Is Medellin Safe for Travel? Expectations vs. Reality

As ex-pats living in Medellin for the last 12 years, we get this question a lot. Is Medellin Safe for Travel?

You’ve heard the stories behind the city’s infamous drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar. But what’s the City of Eternal Spring-like today?

Where to Stay in Medellin?

The first and most important thing when asking is Medellin safe is knowing where to stay. The city is made up of 16 sectors, known as ‘comunas’.

First-timers will want to stay in Comuna 14, best known as El Poblado. El Poblado is home to the city’s most famous nightlife area, Parque Lleras.

Most visitors tend to stay near Parque Lleras as it is easier to commute and is home to the city’s best nightlife.

We recommend El Poblado because if you don’t speak Spanish, here you’re likely to find anything you need.

If you’re unsure about staying at a hotel or Airbnb a good rule of thumb is who you’re coming with.

When to stay at an Airbnb in Medellin

• Medellin Stag Party Crew
• If you’re alone and looking to bring someone back to spend the night.

When to stay at a hotel in Medellin

• If you’re here with your spouse and want to think less
• If you can’t do without free breakfast
• If you want to network

El Poblado is a safe area but as with any place, it’s not recommended to walk around past 3 am by yourself. You also want to keep an eye out for extra polite strangers at a bar. A lot of this is common sense.

Where to Stay AWAY from

Even though El Poblado is the city’s safest area, that doesn’t mean it’s the only safe area.

First-time visitors will likely want to explore the city. Here are the best places to check out:

• Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour
• City Center and Museo de Antioquia
• Pueblito Paisa
• Estadio Atanasio Girardot

These places are fantastic options for daytime excursions. Once the sun sets, be sure you’re on your way back home. The biggest threat would be pickpockets but of course, we wish to avoid this altogether.

Neighborhoods to stay away from (unless you’re with a trusted local) :

• Manrique
• Aranjuez
• Comuna 13 at night
• Popular 1
• Castilla

There is nothing popular about Popular 1 and most of those other places will try and lure you in with their beautiful women. Unless you know someone that you trust to head over there with, don’t risk it.

Common Crimes in Medellin

Medellin is generally safe but if you think this is like Vegas or Miami, you’re going to have a bad time.

With a population of over 3 million, the city isn’t as small as you thought. Many of our crews highlight that the size of the Aburra Valley when taking the ride down from the airport is breathtaking.

But due to its size and the country’s minimum wage at under $300USD per month, there are petty crimes you need to watch out for.

Pickpockets are common so be sure to keep your wallet and phone in your front pockets. You’ll also want to avoid being absent-minded with your phone as they’ll likely just snatch it from you.

Let’s keep it 100. You’re not going to get kidnapped and no one is going to harvest your organs. Worst case scenario, you’ll have a rather slow member of your crew that doesn’t listen. He will likely leave his phone in a taxi or drop it in a ball pit at a strip club (not what sounds).

Medellin in 2020

As we write this piece, the world is undergoing the dreaded COVID 19 era. Our hearts go out to our readers who have had family members affected.

It is August 3rd and the country has been locked in for 4 months. International travel banned until further notice and unless the US picks up their act, Colombia will likely keep them out. At least until late September.

Is Medellin Safe for Travel?

• Tap water is safe to drink
• People are friendly but be wary of extra friendly women at clubs. They’re either working or trying to snatch your phone or wallet.
• Medellin locals otherwise known as paisas have a saying, “No dar papaya”. The saying translates to don’t give papaya but what it means is, to avoid putting yourself in awkward situations.

Keep your valuables at home. Stay away from the neighborhoods mentioned, and don’t trust extra friendly strangers. Not giving papaya will keep you safe and likely planning a second and even third trip to Medellin.

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