Essentials
- City
- Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- Population
- Approx. 2,600,000 (Metropolitan area 4,000,000)
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-200 Mbps (Fiber available widely in El Poblado and Envigado)
- Currency & Banking
- Colombian Peso (COP). 1 USD ≈ 3,900 COP / 1 EUR ≈ 4,200 COP
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and safe in the city (high-quality mountain water)
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Tigo, Claro, or Movistar. Approx. 40,000 COP ($10 USD) for 20GB/month
- Banking for Expats
- Bancolombia, Davivienda; Lulo Bank and NuBank are popular digital alternatives
- Accommodation
- Monthly rentals range from $800 USD (Studio) to $2,500 USD (Luxury Penthouse)
- Cashless Friendly
- Mainly Yes; cards accepted in malls/upscale areas, but cash is king for street vendors/taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Tellanto, and localized platforms like Roomi
- Budget Accommodation
- Los Patios Hostel (approx. $25/night dorm, $70/night private), Selina Medellín
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- El Poblado (Specifically Parque Lleras and Provenza) for nightlife/dining
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Laureles (flatter, more local feel) or Envigado (residential and quiet)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Semilla Community (Laureles) - $15 Daily / $180 Monthly; Co-Work Latam (Poblado)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Pergamino Coffee Roasters (Via Primavera) or Hija Mía (Patiño Market)
- Networking Events
- Medellín Entrepreneurs Weekly Meetup at various breweries; Friday Language Exchanges
- Social Events for Expats
- Medellín Digital Nomads Facebook Group; Gringo Tuesdays at Vintrash Bar
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, InDrive, and Cabify (Yellow taxis use 'Taximetro')
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Encicla (Public bike share - free for registered users); Turibike for rentals
- Best Beach Nearby
- None (landlocked city). Closest is Turbo/Arboletes (8 hours) or fly to Cartagena (1 hour)
- Top Regional Airline
- EasyFly (Clic) and SATENA (flying from Olaya Herrera Airport/EOH)
- Top International Airline
- Avianca, LATAM, and American Airlines (via Jose Maria Cordova/MDE)
- Highway Access
- Autopista Regional (Connects North/South) and Las Palmas (Connects to airport)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- San Antonio Station (Transfer hub for Metro Line A, B, and Tram)
- Public Transport Passes
- Cívica Card (required for Metro, Metrocable, and Tram); ~3,000 COP per trip
- Regional Travel
- Terminal del Norte (to Guatapé/Bogotá) and Terminal del Sur (to Jardín/Coffee Region)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe and Clínica El Rosario (high-tech private facilities)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Flying Tree Yoga (Laureles) and Atman Yoga (Poblado)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- SmartFit (multiple locations, ~100k COP/month) and Bodytech (Premium)
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Burbujas (Poblado) - Approx. 10,000 COP per kilo (wash/dry/fold)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Rappi (extremely dominant and efficient)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bandeja Paisa (Beans, rice, pork belly, egg, avocado, arepa)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Helecho (Vegan Sushi) and Kai (Plant-based dining in Poblado)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Ammazza Gin Garden (for artisanal Gelato) and Repostería Astor
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Plaza Minorista (Massive local food market) and Exito Supermarkets
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Colombia
- Grocery Delivery
- Rappi or Carulla.com.co
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Provenza (upscale) and La 70 in Laureles (authentic salsa/crossover)
- Local Brewery
- 20Mission Cervecería and Cervecería Libre
- Wine Bars
- Criminal Wine (Poblado) and Vinolivo
- Street Food Stalls
- Mercado del Río (Upmarket food hall) and street Empanadas in Envigado
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mamasita Medallo (Fusion) and Seoul Ghost (Korean BBQ)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Plaza Botero (Giant sculptures) and Comuna 13 (Graffiti & Escalators)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de Antioquia and Museo de Arte Moderno (MAMM)
- Historical Sites
- Casa de la Memoria (Conflict museum) and Pueblito Paisa
- Religious Sites
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín and San José Church
- Annual Events
- Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival in August)
- Cultural Districts
- Barrio Prado (Historical mansions) and Comuna 13
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Metropolitano Jose Gutierrez Gomez
- Local Markets
- Mercado de San Alejo (Handicrafts/Monthly first Saturday)
- Music Scene
- El Eslabón Prendido (Salsa) and Salon Malaga (Tango/Bolero)
- Street Art
- Comuna 13 'Graffitour' and murals in Getsemaní-style Laureles
- Cooking Classes
- Colombian Little Kitchen (Laureles)
- Art Galleries
- Lokkus Arte Contemporáneo
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe
- Local Heritage
- 'Paisa' culture - known for industriousness and friendliness
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Guatapé & El Peñol (2 hours away); Santa Fe de Antioquia
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Arví (Accessible by Metrocable from Santo Domingo station)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ciclovía (Sundays/Holidays major roads close for biking); Cerro El Volador
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador Las Palmas (City views at night) and Cerro de las Tres Cruces (Hike)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Jardín Botánico de Medellín
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lleras Park areas (commercial) or private fincas in Llano Grande
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega and Coordinadora
- Tech Repair Services
- Monterrey Technology Mall (El Poblado)
- Table Tennis Spots
- INDER Medellín public spaces and certain sports complexes in Laureles
- Language Classes
- Universidad EAFIT Spanish Program and Toucan Spanish School
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública Piloto and Library Parks (Parques Biblioteca)
- Community Centers
- Ruta N (Innovation and business hub)
- Gaming Lounges
- Arena Gaming (various locations)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino San Remo and Casino Hollywood
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $132,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $84,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,300 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $104,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 35% (Standard rate for 2024-2026)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Residency-based (Worldwide income taxed after 183 days in the country)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39%
- VAT
- 19% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents with control over foreign entities
- Property Tax
- Predial - ranges from 0.5% to 1.2% of cadastral value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration fees/taxes approx. 2-3% of purchase price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa (V-Nomadas Digitales) allows 2 years stay; income from abroad may be exempt if not tax resident