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Is Medellin Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Colombia : Safety by City

• Barranquilla
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• Santa Marta

Medellin is the second biggest and most populous city in Colombia with 3 million people, located in the region of the Andes Mountains in South America.

It is very well known for its festivals that tourists can experience throughout the year if they decide to come to Medellin.

The Festival of the Flowers, the Christmas lighting, the International Poetry Festival, and the Jazz Festival are just some of them.

The must-see sights in Medellin are the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Junin pedestrian street from the Coltejer Building to Bolivar Park, Museo de Antioquia, and Parque Berrío.

This beautiful city has many things to offer in terms of culture, architecture, and entertainment.

• Warnings & Dangers in Medellin

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

The overall risk in Medellin is at the medium level since it is a city where both petty and violent crime acts can sometimes happen against tourists. To remain safe here and minimize the risk of trouble, you should perform activities during the daytime, avoid walking alone, call taxis by phone and do not show electronic devices, credit cards or money in public.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

The best advice in terms of taxis is to call them from your accommodation and always ask the driver to turn on the taxi meter. Driving in Medellin is horrific, so avoid driving your car. If you are a pedestrian, do not rely on traffic signs, since they are not respected. Remain very watchful when crossing the street, even on the marked pedestrian crossings.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Even though Medellin is considered a safe city for tourism, the crime rate does not support that fact. Petty crime is a serious problem and the theft of wallets, electronic gadgets and passports are increasing. Tourist sites are full of the police, so you can feel safe there, but try to avoid parks El Poblado and Laureles.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Flooding, landslides, and earthquakes are common natural disasters in Medellin. In case you happen to be there during any of these disasters, follow the advice of the local authorities.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Violent crime against tourists is not very common in Medellin, but it is important to avoid Comuna 13, Parque Lleras, Parque de las Luces, Parque San Antonio, Parque Periodista, Prado, Barrio Trinidad, and La Sierra especially after dark. Mugging strategies are at a high level and the process lasts a few seconds. It happens everywhere, at any hour, and if you happen to be the victim, just give them what they want. There is no point in arguing or defeating since that can make you more trouble.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Recent reports show that organized crime, related to the Medellín Cartel, a highly organized drug cartel in Colombia, has occurred repeatedly as a consequence of the fight against them. Tourists are not the direct targets but may be victims in case they find themselves at the place of the attack.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

The possible problems travelers can encounter here is the counterfeit money, so they should always exchange it at the airport or in a bank. Do not exchange money on the street even if they offer you a better rate. As in any other huge city, taxi drivers take advantage of tourists, thieves transform themselves into police officers and credit card skimming is frequent.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Since many women who visited Medellin had no issues, it is considered a quite safe city. Verbal harassment, like cat-calling or whistling, is frequent, but women just need to remain polite if this happens. They should be careful when on bus stations and in taxis, especially at night.

• So... How Safe Is Medellin Really?

This city is the economic and business center and a place full of shopping malls and skyscrapers.

Tourists are attracted by its culture, museums, and architecture.

While exploring the city’s landmarks, they need to be aware that the huge wandering population decreases after dark, and leaves dangerous streets susceptible to thieves and lawbreakers.

In case you are a vigilant and watchful person, who manifests self-esteem, there is no reason to worry about your well-being and you can enjoy your holiday in Medellin.

• How Does Medellin Compare?
• Useful Information

For most nationalities, a visa is not necessary when coming to Colombia, as a tourist and stay less than 90 days. On the other hand, there are countries whose citizens need to acquire a visa before they enter Colombia. Your passport must be valid during your stay here.

The local currency is the Colombian Peso and it is advisable to exchange your money since US dollars and Euros are rarely accepted. Credit cards are used here, but not to that extent as in other more developed countries. In case you need to use an ATM, those found in a shopping mall or large superstores are more secure than those on the street because there is a risk that somebody will rob you.

The 'City of everlasting spring' is the nickname for Medellin due to its climate. The weather is quite mild with an average temperature that ranges from 15 to 30 degrees C. Humidity is comfortable and cool air comes from the mountains surrounding Medellin. This provides Medellin with the perfect climate.

José María Córdova International Airport located in Rionegro is the airport that is used when coming to Medellin. Other airports which can be used as an alternative if you decide to come to Colombia are El Dorado International Airport, José María Córdova International Airport, and Rafael Núñez International Airport with non-stop flights to many places.

Travel Insurance

Colombia is a country where accidents can happen, in terms of luggage lost or theft, so what you need to have when coming here is travel insurance that will cover not only medical problems but any kind of loss of personal belongings.

Medellin Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Colombia - Safety by City

Explore medellin.

• Top 5 Medellin Neighborhoods for Travelers
• Where to Next?

6 Reviews on Medellin

Columbia correctly spelled is Colombia…

Wonderful trip!

I got a chance to see all of the must-see sights found in Medellin like Parque Berrío, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Museo de Antioquia, the Junin pedestrian street from the Coltejer Building to Bolivar Park. Everything was exceptional and we are already planning another trip in Colombia, in Medellin and other cities as well.

Fun place for young people

I wanted a vacation really badly so I booked a two-week stay in Medellin because it was dirt cheap, had warm weather and I can speak Spanish rather well.

Colombia gets a bad rep if you spend more than a few days in their country and watch local news you will see why. However, most of the incidents are gang-related, gruesome, but gang-related.

All of the locals I interacted with were happy to give me directions or simply to chitchat, don’t believe the naysayers, these people are not out to get you. Yes, they have pickpockets. Yes, they have scammers that will bump you in the street trying to sell random stuff because ‘gran descuento’. Yes, they might overcharge your cab ride – I always ask for an estimate beforehand. What country doesn’t have these flaws?

They excel when it comes to nightlife, you wont run out of clubs and they’re quite inclusive, if you’re gay you will have zero problems blending in. Plus, you will have your pick of gay bars and clubs.

Colombia as a country has a huge problem with pollution so if you’re asthmatic or have any other allergies you might find it rather hard to pace your breath. I can’t remember the last time I used my inhaler more than I did during my two-week stay there.

I was not a fan of the food, though… Local cuisine is not my cup of tea, if you’re a vegetarian you’ll have trouble finding decent salads that are something other than a couple of green leaves sprinkled with some oil.

So, watch your cash, phone, camera, avoid sketchy neighborhoods – believe me, you know it the second you see it. Walking around mindlessly with your eyes glued to the phone is simply asking for trouble, regardless if you’re in Medellin or NYC.

Dont let down your guard

i visited with my girlfriend and got mugged at Cerro el volador. it happened very fast, they were armed and Took all our stuff. maybe it was our mistake for going into a park with few visitors. we talked to some locals and they told us muggings like these do happen very often and more violent crimes are also not rare. on average 20 tourist get killed in medellin every year, most of them in Connection with prostitution or if they try to play the hero when getting mugged. Check colombian newspapers if you dont believe me. i dont want to spoil anyones fun or spread horror stories, i Just want to warn you: be careful! yes, Medellin is not as dangerous as it was 30 years ago, but it is still in no way a city in which you can be carefree. only take with you the valuables you really need, dont wave them around in public, take a copy of your Passport, leave the original in your Hotel. only take registered Taxis or uber. Metro felt safe too. dont walk around at night. avoid empty streets, even in broad daylight. ask your Hotel staff about Security risks and unsafe areas. and most inportantely: listen to your gut Feeling. If an area seems sketchy to you, it possibly is and should be avoided. even the centro around the big Museums can be seedy and doubles as a red light district. dont take unecessary risks, dont let Strangers into your Hotel room/ Airbnb. There are a Lot of muggings connected to tinder dates in the last years. dont leave your drink unprotected (this applies to men too!) and dont think that i am exaggerating because you know some people who had no problems at all – i definitively believe that the majority of tourists never encounter any serious crime, but some do and it can spoil your holidays or even worse – it is a serious Problem and not as rare as you might think. colombia is a beautiful country with charming people, but dont forget that it is also a very poor country compared to almost every western one. this means desperation and also crime. you will be a target for some. stay Safe!

Not heading in the right direction

Things have been going downhill in Medellin since 2023. Lots of guys getting killed meeting women down there. If not drugged, then kidnapped and stabbed or shot. Also, spontaneous robberies seem to be on the rise. There are still some relatively safer areas, such as Envigado and the graffiti area of San Javier, but these are more outliers. Even then, you still have to get from the airport to these areas, and then transportation back and forth. El Poblado is becoming more dangerous.

I had a good time when I went in October, but I also knew people there before I even arrived, and these were people I knew well enough to trust. If you don’t have any contacts down there, it’s more risky. If you go, don’t display your phone on the street, dress like a local, and never hail a taxi from the road. Also, if you are meeting a chica down there, it had better be someone you know exceptionally well.

2.5 stars. Wonderful place BUT in Dec 2020 as a single young female I was nearly kidnapped/robbed on arrival! My Uber (correct plates) set me up and stopped on the highway 10 mins in with the doors unlocked and windows down, didn’t explain why (he knew I spoke Spanish) and started texting someone long messages for close to 10 mins. I got out of it by yelling at him to drive but when I got to my Airbnb I could barely walk… Felt like I was moving through quicksand and had the worst headache of my life! Took 5 mins to cross the street. I stayed in the whole day but the rest of the trip was awesome! I really want to visit Bogota and Ctg but am afraid after that. I have extensive solo travel and this is the only place besides Rio during Carnival I ever felt fearful (nothing hpnd in Rio bc I look Brazilian, learned the language, and dressed like locals). The next time I booked a flight to Colombia there were massive demonstrations that left hundreds dead and blocked travel btwn cities. Luckily I canceled the flight same day! A friend visited that year and said some paramilitary or something blocked exits where she was and had machine guns and they were stuck maybe 2 days? I’m putting Colombia dead last in places to return to. Sad bc outside of crime it has so much to offer!

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Article Contents

• Medellin : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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Is Medellin Safe for Travel in 2024? (From Our Experience)

Updated on April 26th, 2024

Are you wondering if Medellin is a safe travel destination? Find my safety tips, best areas to stay in and common scams in this safety guide.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Posted in Colombia

Table of contents

• Is Medellin safe for traveling?
• Is there crime in Medellin?
• What are the safest parts of Medellin?
• Which dangerous parts of Medellin should you avoid?
• General safety tips for visitors to Medellin
• Popular scams in Medellin to watch out for
• Safety items to bring to Medellin
• Safest ways to get around Medellin
• Food and water safety in Medellin
• Safest types of places to stay in Medellin
• Is Medellin safe for family travel?
• Is Medellin safe for solo female travelers?

Tell anyone you’re going to Medellin, Colombia, and they may ask, “Really? Is it safe there?”

If I had only read about Medellin’s troubled past in books and in the news, I’d have the same question. But luckily, this South American city is a great place to visit, and it’s not as dangerous as it may seem.

As we have both stayed in Medellin as well as spent some time living there as expats, we’ll help you find out if Medellin is safe for a vacation, in this guide.

Here’s what you’ll be learning about safety in Medellin:

• Learn some of the best safety tips and precautions for travel in Medellin.
• Get familiar with several common Colombian travel scams you may find in Medellin.
• Discover the safest ways to get around Medellin, as well as what to know about food and water safety in Medellin.
• Take note of which areas in Medellin are safest, and how to avoid dangerous neighborhoods.

Is Medellin safe for traveling?

From our experience and with multiple trips to Medellin as American travelers, we have never experienced crime nor threats in Medellin. Of course, we have been vigilant and cautious, and in this way, we have avoided theft and crime.

Medellin is safe as a vibrant and special travel destination if you act smart. It’s why we’ve spent a month there, twice. We also have good friends ( Alex and Ryan ) who live there as expats.

To see more about what you can do in Medellin, check out our Medellin travel guide .

Is there crime in Medellin?

In general, yes: there is crime in Medellin. Remember, though: there is also crime in US cities like Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit. Many people find traveling in Medellin even safer than a lot of major US cities (if you’re sticking to the safe parts of Medellin).

Anyone (really, anyone ) can be a target for petty theft like iPhone mugging in Medellin. The best thing to do is use my suggestions below of how to avoid it! Regarding avoiding crime in general, stick to the city’s safe neighborhoods, and go to other areas with a local guide or reputable tour operator, if you have concerns.

What are the safest parts of Medellin?

The safest parts of Medellin, especially for being a foreign traveler, are Laureles, El Poblado, Envigado and Sabaneta. Other neighborhoods like Belen also safe; you may just feel the presence of fewer foreigners and less English may be available.

You can see examples of these places in our photos of Medellin gallery.

Which dangerous parts of Medellin should you avoid?

Medellin has a lot to see, from the Botero sculptures and museums in Centro, to a tour of Comuna 13 . There are places, though, that I’d never go to alone or without a guide.

For anyone who wants to see the best of the city, taking a free Medellin city guided walking tour is ideal. Your local guide will only take you to safe areas to see the top sights.

For areas to avoid, foreigners should stay away from the areas of Centro and Comuna 13 at night , as you will be a target for theft or crime. Areas outside the proven “safe areas” will also be more dangerous, especially for visitors who are not familiar with the lay of the land.

