Is Medellín Safe?
Welcome to our Medellín safety guide.
As one of the most popular cities to visit in Colombia, it is here we can have all kinds of awesome experiences. This includes visiting the infamous barrio of Comuna 13, which is an interesting way to learn about a different side of reality in the city of Medellín.
There’s also plenty of interesting museums, and we can also head on day trips to incredible destinations such as to the giant rock of Piedra del Peñol as well as to the picturesque town of Guatapé.
Medellín Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Central Colombia
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Very Easy
- ⏱ Time needed: 4-6 Days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: December-February, June-August
Is Medellín Safe?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need to know about Safety in Medellín as a backpacker or traveler.
We’ll look at all the different factors, our top safety tips, other useful information as well as an FAQ section where we answer your key questions.
But first, you must be wondering…
Is Medellín Safe Right Now?
Quick Answer: Medellín has seen a radical (positive) change in its safety standards within the last few decades. This is mostly due to extra police efforts as well as the disbandment of Pablo Escobar and his cartel which used to run the streets here.
As well as this, Medellín has become a very popular tourist destination, as well as a landing point for digital nomads looking to live long-term in Colombia.
This means that certain areas like El Poblado have extra police presence in order to keep it safe (and for more tourism to keep coming in).
Regardless of where you stay and the places that you visit in Medellín, you’ll still want to practice good safety etiquette here. Later in this guide we’ll cover our very best tips for doing so.
We would advise any travelers who are thinking of heading to Medellín to prepare properly before arriving, and to get in touch with us where we can offer more guidance.
Also, read about Dan’s experience with backpacking Medellin over the years for more.
Where to Stay in Medellín
Like is the case with most large Colombian cities, Medellín has all kinds of neighborhoods (both good and bad). Overall, basing yourself in either Laureles or El Poblado is the best choice from a safety point-of-view, where there are a variety of accommodation choices for different budgets.
Travelers that are sticking to a low budget will want to base themselves in Hostal Lleras. Here you’ll have a nice dorm bed at a low cost, as well as being situated close to both the Parque Lleras and the main Parque del Poblado.
If you are looking for a solid mid-range accommodation choice, then the Hotel Zelva Negra is the perfect place for you. Here you’ll be staying in a chic private room just a block from the Parque del Poblado. They also do a great breakfast on-site, where you can also enjoy a variety of drinks at their bar.
Those who are looking for a more deluxe choice will want to stay at the Celestino Boutique Hotel. Here you’ll be able to enjoy their rooftop jacuzzi, bar and on-site spa. You’ll be staying in a luxurious room too, very close to many of the best restaurants and nightlife in El Poblado.
Things to do in Medellín
There’s a good reason that Medellín remains one of the most popular cities for tourists to visit in all of South America, let alone just Colombia.
Firstly we’ll find a ton of culture here, where we can also learn more about the city’s more turbulent recent history. We’ll also find areas such as El Poblado well set-up for tourists, with plenty of parks, tree-lined streets and interesting museums to explore.
From Medellín we can also head on some incredible day trips. The Piedra del Peñol is one of the most memorable, where you can climb this giant rock for unparalleled views over the surrounding Antioquia region.
You can also visit the charming town of Guatapé, which is known for its cobblestone streets and colorful murals.
Be sure to read this guide on how many days you need in Medellín for ideas on how to plan your itinerary here. For some, more than 3 days here could be overstepping it.
Is Medellín Safe to Visit?
Medellín Travel Warnings
Whilst there are no major official major risks right now, there are some things that you’ll want to watch out for.
The main risk to be careful of is armed robbery, which can happen virtually anywhere in the city nowadays and is targeted more towards tourists. Always know your surroundings and stick to safe areas, and also lessen your risk by following advice we’ve outlined in this guide.
Crime in Medellín
Whilst Medellín is far from its crime-stricken days several decades ago, there has been a recent increase in crime within the city (which is similar in many other parts of Colombia).
This includes armed robberies and attacks on tourists, sometimes using the infamous scopolamine drug. It’s important to mention that whilst we can’t control others’ activities and choices, we always have 100% control over our own. This means making yourself the least attractive target, which almost guarantees you a safe and enjoyable time here.
Good practices to follow include dressing down, keeping your phone in your (front) pocket as well as sticking to popular streets with lots of other people around.
Safety in Medellín during the day
Medellín is generally safe to walk around alone, and especially in the more touristy areas which have heightened police presence. However there’s still a risk of petty crime and armed robbery, so it’s all about making yourself the least attractive target possible.
