City of Medellin, Colombia
November 24-December 6, 2023
Since arriving in Medellin and talking to other travelers, it seems a commonality that many people still view Colombia and in particular the city of Medellin, with some wide-eyed concern! We've all heard the terrible things about this city: the drugs, the murders, the cartels. But today, Medellin is in major transformation and the city is really turning itself around. Its not to say there isn't danger here, as there is in almost any large city. But Medellin is truly on its way to becoming a city no longer in the shadow of its past but a city its people can be proud of. We are enjoying the vibe here and learning what the city has to offer!
Our Accommodations
We found a fantastic Airbnb apartment that we love! Located in the area known as El Poblado, its where all the action is! Cafe's, restaurants, night life, and shopping. Its known as "gringoland" because so many foreigners stay here. But its a very walkable area and is generally a safe area for tourists. Our apartment is modern and comfortable and set down a quiet street for a peaceful retreat from the chaos and noise of El Poblado. The building also has 24hr security which is an added bonus.
Walking Tour of Medellin
We heard a lot of great things about a free walking tour with Real City Tours. Our guide was Juan and he did a great job providing a lot of history on the city of Medellin, along with political history too! Guides don't like to use the word cocaine or to say Pablo Escobar's name out loud so instead they use terms like "the white powder" or "that famous criminal"...the reason being, that locals often listen in on tours to see if these terms are being used. Its upsetting for them to hear talk about their past because for the most part, everyone is trying to move forward into a better future. There is still alot of corruption here so the political scene is complicated. But we learned that things are improving such as: education, crime, inclusion of the poor by providing access to the city and its services, and of course their economy by attracting travelers. Medellin's metro system is a proud achievement for the locals and is treated almost like a sacred icon - it was a major accomplishment in linking all its people to services and supports.
Our Tour Group
Botero Bronze Statues
In the central square there are many bronze statues created by the famous artist Fernando Botero. Botero liked to explain
that the statues are not "chubby" but "disproportionate". Since he has recently passed away, the statues are now worth millions...And some of locals have resorted to cutting off parts of the statues to sell on the black market.
Medellin's Metro System - The City's Proud Achievement!
El Poblado
We stayed in this area of Medellin. Although to get to these more picturesque streets, you'll have to walk the chaotic main street of Calle 10...Once you're away from the chaos, the leafy sides streets of El Pablado are a serene oasis with cafe's and shops. Medellin has become a hotspot for digital nomads and many foreigners gather at the cafe's for work and socializing.
We stayed in this area of Medellin. Although to get to these more picturesque streets, you'll have to walk the chaotic main street of Calle 10...Once you're away from the chaos, the leafy sides streets of El Pablado are a serene oasis with cafe's and shops. Medellin has become a hotspot for digital nomads and many foreigners gather at the cafe's for work and socializing.
Parque Arvi
This ecological nature reserve is just a few tram rides away from the chaos of Medellin and such
a breath of fresh air - literally! Using the tram (metro cable car) system was a fun way to experience the wonderful views over the valley and a serene trip out of the city. It was also a bit sad passing over the many barrio's of Medellin sitting on the slopes of the valley...but, its all part of the experience. Once at the top, the cool fresh air was invigorating. There are many trails for walking and horseback riding.
Metro cable heading up to Park Arvi - it takes about 30 minutes to complete the entire trip
Not our photo collage but a good representation of what park Arvi offers
Our city tour guide mentioned there had been some safety issues on the trails recently so we decided to stop
for a beer and chips and just hang out.