Medellín Travel Guide

Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia. It has 2.62 million residents (2024) and is the capital of the department of Antioquia. It's set in a valley running south to north and just a one-hour flight from Bogotá. For international travelers, Medellín is perhaps most famous for the Antioquia Museum, with its extensive collection of Botero paintings inside and Botero sculptures outside on its main plaza. The city is also known for its perfect climate with its nickname "city of the eternal spring".

For international flights, the fare can be way lower when arriving inBogotaorCaliand then taking a separate flight to Medellin.

Medellín is generally a safe city for tourism, depending on the part of town you visit and the hours and is much safer than in previous years. In 2022, the homicide rate in Medellín was its lowest since the 1970s, at 15 per 100,000, which is a little lower than Dallas, Texas. According to the US State Department, murders have involved tourists and U.S citizens, and there remains a risk of "terrorist" actions in the urban area. Much of the violence is concentrated within the city's hillside slums

Most of the inexpensive hotels in Medellín are in El Centro. Although the area is vibrant at day, going out at night is dangerous and should be avoided.