The better way to answer this question is likely, “Go to popular tourist sites during daytime only, and stick to the safe neighborhoods for accommodation, dining and entertainment.” For any other areas of Medellin, it’s best to go with a tour operator or with a local expert, as we have done for tours like the City Transformation Tour .

General safety tips for visitors to Medellin

Here are the tips that’ve helped us stay clear of crime while in Medellin.

Be careful with your phone

As the first thing that comes to mind, watch your phone. While Dan and I have never had our phones stolen in Medellin, we know a handful of foreigners who have.

Thievery for iPhones and smartphones is, not surprisingly, widespread in Medellin. Muggers want phones because they’re easy to grab and they have good resale value.

To protest against this, we have a few tips that have helped us avoid phone theft:

• Carry your phone in a zippered belt bag, money belt or hidden pocket.
• Never keep your phone in your jeans pocket.
• If walking alone at night, only use your phone in well-lit locations where others are around.
• Read and bookmark our list of how to avoid pickpockets while traveling .

Try not to look like a target

This is really challenging, especially if you are lost or using your phone to find your way. If you seem lost and vulnerable, scammers and muggers are more likely to approach you and distract you.

Know where you’re staying and how to get there

On our first weekend out in Medellin with Remote Year , we had a friend who had his apartment address written in his phone, and his phone died. You bet he was alone and couldn’t find his way back, for hours.

Take this as a story of what not to do! Always carry the card of your hotel or have your address written on a piece of paper, rather than only in a phone.

Popular scams in Medellin to watch out for

Much like in any big city (even NYC has scams !), travelers going to Medellin should be familiar with a few common Colombian scams in order to stay clear of them!

Unmarked menus and “foreigner prices”

Luckily, I have never been scammed in Medellin; however, I was the target of a scam in Cartagena , which I detailed in this article about classic travel scams from The Professional Hobo blog .

To sum it up, a friend and I were charged $100 USD to eat a simple meal on a beach where we were the only foreign travelers, and the owner didn’t let us leave until we negotiated and paid at least some of it. Scary.

Menus with no prices or ordering something from a server/owner of a restaurant without discussing a price should always be avoided, but there may be establishments that are experts at tricking you into this. While this may seem like it would happen at eateries geared toward foreign travelers, it’s equally dangerous at places that cater to locals and where you may be the only foreigner singled out to scam.

At any of the best restaurants in Medellin , you don’t have to worry about scams or being ripped off.

Dating scams

Dating scams and Tinder scams are rampant throughout South America, and a friend of ours was “nearly” the target of one in Lima, Peru .

In general, be wary of engaging in long conversations before meeting someone for a date in Medellin, in Colombia, or in South America in general. There are scam artists lurking on dating apps and dating websites who want to meet you, a foreigner, and scam you into “paying for their schooling” or “helping them out with some money.”

You never know who (or which multiple people) are behind a scam, and even going on a date with a “local” anywhere but a very public establishment like a restaurant or bar could lead to being cornered into draining you of your cash. Be smart, and go with your gut when making connections on dating apps in Colombia.

Common taxi scams

Throughout the world, taxi scams are VERY common, and I’ve been the target of one of those, in South Africa. Getting in a taxi in Colombia means potentially being in a cab that has a rigged taxi meter, charging you multiple times what your ride should cost, and leaving you with no way to fight it.

It’s also been rumored among travel communities that taxis in Colombia may drive you in circles or “take the long route” to your intended destination, in order to have you pay up more in total cost, and waste your time.

The way to avoid this is to take a ride service through a verified app, like Uber. This blog post from GoBackpacking.com is helpful in describing transport around Medellin.

Safety items to bring to Medellin

While Medellin is generally safe and your worst enemy will be petty theft, here are a few products to help out!

No matter how big or small, “wearing” your valuables guarded by a zipper and all within your reach and eyesight is best. Check out all the zippered belt bags I recommend in my list of the best fanny packs for travel . I specifically recommend this stylish lightweight one from Canvelle .

We recommend this in our safety guide for Mexico City , where the same type of theft is common. You can use this to make sure your laptop backpack doesn’t get swiped if you’re outside at a cafe, like one of our favorites, Pergamino , or any of the popular cafes in Medellin .

We got AirTags to put on our luggage and checked items when flying! We can track them and see if they made it off the plane or got stranded (hopefully not). You can use AirTags to put in your valuables like a laptop, phone or wallet, and if they become misplaced, they’re traceable via an app on your iPhone.

Safest ways to get around Medellin

There are quite a few ways to get around Medellin, which is cool! We have never experienced safety issues with any of the below and with the proper precautions, we hope it’ll be the same for you.

Medellin Metro, Buses and Metrocable

Taking the Medellin Metro and Metrocable (during daylight hours) can be fun! Make sure you use maps to ensure you’re heading in the correct direction. Avoid having valuables, or anything, in your pockets, as a crowded train means more commotion and more ways to be distracted should someone reach into your pocket to grab your wallet.

Wear a zippered belt bag, avoid flashing your money, and put away your phone, during the trip to avoid theft. Of all the public transit options in Medellin, public buses within the city are probably the least-frequented by foreign travelers.

For leaving Medellin, we’ve taken longer-distance buses quite a few times to Guatape and Santa Fe de Antioquia and that has been safe for us.

Uber has been a safe bet for us as travelers in Medellin. The only thing that may differ from what you’re used to at home when taking Uber or Lyft is that the driver a) may not speak English, so have your Spanish ready and b) may ask you to sit up front so that you look like his/her “friend” due to Uber being semi-maybe-not-so-legal in Colombia.

This blog post from Katie Caf Travel is all about Uber usage in Medellin.

We’ve walked around neighborhoods like El Poblado, Laureles, Centro and the area near the Jardin Botanico, for example. With our wits about us, watching our bags and not wearing anything flashy, we have fared just fine.

At night (the sun sets around 6pm in Medellin year-round), we have stayed close to where we’ve been living or staying, in El Poblado. If we need to walk alone from somewhere, to our accommodation, we try to avoid very dark areas, stick to well-populated streets and maintain close in contact with each other for safety.

Longer-distance bus travel from Medellin

If you are looking at taking any of the best day trips from Medellin and want to ensure safety, I recommend taking a private tour with a van and driver.

Food and water safety in Medellin

Medellin is a place where we have spent time and not had any issues with food! I’ll detail what we did.

Is the food in Medellin safe?

Lucky for me and Dan, we never experienced food poisoning in Medellin, and we were pretty liberal with eating a mix of street food and restaurants! Given, we didn’t eat much meat from the streets (we ate mostly sweets or carbs like breads or vegetarian empanadas).

Eating at restaurants in El Poblado or sit-down restaurants in other parts of the city should fare fine for you. Of course, food poisoning can happen anywhere — even at expensive and nice restaurants.

As for street food, use your judgement (and note that there’s always a chance of getting unlucky). Medellin has plenty of food to buy from small street vendors, especially near metro stations. If something doesn’t look right, or looks old, it’s best to avoid it.

Can you drink the water in Medellin?

This is a valid question, as Medellin (unlike other parts of Colombia ) is a city known for having potable tap water. The only other place in Latin America to which I’ve traveled, where the water is clean, is Costa Rica.

While some foreign travelers and expats are cool with trying water right from a sink, you may want to play it safe with bottled filtered water from a store, especially if your trip is short and you won’t be spending time acclimating to a month or more of the local water.

Please trust your own level of comfort with Medellin’s tap water while drinking it during your stay. No two people’s stomachs are the same, and everyone will have a different level of tolerance. For more ideas on preventing health scares, check out my list of how to avoid getting sick during travel .

Safest types of places to stay in Medellin

If you had the luck we did, you’ll find a great assortment of safe places to stay in Medellin. Also, jump back to the top of this guide for a cheat sheet on some quick vetted recommendations.

Here are our top 3 safe places to stay in Medellin

• Top hotel for safe location: Hotel Dann Carlton
• Top hotel for safety features: Hotel Intercontinental Medellín, an IHG Hotel
• Top backpacker hostel for safety: Viajero Hostel Medellin

Renting an apartment

The two times we have had extended stays in Medellin, we lived in apartments or serviced apartments. Both times, we lived in El Poblado, the international neighborhood known most for catering to travelers and expats.

To rent an apartment in Medellin, you can reaver via Airbnb, or for even better value, try a Casacol apartment like Loma Verde . This is where we stayed with our toddler, and it went great! The building has a 24-hour security guard, a 24-hour front desk staff person and it is located on a quiet residential street.

Casacol is the biggest apartment property manager in the city, and the buildings are new, clean, safe and have amenities like pools and gyms (depending on the property). Check out our Casacol apartment hotel stay review .

Staying at a hotel

With the growth of popularity of Medellin as an international tourism destination, there is no shortage of hotels. Since the pandemic, there are even more hotels to choose from.

My best advice is to read through reviews online, especially as they pertain to safety. You can search through reviews with the word “safety” as a keyword. I also recommend going off of the recommendations of friends, or people in your travel network, if you have one.

A few well-known hotels for having excellent levels of safety come recommended by my friend Alex, and they are the Hotel Dann Carlton and Hotel Intercontinental Medellín .

Staying in a hostel

Dan and I are pro hostelers, as you may be able to tell from my guide to the best tips for booking a hostel .

What I like about hostels is that they’re often in excellent locations and take security into account. In Medellin, this may be 24-hour desk staff, locked front doors, lockers or camera surveillance.

When choosing a hostel, prioritize safety! A few hostels that have exceptional safety reviews are Viajero Medellin Hostel and Los Patios Hostel .

Is Medellin safe for family travel?

The quick answer to this question is, yes! Take it from our friends Alex and Ryan who live in Medellin with their toddler . There is a whole list of family-approved safe things to do in Medellin with kids , and it’s why Medellin has a place in our list of the best family-friendly travel destinations .

Here are just a few safe things families can do with a trip to Medellin:

• Visit the Jardin Botanico to see nature and flowers
• Take part in the Sunday Ciclovía, where you’ll see other families, dog walkers, runners and bikers all in streets closed off to traffic
• Take a chocolate tour! This one comes recommended by Alex, who did it with her family.

Is Medellin safe for solo female travelers?

As a woman traveling in Medellin, I have never had any safety issues because I have tried my best never to walk alone at night and to be very careful with my phone and valuables.

As per all the advice above, women who have traveled solo in Colombia and Medellin rarely face safety concerns; however, it depends on how you choose to carry out your trip. If you travel in groups (like organized day trips ), avoid walking alone past dark, avoid going on dates with strangers and choose to stay in highly-rated safe accommodations, I believe you can be fine.

Of course, Medellin is a big Colombian city. Therefore, solo female travelers should ALWAYS avoid risky neighborhoods or engaging in higher-risk behaviors like drugs and alcohol. To prepare with some helpful safety products as well as female-specific things, check my list of items to pack for solo female travel .

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• April 2, 2024
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Is Medellín Safe? Security in Medellín and Safety Tips – 2024 Update

Is Medellín safe to visit? Medellín is generally safe to visit if you follow some basic safety tips, as you will reduce your risk of being a victim of crime. However, security in Medellín is still a major concern for expats living in Medellín and also tourists visiting the city.

Medellín still has a reputation of violence and drugs to overcome that hasn’t been helped by the popular Narcos series . What many people don’t realize is the timeframe depicted in Narcos was well over 25 years ago and that Pablo Escobar is long dead and buried . Furthermore, Medellín has experienced a remarkable turnaround over the past couple of decades.

I have lived in Medellín for many years. And probably the most common questions I get from friends and relatives in the U.S. are still related to the security and safety in Medellín. I frequently hear questions like “Is Medellín safe?”, “Aren’t you scared living there?", “What is the chance I will be kidnapped when I visit?”

In this article, we look at some up-to-date crime statistics and 20 recommended expat safety tips. Crime and safety is a major concern of expats and was included in our list of 11 downsides to living in Medellín . We also have separate articles that look at safety and crime rates in Bogotá , safety and crime in Cartagena and safety and crime in Cali .

What Are the Safest Neighborhoods in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley?

New Airbnb Policies for Hosts in Colombia – Updated 2024

Safety Tips to Attend the Medellin Flower Festival as an Expat

• Emergency Directory Guides to Ensure Your Safety in Colombia

• How to Travel and Live in Colombia Safe as a Foreigner

Scopolamine: The Realities of Devil’s Breath in Colombia – Update 2024

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Attending the Medellin Flower Festival is an incredible opportunity to experience Colombia's rich culture and traditions. By following these safety tips, you can enjoy the festivities with peace of mind and make lasting memories as an expat in this beautiful city. Stay safe, stay aware, and have a wonderful time...

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Colombia has made impressive strides in recent years, with a steady reduction in poverty, increased foreign investment, and a growing touristic market. The government, organizations, and individuals have implemented several policies to promote growth and development, which have benefited the country's transformation and made Colombia safe for investment and tourism.

Scopolamine, also known as Devil's Breath, is a drug used in Colombia for the purpose of robbery. But there are a number of urban myths around

Everyone’s experiences and perceptions about security and safety differ. Obviously if you or a family member or close friend have been victim of a crime your perceptions about security and safety will be different than someone that hasn’t experienced a problem.

