Welcome to Medellín!
Here we have some tips and information to make your visit and stay as amazing as the city itself.
Ready to fall in love with the Paisa friendliness?
- Location
- Documentation
- Weather
- Safety and Health
- Currency and Money
- Services
Where is Medellin?
Our city is located in Colombia, yes, the first country in South America, which is immediately after Panama and has other equally fascinating neighbors in which Spanish is also spoken; Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.
Medellín is considered the second most important city in the country after Bogotá, the capital of the country, and from where they come, around 48 direct daily flights with a duration of approximately half an hour, being the city with the most number of connections to the capital.
It is located in the Central Mountain Range, one of the three branches of the most important mountain chain in Latin America, the Mountain Range of the Andes, which makes it a city located in a region surrounded by mountains and nature.
People of Medellin
Medellín has around 2,500,000 inhabitants that together with the nine municipalities in its metropolitan area add up to almost 3,800,000, all of them characterized by being part of a hospitable culture, always friendly and with a high sense of belonging to the city.
Antioquia Region
The Central and Western Ranges of the Colombian Andes run through the department of Antioquia, making it a mountainous region with a strong agricultural and livestock tradition. Commerce, industry, and tourism are also important economic activities in Antioquia.
Antioquia has 125 municipalities, including its capital city, Medellín. Twenty of them are considered magical towns (Arboletes, Barbosa, Caldas, Cisneros, Concepción, Dabeiba, Donmatías, El Carmen de Viboral, Entrerríos, Gómez Plata, Guatapé, Jardín, Jericó, Marinilla, Necoclí, Puerto Berrío, San José de la Montaña, San Vicente Ferrer, Santa Fe de Antioquia, Santo Domingo, Sonsón, Támesis, Turbo, Urrao, and Venecia). In turn, three of these are also heritage towns of Colombia: Jardín, Jericó, and Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Jardín and Jericó are known for their typical coffee-growing landscapes, their natural reserves and their charming colorful houses typical of the Republican era and the Antioquia colonization. For its part, Santa Fe de Antioquia is famous for its history and rich architecture including whitewashed facades, multiple churches, museums, and colonial-style mansions from the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, which made it a cultural heritage site since 1960. This town is also well-known for having one of the most solemn Holy Week celebrations in Colombia, its goldsmith workshops where unique pieces of filigree are handcrafted, and its candy markets of typical fruits of the region such as tamarind.
Guatapé is another popular destination for its Piedra del Peñol, one of the largest monoliths in the world. The town captivates visitors with its impressive views, the largest reservoir in Colombia, and its fascinating colorful zócalos.
Visit our 5 districts:
Entry to Medellín and Documentation
To enter Colombia, you only need a passport, and in some cases, a tourist visa, depending on your nationality and length of stay. You can apply for the visa at Colombian embassies or consulates abroad. To check if you need a visa, consult the list of countries requiring one here. Keep in mind that Colombia also offers different types of visas depending on the purpose of your visit.
Types of Visas
Medellín is an ideal destination for remote workers who want to stay a bit longer.
The digital nomad visa is perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or telecommuters working from anywhere in the world.
**Student Visa for Medellín**
If you need a study visa, Colombia offers an M-type visa for academic studies at approved institutions. This applies to programs like technical careers, undergraduate, postgraduate studies, and other educational activities.
For specific requirements, including necessary documents, costs, and application steps, visit: [Student Visa](#).
*Note:* Always verify updated information on the official website as requirements may change.
Make sure to review all the requirements carefully before traveling.
*We want your trip to be hassle-free!*
If your visit to Colombia is for work, you’ll need to apply for an M-type visa (Worker). This visa is for those employed by a Colombian company and requires documents such as employment contracts, certificates of experience, and other specific requirements.
For all the details on requirements, costs, and steps to apply, visit: Work Visa.
Note: Always verify updated information on the official website of Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If you need a study visa, Colombia offers an M-type visa for academic studies at approved institutions. This applies to programs like technical careers, undergraduate, postgraduate studies, and other educational activities.
For specific requirements, including necessary documents, costs, and application steps, visit: Student Visa.
*Note: Always verify updated information on the official website as requirements may change.
Make sure to review all the requirements carefully before traveling.
We want your trip to be hassle-free!
Weather
Medellín has a privileged climate, and it is really common to hear national and international travelers express that it is one of the most pleasant climates in the country, this is because it is characterized by neither being very hot nor very cold, with a temperature average between 16 ° C and 26 ° C.
Our recommendation is to come prepared for the unpredictability of a humid subtropical climate characterized by a temperate environment with frequent rains throughout the year, so bringing a waterproof jacket and a pair of boots would not be bad, and of course light and fresh clothing for sunny days, which are almost all.
It is said that the best time to visit the city is from mid-December to the beginning of March, the time of more summer; but in general, the climate is so pleasant that doing so will always be a good idea. For those who are more lovers of cool temperatures, the period between the beginning of October and mid-January is ideal.

Emergency Numbers:
In case of emergencies, Medellín is always ready to help:
- Police: 123
- Ambulance and Fire Department: 123
- Hospitals: Ask your accommodation for the nearest hospital and call 123 to coordinate assistance.
