Hot darn, Medellín was so cool. Mark and I only had 3 days here but really wish we could have stayed more! So much culture, history, and TECHNO! As usual, we packed our few days here full of exploring, eating, drinking, and dancing. Check out our top recommendations!
Free Comuna 13 Tour
Comuna 13 was once the most dangerous neighborhood in the world. It was ruled by the Medellín drug cartels and there was constant tension between the area and the government. In 2002, the government attempted to overthrow the cartel in Comuna 13, leaving the community in the middle of war. So many people were injured and killed that the civilians begged for it to be over.
Since then, the crime rate has dropped drastically, making it what the government claims as a successful operation (civilians say otherwise considering the damage and lives lost). Over the past few years, art and hip hop have taken over, transforming the area into the colorful, cultural hub it is now.
During the tour, the guides will explain the history of Comuna 13, make stops at some of the graffiti and murals, take you up the electric escalators, and also talk about new developments in the neighborhood. It’s so interesting to learn how much this area and its people have been through and to see how far it has come.
Our tour guide, Esteban, had lived in the area his whole life and was so passionate about his home and its people. This was by far our favorite thing we did while in Medellín! The tour meets at the San Javier metro station. Book your tour here!
Food tip!: If you want to grab lunch after the tour, check out Lalo 13! The owner was so sweet and you will get a 3 course, authentic, Colombian meal with jugos naturales for less than $10. It is located at the very bottom of the escalators. The exact address: 69XH+GC Medellín, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
Ride the Cable Car
In 2004, metro cables were put in as a way to solve public transportation to the parts of the city located on the steep hillsides. As a tourist, they are also a great way to get a bird’s eye view of Medellín. You can really get a feel for all the different social classes while riding above the city.
There are 3 locations you can take the cable car from. I recommend hopping on the J line after taking the Comuna 13 Tour. You can access it at the San Javier metro station (the same station where you meet for the Zippy Comuna 13 tour).
The other lines you can take are the K and the L. They are connected and you can access them at the Acevedo metro station and at the Santo Domingo Metrocable stop (where the K line meets the L).
Food
As mentioned above, go to Lalo 13 if you are in the Comuna 13 area for some authentic food! Outside of that we had some really good non-Colombian food (lol) in the El Poblado district.
Olivia
Really great Italian! We had an awesome burrata pizza, kale chips, and san marzano sauce with goat cheese. Get a pitcher of sangria too- great way to start the pregame for the night!
Monsier burger
Incredible burgers and drinks for a great price! Pick from any of their signature burgers or even do a build your own.
Roof Top/ Outdoor bars
On our last night, we went on our own impromptu rooftop/patio bar crawl. Unfortunately the weather was not great but most of these were enclosed or had indoor seating you could move to.
Alambique
Really nice atmosphere- they do a great job of bringing the outdoors inside. The place was decked out in bamboo, giving off a jungly-vibe. They didn’t speak English but luckily our friends we were with were able to translate. We had some amazing nachos (they weren’t actually called nachos but something equivalent in Spanish). We literally had 2 orders of them because they were that good!
Vaggart Art hotel
Another place that does a great job of making you feel completely outside even with an overhang above you. Vaggart Art Hotel’s roof is decorated with leafy plants and vines and its contemporary design gives off chill yet swanky vibes. If you like mezcal, they have an awesome drink here for you!
Woka lounge
This one was different to say the least. I felt like I was at the Rainforest Cafe’s club. Woka Lounge featured light up volcanoes and tropical, smoking drinks. The tables were cozy and good for couples! They also played a ton of house music (they love Fisher).
Patio 37
Patio 37 has an amazing outdoor area, tree stumps for the seats and tables, Instagrammable drinks, and a neon sign. What more can you ask for?
Envy Roof
We wanted to go here so bad but Mark was in shorts and sandals and there is a dress code. It’s the rooftop of a hotel and definitely is the most swankiest of the bars I have mentioned. It looks super amazing. Go during the day and hang by their pool or at night for drinks looking out over Parque Illeras. Make sure you dress appropriately though!
Nightlife
Parque Illeras
If you want to know the best area to go out in Medellín, Parque Illeras is it. Most of the rooftop bars I mentioned above will be found in this area. You can spend the entire night hopping from bar to bar, club to club. Locals and tourists can be found partying here at all hours of the day and night.
Octava
Our hostel took us on a bar crawl our first night and this was the second stop on the crawl. We didn’t really enjoy any of the other stops besides this one. This place was huge and the drinks were super affordable. The best part about the place was that it had a huge ball pit in the back. Hold onto your drinks.
Bolivar
We went on another crawl with our hostel and this was our first stop that night. It was pretty early in the night and already packed. The club was basically one big room with different levels and balconies. The DJs played traditional, Colombian pop music. Locals and tourists can be seen dancing here!
Techno
Before our trip to Colombia, I had no idea that Medellín was considered the techno capital of South America (hell yes)! I was so ready to explore what the city had to offer in terms of one of my favorite music genres.
Salon Amador
This was actually the last stop on our hostel’s club crawl and the number one place I wanted to be that night. Bontan was playing. The club had a main room and an outdoor patio section. The main room where Bontan was playing was small and intimate. You could get right up to the front of the DJ booth.
Check Resident Advisor
Some of other top clubs for techno in Medellín include la finca, Calle 9+1, mute Medellín, somorama, oriente, and bot bar. You can also check out Resident Advisor, a website that lists all the hottest techno events and which artists will be playing where.
Warning About Medellín Nightlife
Once the clubs close you may be tempted to take party buses to the next destination. Some of the buses are scams and tourist traps. They will lead you to a sketch location that they claim is a top afterparty spot. Here they will overcharge you for cover and drinks. Before you know it, your phone will be gone. You will end up wanting to leave but the taxi drivers waiting outside are in on the scheme. They will overcharge you or realize you are over intoxicated and take you to the cops. The cops will find that you don’t have your passport on you (always carry a photocopy of it on you) and will charge you a fine because it’s a law for tourists to have it on them at all times. Be smart and safe and don’t get on those party buses!
Day trip to Guatapé
Another favorite part of our Colombia trip was taking a day trip out to the lush landscapes of Guatapé! We will give you step by step directions on how to get there and how to make the most of your time there! Read about Guatapé here!
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