Guidebook for Your Stay in Medellín
Gyms
Bodytech Rio Sur
Probably the best gym in the neighborhood - 10 min walk.
Smart Fit Golden Mile
Carrera 42Well-priced, just down the hill. 5 min walk.
Action Fitness Santafe
Upper floor of C.C. Santa Fe - you can work out with a view on the city.
Food scene
A small market with various food options - definitely worth checking out.
132 locals recommend
Mercado del Río
48-28 Cl. 24A small market with various food options - definitely worth checking out.
Great for dinners with city view - make sure to reserve a table a day before.
24 locals recommend
Colosal Restaurante
9F-13 Calle 16a SurGreat for dinners with city view - make sure to reserve a table a day before.
Very good food - not only the desserts but also the main dishes. You should definitely give it a try.
13 locals recommend
Crepes & Waffles Santafé
Carrera 43AVery good food - not only the desserts but also the main dishes. You should definitely give it a try.
La Pampa Argentina
35-69 Calle 18Argentine asado at its best. You can find several branches throughout the city.
Andrés Carne de Res - Medellín
6 Sur 26 Cra. 43AColombia's most famous & popular restaurant.
Neighborhoods
Laureles
Nice & vibrant neighborhood, has a nice restaurant & bar scene.
If you want to get to know real Medellín, this neighborhood is the right choice. Make sure to check out la placita de flores, a local indoor market.
6 locals recommend
Buenos Aires
If you want to get to know real Medellín, this neighborhood is the right choice. Make sure to check out la placita de flores, a local indoor market.
City/town information
Jardín
Must visit while in Antioquia. You won't regret it.
The former capital of Antioquia - a small colonial town. Must visit - book a place with pool.
211 locals recommend
Santa Fe de Antioquia
The former capital of Antioquia - a small colonial town. Must visit - book a place with pool.
You are obviously planning on seeing Guatape. Make sure to avoid long weekends if you don't like large crowds of people.
458 locals recommend
Guatapé
29-61 Cl. 32You are obviously planning on seeing Guatape. Make sure to avoid long weekends if you don't like large crowds of people.
Worth checking out - a 45 minute drive from Guatape (check out the hostel "Ritmo del Río" if you want to spend the night). Great place to take a swim in the river.
28 locals recommend
San Rafael
Worth checking out - a 45 minute drive from Guatape (check out the hostel "Ritmo del Río" if you want to spend the night). Great place to take a swim in the river.
Colombia's porcelain capital - make sure to have a look. Beautifully handcrafted art at unbelievable prices.
30 locals recommend
El Carmen de Viboral
Colombia's porcelain capital - make sure to have a look. Beautifully handcrafted art at unbelievable prices.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Terminal del Sur & Terminal del Norte Bus Stations
From these two bus stations you can easily take a bus to get to almost anywhere in Antioquia. Guatape: terminal del norte. Jardín: terminal del sur.
Getting around
Metro
You do not need a metro card to take the metro train. You can simply purchase a one way ticket (or pay for several trips) paying in cash at the counter. When entering bus, you pay cash to the driver (there is a fixed price, which is raised by 100 pesos every year. it should be between 2200 and 3000 pesos.
Don't miss
First Saturday of the month: Mercado de Artesanías
The first Saturday of every month you can find a handicraft market at Parque Bolívar, downtown.
Don't miss
3 Cordilleras Brewery
Every Thursday (and I believe Friday & Saturday) you can go and see the local 3 Cordilleras Brewery - you get 5 craft beers and a guided tour explaining the process of making them.
Getting around
Renting a car
If you want to rent a car, you can feel free to send me a message. I will talk to one of the neighbors who runs a car rental company who can leave you the car on your personal parking space within a few hours.
Ways to save
Order Groceries at Merqueo.com
Merqueo.com allows you to buy all the groceries you may desire at the same place (fruit, vegetables, meat, cleaning supplies, etc). They usually have way better prices than Carulla & Jumbo, which are the two closest stores in the neighborhood. I usually order through their website using my laptop, but I imagine they also have an app. Have only made positive experiences with their service.