Pharmacies and Health Services
Pharmacies like La Rebaja and Pasteur are open 24/7 in various parts of the city. Many hospitals also have emergency pharmacies available.
Tourist Assistance:
Medellín is your home away from home! We’re always ready to lend a helping hand, which is why we have PITS, Tourist Information Points, conveniently located throughout the city at key tourist sites and airports. Our friendly staff is ready to answer your questions and provide guidance. And for the latest in smart tourism, we’re proud to have the first Smart Tourism Centre in Colombia, located in Parques del Rio. You can access information through interactive screens and augmented reality. We’re here for you to enjoy without a worry in the world!

Consulates in Medellín
Medellín is so special that several countries have established their consulates here, so, in case you need to do some consular work, you will have several options. Consulates such as those of Peru, Spain and Germany are ready to support their citizens in any case. In total there are 24 consulates in our city, you can check the complete information here:
What can a consulate do for you?
Consulates offer a wide range of services that can be useful to citizens of the country they represent, as well as to local residents or international travelers. Key functions include:
- Emergency assistance: Help with lost documents, arrests, accidents, or medical emergencies.
- Legal procedures: Processing passports, visas, certificates and official documents.
- Voting abroad: Facilitation of voting in the country of origin.
- Civil registration: Registering births, marriages or deaths in the country of origin.
- Advice and counseling: Information on local laws, assistance in special situations, and guidance for tourists or residents.
- Cultural Promotion: Organizing events and activities that strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
Note: It is important to contact the appropriate consulate in advance to verify schedules, specific requirements and availability of services.
Peso Colombiano
The currency of our country is the Colombian peso, which has banknote denominations of one thousand, two thousand, five thousand, ten thousand, twenty thousand, fifty thousand, and one hundred thousand pesos; The last two, as they are high-denomination bills, are less frequently used when making small purchases, especially in informal places or on the street, so we recommend changing them to avoid any inconvenience.
At the same time, it is important to know that in Colombia cash money is much more common than plastic money, however, purchases with credit cards can be made in hotels, supermarkets, stores in shopping centers, restaurants, among others.
Of course, we also have coins and we use them a lot. Their denominations are: one thousand, five hundred, two hundred, one hundred and fifty pesos, they are very useful to adjust the payment of public transport services, food, tips, among others.
Convertidor de moneda USD/COP: Mon, 17 Feb.
This equivalence is quite fluctuating, however, to get an idea, the average of one US dollar in 2020 is equivalent to 3,600 Colombian pesos, approximately what a cappuccino or beer costs. Likewise, a typical lunch can be around five dollars or 20,000 Colombian pesos (sometimes more, sometimes less), a one-liter bottle of water can cost a dollar or 2,600 Colombian pesos and a 5-kilo sack of oranges can cost 1.64 dollars which is equivalent to approximately 6,000 pesos.
In addition to airports, currency exchange offices in Medellín are usually found mainly in shopping centers throughout the city, as well as in neighborhoods with the highest tourist traffic such as the Laureles neighborhood and El Poblado, the city center; and Envigado, municipality of the metropolitan area.
Money, Banks, and Payment Methods
In Medellín, you’ll find banks and 24-hour ATMs throughout the city. Most accept international cards. Restaurants and stores generally accept both cash and cards, so the choice is yours. Mobile payment apps are also widely used.
Important: Travelers entering Colombia can bring up to USD $10,000 or its equivalent without declaration. For amounts exceeding this, you’ll need to complete the Baggage and Money Declaration Form.
While many places accept cards, it’s a good idea to carry cash for street vendors or traditional markets.
At restaurants and bars, a 10% tip is usually added to your bill. This is optional, but if the service was good, tips are greatly appreciated. For other services, tipping is not common but always a kind gesture.
Drinking Water
Water in Medellín is safe to drink and can easily be taken from the tap. In fact, the city and its metropolitan area offer one of the best qualities of drinking water in Colombia, and basic sanitation coverage is over 90%.
Digital Connectivity
Medellín has the largest free internet connection in Colombia. The city has sought to democratize access to technology by providing over 300 Wi-Fi hotspots in public places such as parks, sports facilities, and metro stations, including its 16 comunas and five small towns. According to Speedtest, by July 2022, Medellín had an average upload speed of 9.13 megabits per second (Mbps).
Connectivity
Free WiFi is available at metro stations and most major parks and plazas. Nearly all cafés, restaurants, and shopping malls also offer free WiFi. You’ll always be connected to share your Medellín moments!
For longer stays, consider purchasing a Colombian SIM card. Operators like Claro, Movistar, and Tigo offer affordable data plans. SIM cards are easy to find at operator stores or in airports and shopping malls.
In Colombia, electrical connectors have two flat input pins or a third round one. In Medellin, as in the rest of the country, the power voltage is 110 volts, the frequency is 60 Hz and the plugs are type A / B. Just like in the United States. If you come from another country with a different system, remember to bring adapters!
If you don’t have an adapter, don’t worry, both power adapters and voltage regulators are easy to find in hardware stores, specialty stores and department stores in Medellin.