A Day in the Life of American in Medellín

TLDR? A day in the life of an American in Medellin is much like it would be in New York or LA!

The city of Medellín is a diamond in the rough, a city completely different from anywhere in the USA. 

I fell in love with the culture, people, architecture, and natural spaces. After visiting, I’m sure you’ll agree that Medellín is one of the best cities in the world.

Read ahead to learn about what it’s like to live as an American in Medellín! 

What Is It Like to Live in Medellin?

You may experience a bit of culture shock when you first arrive in Medellín but don’t worry, you’ll get used to it! 

Living in Medellín is a lot cheaper and easier than it may seem, though the cost of living can vary depending on where you book your hotel, Airbnb, or other place of residence. 

I recommend booking an apartment in the city’s most well-known or central neighborhoods, such as Laureles or El Poblado. While there are cheaper places to rent, they’re often in more dangerous neighborhoods. 

If you’re having trouble finding a place to stay, review the best options on the casacol page.

Another amazing aspect of Medellín is the food – you can try a different plate of food every day, from local to international meals. Just be careful when trying Colombian dishes so as not to hurt your stomach. 

Transportation in Medellin

You may be used to traveling by subway in American cities, and the Medellín metro system isn’t too different. Moving around the city really isn’t all that complicated. You just need to keep a few things in mind depending on the type of transport you take. 

Here are the transportation options in Medellín: 

• Metro
• Metro cable
• Bus
• Taxis
• Private transport applications
• Bicycle 

I’ve rented vehicles but found using public transport is much cheaper. All you need to do is purchase a Civic card, which you can top off when needed. 

I’ve also used the bicycle loan system from time to time, accessible with a Civic card. Medellín is a great bike city, so you’ll be able to move around with safety and ease. 

Things to Do for Fun

Medellín is full of activities, indoors, outdoors, day or night! 

When I first got to Medellín, I took a bunch of different tours to get to know the city. I recommend trying out some of these activities as a first-time tourist: 

Tour of Natural Parks

You can visit Arví Park and the Piedras Blancas park, ideal for hiking and enjoying nature and the views of the city.

Take a trip to Cerro Nutibara and see the famous Paisa village on top of the hill, and round out your day with a visit to the botanical gardens 

Museum Tour

One of my favorite things about Medellín is the prevalence of art and culture everywhere you look. 

The city has a  list of museums displaying all kinds of art, and there are even permanent outdoor exhibitions such as La Plaza Botero. 

I recommend checking out the Museo del Agua: its main purpose is to show the importance of water for our planet, and its interactive approach makes it a great way to spend a fun afternoon. 

Go to Restaurants

Medellín’s restaurant scene is amazing: not only can you find traditional Colombian food, but dishes from across the globe. 

I’ve even tried some amazing Middle Eastern food, and found a new favorite cuisine! 

Tour of the Communes

I decided to take a tour of the city’s communes to get a taste of all of Medellín’s amazing neighborhoods. 

The most famous neighborhood is La Comuna 13, home to enough street art and small museums to make anyone fall in love with its paisa charm. 

Where to Learn Spanish

Colombia has its own version of Spanish, and you’ll encounter different accents and dialects everywhere you go. 

That being said, it’s not a necessity to be a Spanish speaker in Medellín. As a city visited by tourists from all over the world, English is commonly spoken to avoid language barriers. 

If you’re interested in learning Spanish like I was, I can recommend some great places to start learning: 

• EAFIT: One of the best universities in Medellin, where you can take quality classes in the city.
• Elefun Language School: One of the best-known and full-service schools with different types of programs and activities.
• Blink: This school offers intensive Spanish packages so you can learn in the blink of an eye.
• Baselang: Located in Laureles, here you can find free online classes or attend individual or group classes in person. 

ProTrip: Remember that if you want to extend your visa in Colombia, studying the language or a professional career helps you stay longer in the country.

How Is the Weather?

After living here for a while, I can tell you that they don’t call Medellín the City of Eternal Spring for nothing! Here the weather is always the perfect temperature, never too hot or too cold. 

Medellín does not have seasons as North America does, but it does have rainy seasons and dry seasons. I made the mistake of only packing summer outfits before I realized I needed clothing to protect me from the rain! 

How to Make Friends in Medellin

In general, the people of Medellín are very friendly to foreigners, and wherever you go you’ll find kind people ready to give you directions or advice. 

However, if you want to start making real friends, you might want to try out some different activities, such as taking a Spanish class. 

Some other great activities to meet new people are: 

Hiking

Medellín is full of hills and parks great for hiking. You can find groups of people taking hiking tours to add friends to your social circle. 

Pub Crawl 

A Pub Crawl is a fun way to let loose and make some new friends. Alongside a group of people, you can take a tour of different bars throughout the city, where you can meet new people, try different drinks, and listen to all kinds of music. 

Coworking Spaces

If you’re a digital nomad tired of working at home, I invite you to look at some of the coworking spaces in the city. 

Book Dance Classes

These classes are not only a great way to burn off steam and stay in good shape, but also an excellent way to meet friends and have fun. 

You’ll find foreigners and locals alike who love to move to the rhythm of different styles of music.

Night Life in the Capital Paisa

I’m sure you want to know more about the nightlife in Medellín! 

If you’re worried the city doesn’t have enough places to go out, worry no more. Medellín is a city with long days and even longer nights, and you’ll find restaurants and bars everywhere you go. 

Weekends are amazing in Medellín, especially Saturday nights. 

I’ve visited a bunch of places with different styles of music and drinks, and have put together a list of my favorites: 

1. Cervecería 3 Cordilleras

I recommend visiting this place if you are a fan of good craft beer. I tested a few during my visit and found my new favorite beer! 

They play music from across all genres to please any audience, especially on Thursdays during the Vive 3 Cordilleras festival. 

Address: Calle 30 44-176, Medellin, Colombia

2. Pub Rock Lleras

If you’re into rock and roll, visiting Pub Rock Lleras is a must. Here you’ll be able to see some amazing local bands pay tribute to the legends of rock. 

The bar’s retro style goes with the music, and if you get a bit hungry, accompany your beer with a delicious burger. 

Address: Cra. 37a #8-12,El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia.

3. Envy

Located on a rooftop overlooking the city, Envy is an elegant place to enjoy city weather and a good drink. 

The bar offers a live DJ by pool, making it the ideal place to sip cocktails while enjoying house and reggaeton music. 

Address: Cl. 9A #37-16, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

4. Salon Amador

If you’re into electronic music, this is a great place to listen to international DJs play live techno house and techno deck. 

It gets pretty crowded and you may find yourself struggling to get a beer, but the party atmosphere is totally worth it! 

Address: Cl 10 #40-30, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

What to Do if You Miss USA

Although I love living in this city, I do get a bit homesick from time to time and want to do things that feel like home. 

Here are some recommendations or places to go if you want to find something from the USA in Medellin:

• Language exchange meeting: This is one of my favorite activities and where I have been able to meet people from other countries and exchange experiences. For this activity, you can find different options in the city.
• Eat American food: There is nothing I love more than eating and Medellin has great options for American food. From burgers, wings, and delicious American breakfasts. You can even find a Hooters! 
• Celebrate your own 4th of July: While the city does not celebrate this date,, you can find places with an American atmosphere to party at. Visit some restaurants or even have a picnic.

Live Like an American in Medellin

Medellín is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with so much to do and experience. Come visit and see for yourself!

If you like this blog, you might like the Casacol Instagram page to keep up with all the new articles. Anything we need to update or correct? Care to contribute? Email us at blog@casacol.co