10 Tips on How to Choose an Airbnb in Medellin

TLDR? Choosing an Airbnb in Medellin is easy if you take your time and read all the available information. 

For most of us, choosing where to stay when we go on vacation can be a bit of a hassle. That’s because we don’t have any context as to what a good place is versus a terrible place. 

Medellin is one of the most visited cities in the coffee country of Colombia, which means that plenty of people are seeking out accommodation before their big trip. 

If you’re in that boat and are prepping for a trip to the City of Eternal Spring, I hear you. To make the hunt easier, here are ten tips to help you choose an airbnb in Medellin. 

1. Book With AirCover

Airbnb has come a long way since it first launched. And, one of the things that has changed is insurance policies. 

Whereas before, if you wanted to get some kind of travel insurance company, you would have had to take care of it yourself, today that’s not the case. 

Airbnb launched its AirCover policy in 2021, and it’s only getting better and better as time goes on. 

AirCover basically protects your reservation in the event that the host wants to cancel. A couple of the protections included are:

Among the Air Cover protections are:

• Reservation protection guarantee.
• Accommodation guarantee.
• Guarantee of fulfillment of the reserved.
• 24-hour protection line.

Now, remember, with AirCover you’re paying a bit extra. But, if you’re traveling internationally, it’s not a bad idea to consider investing in it. 

After all, it’s better safe than sorry!

2.  Choose a Place According to Your Activities

Another pro tip for finding an Airbnb is to pick your location according to what types of activities you want to participate in. 

Now, I know that this is going to get a bit complicated, so let me offer you a bit of advice. 

In Medellin, most tours leave from either Poblado or Laureles. If you’re planning to go on major tours to out-of-town areas or even just city sightseeing trips, you might want to pick one of these neighborhoods to stay in. 

Otherwise, you may find that you have to spend a lot of time getting from one place to another just to participate in your activity!

You should also think about what types of activities you want to get involved in. If you’re going to be working remotely as a digital nomad, you might want to pick a place where there are plenty of coworking spots. 

On the other hand, if you’ll just be visiting museums, this isn’t as important.   

3.  Know Your Neighborhoods

Another thing to think about before you visit Medellin is which neighborhoods you should stay in and which you shouldn’t. 

While a place might seem safe with a quick Google search, it’s hard to know whether or not a place is actually okay to stay in until you’re actually there. 

The good news is we actually have a guide with the best neighborhoods in Medellin and where to stay. Check it out to get a clear picture of where you might want to book your Airbnb. 

 4. Take a Look at the Reviews

I’ve long since lost faith in Google reviews, since I know they can be easy to manipulate. 

On the other hand, Airbnb is a bit trickier. You can only leave reviews if you’ve actually stayed in the apartment, which means that what people are saying really is true.

When you get on Airbnb and read the reviews, you can get a good idea of what it’s actually like to stay there. They’ll tell you things that you might not have known just by reading the description. 

They can also give you pro tips for getting to the home or apartment that will make your arrival a whole lot easier. 

Just remember to leave your own review after your stay! It helps the community and it keeps the place honest for future travelers like yourself. 

 5. Consider a Shared vs. Individual Place

Back in the day I had no problem sharing a room with several people when I was on vacation. Today, however, I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I’m willing to shell out a bit more for an individual place. 

Now, that might not be the case for everyone, and I get that!

When you look for an Airbnb, make sure to weigh the pros and cons of shared vs individual. And, make sure to look into what’s actually feasible. 

When it comes to renting an Airbnb in Medellin there are some pretty stringent rules that can make renting a shared place tricky. 

Make sure to read up on what’s possible, what’s affordable, and what makes sense for your visit. 

6. Read Everything

This is one of the biggest tips I can offer when it comes to renting an Airbnb in Medellin: read everything. 

The listings really do give you all (or almost all) the information you need to find a place where you’ll feel comfortable. 

Now, I know that a lot of Airbnb listings in Medellin are in Spanish. If you come across some of these types of listings, it’s time to break out the Google Translate app. 

Check out what the listing has to say and make sure that you’re clear on all the terms and conditions. 

That way, there are no unwanted surprises when you arrive at your Airbnb.

7.  Pay Attention to the Rules

Every Airbnb property has specific rules that you need to follow. And, not reading them ahead of time can be a fast track to getting you in trouble. 

For instance, read the cancelation policies. Some apartments have strict cancelation policies and if you don’t stick to them, you could lose your money. 

Other Airbnbs prevent certain activities, such as having pets, throwing parties, or smoking in the unit. 

Make sure to read through the rules so that you know how to avoid problems and make your stay a pleasant one for everyone. 

8.  Keep Good Communication

Regardless of whether you’re a host or a guest, having good communication is key. 

I get it, you’re probably thinking that the least interaction possible is the way to go. 

However, the people of Medellin typically have tons of great suggestions about things to do and places to eat!

I’d recommend that when visiting Medellin you get in touch with your host. Listen to them and ask for suggestions of things to do.

You might be surprised at what they recommend!

9. Take Advantage of Your Reservation

I’ve made this mistake countless times when visiting cities. 

When I go to book an Airbnb, I simply pick the cheapest place I can afford, thinking I won’t really take advantage of it. Then, after long days of trudging around the city, I’m exhausted and can’t fully relax when I get back to my place!

Maybe that’s because the Airbnb doesn’t have WiFi for me to watch Netflix on or maybe there’s no AC in a sweltering city. 

Whatever the reason, it pays to look at the perks and amenities of a place and to take advantage of them. 

Even if you think you won’t be in the Airbnb, chances are you’ll spend more time there than you thought. Look for a place where you’ll feel comfortable and relaxed at the end of a long day. 

10. Read the Host’s Biography

Even though you might not have to interact a whole lot with the host of your Airbnb in Medellin, it’s still a good idea to read the host’s biography. 

Sometimes, hosts will outline additional rules or things to know in their biography that you might not have been aware of. 

Other hosts will upload additional photos of the place that you can check out to help you pick a great place. 

Even if you just give it a quick skim, it pays to check out the host’s biography. You never know what information you might find!

Choose the Best Airbnb en Medellín

While this isn’t a comprehensive list of tips for finding an Airbnb, it should give you a couple of pointers to help you pick a place you love. 

Put these tips into action and join us here in the City of Eternal Spring!

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