7 Reasons Why I Love Medellín— and You Should, Too!
Cities suck. For this traveler, cities more often than not blur and mesh together in my mind like some sort of cramped, overpopulated, over-polluted, unoriginal megalopolis. To me, there is rarely much of a difference from one city to another.
However, once in awhile, a city can truly captivate me. I was surprisingly entranced by the fairytale magic of Prague, the close-knit community of Hong Kong, the wild yet relaxed and organized lifestyle of Hanoi, and the palpably romantic atmosphere of Budapest.
And, when I’m struck by the unique qualities of a city, I really will not shut-up about it. So, here I am, ready and willing to brag about yet another unique city on this impossibly vast planet:
Medellín
Granted, Colombia itself is a remarkable and special place that truly doesn’t get enough credit. However, Medellín exceeded my expectations— and I truly expected the best because I’d heard a lot of hype from fellow travelers. And I mean a lot. Not a single fellow traveler who had visited Medellín had bad things to say.
And, after visiting it for myself for a solid month, I can see why. Without further ado, here are my top 7 reasons Medellín is one of the greatest cities on Earth.
1.) The Nightlife, Music, & Salsa Dancing
You can’t begin to understand Colombia culture without first diving into the music and salsa dancing scene. In all honesty, Colombia was the first country I’ve ever visited in South America, so this was my first up-close experience with the Latin music scene. And the dancing. The constant salsa dancing.
Keep in mind, I hate dancing. I can barely walk without falling over, let alone dance in a very particular style!
But, when I went to Colombia, I joined my Spanish immersion school for a salsa dancing class for beginners— and I somehow sucked more than I thought I would! However, even though I was remarkably terrible at it, I instantly fell in love with it— and kept salsa dancing. And I mean constantly. Nearly every night.
One of the most magical parts of salsa dancing in Medellín particularly is that it isn’t always sexual. Anyone can dance with anyone. There are no expectations. As a woman, this immediately attracted me because my partners never had ulterior motives. They just wanted to dance! I danced with teenage boys, old Colombian men, foreigners of varying ages, and even other women (not recommended, though, as men and women have different steps to follow)!
Salsa dancing in Medellín changed my outlook on my life, myself, and my body. Every song and every dance was a lesson— and not just the steps of my feet! That, and the music is simply entrancing.
However, the nightlife isn’t just closed off to salsa music and dancing. There are a plethora of clubs and bars to visit to fit any taste and lifestyle! I mean, I even went to a bar with a ball pit. You want it, Medellín’s got it!
My beautiful friend, Brooke, and I, moments from going out salsa dancing!
2.) The Paisas
The people who are from northwestern Colombia, which includes the city of Medellín, are referred to as “paisas.” Paisas, in my experience, are some of the most friendly, welcoming, proud, and generous people I’ve ever met in my travels. No matter how much or how little they have, they are beyond happy to share it all with you— even a bumbling foreigner such as myself.
On top of that, they cling to an inherent national pride. They refuse to be defined by Pablo Escobar and his notorious antics. In Medellín specifically, which was Escobar’s hometown, the people are even more resistant to this definition because they, more than anyone else, were damaged by him in countless ways. Despite that persistent pain, they are moving on. They are pushing forward, embracing and reaching for the shimmering future on the horizon— and they are ecstatic to share their culture, city, and way of life with the world.
And, finally, the world is starting to see and hear them.
My beautiful friend, Brooke, and I in Comuna 13, a part of the city riddled with life-shattering and thought-provoking street art made by locals
3.) The Beautiful Language
I have always been infatuated with the Spanish language. While in grade school, I learned it from 7th to 10th grade, but stopped until I lived in Prague (back in 2016-17!) and got an incredible Spanish tutor for a year (bizarre place to do it, yes, but it helped immensely!). But, I never became fluent (and still am not). To me, learning Spanish has always been a huge goal of mine. So, I had originally gone to Colombia in order to attend a Spanish immersion school to finally get my butt in gear and learn the language already!
But, why Colombia? Because they speak Spanish with one of the most clear and “neutral” accents in the Spanish-speaking world. And why Medellín? Because the weather is unbeatable (more on that later), the low cost of living, and the extremely friendly and patient locals who are more than happy to practice Spanish with you.
As a person who loves warm weather, loves everything budget-friendly, and is overly critical of her second-language speaking abilities, it wouldn’t have made sense for me to go anywhere else but Medellín!
Just some of my amazing fellow classmates and I from my Spanish immersion school!
4.) All the Greenery
While waltzing around the streets of Medellín, it was impossible for me not to be mesmerized by the natural beauty. It’s everywhere. The city itself is nestled in the Aburrá Valley, surrounded by the Andes mountains. The center of the city is located within the valley, yet much of the city branches out in elegance, stretching itself like tendrils of ivy amongst the emerald mountains.
Even on the ground level, nature is ever-present. There are trickling creeks next to busy streets, pocket parks of varying sizes and beauty, and comforting hints of the mountains so nearby yet so far. Within this city, Mother Nature is always within reach and view.
It’s truly one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen.
5.) The Unbeatable Weather and Climate
I hate winter and I am not afraid to shout that fact from the rooftops (I’ve done it before). However, brutal and humid summers aren’t the love of my life, either.
Cue Medellín, the City of Eternal Spring.
And, yes, that’s a common phrase to describe the city and its climate. Due to its geographical location, it is in a nearly constant state of spring. Winter doesn’t exist. Summer doesn’t exist. The temperature hovers around 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 degrees Celsius) year round. Sure, it rains occasionally and what have you, but hey— no winters? No brutal summers? Say no more— I’m in!
6.) Affordability
That cost of living... My word. It’s exceptional. You could easily live in the city of Medellín on $1,000-$2,000 per month (depending on your lifestyle), including rent, utilities, food, festivities— everything. Rent for a one-bedroom can range from $600 USD per month in an expensive area to $300 in a normal area. Hungry? Get a meal for $5. Thirsty? Get a beer for about $1.
I mean, come on. Need I continue?
7.) Transportation and its Undying Local Pride
Ever traveled to work or to hang out with your friends by cablecar? No? Well, the people in Medellín have— and they do it every day. At nearly any point, you can see cablecars, quietly and gracefully gliding through the hills, guiding locals to their destinations. This cablecar system is tied in with the Metro system. So, you can hop from bus to tramcar to metro to cablecar with ease.
The public transportation is fascinating in Medellín. But, what is quite possibly even more fascinating has to be the local pride in it. The locals boast about the efficiency, cleanliness, affordability, and unique essence of them. I mean, if anyone—and I mean anyone, whether it be a local or foreigner, celebrity or non— tries to deface the transportation system in any way, they will pay for it. But, interestingly, not by the police, but by the local witnesses. Bottom line: don’t mess with the public transportation in Medellín, but simply marvel in its pristine existence and enjoy the ride.
The world has shed a dark shadow over Medellín— and Colombia as a whole— for far too long. It is a truly remarkable place that deserves to be recognized for its unique and jaw-dropping qualities. Thank you, Colombia, for illuminating your magic to me. I genuinely can’t wait to return—and possibly never leave!
