What currency is used in Medellín?

Medellín uses the Colombian peso (COP).

How much does a day in Medellín cost?

Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-120 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Medellín?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Medellín without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Medellín travel guide

Colombia

The 'city of eternal spring' in a green Andean valley: a mild climate all year, a large nomad community and a famously friendly welcome.

Essentials

Language: Spanish; English is limited outside El Poblado
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
Plugs: Types A and B, 110 V
Emergency number: 123
Tipping: Restaurants usually suggest a voluntary 10 percent service charge on the bill, which you can decline; taxi drivers are not usually tipped.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $30-50, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $70-120, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Medellín

Laureles: residential, walkable and full of local cafés.
El Poblado: the busiest area for restaurants, nightlife and co-working.
Comuna 13: hillside street art and escalators, best visited with a local guide.

Getting around Medellín

The metro and its Metrocable lines are clean and cheap; a Cívica card covers them. Use ride-hailing apps at night.

Best time to visit Medellín

Any time of year; December to February and July to August are the driest.

Top things to do in Medellín

Take a guided walk through Comuna 13's murals and outdoor escalators
See the rounded bronze figures in Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia beside it
Wander the Jardín Botánico and its wooden Orquideorama
Take a salsa class, then try your steps at a neighbourhood salsa bar
Watch a football match at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot

What to eat in Medellín

Bandeja paisa: a vast plate of beans, rice, minced beef, chorizo, chicharrón, fried egg and plantain
Arepa: a grilled corn cake that turns up at almost every meal
Buñuelo: a fried ball of cheesy dough, best warm
Tinto: a small cup of black coffee, sold everywhere

Day trips from Medellín

Guatapé: climb the roughly 700 steps of El Peñol rock above a reservoir, about two hours by bus
Santa Fe de Antioquia: a whitewashed colonial town, about 90 minutes away
Jardín: a coffee town with a colourful main square, about three to four hours by bus

Local etiquette

Greetings matter: say 'buenos días' first, and use 'usted' with older people and strangers. Joking about Pablo Escobar or the city's violent past is still painful for many locals.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from Claro, Movistar or Tigo are sold in phone shops and supermarkets, and Wi-Fi is fast and common in cafés and co-working spaces.

Staying safe

Phone snatching is common, so keep yours out of sight on the street and avoid showing valuables. Do not leave drinks unattended or accept them from strangers, as drugging has been reported, including after dating-app meet-ups.

A local tip

Ride the Metrocable up to Parque Arví for a day in the forest above the city.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Medellín on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Medellín for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Medellín, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Medellín

What currency is used in Medellín?: Medellín uses the Colombian peso (COP).
What is the emergency number in Medellín?: In Medellín, call 123.
When is the best time to visit Medellín?: Any time of year; December to February and July to August are the driest.
How much does a day in Medellín cost?: Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-120 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Medellín?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Medellín without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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