Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for backpackers and understandably so. Each region offers its own distinct culture, food, music, climate, and experiences. Backpackers can travel around this amazing country and enjoy all it has to offer. By making smart choices you can really make the most of your time in Colombia on a tight budget.
In my opinion, any trip to Colombia must include an extended stay in Medellin, my favorite city in the whole world. In this article, I give tips and recommendations on how to make the most of your time backpacking in Medellin.
Hostels and Affordable Hotel Options
When backpacking in Medellin on a budget you will find a good range of hostels and affordable hotels. Hostels are great if you want to make new friends and enjoy included activities. At the same time, there are also decent quality hotels available for a comparable price if you want more peace and privacy.
Most people who visit Medellin will stay in Poblado around Manila, Parque Poblado, Parque Poblado, or up to Provenza. This is an area with a lot of bars, clubs, restaurants, stores, and a few bigger supermarkets. It is generally the safest area although you should take the usual precautions. You will find dozens of hostels of all sizes and budgets.
It is possible to find very modern hostels with shared or private rooms and an excellent range of amenities. You can get a rooftop pool, dance classes, a nice kitchen space, coworking areas, and nightly events. Some of the hostels host popular parties with very good DJs.
Laureles is the second most popular area and it also has a good range of hostel options. This neighborhood has more of a community feel with lots of trees, cafes, and all of the amenities you will need. Laureles has lots of excellent sports facilities that can be used for free while there are some good bars and clubs on the 70 and 80 streets.
Envigado is a municipality of Medellin that borders the South of Poblado. It has more of a community feel and is a very popular option. Belen borders and offers a similar experience to Laureles but at a slightly lower price. Sabaneta is at the end of the metro to the South and has a much more relaxed, small-town feel.
While hostels are great, it is possible to find a decent hotel with a comfortable private room for the same price as a shared dorm. If I were backpacking I would probably go for a mix of the two, so I could make new friends and enjoy the fun of the hostel with some more peaceful, relaxed nights in a hotel.
You will find some very affordable hotels on La 70 such as Hotel Villa Real which has private rooms with an en suite for less than US$15 per night. Ayenda has affiliations with affordable hotels all over Colombia. They range in quality but are very affordable, conveniently located, and all offer a base level of service which I find perfectly fine. Getting accommodation right is key when backpacking in Medellin.
Travelling to Medellin
When looking to travel around Colombia your options are an overnight bus or a quick flight. If you are looking to manage a tight budget then it is worth exploring both options and checking the dates.
Medellin has two airports. Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (JME) is located a 40-minute drive from Poblado close to the town of Rionegro. This is the larger airport which has all of the international flights and many more the domestic routes. Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) is in the heart of the city and a very short taxi ride or long walk from Poblado and Laureles.
When planning a trip I will always first check the options from the city airport by visiting the websites of Clic Air, Satena, Moon Flights, and Pacifica. These airlines often don’t appear on price comparison websites or Google flight searches but offer good service and comparable prices. If you can book a flight from the local airport you can save up to US$30 you would otherwise spend on a taxi.
The airport is smaller and the flying experience is more relaxed. You also get amazing views of the city on take-off, so have your camera ready. They offer direct flights to smaller towns too, particularly the Pacific coast. Flights sell out quickly but if you book in advance you can pay the same price, saving time and money on your travel to the airport.
To get to Rionegro airport you can take a taxi or an Uber but prices are now fairly high. There is a toll on the way and the prices are fixed by the local government annually. An alternative is to take a ‘colectivo’ or a bus. A collective is a shared taxi where the driver will wait until all four seats are filled before heading up to the airport with the price split between all passengers.
Both buses and collectives leave from the roundabout outside San Diego Mall at the bottom of Las Palmas Avenue. San Diego is a short walk from Industriales Metro station. If you take a taxi to Rionegro airport then it is almost certain that you will pay more for your travel than if you had booked at the city airport.
Medellin has two bus terminals, Terminal del Norte and Terminal del Sur. You can access both from the metro and they have buses leaving throughout the day and into the evening. Long-distance buses are very comfortable with air conditioning, semi-flat seats, entertainment systems, and WIFI. I would always recommend paying the small extra fee for a VIP seat when available.
Night buses can her you save on accommodation and airport transport. Remember to bring a hoody or a sweatshirt as the air con is often very cold. The buses will stop every few hours along the route so you can get food, drinks, and snacks. A good option when backpacking in Medellin
Getting Around the City
Uber and taxis are far cheaper than much of the world and a fifteen-minute journey can cost just US$3. So this is always an option and I would strongly recommend ordering one of these online when you are out in the evening. This will mean you can get home safely and quickly without having to walk alone at night looking for public transport.
During the day the metro is a great option if you are looking to save money when backpacking in Medellin. The main metro line runs from North to South along the river with a second line that connects with the West of the city towards the stadium. The network is very clean, well-maintained, airconditioned and safe. There are also six cable cars that run up into the hills as an innovative, fast transport option. Add to that an integrated tram network and you have exceptional transport options.
The city also has Metro Plus which is an integrated bus network linked to the metro with stations and dedicated bus lanes plus older, conventional bus routes. Almost all of the public transport options can be paid for with a Civica metro card, which you can top up. The older buses are cash only and can be flagged down anywhere along the route.
Finally, there is a growing and improving cycle route network. This works particularly well around Laureles, Estadio, and Poblado but is less reliable elsewhere in the city. At the weekend some of the main roads are closed to be used for cycling and exercise too.
There are plenty of transport options to meet a range of budgets when backpacking in Medellin.
Eating in Medellin
If you want to enjoy the best food without overspending when backpacking in Medellin, then always go for popular local options. International fast food can be expensive whereas paisa favorites such as rice, avocados, frijoles, arepas, empanadas, meat, and chicken can be found far cheaper.
Local food doesn’t usually have complex flavors but what you get is fresh, high-quality ingredients and hearty, filling well-balanced meals.
I would always recommend looking for small restaurant’s menu del dia options. These often change each day of the week with a soup starter followed by a main feature something like rice, salad, plantain, and a protein. They will also include delicious fresh juice to wash it down with.
Partying on a Budget
There are a few tips to have the best night possible without overspending. Clubs and popular bars will usually have table service and at the weekend there will be a minimum spend. This is likely to be a full or half bottle of spirits and some clubs won’t really be flexible on this. I went out with my girlfriend and they insisted we buy a full bottle despite there just being two of us.
My first tip is to make some friends at the hostel and go out in a big group. Buying bottles works out very affordable if you are splitting between five or more people. If you have enough people then you can go for a huge 1.75 litre ‘garrafa’ of spirits. Choosing local spirits is another excellent way to save a lot of money. For the budget conscious you have two options, ‘ron o guarro?’.
Aguardiente is Colombian firewater which has different variants around the country. Medellin’s very own Aguardiente Antioqueño is for me the best and it comes with a red top (with sugar) or blue top (no sugar). Go for the blue to save on a potential hangover. In terms of rum, my favorite is definitely Ron Viejo De Caldas.
If you want to save some money when backpacking in Medellin avoid the very touristy places. Parque Lleras is always a rip-off, if you want to spend then at least head up to Provenza for a better value-for-money experience. My recommendation would be the 70, Envigado, or Buenos Aires if you are feeling adventurous.
