Backpacking Medellin: My Personal Experience
Arepas, coffee and chunchurria are just some of the things to connect with while energizing yourself in this city. After all, you’ll be literally climbing mountains here.
When I started planning my Medellin backpacking trip I was set on learning Spanish and finding a place to explore that would be budget-friendly without the excruciating heat.
Touted as one of the most dangerous cities in South America, I went against the grain of what everyone said, I picked up my rusty old backpack and just went anyway.
Back then, the city had already begun to gain its new reputation as the place to be in South America. But what did I discover and how did that impact my cultural travels?
Backpacking Medellin
In this guide i’ll share some of my experiences in Medellin and give you some insight on what to expect as well as some of my favorite things to do. I’ll also give you some tips on where to stay and why I think Medellin makes a great city to visit in South America.
I’ll also give you some important tips when it comes to safety in Medellin as I know it is one of the hottest topics right now when it comes to visiting this sizzling city.
I had just finished up a week backpacking in Bogota and had already begun to get aquatinted with some of the feats of Colombian culture, but little did I know how distinct the regions would be and how the Paisas and the Rollos live in a world apart.
Landing in Medellin as a first-time visitor, I was greeted by the sun, some pretty tall palm trees and the sound of (what I thought it was at the time) salsa music. All that seemed to be missing was the beach. But this isn’t Cartagena, I came for the cool mountain climate.
With this Medellin travel blog I not only want to talk about some of my experiences from the early days. But I want also keep it practical by sharing ideas on things to do as well as some useful travel tips that can help you out on your trips to the city of eternal spring. I will continue to update this guide regularly by citing my most recent trips to the city.
Now, let’s look at why you would even want visit Medellin in the first place…
Is Medellin Worth Visiting?
Why on earth would you want to visit one of the most notoriously dangerous cities in South America? If you have not yet asked yourself this question, now might be a good time to do so.
It’s not difficult to say this, but when compared to other grandiose cities in South America, Medellin does actually leave much to be desired.
But when you start to understand how remote this city is, the sheer amount of development there has been, it begins to dawn on you how impressive it all is.
Medellin is a giant Pueblo that is home for people from all over the country. There is a more detailed account on why Medellin is worth visiting if you want to see what else is on offer. But I recommend that you keep an open mind when traveling to this city.
How to get to Medellin
Medellin is Colombia’s second most important city so you can find buses to and from here from most other major cities as well as hundreds of smaller towns.
There are also tons of flights from cities such as Bogota, Cartagena, and Santa Marta and they are very cost-effective when comparing the prices of a long-distance coach ride.
When you factor in the time that you can save, the extra money that you’d spend on a flight, the price starts to even look more attractive. The roads can be very unreliable in Colombia and you often encounter roadblocks caused by natural disasters or ongoing roadworks which can add untold hours to your overall journey time.
If you can fly into Medellin do, and if you have to take a long-distance bus ride, try to time it so you arrive in Medellin the next morning. This is one way to save money on a night of accommodation if you’ll be traveling South America on a budget or, if you like to save money while traveling. Just remember to keep your belongings close to you at all times.
Is Medellin safe for solo travelers
As a backpacker who has traveled to Medellin many times, I can say that Medellin is safe for solo travelers who exercise extra caution while exploring certain part of the city.
Due to government and police efforts, the safety in Medellin has improved over the last decade. Since the end of the pandemic though tourist safety has dwindled slightly and those visiting the city who get too comfortable with the local culture, could find themselves in a sticky situation. I suggest you only follow the advice of trusted people.
The Zona Rosa in Medellin, also known as El Poblado is a double-edged sword. It is one of the safe places for tourists to be able to get a taste of the lively atmosphere of the city but at certain times of the day, it really can go the opposite way.
Saying that, the police presence around this area is very reassuring, and one thing I like about Medellin is there is respect for the police (even though at times it seems like they are not doing much). Usually the police presence is just enough to keep you safe.
While in Medellin can also find CAI centres (Centres of Immediate Attention) scattered around. These are small booths which will allow you to talk to the police. There is one located in Parque de El Poblado which is just a few blocks down from Lleras Park.
Street robbery here in Medellin is not uncommon so I will add a link to one of my favorite money belts to help you with concealing your goods while out and about in the streets.
Where to Stay in Medellin
When choosing a neighborhood to stay in Medellin you’ll be mostly drawn to the El Poblado neighborhood. This is known as the Zona Rosa and where the city’s main tourist infrastructure is. For this reason, it makes sense to choose a place in this area.
I wouldn’t recommend trying to think outside the box with this. If you know you’re going to be moving around the city a lot then El Poblado neighborhood will serve you well.
The prices have increased over the years but it’s worth paying that bit extra to be close to all the action. Expect to pay anything from $10-15 USD for a dorm room. You can also check out Laureles which has some hostel and hotels (such as moradia ) on offer.
Here are some of the best hostels in El Poblado:
- Los Patios Hostel – El Poblado (Manila)
- Casa Kiwi Hostel – El Poblado (Parque Lleras)
- Yolo Hostel – El Poblado (Provenza)
- Selina Medellin – El Poblado (Provenza)
- Masaya – El Poblado (Parque Lleras)
I highly suggest you stay in El Poblado, especially if you only have a few days in Medellin as you can spend a lot of time on public transport here. I also recommend you check out the Viajero hostel if you want to meet like-minded travelers while visiting Medellin.
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Things to do in Medellín
With Medellín being the cultural hub of the Antioquía region, there are a lot of cool activities and things to do here. Let’s now go ahead and explore some of my favorites.