Note the above photos of Colombian police are by the National Police of Colombia. Also, please note that this article was completely updated in 2024 with up-to-date crime statistics.

Medellín Homicide Statistics

Nothing demonstrates the remarkable turnaround in the security situation in Medellín more than looking at the historical homicide statistics in the above chart.

In the 1990s, Medellín was known as the murder capital of the world. In 1991, the homicide rate in Medellín was reportedly 375 per 100,000 residents. This was almost triple the homicide rate in the current most dangerous city in the world, Caracas, Venezuela.

Over the past 34 years, there was a dramatic turnaround in Medellín with the homicide rate dropping significantly. Medellín was even taken off the list of the most dangerous cities in the world based on homicide rates a few years ago.

In addition, out of 10 cities in Colombia, Medellín experienced the biggest drop in its reported homicide rate from 2009 to 2015 as seen in the following chart. In 2023, Medellín recorded a decrease in its homicide rate. According to El Colombiano , the city went 140 days without any homicides. During the year, 375 homicides were registered, marking a 4.1% reduction from the previous year (2022), which saw 391 homicides occur.

Medellín now has a lower homicide rate than is found in St. Louis, New Orleans or Baltimore in the U.S. that are still on the list of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world.

According to the official press release from the Mayor’s Office of Medellín , the city closed January 2024 with a 24% reduction compared to the same period in 2023, when 29 cases occurred. There were 16 non-consecutive days without homicides. So far, more than 1,200 arrests have been recorded, 458 sharp weapons and 62 firearms have been seized. In addition, 199 motorcycles and 30 vehicles were recovered.

At the first time we wrote this blog in 2019, we made a huge investigation about statistics about violent homicides in Medellín. During the full year 2018, 626 homicides occurred in Medellín, which was 44 more than in 2017. Medellín closed the year 2018 with a rate of 24.75 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

This homicide rate of 24.75 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018 was up from a homicide rate of 20 in 2015 in Medellín. 2015 had the lowest homicide rate for Medellín in over 40 years.

Dangerous Comunas

La Candelaria (El Centro) in Medellín remains the most dangerous comuna in the city. In El Centro, there were 108 homicide cases in 2018, five more than in 2017. This was followed in 2018 by San Javier with 91 homicides; Robledo with 55; Belén and Aranjuez with 39; Guayabal, La América and Laureles-Estadio with 30 each; Castilla with 25; Doce de Octubre with 23; Villa Hermosa with 20 and Manrique with 16.

Safest Comunas

In contrast, the safest comuna in Medellín in 2018 in terms of homicides was Buenos Aires with 7 homicides followed by Popular with 10 and El Poblado and Santa Cruz with 11 each. In addition, the separate municipality of Sabaneta had 8 homicides in 2018, which was the lowest in the past eight years. Unfortunately it appears that homicide rates aren’t publicly reported for all the separate municipalities in the Aburrá Valley.

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El Poblado, known for its vibrant nightlife and upscale amenities, is the preferred neighborhood for many foreigners residing in or visiting Medellín. However, it's crucial to understand the potential drawbacks associated with living in this bustling area. Know all the downsides of El Poblado.

Discover the 5 best neighborhoods in Medellín for foreigners and make an informed decision about where to live. The blog talks about cost of living, safety, and walkability analysis to guide you in searching for the perfect place to call home.

Laureles is a popular neighborhood among expats living in Medellín, and this year, it was selected as the coolest neighborhood in the world. In this article we analyze each of the advantages of this place to live.

El Poblado vs Laureles. We comprehensively compare two neighborhoods popular with expats in Medellín in 8 categories to see which is a better place to live.

Laureles-Estadio is popular neighborhood for foreigners living in the city or visiting, we look at the pros and cons of Laureles for expats.

Time Out's 2023 top pick for the coolest neighborhood is Laureles, nestled in Medellín, Colombia. This vibrant district offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. It's the perfect haven for digital nomads, remote workers, and adventure-seekers, providing a distinct and culturally rich experience.

Envigado is popular neighborhood near Medellín for foreigners living in the metro area or visiting. We look at the pros and cons of Envigado for expats.

Foreigner Homicides in the Aburrá Valley Over the Past Decade

In the past, and according to a 2018 article in the El Colombiano newspaper, 50 foreigners were murdered in the decade in the Aburrá Valley from 2007 to 2017. So, this was an average of one foreigner homicide every 2.4 months in that period.

Now, speaking only about 2022-2023, it has been reported that the number of violent deaths of foreign nationals in the city has increased by 29% in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. According to a press release by El Tiempo , there were six cases of homicides of foreign tourists in the city last year, which has raised concerns for the U.S. Embassy in Colombia.

The Attorney General’s Office has provided the data about these cases, and it was noted that most of the deaths occurred between November and December 2023. The embassy has issued a warning due to the rise in incidents where criminal gangs in Medellín use dating apps to lure victims in public places and then take them to other locations, where they are assaulted and robbed.

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The reasons for these homicides vary but the majority were related to street robberies, drugs and sex tourism and crimes of passion.

In the years I have lived in Medellín, a majority of the foreigner homicides in the city tend to be reported in the news that the victims resisted a robbery or were involved in shady activities such as drugs and prostitution.

These foreigner homicides occurred all over the metro area and in seven of the 10 municipalities in the Aburrá Valley. Most of these foreigner homicides occurred in Medellín, followed by Bello, Caldas, Itagüí, Copacabana, Envigado and Sabaneta.

In Medellín, the comunas with the highest counts of foreigner homicides over the past decade were El Poblado, Laureles-Estadio and Belén, which are three of the most popular neighborhoods for foreigners living in Medellín.

The murdered foreigners came from several countries. Most of them from North America (U.S. Canda or Mexico), and others from Europe, Central America, the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific.

Details of the North American Deaths and Homicides in Medellín

The U.S. embassy stated that between November 1 and December 31, 2023, eight U.S. deaths occurred in the capital of Antioquia in “suspicious” circumstances.

El Tiempo Newspaper collected information on the 8 U.S. citizens who lost their lives in tragic circumstances between November 1 and December 31, 2023. Johnny Jerome, 45, from New York, was found dead in a hot tub with no signs of violence after celebrating his birthday in the city. Michael Eugene and Andrew Shoyoye suffered fatal burns after a chimney exploded in an apartment in Medellín.

Jeffrey Hutson Hewett, a communications graduate, was murdered in his hotel room with more than 20 stab wounds, and an 18-year-old woman was implicated in his death. Marcel Petreanu was intercepted by robbers as he was leaving an establishment in El Poblado, and was fatally wounded during a struggle. Mike Smith was found dead in a rented house in Envigado, a victim of an apparent robbery, killed with a crossbow. Tou Ger Xiong, a well-known comedian and activist, was summoned by a woman and later found dead in a ravine with stab wounds, presumably a victim of extortion. Finally, Phillip Ryan Mullins died of an overdose of psychoactive substances in a hotel in Medellín.

Of these cases, a total of 4 were classified as homicides: Jeffrey Hutson Hewett, Marcel Petreanu, Mike Smith, and Tou Ger Xiong. Some of those that have not been classified as such happened in suspicious ways, and authorities report that narcotic substances were found at the places.

It is worrisome, as in our latest research in 2019, we managed to collect the information of 12 U.S. citizens killed in the decade of 2007-2017.

We look in detail at each homicide to demonstrate that several of these victims reportedly resisted a robbery or were involved in shady activities such as drugs or prostitution. In some cases, details of these homicides are sketchy with a underlying cause not reported.

Age 24, was reportedly traveling in a Volkswagen Golf in El Poblado with a Colombian where he was killed by two men on a motorcycle.

Age 29, was assassinated in the bar Gurú during a massacre that killed eight people. Galeano reportedly had been visiting Colombia for two months where he had a daughter.

Age 52, was shot in the Florida Nueva barrio in Laureles-Estadio. He reportedly was shot during a robbery attempt when he was walking with three women.

Age 34, was killed with a knife, tortured with a hammer and hanged with an iron cable, in the house he had rented in the Los Colores barrio in Laureles-Estadio. He had a food business in the city.

Age 58, was shot during a robbery at the El Tamarindo hostel in the Provenza neighborhood of El Poblado. Reportedly he resisted a robbery when assailants asked for his wristwatch.

Age 46, was shot in a bar on Carrera 70 in Laureles-Estadio. Goldberg reportedly was involved in the sex tourism business.

Age 31, was found dismembered in four garbage bags in Sabaneta. He was using a false Bahamas passport in the name of Roberto Clementi Major. He had arrived with a woman from Cali and rented an apartment in El Poblado. Lavoie was a wanted drug trafficker in Canada. Reportedly his murder was believed to have been a settling of accounts.

Age 48, was killed in the Los Alpes barrio in Belén while trying to prevent the theft of a neighbor’s motorcycle.

Age 65, was shot while reportedly resisting a robbery in front of the La Estrada mall in El Poblado.

Age 35, was reportedly attacked by a knife and killed by two assailants during a robbery in the barrio Miranda in north Medellín.

Age 68, was found semi-nude and dead with three knife wounds in an apartment in the Naranjal barrio in Laureles-Estadio.

Age 41, was killed with multiple stab wounds in an apartment in El Poblado. He reportedly was involved with an underage girl of 17 years who called a friend for help.

The bottom line is that resisting robbery or being involved in shady activities like drugs and prostitution are risky behaviors in Medellín. Furthermore, during the past decade, there have been many foreigners who died from drug overdoses reported in the news.

However, it is highly unlikely that any normal foreign tourists not involved in these risky behaviors would be shot and killed randomly. Safety in Medellin for most foreign tourists comes down more to muggings, robberies and thefts.

Other Statistic Researched in 2019 - Rates by Neighborhood (October 2009-October 2018)

Homicide statistics by neighborhood in medellín.

Historically the highest counts of reported homicides each year in Medellín occur in the La Candelaria comuna (El Centro).

In addition, in the past decade, 12.5 percent of the homicides in Medellín were in El Centro.

In the past decade (10 years up to October 18, 2018), according to Sijin of the Metropolitan police and Seguridad y Convivencia (Sisc) of the Mayor of Medellín, the following are the counts of homicides in Medellín and the top three comunas:

• Total Medellín homicides – 11,846 in the past decade up to October 18, 2018
• La Candelaria (El Centro) homicides – 1,482 (12.5 percent of the total in Medellín)
• San Javier homicides – 1,245
• Aranjuez homicides – 878

Other Crimes by Neighborhood in Medellín

It’s worth looking at crime statistics by neighborhood to help determine the safety of neighborhoods in Medellín. We have a separate article that looks at the safest neighborhoods in Medellin and the Aburrá Valley .

Historically the highest counts of reported robberies and thefts in Medellín occur in the La Candelaria comuna (El Centro). And this is followed by Laureles-Estadio and El Poblado, which are two of the most popular neighborhoods for foreigners in Medellín.

Note that Colombia reports  hurtos , which means robberies and thefts. So, the robberies statistics in Colombia actually include both robberies and thefts. Robbery in English involves force or the threat of force. While theft is a broad term that can cover a wide variety of criminal offenses including pickpocketing.

In the past decade (10 years up to October 18, 2018), according to Sijin of the Metropolitan police and Sisc of the Mayor of Medellín, the following are the counts of robberies of persons in Medellín and the top three comunas:

• Total Medellín robberies of persons – 72,311 in the past decade up to October 18, 2018
• La Candelaria (El Centro) robberies of persons – 25,265 (35 percent of the total in Medellín)
• Laureles-Estadio robberies of persons – 8,837
• El Poblado robberies of persons – 7,800

Robberies of Personal Items (phones, cash, clothes, and jewelry)

The most commonly stolen items are normally cell phones followed by money, clothes and jewelry.

The Medellín robberies of cell phones statistics in the past decade (10 years up to October 18, 2018) are:

• Total Medellín robberies of cell phones – 37,251 in the past decade up to October 18, 2018
• La Candelaria (El Centro) robberies of cell phones – 13,828 (37 percent of the total in Medellín)
• Laureles-Estadio robberies of cell phones – 4,863
• El Poblado robberies of cell phones – 3,912

Assaults on premises

The Medellín assaults on premises statistics in the past decade (10 years up to October 18, 2018) are:

• Total Medellín assaults on premises – 15,485 in the past decade up to October 18, 2018
• La Candelaria (El Centro) assaults on premises – 4,076 (26 percent of the total in Medellín)
• El Poblado assaults on premises – 2,379
• Laureles-Estadio assaults on premises – 1,852

As was the case at the time of this research, currently in 2024 El Centro continues to produce troubling statistics. It has the highest counts of reported robberies/thefts, motorcycle thefts, homicides and sexual offenses. So, it remains the most dangerous area of Medellín. If you live in El Centro, you need to take extra security and safety precautions. And you should take care when visiting El Centro.

As a result, the police have been focusing many of their efforts in El Centro. So, you will see an increased police presence in El Centro in several areas like Parque Berrío and Plaza Botero . Also, we have looked at the safest neighborhoods in Medellín . 

