Once the home of Pablo Escobar, Medellin also known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ has become the Silicon Valley of South America and is a jewel in the crown of Colombia that absolutely cannot be missed! Nowadays this beautiful and thriving city is one of the safest cities in Latin America offering mountain and valley views, Medellin has a friendlier and provincial town feel to it rather than a bustling metropolis.
With a number of tourist and cultural sites, pleasant green spaces, interesting museums, a bustling center and thriving commercial areas Medellin is an exciting place to explore. The city’s top-notch restaurants and vibrant bars provide non-stop fun until the early hours.
THE CITY OF ETERNAL SPRING
build your clients trip with our experts
Medellin
Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden of Medellín are considered a living Museum, all collections are scientifically organized and classified. Te gardens is a place with magic, extraordinary architecture and a unique style allowing visitors to enjoy a plant environment a more peaceful way, preserving natural wealth, teaching new generations the importance of caring our environment.
Comuna 13 Street Art
Once a strictly no-go part of Medellin, Comuna 13 was plagued by violence for many years until progressive social programs and massive investment made the area much more secure. Today, it’s home to a burgeoning and creative street art scene and a popular spot for graffiti tours. Just exploring this neighborhood and being part of its renaissance is one of the most unique experiences to have in Medellin.
Parque de Los Deseos
‘Park of the Wishes’ is a thematic urban park filled with interactive spaces. Several examples of these innovative ways of educating the inhabitants found in this park include solar watches, acoustical shells emitting and receiving human voices, and beautiful water mirrors in which one can see the sky’s reflections. Furthermore, one will find beautiful, though artificial, sand beaches, and water wells.
Plaza Botero
The sculptor Fernando Botero Angulo hails from Medellin, and the Plaza Botero is the best place to see his larger-than-life figures. Centrally located in the “old quarter” of the city, it can be reached via the nearby Parque Berrio metro station. While you’re there, make sure you also check out the Museo de Antioquia. Entrance is free, and inside you’ll find many of Botero’s paintings, as well as work from other famous Latin American artists.
Pueblito Paisa
Located right on top of the Cerro Nutibara, a small mountain that lies approximately southwest of the city center. This place gives a look into a reproduction of a typical Antioquia village, home to a typical church (still in use), an art gallery, a city museum, and some small souvenir shops. As this small village is built on a green mountain in the middle of the city, there is a platform from where visitors can enjoy a fantastic view over Medellin.
Arví Park Medellin Colombia
The Metrocable of Medellin will take you to the hillsides on the outskirts of Medellin. It stretches all the way up to Parque Arvi, a large nature reserve and a great escape from the city, a setting is perfect for some peace and quiet and enjoy a vast array of wildlife. The town of Santa Elena is nearby, and also a small market for local food where fresh fruits, snacks, sweets and other traditional foods can be tried.
Parque Lleras
Located in El Poblado’s rustic neighborhood, Parque Lleras is a perfect place to go out on any evening of the week, here you’ll find a mix of locals and foreigners looking to let loose and have a good time. There’s a great variety of venues around and near the park, from small salsa bars to larger, more popular clubs.
Guatapé and El Peñol
El Peñol is a huge granite monolith at the edge of an enormous lake with dozens of small little islands. Also known as ‘Pueblo de Zócalos,’ the town of Guatapé is famous for its pastel colored houses. The bottom half of the houses are brilliantly decorated with marvelous paintings and sculptures. The somewhat tough climb to the top is more than rewarding, offering an amazing view over the stunning landscape.
Rio Claro Natural Reserve
Rio Claro, is located about 2 hours from Medellin and is a hidden natural playground with beautiful scenery to boot. It’s a perfect backdrop for an active day beyond the bright lights of Medellin, after some time to soak up the scenery, you can choose from a handful of heart-thumping activities, including white water rafting, zip lining and cave trekking. We recommend spening the night here.
