you will get treated differently and I think you’re less safe without Spanish.

Spanish is also one of the keys to unlocking the beauty of the culture in Medellín. As I wrote about in my article on Urban Backpacking…

“Aside from it being one of the richest experiences you’ll ever go through, just learning a few words of the language where you are will earn you respect and friendliness from the locals. They’ll see you as somebody just trying to enter their spirit, and when it comes to making friends and getting friendly looks, that goes a long way. Learn the basics: Hello, goodbye, thank you, do you speak English. You can’t understand a culture, truly, until you start to learn the language.”

All to say, you should definitely learn Spanish. Learn some tips in my article on how to learn Spanish as an adult.

Where to Stay in Medellín For Digital Nomads

The three places I visited that I think are the best areas for digital nomads are El Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado.

I didn’t visit, but I hear Sabaneta is a good choice too.

El Poblado: The Main Expat Neighborhood

“El Poblado” is the neighborhood with the vast majority of the expat infrastructure. It’s the most walkable area. It has the highest concentration of Airbnbs, coffee shops with wifi, and co-working spaces.

It’s where most of the hostels are too. In general, it’s the most international and expat-heavy part of Medellín.

Nearly everything in El Poblado is walkable. It abides by the “15-minute city” guideline for sure. They’ve even closed many of the main streets and made them pedestrian-only, which I think is a great move.

Provenza, a section of El Poblado, is where most of the nightlife is too. That said, Provenza does have a Times Square feel to it at times. It’s so overwhelmingly busy, that it’s irritating to me at night.

There are a few downsides to El Poblado

First, it’s significantly more expensive. I found food outside of El Poblado to cost around half the price. Outside of El Poblado, you won’t find fancy gentrified apartments (yet), so housing is also around half the cost outside of El Poblado.

The other downside is, that sometimes it feels so overrun with expats, it feels like you’re in Austin, not Medellín. This could be good or bad depending on what you’re looking for. Personally, I hate that about El Poblado.

Laureles: Also a Great Neighborhood!

Laureles still has lots of co-working spaces and a few good wifi-centered coffee shops.

It’s going to be way cheaper, although if you want high-end restaurants and to meet up with other expats, you’ll likely spend a good amount of time heading between Laureles and El Poblado.

However, this will probably be a more immersive, Colombian experience and is still a relatively safe neighborhood.

The best coffee shop chain for nomads, Pergamino, also has a location here, so it’s a solid choice for work.

If you stay in Laureles and like working at coffee shops, I’d try to be walking distance from there. Or check out the half-dozen or so co-working spaces in the neighborhood.

Envigado: The Brooklyn of Medellín

I loved Envigado. It had a lively, bohemian energy to it that I love and reminded me of cool parts of Bushwick yet also with the grit of a Mexico City. It’s still quite walkable, although it doesn’t have the pedestrian-only streets El Poblado has.

You won’t here English in Envigado either, unless you’re at the mall.

If you want to consider Envigado, read this excellent article about Envigado by somebody who knows the neighborhood way better than me.

While technically outside of Medellín, it’s only a few miles from El Poblado, so think of it like the Brooklyn to Medellín’s Manhattan.

The VIVA Envigado Mall is the most obvious place to work in Envigado.

This isn’t the place to talk about mall culture in Latin America. But malls are big in lots of Latin American countries. Whether El Salvador or Colombia, I’ve found malls to be among the prime “hang out” spots.

In the Envigado mall, you’ll find a Pergamino set up for co-working as well as dedicated co-workout spots. This mall is also connected to the metro, so it’s easy to get to other places from it.

There are also local coffee chains in Envigado, like Ganso y Castor (more on this later.)

The typical Colombian food at the mall was incredible.

The urbanism is also very good! It’s walkable and lively.

Finding Housing in Medellín for Digital Nomads

For housing, there are a few options. Here’s what I’d do if I were visiting for the first time.

I would book a hostel or a hotel for a week, then once I got down here, I’d tour places.

You can’t trust Airbnb listings down here, and who knows if you’ll like the location and ambiance until you’re here.

Airbnb

There are lots of solid Airbnb options, and more popping up due to the explosion of popularity among expats.

You will pay more on Airbnb.

If you want to save, you can stay in an Airbnb with a local.

I love this approach for a few reasons and have done it myself in many cities. First, you get a local guide. This can come in huge for recommendations. Second, you’re going to spend a fraction you would for your own place. Third, you’re not displacing a local. You’re actually putting your money directly into the pocket of a local, rather than a faceless real estate company that bought up a bunch of housing and now rents it out to expats.

CasaCol

If you want a nice furnished place in El Poblado or Laureles, and want a better deal on it than Airbnb, get in touch with CasaCol.

They’re a local real estate company with lots of short-term leases.

They often don’t have availability until about a month before your move-in date, so you’ll have to be okay with booking last minute.

That’s why I recommend getting down here and then you can meet with a CasaCol agent in person.

