If you’re planning your first trip to Medellín, I’m excited for you. And if you’re desperate to get back here as a digital nomad, I know the feeling well. Medellín should come with its own warning. The amount of foreigners that end up staying here is bonkers.
The people, the weather, the landscapes, the way of life are captivating.
But whatever your reason, this Medellín digital nomad guide will arm you with everything you need for your plans.
Here’s what I hope to answer:
What’s Medellín like for digital nomads with the pandemic?
As of July 2021, it’s business as usual. The mayor announced the timeline for the full re-activation of the city in June. Now even clubs are open and in-person events are going ahead.
Masks are still required in public places and most people wear them walking around — police don’t appear to be questioning anyone for not wearing one like earlier in the year.
In short, as long as you respect all bio-security protocols, you’re good to enjoy the city and travel freely.
What type of digital nomad is best suited for the Medellín lifestyle?
I’ve met all-sorts. When I arrived for the first time in 2018, I was a classic backpacker. And like most backpackers, I stayed in the most touristic area, Poblado (more to come on that shortly). If you land there, you might think people just come to Medellín for the party vibe. I sure as hell did. But, once you’ve explored, spoken to locals, and gotten a feel for the city outside of the Poblado bubble, you’ll understand Medellín is so much more than that. That’s why I wanted to come back.
In 2020, I returned to Medellín with purpose. I wanted to live and work where I wanted — carve out my life as a digital nomad. I admit… I did go out in Poblado on my first night back but haven’t done since!
Now, I’m more introverted in nature so I’m cool with being alone for periods. But, I’ll sign up for social things like CrossFit, football, or hiking clubs. I’ve made friends easy enough that way.
But don’t worry, you’ll find your kind of people like you do in most places. In fact, it’s probably easier given everyone is in the same boat.
What are the best areas to stay in Medellín?
Most posts bucket Medellín into 2 areas for digital nomads: Poblado and Laureles. When really the surrounding areas of Laureles should get a mention. They’re cheaper than the 2 major tourist barrios (neighborhoods), just as safe, and if you want a more real-life experience in Medellín, they’re your best options.
Look for barrios; La Floresta, Estadio, Florida Nueva, Velodromo when you’re searching for apartments.
Here’s a quick summary:
Poblado is like a mini USA. It’s full of hostels, bars, and clubs. And It’s where all the tourists arrive. Great for a night out, good food and has some breathtaking views of the city but less charm in my opinion.
The view from my old apartment in Poblado
Laureles is more popular with chill digital nomads. It’s about 15 minutes by taxi from Poblado so there seem to be fewer party tourists. You’ve got some cute cafes, restaurants, and it’s being nearer the center of the city, is a lot flatter. It’s still known for tourists so is relatively expensive like Poblado.
The areas surrounding Laureles. They’re more residential areas so life is defo more chilled and slow-paced. You see more viejitos (old people) shuffling around for sure. But you’re only walking distance away from Laureles or the famous La 70 where there are tons of bars and restaurants. I’m a big fan of this zone. My only gripe is it’s harder to find a good view. You need to be on the top floor or in a high-rise building if you want a city view.
Obviously, it’s all budget-dependent. I pay 550 USD a month for a 1-bed gaff that doesn’t have the best views, but is near Laureles and looks like this:
If you have a budget of 750-1000 USD you could tick all of your boxes easily — anywhere in the city. If you just need a room in shared accommodation expect to pay around 200 – 300 USD.
My English friend and genuine top lad, Joe, owns a co-living in Laureles. He’s cultivated a lovely atmosphere there. The place is beautiful, has great internet, a terrace, and a jacuzzi. Rooms go for around 400 USD a month (minimum 1-month stay) — email me if you’d like his details.
But if I were you, I’d rent a room in a hostel or Airbnb for a few weeks, scope out the city and then decide.
When you’re here, use the below Facebook groups to find rooms/ apartments. The prices will be a hell of a lot cheaper than Airbnb.