The Mayor’s Office of Medellín reported at the end of 2023 that 400 new police officers would be hired by 2024. And this is just one of the many measures being implemented by the Colombian government.

My Safety Experiences in Medellín and Colombia

I have lived in the Medellín metro area for over eight years in five different neighborhoods. And I have been traveling to Colombia since late 2006, when I first discovered Colombia .

During all this time living in Medellín and traveling to Colombia, I have felt safe but I am security conscious and use common sense plus take some safety precautions outlined in our 20 safety tips below. In all this time traveling to Colombia and living in Medellín for over eight years, I only experienced three problems. 

One problem was in January 2020 in Laureles in Medellín when I was robbed at knifepoint . And two of my problems were on the Medellín metro . One time on the metro was a few years ago when I was traveling on the metro with a backpack during rush hour. And a small camera was in the small pocket in the backpack. When I arrived at my destination, I later discovered the camera was gone.

Also, I was a victim of a pickpocket on the Medellín metro in August 2018. I normally try to avoid rush hour on the metro when people are packed like sardines.

I had my cell phone in one front pocket and my wallet in the other. I had one hand on my pocket with my wallet and my other hand was holding on. When I arrived at my destination, I realized someone had taken the cell phone from my pocket. And I didn’t notice or feel anything. Note that cell phones are the most commonly stolen items in Colombia.

Luckily this was an older Samsung J3 model cell phone that I was planning to replace anyway. And since the cell phone was registered in my name, it was easy to report it stolen to block the IMEI, buy a new phone and get a new SIM with the same phone number.

I have not encountered any other security problems while living in Medellín and traveling throughout Colombia. But I am safety cautious and normally take taxis at night and don’t go to certain parts of the city.

In Medellin Guru we have prepared a Security Guide for U.S. Citizens in English with information from the U.S. Embassy and all the contact information you need to be safe in Colombia.

Medellin guru guides.

Download Safety Guide for US Citizens in Colombia   we have created with helpful information about Medellín and Colombia.

20 Medellín Safety Tips for Expats for 2024

Medellín is generally considered safe to visit if you use common sense and take some precautions. There are a number of basic precautions you can take to be vigilant about your personal safety and improve your security while in Medellín and Colombia.

Here are 20 safety tips in no particular order that should improve your security and greatly reduce your risk of being a crime victim in Medellín:

1. Don’t flash your cellphones, cameras, jewelry or money around In addition, pickpocketing and purse snatching is common in some public places. Distraction is frequently the strategy, so be alert and keep an eye on your belongings. Also, be aware of your surroundings when using your cellphone, as cellphones are the most commonly stolen items in the city. 2. Never resist if you are a robbery victim Many homicide victims in Medellín resisted robberies. It’s not worth risking your life for some money and/or possessions. Don’t try to be a hero. 3. Be careful in El Centro Chaotic El Centro has the highest crime rates in the city. Street crime in El Centro is quite common. And there are areas in El Centro that are magnets for drunks, drug addicts and homeless people. After dark, El Centro becomes even more dangerous. 4. Stay away from drugs, sex tourism and illegal activities Participating in shady activities increases your likelihood of becoming a crime victim and historically many of the foreigner homicides in Medellín have been related to these activities. 5. Dress conservatively and lose the shorts and flip-flops Try not to be such an obvious foreigner tourist that can make you a target. See how typical Colombians dress. An expat in shorts and flip-flops speaking English loudly on an iPhone is likely to attract some unwanted attention. If you dress like this, you may attract some unwanted attention 6. Use ATMs in malls and grocery stores Avoid ATMs on the street or in areas with few people around. And be conscious of who might be watching you. 7. Avoid bad neighborhoods The poorest neighborhoods in Medellín like Popular, Santa Cruz, Manrique, San Javier and 12 de Octubre are not really places for expats, even during the day unless you are part of an organized tour like a graffiti tour. 8. Never leave your drink unattended It takes almost no time for someone to drug your drink with something like Scopolamine (aka Devil’s Breath), which can wipe the memory of its victims and can affect the ability to resist criminal aggression. 9. Take care even in El Poblado Street crime is possible everywhere in Medellín. El Poblado is touted by some as the safest part of the city. But robbery statistics have been increasing in El Poblado. This is likely due to criminals targeting the wealthiest area of Medellín where most foreign tourists stay. In addition, take care in Parque Lleras, which has been experiencing problems with street crime, drugs and prostitution resulting in an increased police presence. Also, take care in Laureles-Estadio, which also has been experiencing increases in robbery statistics. Parque Lleras: A guide to Medellín’s top nightlife district

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10. Don’t carry lots of cash with you Only carry what you need for the day or night with you. 11. Put your bag, purse or backpack in front of you In busy areas like El Centro it's common for snatching of bags, purses or backpacks. 12. Late at night, call for a taxi During the day, hailing a taxi on the street will likely be fine. But at night calling for a taxi or using an app like Cabify is safer and will ensure you are getting a legitimate driver. 13. Don’t walk alone at night It’s safer in groups. And if walking alone, stick to well-lit streets where there are plenty of people. 14. Try to keep a low profile If you keep a low profile you are less likely to become a target. And never give out information about where you live to strangers. 15. Watch out for motorcycles Carry a copy of your passport with another ID like a driver’s license. Only bring ATM and credit cards which you plan to use. Leave your passport and other cards locked up in a safe location. 16. Don’t carry your passport with you Carry a copy of your passport with another ID like a driver’s license. Only bring ATM and credit cards which you plan to use. Leave your passport and other cards locked up in a safe location. 17. Don't invite strangers to your home or hotel And if you are meeting someone you don't know, always do this in a public area like a mall, restaurant or café. 18. Change locks and buy a security door When you are living in a place long-term in Medellín always change the locks. No telling who else will have keys. And for even better piece of mind change the door to a security door reinforced with steel inside and around the frame. But make sure to get permission from the owner if you rent before replacing a door.I travel often so I bought security doors for two apartments I have lived in. Thieves are looking for doors that are easy to break into and many apartments in Medellín have front doors that are quite easy to break into. 19. No Dar Papaya Don’t give papaya. This is a famous quote in Colombia, which means essentially don’t put yourself in a position where you become vulnerable to be taken advantage of. Many of the above tips are ways to “No Dar Papaya”. 20. Get a Health Insurance I always recommend having travel medical insurance that can assist you in case of an emergency or if your documents are stolen. This is essential, since many foreigners do not have a good travel insurance policy in order to save a few bills. If you click on the green button below, you'll be able to access the Medellin Guru Insurance Service. Medellin Guru Insurance Service

The insurance agency we partnered with has helped 1.377 Medellin Guru readers

Reporting Crimes in Medellín

If you are a victim of crime in Medellín you can report this. A police report, known as a denuncia, may be filed at the nearest Unidad de Reacción Inmediata (URI) of the Colombian judicial authorities.

You may also file a report at a police station but it will not have the same validity for legal process. So, it is recommended that victims of a crime go to the nearest URI to file a formal report. And be sure to get a copy of the report.

The National Police (Policía Nacional) have police stations located throughout the Medellín metro area and a list can be seen here . And the police station in El Poblado is located at Carrera 43B # 12-20 with the fijo phone number of +57 4 266 8826. This police station is only three blocks from Parque Poblado.

In addition, Guala is a special division of the police that handles cases involving extortion and kidnapping. They can be reached via phone at 165. And their office in Medellín is located at Carrera 51 #14-259.

In Medellin Guru we have prepared a Colombia Emergency Directory in English with all the contact information of authorities, hospitals and police stations.

Colombia Travel Warning or Advisories

Several countries provide a Colombia travel warning or Colombia travel advisory.

For example, the U.S. Department of State has a Colombia Travel Advisory that is currently at Level 2 – exercise increased caution. In this travel advisory, it is advised to reconsider travel to several departments in Colombia including Arauca, Cauca, Chocó, Nariño and Norte de Santander Departments, with the exceptions of the cities of Popayan (capital of Cauca) and Nuqui by air.

Also, Canada has travel advice and advisories for Colombia that says to “exercise a high degree of caution”. It also recommends avoiding all travel within 20 km of the border with Venezuela, within 20 km of the border with Panama and the ports of Buenaventura and Tumaco.

In addition, the UK has UK foreign travel advice for Colombia that advises avoiding all travel to the ports of Buenaventura and Tumaco. And Australia also has its Australian travel advice for Colombia that recommends avoiding all travel within 20 km of the borders with Venezuela and Ecuador except the Pan American Highway crossing at Ipiales and avoiding all travel to the ports of Buenaventura and Tumaco.

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Medellin Guru's Safety and Security Series

Safety is the biggest concern of foreigners visiting Colombia or planning to move to Colombia. So, we have a series of 18 popular articles about safety and security in Colombia:

• Is Colombia Safe? Colombia Security and Safety Tips
• Is Medellín Safe? Medellín Security and Safety Tips
• What are the Safest Neighborhoods in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley
• Medellín Robbery: Expat Experience Being Robbed at Knifepoint
• Colombia Gun Laws: Is it Legal to Have a Gun in Colombia?
• Scopolamine: The Realities of Devil’s Breath in Colombia
• Colombia Protests: Tips for Foreigners to Stay Safe During Protests
• Is Bogotá Safe? Bogotá Security and Safety Tips
• Is Cartagena Safe? Cartagena Security and Safety Tips
• Is Cali Safe? Cali, Colombia Security and Safety Tips
• Is Santa Marta Safe? Santa Marta Security and Safety Tips
• Is Pereira Safe? Pereira, Colombia Security and Safety Tips
• Is Manizales Safe? Manizales Security and Safety Tips
• Is Bucaramanga Safe? Bucaramanga Security and Safety Tips
• Is Barranquilla Safe? Barranquilla Security and Safety Tips

The Bottom Line: Is Medellín Safe? Security in Medellín and Safety Tips

The biggest question I have received since living in Medellín has been “Is Medellín Safe ?” And my answer has been “yes”, as long as you follow some common-sense guidelines.

Medellín unfortunately still has a bad security reputation to overcome that is for the most part undeserved. The reality in the city is that the security situation has improved dramatically over the past couple of decades.

This biggest concern of expats planning to move to Medellín is security and safety. But once they start living in the city, security becomes less of a concern once they realize that the reality doesn’t match the perception many foreigners have.

I have talked to many foreigners living in Medellín over the past several years. And I have only encountered a handful of expats that have experienced crimes. Most of these were robberies on the street or on the metro. And the most commonly stolen item was a cell phone. And in some cases, these crimes could have been avoided if they followed the common-sense security tips listed above.

Also, be careful of safety and security posts on the large Medellín Facebook groups due to many false claims I have seen. For example, I recently saw a comment claiming the reported crime rate in Laureles is five times higher than in El Poblado. But if you look at the actual reported crime statistics in the article above, this isn’t true.

The bottom line is if you take the precautions we recommend above with our safety tips, your risk of being a victim of crime should be greatly reduced.

In addition, “Is Medellín safe?” is a very common question asked by expats visiting Medellín. So, we included this question in our list of Medellín frequently asked questions (FAQ) .

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72 thoughts on “Is Medellín Safe? Security in Medellín and Safety Tips – 2024 Update”

I would reconsider your move here as streets are not generally handicap accessable like they are in the usa or europe. I would say take a pass. Good luck.

Hi, I am blind and this post, as well as the murder rate post, is making me reconsider living in Medellin. Have you seen people with blindness living in Colombia or Medellin? Thanks

Awesome blog. Really thank you!

It is safe as long as you follow the guidelines offered by Medellin Guru. Those visitors who get into trouble here typically disregard the safety suggestions and think that this is Disneyland or some free for all red light district which it is NOT. Read the article thoroughly and follow the suggestions and you should be fine.

I am in Medellin right now for the third time. This article is 100% accurate, well written and extremely informative! This article has the potential to save lives. It should be required reading for anyone considering coming here! I am extremely grateful to people like Jeff. Who take the time to do the research and publish the most accurate facts and figures. Thanks for helping me stay safe! I have had no problems in Medellin and I love the city!

My fiance lives in Medellin. Never had any issues. Love the city. I live in Atlanta, and I have felt more unsafe in parts of Atlanta.

I’ve traveled through at least fifty countries and have only ever been attacked once in the street (Singapore of all places), despite walking through deprived areas, but here in Medellin we were robbed at knifepoint two days after arrival. On the very first day we also felt unsafe when people were following us in the street. I’d strongly advise against traveling here.

Of course there are things you can do to make you less exposed to danger, for example only staying in touristy areas with private security guards, but why not go to a safer country instead in the first place?

how is it happened?

All the major cities are extremely dangerous these days. Venezueñans have been given many of the colombian jobs because they work for half pay. These are very sad times. Very desperate.be careful throughout the country.

Are other places in Colombia as dangerous from what you have heard? E.g. Cali and Cartagena

And thanks for the informative post.

Thanks. Cali is on the list of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world due to its high homicide rate – see our Cali downsides article – https://medellinguru.com/cali-downsides-living-in-cali/

Cartagena is generally safe in the tourist parts of the city. But be careful outside the tourist areas – see our Cartagena downside article – https://medellinguru.com/cartagena-downsides-living-in-cartagena/

I’m planning to stay in Medellin for a month this summer with my husband and two children (age 5 and 1). Any advice on what neighborhood to stay in for safety and family friendly parks and restaurants?

