Medellin is my favorite place on earth, and I recommend coming to visit to everyone I know. That said, there are definitely things that visitors can do to put themselves at risk, upset the locals, and find themselves in uncomfortable situations.
I have lived here for almost eighteen years, and in this article, I will point out some things you should avoid or think about when coming to visit.
Don’t go too far off the beaten track without a guide or trusted local
Most visitors who come to Medellรญn will stay in Poblado or Laureles. This is a good option, both neighborhoods are safe, clean, modern, with lots of places to stay, things to do, and are conveniently located. That said, I would strongly recommend visitors explore other parts of the city; a fascinating tour downtown, a relaxing afternoon in Envigado, soaking in the sunshine in Jardin Botanico, and a cultural visit to Comuna 13 are great options.
While you should definitely venture beyond the main tourist areas, there are many areas that are only recommended to visit during the day and/or with a trusted local. Downtown is amazing in the day, but at night, you should really always take a taxi or Uber in and out, if you are going to a bar or restaurant. There are still neighborhoods in the city controlled by gangs and armed groups. This won’t be an issue for most people, but there are additional considerations when you go exploring.
You are very unlikely to stumble upon a real no-go area, but you should be aware that, for good and for bad, not all of the city is like Poblado, and more care needs to be taken. If you want to stay safe and out of trouble, then don’t do this in Medellin.
Be respectful to the victims of Colombia’s past and don’t glorify violence
Colombia has had over 220,000 murders in the last 50 years, while more than 5 million people have been displaced and forced to leave their homes to escape violence from 1985 to 2012. Many others have been injured and forced to live in constant fear and have been physically and emotionally scarred by bombings, kidnappings, landmines, sexual assault, extortion, corruption, and violent crime.
The history and politics of Colombia are very complicated. The people of this country have shown incredible resilience and dedication to overcome these dark days and push forward to achieve the progress we see all around us. Massacres have been committed by Marxist guerrilla groups, right-wing paramilitaries, drug cartels, and the state itself. Even today, organized crime is a part of the life of people in the neighborhoods in Medellรญn.
A respectful interest in the history of the country is understandable and welcomed by many Colombians. However, what is seen as particularly distasteful and disrespectful is behaving as though Pablo Escobar were the complex hero of a fictitious Hollywood movie. There are locals in Medellin who admire his rise, but there are many more who hate him. There are millions who were directly or indirectly impacted by his pursuit of personal wealth, which tore the country apart.
Colombia is complicated, and a respectful approach will always acknowledge that. Some people will be curious about Pablo and other historic figures, but understand that you will meet people who have lost family members and lived in fear because of his impact.
You may bump into someone who lost family during the early 90s chaos whilst wearing your Pablo Escobar t-shirt I would strongly suggest you don’t do this in Medellin
Don’t slam car doors, and be considerate to taxi drivers
If you are a foreigner, many taxi and Uber drivers will try to insist that they close your day for you. They do this because slamming the door shut is considered very rude and disrespectful. Drivers are careful with their vehicles, and slamming the doors can really wind them up.
I am English and in the UK I would always slam doors, but I have learnt that closing carefully is appreciated. After years of living here, I am now also upset by the slamming of doors. I can understand why they don’t like it, particularly older yellow taxis, which rattle with a violent slam.
When paying with cash, also avoid using big notes. If you have a 10,000 COP journey and pull out a crispy, green 100 mil bill, then you will see the taxi driver’s face drop. He may say he can’t take it or has to find somewhere or somewhere to break it. When you get a big note, try to break it in a big business the first chance you get.
If you want to make friends with taxi drivers then don’t do this in Medellin.
Do take public transport, but don’t travel during rush hour
The metro is a great option to save time and money while also enjoying some great views of the city. The main line runs from Envigado and Sabaneta in the south, through the center, and up to Bello and Niquia in the North. Line B connects at the San Antonio station in the downtown area and then runs out past the stadium, Laureles, and to Comuna 13.
The Medellin metro is perfectly clean, has air conditioning on all trains, and the announcements are in English. The line is elevated in the central part of the city, and you get some good views. You can also transfer free of charge to the various cable cars, which give excellent views over the city.
Taking the metro is highly recommended, but if you can avoid traveling at rush hour as a tourist, then this is a good idea. The network gets busy, particularly in the San Antonio hub station, so it is best to leave after 10 am and avoid returning around 5 pm. The cable car is primarily used by locals to get into the city, so best to avoid it at peak times.