Medellín, Rooms, and Apartments Expat Info.
Medellín Expat and Tourist Info.
Note: If you want a decent contact for reasonably priced rooms near Laureles, shoot me an email.
Other areas I’d like to explore include; Belén, El Centro, and Envigado.
Belen has epic views of the city but you need to get public transport everywhere. There’s not much to do in the immediate area
El Centro is where the action happens. Everyone warns you not to go out at night there but that’s the real hustle and bustle of the city. I like walking around Barrio Buenos Aires in the day. It’s one of the better places to live in El Centro.
And Evigado is a pueblo outside of Medellín. More tourists are heading there for its chill vibe and lower cost: standard of living ratio.
What’s working remotely like? Cafe’s & Internet speed alright?
I mean, it is Colombia. The coffee’s great. In the more hipster cafes anyway – and there’s plenty of those!
(If you ask for a tinto from a local place, you’ll get a sugary Nescafé instant.)
And depending on where you are, you’ll find plenty of co-working places. In Poblado, the main one is Selina.
I usually hang out next to Semilla in Laureles because it’s quieter. You don’t have to walk far from there to find other cute cafes or popular co-working La Casa Redonda.
If I’m working from home, my internet speed is over 100 meg. Apparently, that’s fast… it doesn’t happen often, but expect the odd outage.
Do you find Medellín as dangerous as it’s made out to be? (Any tips on safety)
These days the city is very safe. You’ll probably hear the odd story in a Facebook group about a gringo getting drugged and robbed by his Tinder date. But with common sense, you’re no less safe than any other city in the world.
In fact, the Colombians have the phrase “no dar papaya”. Basically, don’t make yourself a target. So while you’re walking around, try and keep your phone hidden.
When I was in Bucaramanga, I was walking home with my phone out. A guy on a bike zoomed up to me and started barking orders at me in Spanish. When I computed the situation, I understood he was telling me to put my phone away. Then he was gone. Zooming off into the sunset. An extreme situation but not the first time a local has given me a heads up when I was potentially at risk.
What’s the cost of living in Medellín?
Instead of breaking down every. Single. Purchase. According to Monzo, my average monthly expenses are $1000 (excluding $550 on accommodation).
Cash is king here so most of my spending falls under finance. And most of that goes to funding a trip to a pueblo or city every few weeks. I don’t eat out that often, but I do order Rappi (the equivalent of Uber eats) so that equates to roughly the same.
Medellín (and Colombia in general) provides anyone earning pounds or dollars a very good standard of living. The general rule is $2000 a month and you’re living much better than comfortably.
How easy or complicated was your visa process to reside in Colombia?
For the first 90 days, very easy. You can stay in Colombia for 90 days on a tourist visa with no problem. Just make sure you have proof of onward travel. I use onwardticket.com to get around that.
You can then extend your stay for another 90 days while in Colombia pretty easily. I’ve written how here. You’ll need to fill out some forms on the Colombian immigration website and probably visit the immigration office. Alternatively, leave the country for 24hrs and come back. Many people find a cheap flight to Panama or spend a week in Mexico before flying back.
The problem is if you want to stay in the country for more than 180 days in a calendar year. There are some people that overstay their tourist visas. Apparently, you get a fine at the airport for a few hundred dollars. I’ve not been willing to take that risk. Who knows if I want to apply for residency in the future if the right circumstances arise. A black mark could count against me. Instead, I’ve found the best deal I could at a government-approved Spanish school. The student visa covers 2 terms over 6 months. It cost me $760 ($127 a month). You can read how to do it here.
Another option is a medical visa. When I was getting Invisalign the dentist mentioned it as an option. But he also said it wasn’t a guarantee. I did some digging and realised I’d need to hire a lawyer. It seemed too much hassle. But still, an option.
En fin.
Get your arse over here. I guarantee you won’t regret spending a chapter of your life in Medellín. If you have any other questions, let me know in the comments. I’ll keep expanding this Medellín digital nomad guide.
Nick