Hi Audrey, the most popular neighborhoods in Medellín for foreigners include El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado and Sabaneta. All are relatively safe if you follow our safety tips. And here are some kid-friendly things to do in Medellín – https://medellinguru.com/category/things-to-do/kid-friendly/

Hi Jeff, Great detailed report. We were wondering how all the new security cameras now being put in place with the hundreds that Medellín already has played a role in adding to the security. We know most of them are for traffic control but a lot of them are for security reinforcement as well? No?

Thanks! John and Susan

HI, I Have been to Medellin over 8 time in 8 years staying there are long as 2 months at a time (like I did in 2015). I have never been a victim of robbery but I have witnessed it twice, the latest in January 2019 when I took a friend for my birthday. These were the scenarios:

1. In 2015 while in el centro during the day around 11AM, I witnessed a motorcycle with 2 young men on it rob a OXXO store (equivalent to 7-11 in the US). One stayed on the motorcycle while the other one ran inside, pulled a gun on the cash register clerk, took all the money that was given to him, jumped back on the motorcycle and they were gone. All this took less than 2 minutes. All I did was watch and I did not involved. Some friendly advice: If you find yourself walking on the street, be ware of motorcycles with 2 men, especially if you have your back against them, this is why Cali, Valle de Cauca, outlaws 2 men riding on a motorcycle.

2. The other incident was 2 months-a-go this past January on the Metro around 5PM, worst time ever on the trains. I had warned my friend (his 1st time in Colombia) to keep his wallet in the front pocket and place his hand on it. Anyway, in the came car I noticed a group of young backpackers 30 feet away from me with backpacks but didn’t think anything of it. It turned out that when we all got off San Antonio station, the tall European tourist’s backpack was robbed, his camera, wallet, and passport was taken. I felt bad for him but the police captured the guy and was helping the tourist recoup his stuff. Be careful with packpacks on trains and buses, which is why you often see Colombians with packpacks in front against their stomachs on the Metro.

With all said, just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine. Medellin is beautiful but use common sense and never resist a robbery, not worth it, things can be replaced but not your life.

I am asked for money on the street every day. Chronically homeless, unwashed and marginalized people are quite visible. But in my experience beggars here are grateful for any amount I give them and will say God bless you for even 200 pesos which in USD is about 7 cents. I carry loose coins with me for just that purpose. Many of them are in that position because they’ve have made poor choices in life but so many more show clear signs of malnutrition and an otherwise disadvantaged life from birth.

Uber is not safe in Medellin. Stick with taxis. My Colombian girlfriend, her family and friends never take it as they consider it shady. I also thought Uber was fine here and have taken it hundreds of times until my Colombian gf and I got robbed at gunpoint while in an Uber by three guys who pulled up on motorcycles. This happened at 10am on a weekday. We are 100% sure the Uber driver tipped them off as he was driving unusually slow, didnt communicate and when they robbed us he was cool as a cucumber. They also have your home address when they pick you up btw. SUPER SHADY. While there are a lot of decent Uber drivers there are also plenty of Uber drivers here who work for the local gangs. And remember technically Uber is illegal in Colombia. Hail a cab on the street. Don’t take Uber in Medellin.

Jesus…. this is by far the first story I read of an incident involving uber. Colombia is practically no man’s land at this point. There is an exception to all these hedging strategies against the possible dangers and the dangers are just too rampant. I dont know how anyone would enjoy coming here ><

Indeed. There is advice against taking taxis (we’ve heard several stories about people being robbed by taxi drivers), Ubers, the metro (pickpocketing) and walking (muggings). In other words: there is no safe way of getting around.

Just my opinion, but the most likely person to be a victim of crime is a Colombian woman. I cannot tell you how many ladies have told me they were robbed of their cell phone or purse. I agree with Jeff. After living here for a few years, you lose your fear or crime and just live a normal life. Just take the normal precautions.

Thank you for this article. Very informative and makes a mom feel better about her 23 year old travelling there now. Are you able to recommend any hostels that you feel are safer than others?

Hi Jeff, do you have an email that I can contact you with a private question?

I have recently had some interaction with someone in Colombia and I would like to get your take on whether I should be more cautious before I get in neck deep.

thanks for your time.

You can use the contact form found at the bottom of every page on this website: https://medellinguru.com/contact/

Hi Jeff. once again you have done an excellent post update. I would only add from my humble point of view and although it sounds selfish, I prefer that the rest of the world think that Medellín is an insecure city. Because going predisposed to a place is like leaving always with distrust and you can lose the true magic that is the kindness and good hosts that are locals.

This is not Disneyworld and a journey here requires a great deal of research and a clear understanding how wonderous this place is filled with adventure and beauty and Peril. Many come here thinking this is a playground a Theme Park, an amusement park. In many ways it is. BUT, Bear in mind that guerillas and delinquents and gangsters and starving Venezuelans and grossly underpaid sleep deprived, angry disenfranchised Colombians are everywhere. The social chaos and inequality is sad and frightful and easilly overlooked when galavanting around in a lustful intoxicated stupor and many visitors here are just exactly in that frame of mind. Be mindful walking around Parque Lleras or 70 thinking this is Soho in Manhattan or the upper east side of Manhattan. This place is not that in any way shape or form. Don’t be blinded.by the lights the music, the beautiful women and your testosterone. This still is and always will be Medellin, Colombia. Have fun, keep your wits about you. KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE OUT OF SIGHT. ESPECIALLY IN A TAXICAB.

Great post Ron. Two other suggestions: don’t live in Poblado and use the Metro system, including its linked buses.

Poblado’s *where* the perceived and plurality of the money is in Medellin, and arguably criminals’ #1 hunting ground. If you don’t live there, then at least 1/3rd or more of the time you can mitigate but not eliminate your risk as an extranjero here.

Second, save some pesos and *often* time by taking the metro system, including its buses linked to the various Metro estaciones. Because the buses and metro trains are integrated with Cívica cards, you receive a discount on a complete trip with them, and given this metro’s often horrendous traffic in the late afternoon/early evening, you can get at least a majority of where you’re going on the trains, sans traffic (but NOT without people, they’re often crowded then). Best of all, if you can avoid non-walking travel from 3:30/4:00 – 7:30 pm, you’ll likely save yourself considerable frustration. Plan ahead.

As an X state police officer, I have to say this was well written and accurate. You did a great job putting things in perspective. I have felt safe there when I went. The chances of something bad happening to you are ASTRONOMICAL if you don’t put yourself in a position of doing something sketchy. Don’t buy drug, don’t deal in the sex trade, don’t flash cash or valuables and don’t be loud and obnoxious, Easy rules.

Great job I hope to meet you next year when I come down.

Thanks for this in depth article about safety in Medellin. And thanks for including the current crime stats. Keep up the good work.

Hi Mark, thanks. A goal of this website is to keep all the content up-to-date.

Word of advice. Leave those ridiculous Tommy Bahama shirts and whatever else middle aged perverts think is currently “en vogue” at home. I see these targets Weds-Sun in Lleras in front of my gym. One, you give the rest of us who live here a bad name. Two, you might as well paint a bullseye on your back for every little rat in Medellin to find you…..and they will.

All my life I haven’t heard the best things about Medellin but at the same time, I haven’t heard them from somebody who has actually lived there so I think I would give Medellin a chance.

Hi Jeff, thanks for the info. I’m considering moving to El Poblado but have a serious concern about my dog. He’s a very exotic looking small breed dog (basically a miniature husky). When I visited, I did see some tourists with dogs walking them during the day time which eases my mind a little. But when it comes to not flashing valuables, its a bit impossible when it comes to walking my dog for exercise. Am I making myself a rather large target here for dog theft if walking only during the daytime in El Poblado?

Thanks, Jason

Hi Jason, I see people walking exotic looking dogs all the time in Medellín. So, I wouldn’t worry too much if you plan to walk your dog during the day.

I found Medellin to be safe. During the day, you could basically let your guard down and relax with no problems, even in downtown. in my time there, I never heard any gunshots, or saw anyone robbed or assaulted. I think its good to point out that that Medellin is no longer even in the top 50 most dangerous cities by homicide rate, when for along time it was number one. I wish people would stop complimenting as city as having a lower homicide rate than St. Louis or Baltimore. The US has 300 million people and its ethnic ghettos are extremely violent places. Having lived in South Los Angeles, there were gunshots day-and-night, police sirens at all hours, and everyone had dead friends or relatives from violence. To say that a city is safer than the ghetto of New Orleans is not saying much.

I’ve now lived in Medellin for almost 3 years and have lived in Laureles, Poblado and now in Calasanz for the past 2 years. I have seen some street crime like robberies committed by criminals on motorcycles and my wife and I had our cell phones stolen while in a taxi where two armed thieves on motorcycles pointed pistols at both of us in a taxi stopped in traffic and demanded our phones which we quickly surrendered. Best advice given regarding these incidents is DON’T RESIST.

The other common theft is that of bicycles. If you ride a bicycle around the city and don’t use a very secure lock, even when stopped for a few minutes, it will be gone if you don’t pay attention. My wife’s son recently was accosted by two knife wielding cretins while on the bicycle path near Estadio. Three chained bicycles were stolen in the entrance to our gym in Estadio last week. I’ve now had 3 bicycles stolen from me since moving here and other than my wife’s sons incident, all were secured. Just FYI.

An excellent article, one whose included facts I’ve been all too happy to share with my friends and family before I moved here recently.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a contractor for acquiring and installing one of those steel-reinforced doors? I secured permission from my owner, it just has to exactly match the appearance / color of all the other doors.

¡Muchas gracias!

Hi Ian, thanks. Homecenter has some security doors but they may not match your door. In the first apartment where I installed a security door I used http://www.puertascolmena.com/sitio/ . And in the second I used https://www.puertasdifusion.com/ . Both Puertas Colmena and Difusion did a great job of matching existing doors.

Hey Jeff, may I ask the approximate cost of having a security door installed? I live in an apartment block and the flimsy wooden door would probably not take more than a couple of good kicks.

One security door I bought about 5 years ago for an apartment was 2,450,000 pesos from the company https://puertascolmena.com/ .

The company needs to send someone out to see your door size and match the color and will give you a quote.

Homecenter has sone very good ones. Last time i checked i saw a very good one for about a million pesos plus install. Some less some more. Homecenter 65 has a big selection and some english speaking sales people.

We looked at Homecenter, but they only have certain door sizes. If you need a custom door size need to go to one of the security door companies that manufacture doors. We twice had to have a custom security door manufactured due to our non-standard door sizes.

The people at homecentre are very helpful and can refer you as well. No need to get ripped off at high end Poblado stores where they will double the price because they pay such high rent. Just like these fancy restaurants here who will Rob you blind. This is a great town just be aware and do your honework. Ask for an english speaking service person at homecentre 65 I had a great experience their last week. Gustavo helped me he spoke perfect english and was so helpful. Have fun here but avoid being bilked.

Thanks guys very much appreciated, I’ll check out homecentre first as looking at their website they are clearly the more economical option. If they don’t have the size, style and color I need I’ll give a costume installer a call.

Thanks for the info.

I’d like to point out for anyone interested that if Medellin were in the US, it would rank 12th or 13th among the cities with the highest murder rates.

To be clear, a ranking would look something like this: 1) St Louis, Missouri 2) Baltimore, Maryland 3) Detroit, Michigan 4) New Orleans, Louisianna 5) Birmingham, Alabama 6) Jackson, Mississippi 7) Baton Rouge, Louisianna 8) Hartford, Connecticut 9) Salinas, California 10) Milwaukee, Wisconsin 11) Washington, DC 12) Medellin 13) Kansas City, Missouri

Thanks, here’s a link to an article with those U.S. city numbers: http://bismarcktribune.com/news/national/the-cities-with-the-highest-murder-rates-in-the-us/collection_5a789407-4d43-5403-ad56-7c47880bda8e.html#20

In the 1990s, Medellín was known as the murder capital of the world. And now there are several cities in the U.S. with higher homicide rates.

Medellin is a very beautiful place but has but reminds me of Jamaica. Nice place for an all inclusive gated community hotel with guided tours. Venturing out on your own is only recommended in groups to approved well protected areas. This aint no disco. No CBGB this ain’t no foolin around. Peoceed with extreme caution.

Great article Jeff. I think European readers of your your site may have a different perspective as Europe has far lower homicide rates than North America.

For example, in 2017 Spain had 307 homicides out of a population of 46 million and Italy had 400 homicides out of a population of 60 million.

In the same year, Colombia with a population 49 million had 12,237 homicides.

Therefore, from a European perspective, the Colombian homicide rate looks really high.

Quoting statistics in my opiniion makes little sense here as the real issue here is the very high incidence of violent street crime. Theft of cellular phones here is very high. I am on constant lookout for bandits looking to to rob me. These criminals are roaming every neighborhood here especially high income neighborhoods. We are easy to spot and easy to steal from. Very sad and very frightening here these days.

