Top 5 Things to do in Medellin
The city you once knew as Medellin has transformed. It went from being one of the world’s most likely places to get kidnapped, to a bustling financial center.
Social programs and strong leadership have transformed the city of eternal spring into one of South America’s most popular destinations. But how should this benefit you, the eager globetrotter?
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT MEDELLIN?
Today, Medellin is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. With millions of tourists visiting and even settling after retirement.
Tourists enjoy visiting Medellin every year because of its beautiful mountains, friendly locals, warm weather, and vibrant culture. If you’re looking for an exciting place to visit or even settle, you should highly consider Medellin. Here are the top 5 things that you can do while in Medellin:
Outdoor Activities in Medellin
Medellin has a wide array of adventurous activities. From paragliding to mountain climbing, here are 3 outdoor activities that you can explore beyond the city walls. Add these to your top 5 things to do in Medellin.
Paragliding in Medellin
Paragliding in Medellin is spectacular. It combines the thrill of flying with spectacular views of the Aburra Valley. We recommend you do this early as the flight depends on weather conditions and these are optimal in the morning. Usually, 9-11 am.
Our paragliding session is a 20-minute session. We first take the 40-minute drive up to San Felix. Then, a licensed and trained professional will greet you. After pleasantries have been exchanged, you’ll be ready to fly.
Rafting in Medellin
To go rafting in the mighty Samana River, you will take a three-hour drive that will lead you to explore the last untouched rainforest and river in Antioquia. The rainforest boasts biodiversity comparable only to that of the Amazon. However, rafting in the Samana River isn’t for the faint-hearted. Its exhilarating white-water expedition charges to the wild jungle, so you will need an experienced guide.
Rafting will also give you the opportunity to try out the fresh Colombian food prepared by the fire. You’ll shelter in hammocks and camp under the stars as you listen to the tropical rainforest. Get to learn about gold mining and traditional fishing practices from the locals who’ll welcome you with big smiles at the site of your raft in the wild country.
Climbing
Not exactly the rock climbing that outdoor aficionados are used to, but it’s killer for the hungover bachelor party.
One of the best climbing spots is the giant El Peñol in Guatape rock. This is an enormous granite boulder that has routes with sport climbs, which can take you to the top part of the rock. Even if you are not a seasoned climber, you can visit Guatape due to its stunning views.
Cultural Tours in Medellin
Also referred to as the City of Eternal Spring. Medellin is a vibrant city surrounded by beautiful mountains that provides both locals and tourists alike with several cultural activities to enjoy. Some of the best cultural tours in Medellin include:
Guatape Tour
One of the popular day trips from Medellin is the excursion to Guatape. When you climb to the top part of the El Peñol rock, you’ll have a great view of our man-made lake. That’s right, a town was flooded just 40 years ago to make way for a hydroelectric dam.
Other than that, the town is spectacular, people are friendly and if that weren’t enough, Guatape is where we plan our exotic signature boat parties!
Coffee Tour
You can’t visit Medellin without touring an authentic coffee farm. One of the main reasons why most people visit Medellin is because of its coffee, which is famous worldwide. But
However, you won’t have to travel deep into the heart of Colombia to a working coffee farm. You can find some of the best farmers growing the finest coffee in the whole of Colombia in Medellin. This will allow you to see the origin of your favorite coffee on a full-day coffee tour.
Flower Tour
Are you aware that Colombia is the second world’s largest producer of roses and other flowers?. Just outside the Medellin city boundaries, you will find an array of farms whose key specialty is cultivating flowers.
These flowers bloom into special arrangements that are referred to as Silletas which are prepared by experienced silleteros or flower arrangers and farmers. A break from your city life into nature may be just what you’re craving for. This tour is run in August.
Gastronomic Tours in Medellin
Put on your favorite walking shoes and enjoy Medellin’s culinary landscape. Visit some of the local food joints as you delight your taste buds with the yummy Colombian gastronomic specialties. Whether you want to take your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you will easily find Colombian favorites like arepa or bandeja Paisa. If you haven’t done so already, add culinary tours to your top 5 things to do in Medellin.
Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour
Your Medellin visit won’t be complete without touring Comuna 13. Colombia has had a significant transformation, and no other place embodies this attribute like Comuna 13.
So, when traveling to Medellin, don’t forget to include this neighborhood which has a wild past but a brighter future. Apart from learning about the rich Colombian history, you’ll also discover new ways of how art can be woven into history in a true atmosphere.
Medellin Nightlife
Like most of the other cities in Colombia, Medellin will offer you a great cup of coffee, tropical weather, and nice people that you will want to hang around with. But, Medellin is also famous for its nightlife. The city comes to life at night with partygoers, great music, and the best nightclubs in the entire country. Some of the things that you can do at night include:
Visiting Restaurants
According to CNN Travel, Medellin is the hottest culinary scene in South America. There are a variety of new restaurants popping up every day.
You can enjoy yourself at night in one of the chef-owned and operated restaurants with innovative menus.
Local Cuisine
After paragliding and exploring the natural Medellin beauty, you can enjoy the local cuisine as you wind down at night.
It is worth noting that the city is quieter during the weeknight and you can wait for the weekend to see Medellin at its best. But, the slow weekdays can allow you to get a taste of the local cuisine. Some of the Colombian food that you can try include Ajiaco, Arepas, Bandeja Paisa, Empanadas, Trucha, and Mondongo.
Nightclubs in Medellin
Medellin nightlife has something for everyone, from dancing in the salsa clubs to sipping mojitos in the plazas. Although there are several nightlife areas in Medellin, the best one is Parque Lleras. Here, most of the clubs are closed during the day and come to life at night with beautiful lights.
Visit Surrounding Pueblos (Towns)
Located in a narrow valley, Medellin is one of the most beautiful cities in Colombia. With skylines that reach for the heavens, tall office buildings, and high-rise apartments against the jagged peaks. Medellin is situated near other remarkable Pueblos which add to the natural marvels, cultural experiences, and local flavor. Visiting surrounding towns is in our top 5 things to do in Medellin list. Here are a few of our favorites:
Guatape
Your trip to Medellin wouldn’t be complete without visiting Guatapé. This town is located next to a sizeable human-made lake used for hydroelectricity. This town is also home to El Peñón de Guatapé, a gigantic rock that will offer you fantastic views.
Santa Fe de Antioquia
Also referred to as “The Mother City,” this town is reputable for its well-preserved cobbled streets and colonial architecture. The people here are friendly, and the weather is also good, and it’s the perfect place if you want to escape the big city of Medellin. Plus, a road trip to Santa Fe de Antioquia will take you through spectacular landscapes.
Barbosa
This is a small town located about 35 minutes from Medellin. Because it is hidden from the rest of the world and there is little information about it on the Internet, most tourists don’t know about this gem. Barbosa is a great getaway from Medellin. It boasts streams, natural swimming pools, and waterfalls. It is also a good place to go hiking and horseback riding.
Jardin
If you are planning to spend a longer time in Medellin and visit a destination with few backpackers, then colonial Jardin is the right ticket. Jardin has an unchanged colonial architecture that dates back 140 years ago. If you want a quiet retreat away from the busy city, this is an excellent getaway.
Jericó
Often hailed as the Athens of the Southwest, Jerico, has all the ingredients of a great tourist destination. It has well-preserved colonial architecture, religious attractions, and stunning natural landscapes for hiking or paragliding. What’s more, Jericó is among the best coffee towns in the entire country.
Investment Opportunities in Medellin
Visiting, setting up your business, or living in Medellin would have been an impossible task two decades ago, but the story has changed.
Medellin is a landmark for both business and travel. In fact, a recent post on the Huff Post describes Medellin, Colombia as the ultimate investment and live destination.
Medellin has seven economic sectors that you can invest in, including industries, agribusiness, chemicals, renewable energies, manufacturing, and creative business. Some of the reasons why you should invest in Medellin include:
- Infrastructure
- Quality of Life
- Strategic Location
What type of plan would you like to have in Medellin? Medellin Vip can help organize your itinerary based on the Top 5 things to do in Medellin. Be sure to contact us today!