CasaCol is definitely not the only company that does this. It’s just the one I know.

Hostels

Hostals in Medellín have a slant towards longer-term stays than hostals in many other cities I’ve been to.

You’ll often find hostels with monthly options available.

For example, my Airbnb happened to be next to a hostel called Selina, which came with free access to their co-working space if you stayed there.

I’m done with hostel bunk beds. I’ve done my time. But if that’s your thing, go for it. It’s also an easy way to meet other expats.

Is AC a Must?

I didn’t have AC. I definitely wish I did, but it was never that hot.

I’m bummed that for what I paid my apartment didn’t have AC. So if you’re looking for a nice place and don’t mind paying more, make sure it has AC.

If you’re on the budget grind, then you won’t have AC. Get a fan, and you’ll be fine at night. It’s mostly during the day when the AC would be useful, even on the hottest days.

How to Fly to Medellín

Partially because Colombia has emerged as a virtual work, there are tons of flights on many US airlines. It’s only a 3h 30min flight from South Florida. You’ll find the majority of flights from Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

There are more flights to Bogotá, which is worth checking out too. Personally, I preferred Medellín.

Getting From The Airport To Your Lodging

If you’re a gringo, you’ll want to call an Uber.

Yes, Uber does work from the airport, but it’s technically not allowed. So you’ll have to go to the upstairs part of the MDE airport which is the departures (salidas) area, and sit in the front seat of the car.

In my opinion, it’s better than dealing with the taxi drivers who probably will try to rip you off if you’re a gringo.

The Uber will be expensive, from $20-$35 USD, but for one-time use that’s no big deal. If you want to take the buses, more power to you. Only do so if you speak Spanish and have done this sort of thing in Latin America before. It’s something I would do, but not something I would advise unless you’re very familiar with both transit and Latin America in general.

Where to Work In Medellín: Best Coffee Shops for Digital Nomads

There are lots of coffee shops with wifi in El Poblado and elsewhere.

Pergamino

Pergamino is a local coffee shop chain that caters to co-working. The coffee and food is really good. You’ll pay expat prices, but it’s still around only $3 USD for a coffee and $6-$10 USD for a meal.

I actually don’t go to Pergamino in El Poblado because, as Yogi Berra famously said, “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”

However, in Laureles I recommend it. The location at the Envigado Mall is awesome too for working.

Azul Selva

This is across the street from the main Pergamino in El Poblado. It’s open air with good, healthy food and excellent coffee.

It’s attached to the Celestino hotel. It’s definitely a go-to spot for me. The wifi is reliable and they don’t mind if you camp out.

Velvet

Right next to these is also a coffee shop called Velvet. Their outside looks less inviting, which gives it more of an intimate, cozy feel. They have couches, super friendly staff, and lots of plants.

All three of these are on the same block. So that gives you an idea of how many boujie wifi coffee shops are popping up in El Poblado.

Café Dragón

I can’t say enough good things about this place. Awesome vibe, very work-friendly. It has great food, great service, and great staff. Get the french toast and the “big breakfast.” It’s in a different part of El Poblado closer to Manila and the metro station.

Ganso y Castor

I hesitate to mention this, because it’s mostly gringo-free and I like that. But it’s a great brunch spot that happens to have wifi. I came here on a Friday, which is my writing day.

Their typical Colombian breakfast dishes (like the calentado) are excellent!

They have a location in Envigado too.

Where to Work in Medellín: Co-Working Spaces

To be honest, I only went to one. But there are LOTS. They’ll be much cheaper than US prices pretty much all over the city.

If you stay in Laureles or Envigado, I’d look into co-working because there are fewer working coffee shops.

You’ll still spend a lot less overall if you spend a few hundred bucks a month on your co-working space.

I walked inside a few. If you’re a co-working type of person, I recommend you tour several.

For example, Selina, which is a hostel and a co-working space and coffee shop was just okay. The people who worked there were super nice, but they were sold out of private offices.

And the phone booth was not comfortable, so it wasn’t ideal on days I had lots of calls.

How to Get Around Medellín

El Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado are mostly walkable. So ideally you can meet your daily needs walking. If you leave your neighborhood, Uber is reliable, available, and relatively cheap. Most rides will cost less than $5 USD. The exception is the airport, due to the toll at the new tunnel and the airport fee.

The transit is pretty good, but the stations are really far apart so it does feel a bit more like a commuter train.

If you live near the El Poblado station, it would be worth it to take the train to Laureles or Envigado. Otherwise, you’ll just want to call an Uber.

The buses often connect people to the metro station. So if you leave in Envigado, for example, but you’re 20 min walking to the train, you can grab a bus much closer that takes you to the train station.

Medellín is Selectively Walkable

As I mentioned in this article on the urbanism of Medellín, it’s really only walkable in certain parts. If you want to walk around El Poblado, it’s excellent. But going from one neighborhood to another, even if the distance is reasonable, is not a pleasant walking experience.