Yes its tough being human! So, living in Oaxaca City Mexico which is considered very safe. The Oaxaquenos here are such gracious people its refreshing. But, I want to visit Colombia and I travel with a very fancy guitar that is impossible to hide. So, in my travels to other countries it’s security is of utmost importance. Can you recommend an apartment complex that would fulfill my needs to feel like when I leave it at home it is secure? And an area that is walking distance hopefully, or a short ride to gyms, yoga studios, restaurants etc?

Hi Judah, there are many apartment buildings in Medellín with 24 hour porterias (doormen). I can’t recommend a specific building as it is difficult to know furnished apartment availability by building. Since you are looking to be near gyms, yoga studios, restaurants, etc. you should probably be looking in El Poblado. And you can find many furnished apartments available on Airbnb. The descriptions on Airbnb will show the location and features.

I truly enjoyed reading this article Jeff!! Thank you for your insight! I feel better about wanting to plan a trip to visit Medellin now. Thanks again!

Hi Gary, thanks and hope you have a good time here. Just follow the safety tips and you will greatly reduce the risk of running into any problem.

Nice detailed article that should be required reading for anyone visiting Medellin or planning to move here. And the safety tips are great advice.

Good post with common sense guidelines to live in or visit any big city. In Medellín I worry much more about being run down in a controlled pedestrian crosswalk by a driver who’s texting on their phone than I do being a victim of violent crime.

Don’t forget the cars, busses, trucks and motorcycles and bike riders who routinely ignore red lights and mow down pedestrians routinely.

Great points James/Ron. I have often joked about what’s the bigger danger here, the robbers or the lunatic drivers who have absolutely zero consideration for pedestrians.

The drivers … shameful.

Nice in depth article. I have been coming here for over 45 years. Medellin in 1975 had 400 Thousand people and was Dodge City. Now this sprawling metro area approaches 4 million people including many new arrivals from Venezuela and mnay displaced families from other parts pf Colombia.. in a country where the minimum wage is about one US dollar and inflation over the years has catapulted prices, many challanges affects residents here many of whom are Disenfranchised and frustrated. Medellin is glorious but it is not to be taken lightly. If you ask the locals here in every neighborhood and strata they all know that hypervigilance is required day and night in all sections of this city snd country. Jeff spells it out quit correctly. Remember this fact ..This is not Disneyland lets be clear about that. I recommend you read the US state department travel advisory for additional recommendations and if you are an American here you may want to enroll in the STEP program just in case. Enjoy. Eat, drink and be merry but follow the advice herein to the letter. Elections are taking place here in Colombia later this year,We need to watch what will happen here later this year.

Thanks Jeff, it’s nicely detailed. Also some on the list I’ve been to. It’s pretty much common sense. will take a closer look later, Thanks again, always great to read your posts. Cheers!!!

Excellent information on this topic. Thank you.

One thing that I’ve been curious about is if you contact the police as a result of being a victim, how attentive are they to addressing your concern or finding the perpetrator? Many countries have outright and open corruption of their police forces where the assailant can be found and brought to justice…for a “donation”. Sadly, this may be further exacerbated by the victim being a foreigner/gringo where there is little incentive to resolve the case. In my travels, I’ve heard several stories of foreigners who were victims of crime and the police did nothing other than accept a bribe and write a “report”. As one Latin countries police officer comically explained, “If you as a gringo hadn’t been here, this crime wouldn’t have happened”.

I sincerely hope that’s not the attitude among the police forces in Medellin.

I had a good experience with the police recently. I had my purse stolen in El Centro by a guy who grabbed it and ran and two police chased the guy down and one of them returned with the purse and asked that I go with him to file a report which I did. I think it helps that the police here are national police and not local police.

Hypervigilance is required here. police are understaffed and way Underpaid.

I was robbed by an armed gang on my first stay in Laureles-Estadio in an Air-bnb. The first responded police were great but the second police doing the finger printing stole other things. They said we were not allow in the room while they worked and didn’t find the things missing until they had left. Otherwise the original police were very good to deal with. Also all the people around the apartment were great. The internet shop allowed me to send emails to my insurance company and family without charge. We went back and paid once we got replacement credit cards.

Steve, I am headed to Medellin to stay in an AirBnB on Aires de Valencia! Are you till there, did they follow you to the place or break in.

Typically what I noticed in Cali when I was married to a Calena, maids and domestics tipped off gangs to do the robberies.

I am booked for a month, looking at living there, although I have other options. I speak Spanish almost like a native, but I am still an older heavy set Gringo!

What do you think

Marco. Colombia 2020. A very uncertain time here. There are no easy answers to give you. A lot depends on where you will live and what your lifestyle is. Many visit here for various reasons. If you are coming to Party then the risks are greater. Watching some expats here I am reminded of the 1970s here when I was in my 20s. Coming here at 50 or 60 or 70 and partying like when you were 25 can be a lot of fun but can be very very very dangerous. We stick out like sore thumbs. White or otherwise Balding. 6ft Tall. Hanging on to 25 year old Sardinas. How do you think Colombians view us? Especially bandits looking for easy pickings? Read the articles here. I love it here but am CONSTANTLY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ROBBERS. Read the U.S. State Department Travelers warnings. We are inundated with Venezuelan Refugees. Hungry and desperate do your due diligence. Safety in numbers here single guys are easy targets. Don’t let your guard down. Not for 1 second. If you were living in Culiacan, Sinaloa Mexico where life is cheap and dangerous how would you proceed? The same goes here.

‘I love it here but am CONSTANTLY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ROBBERS’

Totally sums up more my thoughts after 3.5 years here and having been robbed twice, once with a gun and once with a knife. Medellin is a great place to live (not to mention economical if you are used to European or North American prices) but never kid yourself that it is not dangerous because it is.

Plis ca change ca c est la meme choses! Something things really do not change.

I did not do drugs or alcohol or party in the 70s nor do I do it now, but indeed your comments are pertinent and I take them seriously. I will take a look at Medellin but I am not absolutely convinced I will stay and I have a portable income

Anyway, I am on my way, thanks again!

Super in-depth post Jeff, you left no fact unmentioned. This will be shared with my friends and family many times! Thanks!

Nice balanced article with some great information. Before I arrived in Medellin my biggest concern was safety. Traffic is now more worrying to me than crime. The safety tips make sense and should be required reading for anyone visiting Medellin.

Comprehensive article with very good advice.

i have lived in 12 de octubre for over 6 years and feel safer here than when i am in poblado,belen, etc.

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13 Things You Should Know When Traveling to Medellin

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If you’re planning a trip to Medellin, it can be somewhat challenging because the destination is so new on the travel scene, and authentic and insightful information can be lacking. It is, however, growing in popularity and many more people are now traveling to Medellin, including a growing travel blogger community that often just visits briefly and writes superficially about the city.

I wanted to do something different though… I wanted to write about this city that I know and love from a more authentic, respectful, and honest perspective. I’ve spent a few years now living in Medellin, Colombia , I know the place extremely well, and in a way that goes beyond the surface level.

Since you’re here, I want to help you plan a better trip to Medellin with some of these important tips or insights… These are the types of things you should know when traveling to Medellin for the first time, the types of things that can make your trip amazing, unforgettable, and go beyond the stereotypes, or at least beyond the typical advice I see others writing online.

In this comprehensive Medellin travel guide, we are going to be covering a bunch of travel tips ranging from where to stay, what to eat, safety in Medellin, how to deal with money, the Spanish language, and so much more.

Are you ready? Buckle up, this is a big one… Let’s get on with these 13 things you should know when traveling to Medellin for the first time — and don’t miss #13 as it covers the critical issue of safety and security.

If you’re pressed for time, you can also get these travel tips and much more delivered straight to your inbox for future reading or reference with my FREE Medellin Travel Guide:

Where to Stay in Medellin

Ninety percent (or more) of the foreign travelers that come to Medellin stay in Poblado, but there are a number of pretty awesome barrios or neighborhoods to stay in Medellin that are worth considering.

My top picks for where to stay beyond Poblado include Laureles (my favorite neighborhood) and Envigado (although you won’t find any hostels here). The Estadio neighborhood is probably the second most popular area for budget travelers with a myriad of great lodging choices available.

Finally, there is also El Centro, which may appeal to those budget travelers who like more off-the-beaten-path type experiences that many gringos never explore or even appreciate (there are actually a lot of cool things in El Centro, to be honest).

If you’re staying in Poblado, I’d recommend the Manila or Provenza sectors, or the Golden Mile if you’re looking for the high end.

Poblado: #1 Hostel in Poblado: Los Patios Boutique Hostel (Manila)  #1 Budget Hotel in Poblado: Kolor Hotel Boutique (Provenza) #1 Mid-Range Hotel in Poblado: Celestino Boutique Hotel (Parque Lleras) #1 Luxury Hotel in Poblado: Medellin Marriott Hotel (Milla de Oro – the Golden Mile) — Read my in-depth review

Laureles : #1 Hostel in Laureles: Backpackers Inn Medellin #1 Budget Hotel in Laureles: Hotel Pomarosa   #1 Mid-Range Hotel in Laureles: Inntu Hotel  

Estadio: #1 Hostel in Estadio: Hostal Cattleya Medellin #1 Budget Hotel in Estadio: Obo Hotel   #1 Mid-Range Hotel in Estadio: El Portón de San Joaquin  

Envigado : #1 Best Hotel in Envigado: Arame Hotel (it’s actually the only hotel, but it’s good). While not technically iN Envigado, I would still recommend the Fairfield by Marriott Sabaneta for a great mid-price hotel!

El Centro : #1 Hostel in El Centro: Medallo Social Hostal (Boston) #1 Budget Hotel in El Centro: Hotel Gallery (Bombona)

For longer stays, my top recommendation is Airbnb ( new users can get a free travel credit here ), also don’t overlook travel hacking to get points for free hotel stays (like the expensive Marriott), and be sure to read my guide to finding cheap accommodation .

If you need more help trying to decide on the best neighborhood, be sure to read more about where to stay in Medellin or my comprehensive guide to the best Medellin hostels .

Look Beyond Poblado

Poblado is a popular place to stay for foreigners in Medellin… But I’ve got a little secret for you: I don’t particularly love Poblado. I’ve stayed there before, I visit every once in a while, but it just isn’t my favorite neighborhood. I mention this Medellin travel tip because it can dramatically change your perspective and experience of the city, so pay close attention.

Poblado is right for some travelers and very wrong for others.

Every travel blogger who comes through for a couple of days stays in Poblado, of course, and they go on to write about Poblado, and then everyone else who comes through after follows in their footsteps. It becomes a sort of feedback loop.

One of the most prominent travel bloggers recently traveled to Medellin for the first time and went on to write about how Medellin didn’t feel “real” and was just full of chains like Dunkin’ Donuts or Domino’s Pizza.

Another prominent travel blogger said (privately, at least) that he couldn’t see what people really liked about Medellin… And left town with a sour taste in his mouth.

I can understand their perspective because both of these guys were staying in Poblado, in the middle of gringolandia , constantly surrounded by gringos, socializing with gringos, and only left that bubble on organized tours or excursions… Seriously.

These self-proclaimed travel experts were so far from the “authentic” Medellin that they missed the real draw here and what makes this place special. Then other travelers like you read their advice about where to stay and what to do and end up leaving slightly disappointed or let down. That’s a shame.

If you are looking for any semblance of the “real” Medellin, then you should NOT stay in Poblado. Look, it’s a fine place to visit (I do go there once in a while myself!) but I wouldn’t (and don’t) make it my home base. If you do stay in Poblado (totally fine, if it’s right for you), at least make a concerted effort to get out of that bubble on a regular basis.

Medellin is not Poblado, and Poblado is not Medellin.

It all depends on what type of traveler you are… Do you like to be surrounded by English and other travelers? Do you feel uncomfortable only seeing locals and hearing Spanish? You definitely want Poblado.

Personally, I travel to interact with locals, practice the language, learn from people unlike me, etc, and not be surrounded by other travelers doing the same thing as me. That’s part of why I travel. If I wanted to hang out with other foreigners, speak English, and eat the same chain food as always, I would have just stayed home and never left.

Here’s a thought exercise to determine what kind of traveler you are:

• If you go to New York City, do you think Times Square is the best place and never leave or are you more interested in neighborhoods like the Meatpacking District, the Lower East Side, Harlem, etc? Do you want to eat where New Yorkers eat or where the tourist bus lets you off?
• If you go to Las Vegas do you prefer to stay on the Strip or in the Old Town / Fremont area?
• If you go to Cancun do you stay in an all-inclusive resort and only leave on organized Cancun tours or do you prefer to stay in town and experience more of the authentic Cancun?

If you answered the former to any of those, then Poblado is right for you, if you answered the latter, then it is wrong for you.

Poblado is great for nightlife, foodies, and people who like a little luxury at a more affordable price, but if you want to get off the beaten path (even slightly), have a more local experience, talk with Colombians, and so forth, then it is best to look elsewhere.

Honestly, you can get nightlife, food, or even a bit of luxury in almost any cool neighborhood in Medellin.