You can avoid lines by paying online for the transport tickets, and you should keep an eye on your things, although I don’t believe pickpockets are as big an issue as in cities such as London, where organized gangs target commuters.
The metro is great, but traveling at rush hour can be a nightmare; if you can avoid it, then don’t do this in Medellin.
Don’t dress too inappropriately if you want to fit in
In Medellin, there is a time and a place for shorts and flip-flops. On the coast, locals and foreigners will wear shorts any time of the day and all year round. Shorts are also very normal in Cali, but in Medellin, your choice of attire will mean you are judged. Paisas generally always make an effort to look good, smell good, and dress appropriately.
You may think your shaggy beard, shorts, and sandals are stylish and bohemian, but a fair few locals will think you are homeless. Short shorts may be a bold, stylish choice for a beach break, but you will look very out of place in a Medellin bar, where everyone is looking their best.
Shorts are more typical here on bank holidays and Sundays. People are increasingly used to foreigners going for more of a summer look, but you will stand out a lot. If you wear shorts on a rush hour metro train, you may be the only one.
The shorts and sandals look is the stereotypical gringo attire, if you want to mix in then don’t do this in Medellin.
Don’t trust the beautiful stranger inexplicably enamored with you
Colombians are generally very forward and expressive, so it is usually very easy to begin a conversation with an attractive local man or woman. People are friendly and can be flirty if they like you, so breaking the ice isn’t very difficult, and you can easily get a number to arrange to meet again.
If that person invites you to their place or desperately wants to see your apartment with a provocative wink, you should probably run away quickly.
There is often a curiosity when it comes to meeting someone from another culture, but there is also a scepticism about tourists – the reputation has been damaged by those only looking for drugs and prostitutes. Most Colombian girls, for reasons of safety and propriety, will not be interested in sleeping with you on the first night. Your broken Spanish and dodgy dance moves are unlikely to leave the average, honest girl unable to resist; it will probably take a few dates.
Those who immediately want to get you alone will often have nefarious intentions. Spiked drinks and scopalamine incidents are increasingly frequent in Medellin, with drunk foreigners targeted. If it seems too good to be true, then it is probably too good to be true. The likelihood of this is exponentially increased with prostitutes and anyone on Tinder who wants to go straight to your apartment with her amiga for some fun has plans that don’t involve getting in your pants.
Don’t be stupid, and exercise caution. Colombians are incredible, and I have so much respect for the women I know here. Don’t be taken in by a flirty street prostitute in Poblado, and then judge everyone by your bad experience.
If you want to wake up with all of your possessions after a night out, then don’t do this in Medellin.
Don’t overthink tipping, but know your generosity will be truly appreciated
I am English, so for me, the tipping culture in the US is insane, and it is something I will never get used to. Charge me more if you like, and I will happily pay to avoid the stress of upsetting a server with an insufficient tip. In Medellin, there has never really been a well-established tipping culture, and while this is starting to change, you don’t have to feel obliged to tip.
Most nice restaurants and sit-down cafes will often ask, “Do you want to include service?” and then add 10% to the bill for tips. You are not expected to pay anything in addition to this. Taxis never expect tips, never in fast food restaurants, takeaway coffee shops, or anything of this type.
While you will never feel obliged to tip or judged if you don’t, be aware that tips will be really valued, particularly if someone gives good service in a simple restaurant. Nobody will be upset if you don’t, but if you can, then it can really make a. difference.
Don’t take drugs, but if you do, then be very careful
I have lived in Medellin for 18 years, and I have never taken cocaine. It isn’t my thing, and, despite being very cheap, it isn’t something the vast majority of Colombians will ever take. Drug usage is higher in London than it is in Medellin, even though drugs can be found here for a very cheap price.
Cocaine doesn’t generally have the glamour it has attained in some parts of the world. It is accessible, but the hype isn’t really there for most Colombians, and many will have an active dislike of the substances that have created such turbulence in the country.
Tusi, or pink cocaine as it can be referred to, is the latest trend, and it has gathered a bit of mystique. Do you know what tusi actually is? The name comes from the psychoactive substance called 2C-B, but tusi almost never actually contains any 2C-B. Despite being referred to as pink cocaine, it doesn’t usually actually contain cocaine and is a random mix of a bit of ketamine, a bit of MDMA, a touch of caffeine, and whatever other synthetic substance they fancy throwing in.
The marketing effort has been incredible, but it’s just a mix of random stuff with a bit of pink dye and sold as a high-end drug. Don’t do this in Medellin, but if you do, then be sensible and don’t take any additional unnecessary risks.