This includes dressing down, not walking into unknown streets by yourself as well as heading on organized tours into the less safe areas (such is the case when heading to Comuna 13).
You’ll also want to take extra care in places like Candelaria (aka: El Centro). Whilst a popular and safe barrio in Bogotá, this same-named neighborhood in Medellín isn’t the safest around (although there are things to see such as the Plaza Botero). If heading here you’ll want to practice our safety tips that we mention throughout this guide.
Medellín Safety at Night
When the sun goes down, you’ll find that Medellín has some of the best nightlife that you can find in all of Colombia. Here we’ll find a mix of touristy bars and local salsa venues, making it a must-experience during your time here.
Of course crime does increase in these hours, given drunk tourists make for good targets. Incidents usually involve pickpocketing, although armed robbery (and even the use of Scopolamine) have happened too.
Whilst this all sounds very alarming and needs to be taken seriously, these incidents are usually due to tourists being extremely drunk and alone, or wandering off alone in unknown or quiet areas.
Avoid doing those two things alone and your risks drop significantly down. Of course sticking to popular areas is another good piece of advice; just be sure to keep your phone and wallet in your front pockets (and don’t bring anything of high value out with you).
Got Travel Insurance for Medellin?
7 Safety Tips for Medellín
Below we will list 7 of our top safety tips for when heading to Medellín.
1. Be Sure to Dress Down
This is probably the best advice we can give, especially since crime is now targeted more towards those who have money (e.g. wealthy tourists). Not standing out with designer clothes or big Rolexes is the best way to avoid becoming a target, so be sure to relax what you wear during the day. Of course at night you may want to dress up for dinner or if going clubbing, so in this case take taxis to and from the venue.
2. Be Cautious with the Local Tap Water
It’s important to first mention that Medellín is one of the few rare places in Latin America where drinking tap water is considered safe (unlike places such as Peru). Now if it’s your first ever time in the region then we’d instead recommend sticking to bottled water, just because it can still make your stomach upset (as well as tasting stranger).
3. Leave Valuables back in your Accommodation
As always (no matter where you travel in Latin America), it’s always a good idea to leave valuables back at your accommodation. This includes things like your passport, credit cards and anything else that the idea of losing would ruin your trip. You’ll also feel less stressed when walking around too!
4. Only head on tours with Reputable Tour Companies
Here in Medellín we’ll find a number of amazing experiences. Most are safe, however there are some where you’ll want to go with an experienced guide. The classic example is when heading to Comuna 13, which is a deprived barrio that was once the hotspot of Pablo Escobar’s drug activities. We highly recommend heading with this highly-rated tour which includes all transport and a free graffiti tour.
5. Take out Solid Travel Insurance
It’s always a good idea to take out travel insurance before heading-off, regardless of where you’re visiting. Not only will you have a solid policy ready in case something happens, however you’ll also be able to relax knowing that all expenses would be covered. We highly recommend taking out a policy with World Nomads, who is our trusted go-to.
6. Keep Valuables in your Front Pockets
Unfortunately petty theft is rampant around Medellín, and has recently become more targeted in affluent areas like Laureles and El Poblado. Keeping valuables in front pockets makes it a lot harder to get robbed unsuspectedly, and especially so when in busier places such as a nightclub.
7. Avoid Carrying Large amounts of Cash or Credit Cards with You
This is again a solid piece of advice regardless of where you travel. Having a daily budget is important for longer-term travel, and only taking this out with you keeps your long-term plans safe in case something does happen. Bringing credit cards with you is a bad idea too, given this can cause big problems if someone steals them from you.
Medellín Safety FAQ Guide:
Is Medellín Safe? Final Words
And that’s all for our guide on how to stay safe in Medellín.
A must-visit on any itinerary around Colombia, Medellin is often where travelers end up staying the longest (such as is the case with Dan). Here we can enjoy the perfect year-round temperatures, visit many cultural sites and also experience its heated nightlife.
Medellín has definitely improved its safety situation significantly in recent decades, especially when compared to the times under the rule of Pablo Escobar.
There of course are still some barrios worth avoiding, however nowadays there are some safe areas like Laureles and El Poblado which are well set-up for tourists.
In this guide, we’ve explored the current safety situation in Medellín, which includes whether it’s safe to visit, as well as any current travel advisories. As well as looking at the best things to do in Medellin we’ve also included our FAQ which answers your most burning questions.
Are you still wondering if it’s worth heading to Medellín? Then be sure to read this guide on the seven best reasons to visit Medellin over other Colombian cities.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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