There are narrow sidewalks. and lots of traffic that makes it hard to cross streets. Latin America has much less strict pollution requirements on vehicles, which means the air is unpleasant to breathe in many parts. I had no problem walking places during the day, but I wouldn’t at night.

Again, if I’m the only one walking on the street, that’s not a good sign. That means the locals don’t walk there, and there are likely good reasons why.

Best Gyms for Nomads in Medellín

What we think of as commercial gyms don’t exist everywhere in the world. With the rise of expat or high-income areas, boujie gyms pop up. Nice-ass gyms are included in what I mean by “digital nomad infrastructure.”

I Went to Ultra And I Highly Recommend It

It’s right in Provenza next to all these coffee shops I mentioned. At $60 USD for the month, it’s a lot for Colombia but very reasonable for all the amenities!

The trainers are super nice (Ask for David!). There’s lots of space like a downstairs room for yoga and stretching.

It has showers, free lockers, a hot tub, and a sauna all included. You do need to bring your own towel and your own lock.

You can even get a massage for ~$40! Ask for Camila!

Smart Fit: A Reliable Chain

If you want something more locations that you can find almost anywhere in the city nad outside, Smart Fit is a reliable and solid option.

It doesn’t have the fancy bonuses of Ultra (nor the views) but it’s a classic commercial gym with everything you need.

Is It Easy to Go Grocery Shopping?

Yes. Carulla is the main supermarket chain. They’re everywhere. Look for the nearest one and you’ll be able to get everything you need. Tiendas D1 is the other common supermarket chain I saw.

How Expensive Is Medellín For Digital Nomads?

In Poblado, your cost of living will be higher than elsewhere. I spent $2400 USD for a month at a big 4-bedroom Airbnb, and split it with my girlfriend and friend. So $800 per person for a perfect location in El Poblado. You can find upscale 1 bedrooms for $1000-$1500.

If you want to budget, you can find decent places in Laureles or Envigado for $400-$600 per month.

As for food, I would say it’s roughly half the cost it would be in the US. If you’re out of El Poblado, much less. El Poblado will have the best “upscale” restaurants. These are very reasonably priced. I liked Relato a lot and you have to go to Panka if you like sushi.

In general, you can make it on less than $1000 USD a month, live comfortably on $2000, a live like the upper class on $3000 or more.

Should I Do The Touristy Stuff?

For the most part with touristy stuff, my philosophy is “do it once and never do it again.” That held up for Medellín.

Comuna 13: Worth It

The story of Comuna 13 is inspiring. It used to be one of the most dangerous parts of Medellín when it was controlled by Pablo Escobar and the drug cartel.

With impressive views, delicious street arepas, and constant entertainment, it’s worth it to do once.

Go on a weekday when it’s less packed. If not, you might be overwhelmed.

Parque Arví + MetroCable: Worth It

You have to take the MetroCable. It’s a marvel of modern public transit. Parque Arví is also super beautiful.

Again, I’ll be talking about this in my upcoming article on urbanism lessons from Medellín.

Guatapé: Maybe Worth It

I actually didn’t go, but several locals told me it’s so overrun by tourists that it’s not worth it. Other locals told me it’s definitely worth it you just need to know what to do when you’re there and ideally go on a weekday.

It’s a trip outside of the city, and we didn’t prioritize it.

Pablo Escobar Tours: Don’t Do It

Nomadic Matt’s article on visiting Medellín covered this, and I agree, so I’ll quote him.

“The locals here are not fans of Pablo Escobar. His violent life and legacy caused untold amounts of harm to the city and its population, and while it’s always good to learn about the history of a destination, glorifying this is not something I want to support. You can learn about his life online in a way that doesn’t spit in the face of the locals, many of whom don’t even speak his name. Out of respect for them, I encourage you to skip the Escobar tour.”

Final Thoughts on Medellín For Digital Nomads

It’s one of the most popular digital nomad destinations for good reasons. It has so much to offer for those seeking adventure, a beautiful culture with incredible people, and it’s a reliable place to work from.

With that said, its infestation of sexual tourists and culturally inept expats, I can see the window for this city to close soon. Cities rise and fall, and the tides change.

We’ve seen it in recent years with Tulum, Mexico (I’ll never go back), Lisbon, Portugal (Now quite expensive), and even Austin, Texas, which now feels overrun with dudes who either are addicted to ketamine or trying to raise funding for a startup (or both.) Each of these places probably was epic in 2015.

With the rising violence against expats and clear signs of late-stage gentrification, I’m not super optimistic about Medellín’s future.

Admittedly, we’re all part of the problem in the latter, but as I said, it’s up to Medellín’s government to provide solutions to this with better policy.

I believe expats and locals can live hand in hand, where locals are financially protected.

Medellín has taken incredible steps to transform their city over the last 20 years. I believe they’re capable of addressing the challenges and continuing to turn Medellín into a thriving global metropolis, where locals and foreigners can both thrive. We’ll see if they do.