I visited Medellín, Colombia as part of a longer South America trip with one main question: could I live here long-term?
My route included Medellín (Colombia), Asunción (Paraguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Santiago (Chile) – a mix of cities often discussed in digital nomad and long-stay travel circles. When I found a $94 one-way flight from Atlanta to Medellín (on Spirit Airlines), I took it as a sign and built the rest of the trip around it.
Medellín is constantly recommended as one of the best cities in Latin America for digital nomads, often compared to Mexico City for its climate, affordability, and lifestyle. Naturally, I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Jump to Section
- First Impressions
- Neighborhood Vibes & Where to Stay
- Medellín Food Scene
- Things to Do in Medellín
- Free Walking Tour: Understanding the City
- Pablo Escobar Tourism: What to Know
- Digital Nomads & “Passport Bros” in Medellín
- Final Verdict: Would I Live Here?
First Impressions of Medellín
It’s easy to settle into. People are friendly, it’s affordable, the tap water is drinkable (huge plus), weather is nice year-round. There is a very visible foreign presence, especially Americans, which has noticeably impacted certain neighborhoods.
From what I learned on walking tours, Medellín is still very much a city in repair. The legacy of the drug cartels left deep scars: violence was extreme, murders were common, and recovery has taken decades. Today, the city largely welcomes tourism and foreign investment as part of that rebuilding process.
Café culture in the Poblado neighborhood in particular, feels heavily catered to foreigners, and certain neighborhoods feel less like communal and more like revolving doors of short-term visitors.
Neighborhood Vibes & Where to Stay
If you want a more authentic feel with less English spoken, I recommend checking out the Laureles neighborhood. It’s quieter than Poblado and has a more local vibe, though be aware the restaurant scene tends to be a bit pricier.
During my stay, I booked a bed at Los Patios Hostel, which easily ranks as one of the best hostels I’ve stayed in after visiting over 20 worldwide. It offers private beds that actually feel private, a rooftop pool, a gym, and plenty of social activities. Plus, it’s perfectly located for meeting other travelers and exploring the city.
Medellín Food Scene
Unlike Mexico City, Medellín is not known for its food, and that held true in my experience. I intentionally tried several well-reviewed restaurants.
Best Restaurants I Tried in Medellín
- Ritwal Mesa & Mística is located in the hills with sweeping city views. Excellent atmosphere and one of the most memorable views – the food was okay.
- La Provincia is upscale and genuinely good. I had beet pasta and a lava cake with dulce de leche and I remember it 2 years later.
- Alambique – Very popular spot, stunning space, disappointing food for the price.
Saludpan is in the Laureles area, is well-known for their menu of the day and having a really healthy vegan-friendly menu.
Mamasita Medallo I found this place via TikTok, it was solid Colombian food, kind of party atmosphere.
Overall, Medellín’s restaurant scene is fine from my experience.
Best Cafés in Medellín for Working & Hanging Out
Cafés are abundant, and act as co-working space. It seemed many cater almost exclusively to foreigners.
- Pergamino Café – (my favorite) best coffee and outdoor people watching
- Café Dragón – Good for working
- Café 11:11 El Despertar – Calm, spacious
- Hija Mía Coffee – Social, traveler-friendly
Things to Do in Medellín
- Comuna 13 – Famous for street art and history, I recommend going with a tour.
- Parque Botero – Iconic sculptures
- Centro Comercial Palacio Nacional – Architecture + shopping
- Masaya Medellín rooftop – Free dance classes, social atmosphere
- Beats Rooftop – Affordable cocktails with a view
- Envy Rooftop – A proper club.
- Provenza Medellín – Bar-lined avenue with heavy party energy
- Gringo Tuesdays Medellin – takes place on the Provenza but it’s a popular evening out intended for language exchange but often is just a great party.
Pablo Escobar Tourism: What Visitors Should Know
One important reality: many locals strongly dislike Pablo Escobar tourism. While tourists may be curious, Escobar represents violence and trauma for Medellín residents. The city has worked hard to move forward, and glorification of this history is widely resented.
If you visit Medellín, approach this topic with respect and awareness.
Digital Nomads and “Passport Bros” in Medellin
Medellín has unfortunately become a hotspot for sex tourism and a magnet for a certain type of American man—the so-called “passport bros.” I saw them everywhere. I watched them and judged them shamelessly.
A group of American men stopped me on the street, and I ended up hanging with them for a few hours. Long story short: every single one of them was married, but you’d never know it and I saw them cheat on their wives which was my queue to leave. It was gross.
And then there’s the digital nomad scene. This isn’t unique to Medellín, but I encountered it here. Some people move abroad to grow, learn, explore new cultures. Others? They’re running from something, they’re losers, they’ve failed at home, chasing cheap thrills, and often preying on local women. It was gross.
Losers exist everywhere. Medellín just happened to show me more than my fair share.
Free Walking Tour in Medellín: A First Look at the City
One of the best ways to understand Medellín is by starting with a free walking tour, which runs daily at 10 AM and 2 PM. It’s an informative introduction to the city’s history, architecture, and social transformation, with a suggested tip of $7+ for the guide, and mine was very knowledgable. Here’s what we covered.
Medellín Town Hall (Centro Administrativo La Alpujarra)
This government complex is the administrative heart of the city. Built in the 1980s, it played a central role in shaping Medellín’s modern policies, including public transportation and social urbanism projects.
Parque de las Luces
Located near the old railway district, Parque de las Luces was once an unsafe area. In the early 2000s, it was redesigned with 300+ illuminated light poles as part of Medellín’s urban renewal efforts. Today, it symbolizes the city’s commitment to reclaiming public space and improving safety.
Palacio Nacional (Centro Comercial Palacio Nacional)
Built in the 1930s, this former government building is one of Medellín’s best examples of Art Deco architecture. Once home to courts and offices, it’s now a busy shopping center filled with local vendors. It’s chaotic, practical, and very representative of downtown Medellín.
Iglesia de la Veracruz
One of the oldest churches in Medellín, dating back to the 1600s. This colonial-era church reflects the city’s early religious and architectural roots and offers contrast to the surrounding modern buildings.
Palace of Culture Rafael Uribe Uribe
One of Medellín’s most iconic landmarks, this Gothic Revival building was designed by Belgian architect Agustín Goovaerts in the 1920s. Initially criticized for being overly extravagant, it’s now a beloved cultural center housing exhibitions, archives, and public events.
Final Verdict: Is Medellín Worth Visiting or Living In?
Would I live there long-term? Personally, no.
Medellín has beauty, affordability, social energy, but the combination of party-centric culture, and shallow foreign crowd, just wasn’t my vibe for my short stay to make it a long-term home.
Medellín is a city in transition — and as always, your experience depends heavily on who you’re surrounded by. I’m sure there’s a community I’d click with, but the world is so big and I just mesh more with so many other cities.