destination map
| Title | Address | Description |
|---|---|---|
Bogota | Bogotá, Colombia | Colombia’s capital is surrounded by cool Andean peaks and, to give you an impression of its size, it consists of approximately 1,000 neighborhoods, each adding a different angle to this lively metropolis. The city is located in the center of the country at 8,660ft (2,640m) above sea level. With people coming from all corners of the country, this capital city is as diverse as the entire country. Read more… |
Medellin | Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia | Once the home of Pablo Escobar, Medellin also known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ has become the Silicon Valley of South America and is a jewel in the crown of Colombia. Nowadays this thriving city is one of the safest cities in Latin America offering mountain and valley views, Medellin has a friendlier and provincial town feel to it rather than a bustling metropolis. Read more… |
Cartagena de Indias | Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia | The magic of Cartagena lies at the foundation of its fortifications, warmth of its people, wealth of its architecture and endless cultural expressions of a fierce and courageous people. Gorgeous cobblestone alleys with elegant balconies, colorful flowers, massive churches and eye-catching terraces. The city is perfect to stroll around and soak up the relaxing and sensual atmosphere. Read more… |
The Coffee Triangle | Eje Cafetero, Colombia | Exploring family-run coffee plantations, staying at gorgeous colonial-style fincas and relaxing surrounded by the region’s lush rolling hills makes Colombia’s Coffee Triangle a highlight destination in South America. The region will easily seduce you with its visually stunning and expansive views of plantations and rolling hillsides. Read more… |
Villa de Leyva | Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, Colombia | Cobblestone streets, Spanish-style villas, and small-town pace give Villa de Leyva a charming, frozen-in-time feel. Villa de Leyva and surrounding countryside are among the safest places in Colombia to wander off the beaten track to explore the multiple waterfalls, a nearby desert, adventure-sport opportunities, and even a couple of vineyards. Read more… |
Santa Marta & Tayrona | playa de Cañaveral, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia | Unrivaled architectural heritage, Santa Marta is the perfect starting point to visit Tayrona National Park or visiting the “Lost City”. There is a small beach and boulevard, Santander Park and Bolivar Square are pleasant places to stroll around. Santa Marta’s climate is hot, but the sea breeze makes it pleasant to sip from a fresh fruit juice or cocktail in one of the open-air cafes. Read more… |
San Agustin & Neiva | Neiva-San Agustín, Neiva, Huila, Colombia | Neiva serves as a hub for travelers headed to San Agustin, declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1995, San Agustín preserves the relics of a pre-Colombian culture that thrived in the area for more than 7 centuries. Visitors to the Archaeological Park can stroll back through the centuries marveling at the huge life-sized statues symbolizing fertility, maternity, and the alter ego as well as realistic and sacred animals.Read more… |
Depending on your client’s preferences, we can help you determine the best experiences tailored for your clients. From where to visit, when to go, what to do and how to get there safely, our travel experts will help you create an experience your clients will love.
All year round is a good time to visit Medellin, the weather is always lovely. We recommend you to go in August during the “Festival of the Flowers”. This is the most important event in Medellin, where visitors can enjoy parades with colorful floats full of flowers, old and classic cars, beauty pageants and music concerts.
Daytime temperatures can reach the high 80’s (25-31°C) and nightfall temperatures can drop to the high 50′s (10-15°C) at times. The average annual temperature of Medellin is 72°F (22°C) which has led to the city being known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’.
Best times to
visit Medellin
Summer, or the dry season, runs from December through February, so these are some of the best months to visit. Every December, Medellin put up millions of Christmas lights and decorations where the entire valley is transformed, fireworks go off and chivas (party buses) take locals and tourists to see these beautiful displays making for a very festive and enjoyable atmosphere.
practical information
HOW TO GET THERE
Medellin has two airports with all international flights and domestic flights to major cities departing from Aeropuerto Internacional José María Córdoba, just under 22 miles (35km) southeast of the city near the town of Ríonegro. The smaller Aeropuerto Olaya Herrera is next to Medellin’s Terminal del Sur bus station. Regional domestic flights leave from here.
The city of Medellin also has two bus terminals. Terminal del Norte, 1.9 miles (3km) north of the city center, handles buses to the north, east and southeast, including Santa Fe de Antioquia (2 hours), Cartagena (13 hours), Santa Marta (16 hours) and Bogotá (9 hours). The other bus terminal is located 2.5 miles (4km) southwest of the center, Terminal del Sur, which handles all traffic to the west and south, including Pereira (5 hours) and Armenia (6 hours).
GETTING AROUND
Medellin has a free public bicycle system called Encicla where you are able to take out bicycles for short trips using your passport.
The city is also well serviced by buses, although you should find the metro and taxis sufficient for your needs. The majority of routes originate on Avenida Oriental and from Parque Berrío with buses running to around 10pm or 11pm.
Medellin’s Metro is Colombia’s only commuter rail line. It opened in 1995 and consists of a 14 mile (23km) north–south line and a 3.7 mile (6km) east–west line. Trains run at ground level except for 3.1 miles (5km) through the central area where they go on elevated tracks. The metro company also operates three cable car lines, called Metrocable, built to service the impoverished neighborhoods in the surrounding hills and Arví Park in Santa Elena. The Metrocable rides offer magnificent views and make for a unique way to see Medellin from above.
Taxis are cheap, safer, and a preferable mode of transport within the city – private taxis should be called by telephone as they are more trustworthy.
WHERE TO STAY
El Poblado has quickly become the place to stay for most travelers and is close to the La Zona Rosa bars and restaurants, and is usually safe, even late at night. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience in Medellin you may want to stay in the area around ‘La Setenta’ which is less flashy than Poblado yet more orderly than the center. It is also near to Medellin’s Stadium and has quick Metro access.
more highlights of Colombia
With eight local offices in Latin America, we have the perfect base to help you build the perfect trip for your clients. Unrivaled experience with a wide selection of bed & breakfasts, small posadas, unique boutique hotels and world class luxurious lodging.