Medellín, Colombia 🇨🇴
#219
6.244338, -75.573553
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Medellín is the second-largest city in Colombia, known for its pleasant climate and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Over 2.5 million residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speeds of approximately 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 4,000 COP. Major banks include Bancolombia, Davivienda. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally drinkable in most areas, but bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 110V, 60Hz, Type A and B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Claro, Tigo, and Movistar. Prepaid plans starting at around 20,000 COP. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banco Popular and Bancolombia are expat-friendly. Options for international accounts available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and shared houses, prices range from 800,000 COP to 1,800,000 COP per month. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted, especially visa and mastercard. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental sites are popular for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Los Patios and Casa Blanca offer beds starting at 50,000 COP per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Selina Medellín is popular among digital nomads, offering day passes from 20,000 COP. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Velvet in El Poblado has strong Wi-Fi and a friendly atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech and startup meetups regularly organized through platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Medellín Expat Community on Facebook hosts regular meetups and gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Apps like Uber and Didi are preferred for ride-hailing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bird and Lime offer bike and scooter rentals throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Santa Marta and Cartagena are approximately 8 hours away by bus. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Avianca and Viva Air operate domestically within Colombia. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Major carriers include American Airlines and Copa Airlines. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to Autopista Norte and Autopista Sur. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Estación Medellín is the main transit hub for national travel. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metro tickets cost 2,600 COP each, and monthly cards available for residents. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses from Terminal del Norte connect Medellín to nearby cities and towns. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe is a top public hospital in Medellín. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga studio Zen on Calle 10 offers classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Smart Fit and Bodytech are popular gym chains, memberships starting at 90,000 COP per month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Express offers affordable wash-and-fold services, prices around 1,500 COP per kg. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi is the most popular food delivery app in Medellín. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Bandeja Paisa is a traditional must-try dish, featuring beans, rice, meat, and avocado. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Café Ecmopolitan offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Dulcear is a well-known bakery for traditional Colombian desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | La 70 offers a range of local food markets and budget shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Mercado Libre is widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Rappi and Domicilios.com offer grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | El Poblado is known for its vibrant nightlife with numerous bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cerveza 3 Cordilleras is a popular local brewery offering tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bodega y Vinos offers a cozy environment to sample wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors serve arepas and empanadas at various locations throughout the city. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Tokyo Sushi and La Provincia serve diverse international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Plaza Botero and the Medellín Metrocable are top attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo de Antioquia showcases local art and culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The El Castillo Museum offers insight into Medellín's history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepción is an important local church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Feria de las Flores is a major festival held every August. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Comuna 13 is famous for its street art and cultural tours. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Metropolitano hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado del Rio is a popular gastronomic market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Casa de la Música hosts regular live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Comuna 13 is recognized for its vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Esperanza Verde offers Colombian cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería W are showcases contemporary art in Medellín. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palacio de la Cultura is a notable historic building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city symbolizes resilience and innovation after its challenging past. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Guatapé offers beautiful lakes and hiking opportunities, about a 2-hour drive from Medellín. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parque Arví is easily accessible and offers a unique hiking experience. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Ciclovía is a dedicated path that closes streets for cycling and walking on Sundays. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cerro Nutibara offers a stunning view of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Las Orquídeas Park is known for its diverse bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Parque Arví features designated areas for gatherings and bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Servientrega and Coordinadora are reliable shipping services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tiendas de tecnología in El Poblado offer various device repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local parks often have tables available for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | CICLUS Language School offers Spanish immersion courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca España offers quiet spaces for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Casa de la Memoria features cultural events and workshops. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Respawn Gaming Lounge provides a space for gamers and esports. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Los Angeles in El Poblado offers a range of gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 5,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 200,000,000 COP) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 3,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 140,000,000 COP) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 6,000,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 360,000,000 COP) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 4,200,000 COP per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 252,000,000 COP) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 5,500,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 440,000,000 COP) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 3,800,000 COP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 304,000,000 COP) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 31% for corporate entities. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Due to tax treaties, typically around 10%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 39% for individuals earning above a certain threshold. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Colombia has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on the value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 1.5% on property purchases. |