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TLDR? Rollerskating in Medellin is a hobby that’s taking the city by storm, and with tons of rinks and skate shops around, you can join in the fun!
If you’ve spent any amount of time on Instagram, you’ve probably noticed videos popping up of semi-professional rollerskaters.
And, you might have noticed that a good chunk of those videos are from Colombia!
Rollerskating is a hobby that’s quickly taking over Medellin and the country at large. If you’re ready to join in the fun, check out this guide to rollerskating in Medellin.
Before we jump into talking about where to go skating and all that jazz, let’s take a quick second to go over the popularity of rollerskating in Colombia.
Skating became popular back in the 1950s when retro rinks and glitzy lights were all the rage. However, the idea of roller rinks died out during the 80s and 90s, when discos and raves became much more the center of attention.
It wasn’t until the pandemic, when people were looking for activities that they could enjoy while social distancing that rollerskating really began taking off again.
Today, you’ll find several roller rinks around Medellin as well as a number of skating groups and clubs that you can join. They’re a great way to get some exercise and meet new friends!
If you want to try skating for yourself, you’re going to need a pair of skates first.
Unlike in the US where most rinks will rent you the shoes, the majority of the rinks in Medellin don’t offer that. So, you’ll have to have your own gear if you want to try skating.
Here are a couple of the top skate shops around the city where you can pick up a relatively cheap pair of rollerskates.
Repatin is one of the most popular skate shops in Medellin. I mean, if you want a store that sells hundreds to thousands of skater shoes, Repatin is the one. You can also find the best gear for beginners in this skate shop.
Repatin is close to Medellin town proper, just six minutes away by car. But if you prefer commuting, it’s also accessible although the travel time will be longer.
To get to Repatin by commute, you still need to walk until San Antonio, where you’ll ride the metro at San Javier Station. From there, wait for four stops until you reach Floresta.
After getting off at Floresta, it’s an 11-minute walk until you reach Repatin.
You could also ride the metro from Paruq Barrio. Ride Metro Line A at La Estrella Station and switch stations at San Antonio. Ride the San Javier metro B station, and get off at Floresta. And then, it’s also an 11-minute walk to Repatin.
There’s some good news for locals who don’t like visiting Repatin’s physical store. There’s an online website where you can do your shopping. The best part is that you can choose to have the products delivered straight to you!
The only possible downside is that you won’t be able to fit the skating shoes. However, you can order it online and pick it up in Repatin. That way, you can fit the shoes to check the size and exchange them if it’s not a match.
Website: https://repatin.com/
Address: Cra. 74 #48B-17, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia
Almacen Roller Top is also a famous sporting goods store in Medellin. While it’s not as big as Repatin, you can also find a great selection of shoes, helmets, knee pads, and other gear.
Getting to Almacen Roller Top is easy. It will take you approximately 20 minutes if you decide to take the metro station. You must walk to San Antonio and ride the metro at San Javier station. From San Javier, wait for three stops and get off at Estadio Station.
From Estadio, it’s a nine-minute walk until you reach this store.
Locals recommend this skate shop because you can find selections depending on your skating level. There are shoes for beginners and professionals and a lot of various designs to choose from.
Aside from helmets, shoes, and knee pads, other accessories for rollerskating are also available. If you need comfortable clothes to wear during skating, Almacen also has a bunch of options. This store also offers thermos or tumbler choices.
If you don’t want to go to the physical store, you can check out the selections online and pick them up in the store.
Website: http://www.rollertop.net/index.html
Address: Cra. 74 #48-37 Local 309, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia
Universo Patines is also a great option. All the people from the shop’s staff know the concepts behind rollerskating. Ask them anything, and they can recommend the best gear for your hobby.
Getting to Universo Patines requires switching metro stations. You must walk to San Jose and take the Universidad de Medellin stop metro station. From there, it’s seven stops away until you reach Rosales.
When you reach Rosales, you should walk for two minutes until you arrive at Cra 70. Ride the metro at the Aguacatala station and get off at Cra. 70 Clinica Las Americas after six stops. From that station, it’s a two-minute walk to the shop.
Like any other skate shop, Universo Patines does not only sell skating shoes. You can look for other accessories or gear you might need. Skaters love shopping here because prices are lower than in other local shops.
If you will check its online shop, Universo Patines offers some products with promotional discounts. There are also bundles or sets comprising all the gear you need for rollerskating.
Website: https://www.universodepatines.com/
Address: Cra. 70 #3-139, Medellín, Belén, Medellín, Antioquia
Canariam Factory Outlet used to have a physical store in Medellin. Locals love this store because everything is cheap or on sale.
Unfortunately, this factory outlet is already permanently closed. But the good news is that it has an online store. Its website sells all kinds of skating shoes, helmets, and other gear you need.
Also, you’ll find pretty good deals with the bundles Canariam offers. The bundles include things like knee and elbow pads as well as your skates.
