Finding something to do when you visit the vibrant and exciting city of Medellin, Colombia, is far from a challenge. Ideal for bachelor parties and a trip away with your mates, you can travel in style on a helicopter tour, taste the extreme during an ATV tour outside the city, join the party squad, and experience the wild nocturnal vibes of Medellin’s nightlife. The only problem you’ll have is narrowing your list down to a few top activities. We’ve selected ten of the most stimulating attractions in Medellin, with tips and details on each.
Pablo Escobar Tour
What would a trip to Medellin be without a tour through the estates and infamous sites of the most notorious drug lord in history? As quoted by The New York Times, in an article about the Medellin legend, ‘The city saw no urgency to tell this part of history, but it’s all any foreigner wants to know about! It’s a sore subject with some locals, that’s why taking a raw, no-frills, educational 3-hour tour led by a local guide is the best way to learn the truth about the world’s once richest and most wanted man.
Comuna 13 Graffiti tour
For a deeper look into the not so distant past of Medellin, you don’t have to go very far, Comuna 13 is a neighborhood that sits on a sprawling hillside to the west of the city. It once served as a fortress for paramilitary groups, guerrillas, and violent drug trafficking gangs who used it as an easy route in and out of the city.
The dark past of the comuna isn’t evident today, thanks to community projects, a set of outdoor escalators, and some local artists, it is now one of the richest, vibrant, and admired comunas in the city. The best way to experience Comuna 13 from a local point of view is by joining one of the Graffiti tours. A guide will walk you through the history of the comuna, and every artist’s creative expression of events.
Venture outside the city on an ATV Tour
If you love a good rush of adrenaline take an ATV Tour with Medellin VIP. Just outside of the city, off the beaten path in Rio Negro, you’ll be given the option of different trails and different quads to choose from depending on the level of difficulty youre looking for. With the #1 ATV tour in Medellin you’ll have a one-off chance to explore the deep valleys and steep mountainsides with an experienced guide. Organize an unbeatable adventure with your mates for some breathtaking views and photo ops of Colombia’s off-the-beaten track ATV trails.
Guatapé and La Piedra del Peñol
After a short 2 hours drive outside of Medellin, and some incredible views along the way, you’ll find yourself in Guatape, a popular Colombian town. It’s small but thriving, surrounded by man made shimmering blue lakes and a 7,000-foot monolith. The rock has been there for millions of years and now there are 742 stairs squeezed into its huge crevasse that you can climb in order to reach the summit. Once you reach the top, refresh yourself with local beer cocktails or ‘Micheladas’ while you enjoy the epic views.
There are also several extreme sports opportunities available in Guatape, from Paragliding to jetskiing, you can even rent a boat and spend a luxurious day partying while you cruise the lake.The best way to enjoy Guatape in style is to take a tour with one of the trusted local VIP services.
Mountains surrounding Medellin
For thrill seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, Medellin offers plenty of opportunities. Surrounded on all sides by lush, rolling green hills, Medellin makes for a perfect adventure destination. The South East of the city offers various trekking routes, leading you through dense, tropical forests where you’ll, without fail, end at a waterfall or natural pool. Some even offer the opportunity to rappel down from the top. The north of the city offers climbing and paragliding opportunities that launch from the top of some of the highest mountains.
Just a short taxi ride or tour service can take you to the nearby trails and arrange your perfectly tailored outdoor adventure day.
Medellin’s nightlife
Party like a Colombian on ‘La Setenta’, the 70th street, for the weekend in a traditional bar with the locals, venture to a hidden salsa venue or visit ‘La zona rosa’, AKA party district, in El Poblado and hit one of the famed electro clubs. For a more exclusive, VIP experience, Las Palmas is famous for its nightclubs, lavish restaurants and 5 star hotels.
To make the most of Medellin’s nightlife it’s worth learning a few basic Salsa steps. If you have time, pick up a private lesson and impress the latinas while you’re here, a great way to meet locals and really get a feel for the rhythm, ‘el sabor’ (the flavor), of the city. For information on where and when, Medellin VIP offers a great concierge service with an expert advisor.
Coffee culture and plantation tours
Who doesn’t like coffee? What would a trip to Colombia be without tasting their own version of liquid gold? Medellin and the surrounding areas are heavily concentrated with coffee plantations where you’ll be able to savor the rich taste of Colombian culture, past and present, while learning all about how coffee is cultivated, from the grain to the cup. Take a customized tour and you’ll be able to sample different types of coffee grain and study the process from start to finish. You’ll be outside of the city, high up in the hills, a VIP coffee plantation tour offers an excellent rest day activity.
Metrocable ride and Medellin’s epic views
Medellin offers 5 metrocable lines that take you soaring up and above the city, offering panoramic views across the length and breadth of the Aburrá valley. From above you’ll be able to experience life in Medellin from a different perspective. It’s recommended to take a Medellin city tour with a local guide, making the experience safer, more accessible and hassle-free. The Metrocable is a relatively new and very welcome concept in the city of eternal spring; you’ll be surprised at the vastness of the city and its surroundings.
Plaza Botero and Medellin’s Center
A VIP city tour offers a guided look into everyday Colombian life and some more cultural activities. You’ll be safely guided through the city center’s streets while you visit Plaza Botero, where famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero donated 23 sculptures and several other artworks that are displayed here. In the safe hands of Medellin VIP, you’ll be able to tour the lively, raw streets of a bustling South American city center and the history of the art and culture in a more relaxed way.
A bird’s eye view of Medellin
For a dramatic experience, where you’ll feel like royalty and witness Medellin in all its splendor, just book an epic Helicopter Tour that promises a VIP experience and unbeatable views of the city from above. It’s an exclusive and unforgettable adventure where you’ll get to see the city in its entirety, while you travel in style. The views will be burned into your memory for a long time because you’ll be hard pushed to find another city so green, lush and impressive. What are you waiting for? Get your quote and book one here now!
If you need help planning your trip our VIP concierge service is happy to help, or if you need somewhere to stay, check out these luxurious vacation rentals. They say the only danger of visiting Medellin is that you might not ever want to leave!