Getting Around Medellin

Public Transport: Medellin has a pretty excellent public transportation system. Granted it isn’t on the scale of places like Mexico City , but it is nonetheless quite impressive. It features a two-line above-ground metro system (subway) which connects to an integrated streetcar route, gondola system (MetroCable), and bus rapid transit (BRT) lines known as MetroPlus.

If you are staying in any of the principal areas, you will have easy access to the public transportation system. You should get a Tarjeta Civica as soon as you can upon arrival which is available from a few different metro stations like San Antonio.

You can get the Tarjeta Civica for free with your passport. This allows you to use the integrated transportation system and pay reduced prices for connecting services.

Taxis: Taxis are available basically everywhere in Medellin. You can easily flag down taxis pretty much anywhere, although this is not always recommended due to safety issues (more on that later). A better bet is to try and use either an official taxi stand or (if you have a SIM card) to use an app like Cabify to call a taxi with your GPS location.

That being said, I generally don’t worry about flagging down taxis from the street during the daytime, but I am more cautious after dark.

It is rare, but the majority of problems that people have here in Medellin happen while in taxis. There are some bad apples out there who work with robbers and tip them off when they have a good target (you) in their cab.

The rules of using taxis here are to sit in the back, keep the windows almost all the way up, lock the doors, and never use your phone or show valuables in the back seat.

Uber: Uber is actually illegal here in Colombia but that doesn’t stop people from driving for them or utilizing the service. I tend to trust Uber drivers more than taxi drivers, but using Uber can have its own complications here if drivers are reluctant to stop near you (if they see transit police nearby). Normally, they will want you to sit up front with them (like a friend) rather than alone in the back (like a taxi), which is done to avoid problems with the law.

Bike Share: There is a growing bike share service here in Medellin called Encicla. With the previously mentioned Tarjeta Civica, you can use the bike share service here in Medellin and Envigado by enrolling in Encicla online. Neighborhoods like Laureles or Estadio are much more conducive to this type of transport since it is flat and has bike lanes. You must enroll for Encicla online with your Tarjeta Civica, so it is only practical for longer stays in Medellin.

Getting to Medellin from the Airport: The Jose Maria Cordova Airport is actually about an hour outside of Medellin (don’t be fooled by that airport in the middle of town, that one is not used for international flights). Getting from the airport is pretty easy, you’ve got options for either a bus (cheapest), shared town car (cheap), or private town car (best).

I pretty much always go by private car when coming from the airport to Medellin. They go door to door, it’s a stress-free way to travel, and it isn’t expensive. The rate is fixed based on destination and you can expect to spend about $20.

Alternatively, you can ask at the airport for a colectivo (they are the same white cars) which charge about $5 (22.000 pesos) and need four passengers, and will drop you off at the San Diego Shopping Mall, from there you can grab a taxi to your final destination.

Getting to the Airport from Medellin: In terms of going to the airport from town, I prefer to go by shared town car which you can grab from the San Diego Shopping Mall at the base of Las Palmas (go here by taxi and tell the driver “ los colectivos al aerpuerto ”. The shared ride will wait to fill up with four passengers and costs about $5 per person. Unless you’ve got a really weird flight time, I’ve never had to wait more than 10-15 minutes to leave.

These cars are much better than the bus, believe me, don’t go by bus — it’s slower, more nauseating, and doesn’t save you much money. If you’re worried about the whole airport and transport thing, you can also book a private car in advance .

Eat Like a Local

There is a growing and vibrant food scene here in Medellin which is one of the things that makes it so great to live here and call this place home over the long term, but this type of food is definitely expensive for local standards (but cheaper than home standards).

One way you can save a lot of money and eat well though (instead of eating at these more upscale restaurants) is to eat as the locals do…

This is especially true for lunch and the set menus of the day “menu del dia” where you can score good food including soup, main dish (salad, rice, meat, and maybe a plantain), along with fresh fruit juice for about $3. Perhaps one of the best reasons to visit Colombia is just to try some of the incredibly exotic Colombian fruits and all the juices!

That’s a pretty hard price to beat… If you eat in a restaurant you can expect to pay around $8 just for comparison.

At these same local restaurants, you will usually find a cheap and hearty breakfast (eggs, arepa with cheese, and coffee) for about the same price as lunch.

Dinner, on the other hand, doesn’t have these cheap and affordable menus of the day, unfortunately, as they all close up shop after lunch. In this case, you’ll need to hit up a restaurant — there are some local restaurants where you can order off the menu — or go from some fast food (also very popular here) or street food.

Be sure to consider going on a traditional food tour while here if you want a great introduction to Paisa food.

The street food choices can be pretty good and definitely cheap, but it pays to ask for tips from someone in the neighborhood. What most locals do for dinner is to eat an arepa at home, but if they have to grab something, they will usually get an empanada or pastel (stuffed meat pies, basically) to eat with a coffee.

Lunch here is the biggest meal of the day and dinner is relatively modest.

Read more about what to eat with my guide to Colombian food .

Do You Need Spanish in Medellin?

Tourism in Medellin is still relatively new… This isn’t like going to Cancun or something where everybody at your resort speaks English. Now, do you need Spanish here? No, plenty of people get by. But you should try to have as much Spanish as possible before you arrive.

It will make your life here a lot easier in terms of getting around, getting what you need, etc. Not to mention the fact that the locals are friendly! People all over Colombia really like to chat with foreigners… If you’re open to it, they will chat with you.

Small talk is like a sport here, seriously. Expect people to spend five minutes greeting one another asking how they woke up, what’s new, and beyond, and another five minutes (at least) to say goodbye. It’s almost comical sometimes.

You will find that if push comes to shove, there are quite a lot of local Paisas that do speak English — often way better than your Spanish — but they are too shy or timid to use it until like 20 minutes into the struggling conversation.

In summary, you don’t need Spanish, but you should have at least the basics, and the more you have the better. Medellin is a great place to study Spanish , as well, in my opinion, thanks to the friendly locals and the relative clarity of the local accent.

Read more about the best resources to learn Spanish on your own.

About That Medellin Weather

Medellin has gotten the nickname “La Ciudad de Eterna Primavera” — the City of Eternal Spring. This nickname comes from the fact that the city is quite green, flowers are always in bloom, and the weather is supposed to be moderate thanks to its elevation of 4,905 feet.

I always joke though that it is more like the City of Eternal Summer. According to locals, the temperatures have increased quite a bit in recent years, and back in the day Medellin had truly incredible weather when it was never too hot or too cold, and that Eternal Spring name really made sense (although it still makes sense with year-round flowers).

Of course, the temperature and humidity here are nothing like it is on the Colombian coast, and for a city in the tropics, it is a pretty agreeable climate. But the daytime weather is more often between 80 and 90 degrees year-round… Those average annual temperatures of 72 or rarely exceeding 78 like you might have read online seem to be a thing of the past.

For me, as a fair-weathered Seattlite, the temperatures from about 11 am to 3 pm are way too hot and I try to avoid going out, or if I do, I stay in the shade while walking down the street. But the temperatures at night here are pretty much perfect. For reference, I basically always use t-shirts even at night and don’t sleep with anything more than a bedsheet and my underwear.

There are basically only two seasons here in Medellin: dry and rainy. They also used to be much more predictable, but have gotten a little more off-kilter and unpredictable lately. They should be:

• December to March = Dry Season,
• April to May = Rainy Season,
• June to August = Dry Season, and
• September to November = Rainy Season.

That being said, if you come to Medellin in the rainy season, it isn’t a deal-breaker, because the rain is fairly predictable, striking in the mid to late afternoon. More often than not, it rains really hard and goes away pretty quickly too. That means you can still usually get out in the evening for dinner or drinks after the rain.

Keep in mind that due to its location in the tropics, sunrise and sunset are basically consistent year-round. It gets light at about 6:30 am and dark at 6:30 pm. The early darkness can affect safety which we’ll discuss below.

Read more about the best time to visit Colombia for weather and tourist crowds.

What to Wear in Medellin

So, given the (mostly) beautiful weather here in Medellin, what should you wear? At first blush, it seems like perfect shorts and t-shirt weather… And it really is! But everyone says not to wear shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops here because no locals wear that and you will stick out like a sore thumb.

Honestly, unless you’ve got black hair and mestizo features, you’re probably going to stick out no matter what you wear.

Beyond that though, I think the whole No Shorts and No Flip Flops thing is totally overblown. Truth is, you’ll see locals wearing shorts and flip-flops here in their local barrios.

It’s almost a sort of game for me at times where I will count how many locals I see dressed like that when I’m out. The other day on the bus I counted nine people out and about in like five minutes…

That being said, locals do tend to dress up a lot more than your average traveler. There’s a big difference between shorts and flip-flops and someone dressed like an Argentinean busker with mangy dreads, dirty clothes, and filthy feet in sandals about to fall apart. Don’t go for the homeless look.

On the flip side, you also don’t want to dress up too fancy because if you look like you’ve “got money” then you can often become a target for thieves.

Your best bet is to go middle of the road… Bring along some nice shorts, wear t-shirts all the time if you want, bring along a pair of decent jeans or long pants. That’s all you need.

Women tend to dress up even more here, but you can most definitely wear open-toe shoes or sandals and wear those tank tops or similar shirts. Many local women do so as well, just with lots of accessories, make-up, and a little bit of plastic surgery.

It’s also important to note that the place or context is also important in terms of what you choose to wear. If you’re going out for a night on the town, yeah, shorts and flip-flops are under-dressed. Nice-ish restaurant, same thing. Fancy mall, you guessed it. Wandering around doing tourist things, who cares?

If you’re the type that tends to get cold easily, then you may also want a light jacket or sweater here to use at night time. On a rare occasion, I will use one, but I’m mostly a nice pair of shorts or pants and a t-shirt kind of guy in the daytime and jeans and t-shirt kind of guy at night time. I almost never need a long sleeve shirt or jacket here for the cold (I’m from Seattle, so it always seems super hot here).

Bring DEET?

You’re going to be heading to the tropics, not far from the Equator… That means jungles and mosquitoes and all sorts of communicable diseases… West Nile, Malaria, Chikungunya, and god knows what else…

Thankfully, mosquitoes are not a big problem here. Medellin isn’t the jungle, and indeed, mosquitoes are actually pretty rare here. I’ve spent years living in Medellin now, and I only see mosquitoes occasionally, usually after a heavy rain, and usually in sectors where there is heavy vegetation or water nearby.

When they do come around, it is usually just one or two coming through your window in the evening, and not like a swarm or never-ending nightmare like other parts of the world (I’m looking at you, Cancun). If you’re in a place where the windows shut completely or have screens, you’ll probably never even see a mosquito during your trip.

Even so, from all the research and accounts I’ve read, the mosquitoes here don’t pose a significant risk of communicable diseases… That is something more common on the coast or in the jungle. Those types of diseases in Medellin aren’t a worry thanks to its climate and altitude.

Here’s the CDC malaria map for Colombia , you’ll notice there is NO known risk in the entire area surrounding Medellin. 

Don’t Drink the Water?

If there is one thing almost every traveler has heard about traveling to Latin America, it’s that you should NEVER drink the water because you will undoubtedly get sick. Having traveled through virtually all of Latin America myself, this is definitely a good rule of thumb.

But that’s just not true in Medellin. The water quality in Medellin is excellent and is one of the few destinations in Colombia where you CAN actually drink the water without concern.

I drink the water all the time, I drank the water when I first got here, and I’ve never had any problems. The tap water in the city is totally safe and quite good unless you are staying in some supremely run-down place with questionable pipes.

Ditch the plastic bottles or water bags for a while and drink the local water… It’s the rest of Colombia where you gotta be cautious. While traveling throughout Colombia and the rest of Latin America, I do keep on hand a small ultraviolet purification device called a Steripen which works great.

How to Handle Your Pesos

Cash is king here in Colombia, so you better get used to handling the Colombian Peso. A few helpful notes: the exchange rate has been around 4,400 pesos per $1 USD. Quick and dirty conversions can be done by dropping three zeros and dividing by three. So 50,000 pesos gives us 50/4, or about $12. 

The rate has been getting even better lately, but I still do the above back-of-the-napkin calculations… But prices are actually even cheaper for you in the end! The current official rate for 50,000 is about $11.30 USD. 

Money in Colombia

Paper bills are most commonly seen in denominations between 2,000 and 50,000 pesos. Keep in mind that 50,000 peso bills can be difficult to break in most small stores or with small merchants (even with taxi drivers). For one thousand and below, you’re likely to see coins (there is a 1,000 peso note, but it is increasingly rare).

Scams in Medellin

Overcharging or gouging tourists here in Medellin is NOT very common. I’d say that it’s rare, actually. As someone who has lived here for so long, I know prices, and I honestly never see any attempts to overcharge on the street. On the contrary, most local merchants here are overwhelmingly honest and will give you back money even if you accidentally overpay.

When people talk about “gringo prices” here in Medellin, they are generally referring to things like renting apartments or other things more associated with ex-pat life, which can be difficult and thus are made easier for foreigners by charging more.