Canariam also features skating shoes for recreational and professional skaters. And if you need to talk to a specialist, the website has a WhatsApp button. You can ask various questions about sizes or ask for advice on the best shoes to get.
Website: https://canariam.com/
Now, with all the history and shopping out of the way, let’s take a look at where to go rollerskating around the city.
There are plenty of places that you can go rollerskating in Medellin, and each one is a bit different from the last.
Below are a few of the top places to put on your skates and start enjoying a fun time out!
Patinodromo Guillermo Leon Botero is a sports center. It’s like an open gym where you can do your daily exercises any time of the day. But did you know that this place also has a giant skating rink?
It’s pretty close to Medellin town proper. You’ll reach the sports center in seven minutes if you travel by car.
Patinodromo Guillermo is also accessible via public transportation. But you still have to walk until San Antonio, where you’ll ride the bus at the San Javier Station. You will pass through three stops before getting off at the Estadio Station.
From Estadio Station, walk for seven minutes, and you’ll arrive at Patinodromo Guillermo Leon Botero.
Getting inside the sports complex is free. And most locals love visiting this place because it’s safe and huge. Skating rinks are also wide enough for several people to rollerskate.
The skating track inside only opened last 2020. But you’ll be surprised that even skating schools use this sports complex to train their students. And because of the pandemic, the skating track can only accommodate six athletes per hour for training.
The only downside of this location is that there are no available rentals for rollerskating gears. You should have your own. And we also recommend you purchase your own set to ensure everything’s clean and sanitized.
Address: Cl. 47D #75-106, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia
Atanasio Girardot Stadium has been used by several programs to host sports competitions. If you love soccer, you should know that two Medellin soccer teams used this stadium:
The stadium was built back in 1953. But it underwent various renovations during the 2011 Fifa U-20 World Cup. On non-busy days, skaters use it to rollerskate for fun with their friends.
You don’t need to be a professional to rollerskate on this stadium. In fact, if you go on weekends, you’d see most people on their skating gears skating off to join the Sunday mass.
It’s easy to reach Atanasio Girardot Stadium. If you ride the metro, get off at Estadio Station. You would see that the stadium is directly next to it.
To get to Estadio, ride the metro line B and get off at San Antonio. Switch metro lines to reach Estadio. If you prefer riding the bus, don’t worry. Most buses pass through at the stadium’s north and south. You just need to ride at Parque Barrio.
Address: Cra. 74 #48010, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia
For some quality time spent rollerskating, visit Skate Park San Javier. It’s open 24 hours every day and is the best spot to meet new locals and build your connections.
You don’t need to be a pro to skate in this skate park. Even if you’re only a beginner, Skate Park San Javier is a great place to start honing your skills.
As its name suggests, Skate Park San Javier is close to the San Javier station. This means you won’t experience any hassle when commuting or self-driving.
If you arrive at this place, you’ll see a mixture of kids, teenagers, young adults, and even older generations. And aside from skating, locals love playing with their rollerblades or riding their bikes.
But because this skate park gets packed with people, you should be there early morning. It’s only a mini-skate park. So if there are lots of people, you might find it hard to establish a track where you can skate.
Address: a 95-14,, Av. San Juan #952, Medellín, Antioquia
This one is another mini-skate park, but it’s in Santa Lucia. Unlike Skate Park San Javier, this park has the following schedule:
Of course, the schedule is subject to change. Make sure to check this before heading over there.
However, most locals complain that because this park quickly gets crowded, pieces of trash litter everywhere. So, while it’s a great place to skate for fun, you might not find your experience as amusing as it is on other skating rinks.
Address: Cl 47B #8937 89- a, Medellín, La América, Medellín, Antioquia
Another skate park open 24 hours is Rampa Skate San Pedro. You’d likely see more adults than kids in this area. Most locals love practicing here because there are enough lights even at night.
We recommend skating during the sunset in Rampa Skate San Pedro. It gives you beautiful Medellin views while experiencing an adrenaline rush in rollerskating.
Address: Medellín, Aranjuez, Medellín, Antioquia
And if you want to turn rollerskating into a professional sport, check out Skating League of Antioquia. But it’s more suitable for kids who desire to train. The Skating League of Antioquia is hosted by a non-profit organization that aims to use rollerskating to bring families together.
The skating rink used by this organization is near Medellin town proper. It’s only a six-minute drive. But you can also ride the metro or the bus if you wish to avoid finding a parking spot.
From Medellin, walk for seven minutes until you reach San Antonio. Ride Metro B at San Javier and get off at Estadio. It’s just a three-minute walk from the station to the skating rink.
Cl. 47D #75 – 106, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia
Rollerskating is a unique hobby and a great form of exercise too! When you plan to try out rollerskating in Medellin, don’t forget to check out the skating rinks in this guide. Choose the best skating location, and become the best rollerskater in town!
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