Mueso Casa Gardelinana
When it comes to off the beaten track landmarks in Medellín, this is a must. If you are interested in the world of tango this hidden house tucked away in the barrio of
Manrique, gives you a unique chance to learn about the Medellin’s deep connection with tango.
Are you currently learning how to dance Tango or just fascinated by Carlos Gardel as the most prominent figure in tango history? If not, no worries, this is still a cool learning experience and there is a statue of Gardel located on the same block just a few steps down the street that you can get some pics of too.
Ride the Metro Cable
Medellin is famous for its cable cars and it would be rude not to ride them. They are like a tourist attraction in its own right. Not only will you get spectacular views of the city from many different angles. You also get a unique look at the barrios (neighborhoods) from an up close and personal perspective. I recommend that you ride one up from San Javier.
If you know how many days in Medellin you’ll be spending, or plan on using public transport a lot, then I suggest that you get a Civia card. This is a pay-as-you-go transport card that you can top-up and it works on the Metro, Metro Bus, the tram, and Cable cars.
Museo Cementerio San Pedro
In Medellin there is not much in the way of stunning architecture and colonial buildings to marvel at like you might find when traveling to Cartagena for example. But what about when you find out that you can visit a graveyard instead? I was sceptical at first, but when a local suggested that I go check it out for myself, I was simply blown away.
I would go as far as to say that this is home to some of the city’s most wonderful creations in terms of monuments, mausoleums, graves and statues. The god-like statues and the endless rows of wall graves stuffed with florist plants are somewhat pleasing to the mind’s eye.
Only come here if you are interested in understanding more about the local culture and remember to pay your respects on entry. This landmark should not be treated as a regular ‘tourist attraction’ but rather, as a place to pay respect to the deceased.
Visit Comuna 13
A trip to Comuna 13 may not be for everyone but by going on this special tour you can combine a graffiti tour, a ride in the cable car and get a guided tour of this famous barrio.
I arrived here for the first time without a tour guide and having visited with locals from a nearby neighborhood, the idea of visiting a place that was once known as one of the most dangerous places in the world was quite a peculiar experience (at first).
When arriving as part of a tour like this one the experience in completely different since the guides are extremely knowledgeable and can answer all your question about the area.
Some things to do in Comuna 13 include:
- Try an ice cream (the Mangobiche is a must-try)
- Buy souvenirs
- Take photos of street art
- Ride the escalators
- Visit the graffiti shop
When combining the above activities coupled with the fact you’re in a space where you are been permitted to walk around only by the mafiosos that run the Comuna is a privilege. That’s how I saw it, because otherwise, you would have no other reason to reach this remote part of the city.
On my way back down into the city it was only then that I began to realize why Comuna 13 and Medellin are known as one of the globe’s success stories when it comes to connecting social classes. Thankfully, this is not gentrification (a process that I am not fond of), this is the remodelling and revitalising of poverty into the best version of itself.
El Castillo Museum
A must-visit for anyone visiting Medellin. This Medieval Gothic-style castle has a very interesting story. To get access to the castle you must purchase the tour at the gate on entry.
During the tour, you’ll get to see all the antiques inside many of which are of European origin and some from China. The guide who speaks solely in Spanish will give you an insight into the high class in Colombia and the history of the castle itself.
If you wish to enter the grounds and visit the surrounding gardens you can do that solely. The gardens are designed to an impeccably high standard and are very well maintained.
Do note though, if doing the tour, there may be up to 1 hour wait time as the previous tour finishes. But during the wait time, you can admire the beauty of the gardens as it is right here that you can finally connect with the most tranquil side of Medellin.
I suggest you carry a UV hat (or equivalent) and if you are sensitive to the sun you’ll likely need some sunblock especially if visiting around midday on a sunny day in Medellin.
Medellin Backpacking Tips
- Don’t walk around in your flip-flops here if you don’t want to stand out as a tourist. It’s uncommon for locals to wear them.
- As a new visitor who is already backpacking Colombia and its regions, you may find Medellin as a great base to be to visit other towns in the Antioquia region.
- If you have more than a few days here, why not head out to Jardin? It’s just 3 hours from Medellín and is known for its superior Colombian coffee and ecological hikes.
- If you like coffee I suggest doing a coffee tour like this one which includes horse riding.
- Keep in mind that it is unsafe to walk around with your phone out in your hand here, try to stop in a shop or even a bus stop and pull your phone there if you need to check something and send a message.
- Ask your hostel or hotel or host about hiking Cerro de las Tres Cruces if you’re into fitness, that way you can get an amazing view of the city from above.
- Check out Mi Viejo Pueblo in the downtown Medellin area as it’s a place to pick up souvenirs and a wide variety of gifts sold at very reasonable prices.
- While in Medellin you can take the Metro out to Sabaneta to try some of the region’s best Buñuelos. They are a Christmas treat that can be found on sale in and around the city all year round.
Backpacking Medellin
Thanks for reading this guide on backpacking Medellin which gives you some ideas on what to do here as well as what to expect when visiting for the first time.
I know it can be challenging when visiting a new place (especially one that has such as bad reputation) but as long as you keep the right company you should be fine.
Medellin not only offers some interesting things to do but there are also some memorable day trips to take part in such as visiting Guatape or venturing further out to Jardín in south-east Antioquia.
While visiting Medellin I suggest you take a look at this 3 days in Medellin itinerary to get ideas on how to plan your time, what else to do and in what order during your stay.
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