Discovering Medellin, Colombia

Medellin is Colombia’s second-largest city, home to 3 million people. It was once dubbed “the most dangerous city in the world,” but has worked diligently to shed that image connected to drugs, gang warfare and gun violence. It is the capital of Antioquia province, nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” for its temperate weather. Nestled in a valley, the city clings to the mountainsides, and descends through the low clouds with spectacular views of coffee plantations. Modern metro-cables link the city to surrounding barrios and offer views of the Aburrá Valley below.

Medellin does not fit into all the exaggerated news you’ve read from 10-20 years ago, nor all the stigmas people continue to have. It is fast becoming a tourist hot spot for fine dining, culture and nature walks, trendy bars and, of course, world-class coffee.

Here are my 20 things to do from my experience in Medellin:

Do learn how to properly pronounce Medellin **pronounced Mede(j)ín/(sh)ín**
Do not play “snakes n ladders” with your life and try to drive here. Now if you are the NYC gangsta driving type maybe. Driving in Medellin is just like Lagos, Nigeria so if you are at that level please be great. ? ? ? ? ? ? I’d never ever get a rental and drive here. Nope, I know my place.
???? Do??Wear?? comfortable?? previously?? broken?? in?? shoes or your feet will divorce you! ** saying this loud for those in the back! **
Do ride the metro cable. I paid about $1500.00 COP (50 cents) and rode for a while taking in the sights. A sweet deal compared to where I live!
Do put your bargaining hat on. Bargaining is ingrained in me as a Naija girl. Yep I haggled.
Do find and go on a Real City Walking Tour(Airbnb experiences has quite a few)
Do take Uber over taxis. Yes, Uber is illegal here, but that doesn’t stop them from driving! You just need sit in front and act like you’re their family member or friend. Uber is definitely cheaper than taxis even during prime time.
Do go on a fruit tour and find your way to Minorista market. I saw fruits I’ve never seen in my life!
Do check out Comuna13, do a graffiti tour supporting the local artists. Witness an amazing story of transformation and resilience of the locals. This was the internationally feared NO-GO zone over a decade ago. It was ravaged by drugs, guns and more by the infamous, Pablo Escobar and has bloomed into self sustenance through tourism. I don’t have enough words to describe it so see the video above.
Do go up to a mountaintop for breathtaking views especially sunsets. My driver took me to a few.
Do stay off the streets during peak traffic hours. Especially flying into the airport. Traffic is brutal.
Do try bandeja paisa and all variations of Arepas. They are must try dishes in Colombia.
Do plan ahead NOT to be hungry on Sundays. Sundays are sacred days off for many people and businesses. Most of the local businesses, some restaurants, and coffee shops either close super early or don’t open at all. Lucky for me Starbucks near my Airbnb was open.
Do check out Jardín Botánico. It’s the botanical gardens, a quiet retreat from the noise and chaos of the city. You may luck out and enjoy a free concert or other event. I didn’t 🙁
Do see a futbol aka soccer match. (Futbol) here is religion so, if there are games when you’re here, please go. You won’t be sorry.
Do visit the the Museum of Antioquia and Plaza Botero. No visit to Medellin would be complete without exploring these 2. See my sepererate museum post
Do take a Day Trip to Guatapé. I could not fit this in but my driver said it’s usually the highlight for visitors.
Do step outside of Zona turistica El poblado aka tourist area El poblado or Laurel’s and see all sides of town. Get a feel on how the locals really do live.
Do go out and enjoy food. Mix it up from hole in the walls to beautiful spots like: Mondongo, Carmen, Pergamino Café,Lienzo Gastro bar and Cambria. I loved Cambria’s foo an ambiance.
Do visit Cerro Nutibara aka Nutibara hill for a sunrise or sunset view.

Finally l decided to skip the Pablo Escobar tour. 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 it did not sit well with me. This was my choice feel free to make yours.

I will be back in Medellín as I still have a lot to explore. ??