The one group to watch out for is taxi drivers. They have a bad reputation all over the world, same for Medellin. Thankfully, there are taxi meters here in Colombia that display the price (unlike in other big cities in Colombia), and you can generally tell pretty easily if you are getting the run around in terms of the drive since the majority of most routes have to stick to the few main roads (the Regional, Las Vegas, Av. Poblado, etc).

If you are scammed in Medellin it will most likely be by a taxi driver. A good practice is to always pay with exact change (or as close as possible). If you have to pay with a big bill like the 50,000 peso note, try to get into the practice of holding it up to the light and acting like you are examining the bill before handing it over.

The most common scam is a quick switch of a legitimate bill with an obvious fake… Then they play nice guy showing you that you must have been duped, what is wrong with the bill, and how to avoid problems. Then they hand you the fake (when you really gave them a legit bill) and they get another big bill off of you for payment.

ATMs in Medellin

The best practice is to only withdraw money from ATMs inside big box stores or malls. It is best to avoid withdrawing money from the street. Malls are everywhere here, so it is pretty easy.

When you do so, be sure to withdraw a small amount from the ATM rather than carrying around big wads of cash. You get hit with ATM withdrawal fees each time, so that’s why I recommend a bank that will reimburse you for all external ATM withdrawal fees. I use Charles Schwab .

Withdrawing money on the street or taking out big wads of cash is an invitation to problems with robbers. I usually go to the mall, withdraw cash first thing, then wander around for a while.

Anytime you go to larger restaurants, major stores, or bigger hostels/hotels, you should be able to use a travel credit card rather than cash. Do this whenever you can to reserve your cash, just be sure that your credit card has no foreign transaction fees.

Read more about travel banking fundamentals and how I handle money.

Locals Hate Vice Tourism

I wish this one didn’t even have to be said, but there is an ever-growing amount of vice tourism here in Colombia, especially among people traveling to Medellin (when compared to Cartagena or Bogota , for instance).

This vice tourism is mainly from two groups: young dudes who want to engage in drug tourism and old dudes who want to engage in sex tourism. You can skip this section if it doesn’t apply to you.

It’s true that drugs can be cheap and readily found in Medellin, but they are not exactly legal here. Some people even go on tours to cocaine processing facilities, which is just a terrible idea. Prostitution, on the other hand, is actually legal here.

Regardless, both groups of vice tourists are generating increasing bad will or outrage by the locals. There are even public campaigns and signs around town lashing out against both. If you’re in one of those groups of people, you are better off staying at home because they don’t want you here.

First of all, if drugs or prostitutes are your primary motivation for travel, that’s pretty lame, to be honest. Medellin (and Colombia) has so much to offer and it goes well beyond those stereotypes.

Second, know that by doing so, you will dramatically increase your odds of running into big problems here in terms of getting ripped off, robbed, drugged, or even killed (the few foreigners killed here in Medellin are like 90% linked with drug or sex tourism, while the other 10% is resisting a robbery).

Scopolamine druggings (pretty much the most terrifying thing ever ) are almost entirely linked to both, although it does also happen while just out having drinks (so never leave your drink unattended).

Third, you give a terrible name to other travelers by doing this stuff. Honestly, I didn’t like Medellin much at first because I was surrounded by a bunch of these horrible tourists like the Russian chick who blew a hole in her nasal passage from doing too much cocaine in Medellin, or the American dude whose afternoon ritual was to go to the whorehouse before hanging out at the bar all night drinking dollar beers (the last part ain’t bad).

Once I got out of that shared living situation and started seeing more of the “real” Medellin, my opinion of the city changed almost instantly.

Look, if what you are wanting to do is illegal in your home country and something you don’t normally do, then Medellin is not the place to do it and certainly not the place to start. This isn’t Thailand or Amsterdam, stuff happens here, seriously.

Medellin is not a huge city, physically speaking… But there are nearly three million people crammed into the Valle of Aburra. The size of the city would suggest that you don’t really need to focus highly on trying to coordinate or optimize your visits to different parts of town because you should be able to easily go back or get around the city.

That’s kind of a mistake though, because while the city isn’t big, traffic here is terrible, particularly during rush hour. If you’re going to go explore El Centro or Envigado or wherever you should try to plan a solid itinerary to pack in everything you can in an individual place.

If you’re going by Uber or taxi and you get caught in the morning or early evening traffic, you can expect massive delays. The shape of the valley here and the general infrastructure basically funnels all the traffic into a north-south pattern along just a few roads. Traffic is only growing worse each year.

You’re better off taking public transport like the metro, although if you go at rush hour, you should expect tons of people and an almost sardine-like experience. Be sure to watch your pockets and belongings in those situations — pickpockets aren’t super common, but those are the situations to watch out for.

There are a ton of things to do in Medellin , so you shouldn’t be left bored, even if that just means exploring the many awesome restaurants and cafes. But if you’re looking for a more logical way to coordinate your activities, check out my suggested itinerary for 3 days in Medellin .

Organized Tours

I’d also encourage you to do a few organized tours in Medellin to give you a better perspective on the history and culture of this city. A few top choices are:

• Medellin Free Walking Tour in El Centro
• Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour
• Barrio Transformation Tour
• Exotic Fruits Tour

Pablo Escobar Tours

The one tour that you should not do, please, is the infamous Medellin Pablo Escobar tour … Locals hate Pablo and are growing ever more irritated with the tourists flocking to Medellin because of Pablo and the Narcos series on Netflix.

He was a terrorist and patronizing these types of tours only serves to glorify a hated man. You would never go on a Hitler tour so you can take happy selfies at his grave, so I’m not sure why people take Pablo tours in Medellin… Read more about this touchy and complicated subject .

Instead of a Pablo tour, maybe check out one of these other top Medellin tours instead? There are so many options that are much better!

Read more about the best Medellin tours . 

Is Medellin Safe?

Medellin is a long way gone from the bad ol’ days of Pablo Escobar, FARC, kidnappings, and all the terrible ways it made the news in the 90s. I’m sure your parents almost fainted and your family told you that you were nuts when you said you were going to Colombia.

Look, things aren’t perfect here, but the bottom line is that Medellin is more or less safe.

Mas o menos…

Bombings and kidnappings and all that is long gone and not of concern, today the main concern is street safety and the potential for robbery.

That type of thing is honestly a concern here, but not overwhelmingly so… It is basically the same throughout all of Latin America. If you’ve traveled to any big Latin American city, you probably know the drill, but let’s rehash.

Safety Precautions in Medellin

• Be very careful about showing valuables on the street, especially cell phones. This also applies while in taxis, as mentioned earlier. Cell phones are the biggest targets for thieves who are known to rob at gunpoint for a cell.
• Never, ever resist a robbery. Give them what they want. Not doing so is what causes tourists to get killed here .
• Be very cautious of motorcycles, they are most likely to rob you, rather than some guy on foot. Be especially cautious of two men on one motorcycle.
• Don’t walk around in unfamiliar areas after dark, particularly if there is light foot traffic. Walking back drunk is also a recipe for trouble. This is what they call “dando papaya” or giving Papaya which is basically an invitation for someone to rob you — more on that in a second.
• Unlike the US, it isn’t as simple as saying “avoid the bad neighborhoods” because you are actually probably more likely to get robbed as a tourist in Poblado rather than in El Centro — El Centro has higher crime figures overall, but Poblado is a popular target because that’s where the “rich people” are. To date, the only robbery I’ve witnessed here was on the corner of Parque Lleras at midday on a Sunday.
• Don’t carry around more money than you need for the day.
• Use ATMs only inside large malls or big box stores — avoid taking cash out from ATMs on the street. Take out small amounts of money rather than big withdrawals.

Colombia may not be the best destination for someone entirely new to Latin America, but if you are a bit streetwise and exercise common sense, you’re not likely to become a victim. Indeed, it is rare that something happens.

No Dar Papaya

In Colombia, they have a saying “No Dar Papaya” which means don’t give papaya… Basically, they are trying to say, never offer up papaya (which is anything, really, a cell phone, money, etc) because someone will take papaya if it is “offered” to them. 

This is a bit of victim-blaming, unfortunately, but it is ingrained into Colombian life. Never Dar Papaya, else you make yourself an easy mark and a likely target for robbery. It’s better to always lean toward the cautious side here in Medellin or throughout Colombia.

On the whole, people here are very nice, honest, friendly, and want to make sure you have a good time, just don’t provide a window of opportunity to the bad apples that might be out there.

There is still a lot of poverty and huge economic inequality here… Just imagine, the price of the cell phone you are carrying in your pocket is basically a few months of income at minimum wage here (~$250/month for 48 hours of work per week).

Solo Female Travel

Obviously, this is a tricky thing for me as a guy to talk about, so I’ll refer you to this post about solo female travel in Colombia by Adventurous Kate .

I think she gets things mostly right in her article although there does seem to be some outdated or misguided things like the discussion of walking alone after dark as a woman (guys have the same concern since the bad things here are robberies, not sexual assault), or the whole “don’t travel by bus between places,” or “don’t travel by bus at night” thing. Although if your local knowledge and travel experience level is low, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to follow her more conservative advice.

I can speak a little bit about my perspective for female travelers here based on so much time living here, all that I’ve seen on the streets, talking with fellow travelers, and based on the perspective of my girlfriend who is a local Paisa…

Street Harassment: This is something that is generally quite rare. Men here will not hesitate to get a good, long look if they like what they see (leering), but I rarely see things escalate to even the catcall level. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but it happens way less than in places like Italy, for example. From my perspective as a Seattlite, the whole leering thing in Colombia borders on creepy, but what is acceptable differs from culture to culture.

Colombians speak much more affectionately than most may be accustomed to, so don’t mistake “ mi amor ” from the taxi driver as flirting… That’s just how many speak to women in general, whether it is an older lady or an attractive young woman. I can be sitting there right beside my girlfriend and locals will use terms of endearment like that (which at first struck me as weird). It’s no different than old ladies calling younger guys “ mijo ”.

Kisses on the cheek between men and women (or women and women, just not between men and men like Argentina), even among people that don’t know each other very well, are also super common. If you ever go to a family event, expect to kiss like a thousand tias on the cheek.

Purses: I would strongly recommend against using a purse at all here, especially the cross-body type. Just put your spending money for the day in your pocket (even get a money clip) as well as your cell phone. Purses can be easy targets for those motorcycle thieves and a grab-and-go theft (which can throw the victim to the ground, causing injuries) is not unheard of.

Travel Insurance for Medellin

I’ve personally never been the victim of a robbery, theft, or any violent crime in Medellin, and that’s after a number of years here and many instances where I was giving papaya (according to my girlfriend). My girlfriend, on the other hand, has firsthand experience this sort of insecurity a few times, but that’s with a lifetime living here.

In any case, it is a very good idea to purchase travel insurance for Colombia and Medellin in order to protect yourself against not just theft, but also illness and injury. I use and recommend World Nomads , and would encourage you to protect yourself while in Colombia, just in case. It’s cheap and offers peace of mind.

Traveling to Medellin?

In any case, I hope these comprehensive travel tips and this guide help you better understand the ins and outs of traveling to Medellin. It is truly a pretty incredible place, I’m excited that you’ve chosen to travel here, and I hope that I’ve helped you get a little more out of your trip.

Traveling to Medellin soon? Be sure to book your lodging today on Booking.com to save. Don’t forget to purchase your travel insurance to protect against illness, injury, and theft. I use and recommend World Nomads .

Did you enjoy this post about things to know when traveling to Medellin? Please take a second to share it on Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter. Thanks!

Colombia Travel Tips

Important tips and resources for planning an amazing trip to Colombia, based on my years of traveling and living in Colombia.

Colombia Trip Planning

• Lonely Planet Colombia
• Momondo Flight Search
• ViaHero Itinerary Planning
• Booking.com
• SafetyWing Travel Insurance
• Get Your Guide Tours

Instructions

• Book a cheap fligh t to Colombia with Momondo , or better yet, start travel hacking so you can fly for free. Traveling between major cities is much better by flying, trust me.
• Plan a rough itinerary and how long you will spend at each destination. Use an itinerary planning service for custom recommendations and pick up Lonely Planet Colombia .
• Work a little every day to teach yourself Spanish , you'll want to know as much as possible before you arrive.
• Book cheap accommodation in advance, at least for the first destinations -- For hostels use: Booking , for cheap hotels use: Hotels.com , for apartments use: Airbnb .
• Reserve your on the ground tours and activities through Get Your Guide .
• Purchase travel insurance for Colombia with SafetyWing to protect yourself from illness, injury, and theft while in Colombia. VERY important. And be sure to read my article: " Is Colombia Safe? " for my honest opinion and safety tips.
• Sign up for my free emails about planning a better trip to Colombia, and be sure to check out my comprehensive guide about traveling to Colombia .
• Learn more money-saving tricks with my top budget travel tips .
• Put together your Colombia packing list .
• Enjoy this incredible country!

I hope this helped you plan your travels in Colombia! I know it can be a struggle to find accurate and on the ground information when traveling to a new place like Colombia, which is why I started writing so extensively about it!

If you have any questions about Colombia, budget travel, or anything else shoot me an email at [email protected].

(I love getting questions! That is how I get ideas for my blog posts and what to write about!)

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Ryan, Awesome article. You are a life-saver.

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