I've guided travelers through Medellin for years. These questions come up every single time. I'm going to answer them honestly — not with the diplomatic version, but with the version that'll actually help you have a great trip.
Is Medellin safe?
In the tourist areas — El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado — yes, it's safe. I walk these neighborhoods day and night without concern.
But let me be specific. Keep your phone in your pocket when walking. Seriously. Phone snatching (on foot or by motorcycle) is the most common petty crime. Use a crossbody bag. Don't wear expensive watches or flashy jewelry.
At night: use Uber. Don't walk alone in poorly lit areas. Downtown (Centro) is fine during the day but less comfortable after dark.
The scopolamine ("devil's breath") warning is real but context matters: it's almost always associated with accepting drinks or cigarettes from strangers in nightlife settings. Don't accept substances from people you just met. This applies everywhere in the world, frankly.
Overall: safer than its reputation. Less safe than a small European city. About on par with any large Latin American city if you use common sense.
Should I talk about Pablo Escobar?
No. Don't bring him up with locals. Don't take Escobar-themed tours (they exist and most locals find them offensive). Don't ask taxi drivers about "the Escobar house."
Imagine someone visiting your city and only wanting to talk about its worst historical figure. That's how it feels. Medellin has spent 30 years building a new identity — ask about the Metro, the transformation of Comuna 13, the Feria de las Flores, the coffee. These are the stories people are proud of.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Basic Spanish transforms the experience. English is spoken in upscale El Poblado restaurants and international hostels. Everywhere else — markets, Metro, local restaurants, taxis — you need Spanish.
Minimum phrases:
"Buenos dias/tardes" (good morning/afternoon)
"Cuanto cuesta?" (how much?)
"La cuenta, por favor" (the bill, please)
"Gracias, con mucho gusto" (thanks, with pleasure — local way to say you're welcome)
Paisas are patient with bad Spanish. They'll smile, speak slowly, and help. Attempting the language earns immediate goodwill.
What is bandeja paisa?
Medellin's signature dish and a test of your stomach capacity. One plate containing: red beans, white rice, chicharron (fried pork belly), chorizo, fried plantain, avocado, arepa (corn cake), fried egg, and ground beef.
Yes, all of that. On one plate.
Cost: $18,000-25,000 COP ($4.50-6 USD) at Mondongos or Hacienda. Order it once. Respect the portion. Accept that lunch is over.
How does the Metro Cable work?
Medellin's cable car system is integrated with the Metro — same ticket, same Civica card. You ride the regular Metro to Acevedo station, transfer to the cable car, and soar over hillside neighborhoods to destinations like Parque Arvi.
The fare is the same as a Metro ride: $2,800 COP (~$0.70 USD). This is not a tourist attraction — it's actual public transit that connects communities that previously had no easy access to the city center. Riding it is both practical and perspective-shifting.
The views are incredible. You're suspended above neighborhoods where houses climb steep hillsides, laundry hangs between buildings, and children play on rooftop terraces.
What's the deal with Guatape?
Guatape is a day trip, 80 km east. Two attractions:
El Penol rock: A 220-meter granite monolith with 740 steps to the top. The view from the summit — a lake-studded landscape stretching in every direction — is one of the best panoramas in Colombia. Entry: $25,000 COP (~$6).
Guatape town: A lakeside village where every building has rainbow-colored zocalos (decorative tile panels) on the lower walls. Photogenic, charming, with boat tours on the reservoir.
Bus from Terminal del Norte: $16,000 COP ($4), 2 hours. Or organized tours: $80,000-120,000 COP ($20-30) including lunch and boat ride. Go mid-week to avoid weekend crowds.
Is Comuna 13 safe to visit?
Yes — during the day, with a guide. The neighborhood has been transformed from the most dangerous in Colombia to a street art gallery and community success story. Outdoor escalators (built 2011) connect the steep hillside. Murals cover every surface.
Book a local guide ($30,000-50,000 COP, $7-12 USD) who lives in the community. They'll explain the history, introduce you to artists, and ensure you're visiting respectfully. Go mid-morning (10-11AM) to avoid afternoon rain and crowds.
Don't go at night. Don't wander off the main tourist path without a guide. But during the day, with a guide, it's one of the most powerful urban experiences in South America.
How cheap is Medellin really?
Extremely. Street empanadas: $1,500 COP ($0.35). Set lunch: $12,000-18,000 COP ($3-4.50). Craft beer: $8,000-12,000 COP ($2-3). A comfortable mid-range day (hotel, meals, activities, transport): $60-100 USD. Budget: $25-40 USD/day.
What's the weather actually like?
Year-round spring. 20-28°C. Not much variation. But afternoon rain showers are common in the wet seasons (April-May, October-November). Carry a light rain jacket. Mornings are almost always clear.
The running joke: the weather forecast in Medellin is "morning sun, afternoon chance of rain, evening clear." Every day.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
The airport (MDE) is in Rionegro, not Medellin. It's 45-60 minutes by road through mountain tunnels.
Shared shuttle: $18,000 COP (~$4.50) from a counter in the arrivals hall to El Poblado. Reliable and cheap.
Uber: $50,000-70,000 COP (~$12-17). More comfortable.
Do not take unmarked taxis at the airport — use official shuttles or apps only.
What should I not do?
Don't walk around with your phone visible in your hand
Don't take Escobar tours
Don't eat on the Metro (strictly enforced, culturally important)
Don't arrive at nightlife venues before 11PM (you'll be alone)
Don't skip Comuna 13 — it's the most important thing to see in the city
Don't assume everyone in El Poblado represents Colombian culture — venture into Laureles, Envigado, and local neighborhoods
One last question: is Medellin overhyped?
No. But the hype is about the wrong things.
Medellin is not a party city for tourists (though parties exist). It's a city that rebuilt itself from the ground up — through public transit, education, community art, and sheer determination. The cable cars, the escalators, the libraries in former conflict zones — these are the real stories.
Come for the weather. Stay for the transformation. Leave understanding why paisas are so proud of their city.
For the full travel guide, read our complete Medellin guide. Digital nomads should check our remote work guide. If Colombia intrigues you, Cartagena offers colonial Caribbean charm as the perfect counterpoint.
