Short on time? Groupon no longer works directly in Colombia the way it did before. But don’t worry, because you’ll find a few Colombian alternatives and local apps where you can score deals on restaurants, spas, tours, hotels, and activities in Medellín.
Groupon, a popular e-commerce platform, offers huge deals and discounts on a wide range of activities, including dining, shopping, and day tours. Despite its famous presence in Latin America over the years, it’s now inactive in Colombian cities like Medellín, as it is in New York, Toronto, and London.
But, there’s no need to worry at all if you’re planning a trip to Medellín. With the city’s thriving discount culture, it’s easy to find promotions, online coupons, combo deals, and flash sales. Plus, you can also find several platforms and applications that work similarly to Groupon nowadays.
Here’s what you need to know about using Groupon in Medellín, whether it still works, and the best alternatives for scoring deals around the city.
Does Groupon Work in Medellín?
Technically, Groupon is now inactive in Medellín. While you can still find limited Colombian offers on the website, you’ll find that coupons are no longer working in the city. It’s now completely different from the early 2010s, when locals and tourists could use Groupon-style discounts for beauty services, local attractions, restaurants, and language courses.
Today, if you look for Medellín deals on Groupon, you’ll find limited local offers, outdated listings, sparse customer reviews, and few Medellín-specific experiences. Don’t take this the wrong way. Discounts did not disappear in Medellín; you just have to look for them on other local platforms and in social media-driven promotions.
Why Medellín is Perfect for Deals
Medellín is an excellent city to score budget-friendly deals and discounts, and here’s why.
Strong Competition Among Businesses
Because of the huge competition among restaurants, spas, bars, cafes, and tour operators in Medellín, most businesses constantly release promotions to attract customers.
Huge Social Media Promotions
Businesses in Medellín often directly advertise on Instagram or when you contact them on WhatsApp. If you constantly check their social media pages, you’ll find that most of them often post special deals on Instagram stories or even on Facebook.
Best Groupon Alternatives in Medellín
Even without Groupon, Medellín remains one of Colombia’s top cities in finding the best price-worthy promotions and discounted deals. Here are excellent alternatives to Groupon for finding discounts around the city.
Cuponatic Colombia
- Cuponaic Colombia is one of the closest alternatives to Groupon in Medellín. Here you’ll find discounts focusing heavily on:
- Restaurants
- Dental services
- Beauty treatments
- Hotels
- Local activities
- Wellness experiences
If you’re used to how Groupon works, going over Cuponatic’s website shouldn’t be a problem. Its interface works the same; you look for discounted vouchers, purchase one that interests you, and redeem it later.
Common offers in Medellín include couples massages, glamping experiences, salon treatments, romantic dinners, gym memberships, and laser treatments.
CuponApp
CuponApp is a famous local subscription app in Colombia, perfect for locals and expats. You just have to pay a small annual fee, and you gain access to different BOGO deals and flat-rate discounts in restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues.
The biggest similarity between Groupon and CuponApp are the daily deals. When you browse the app, you will find businesses offering limited-time promotions that are perfect for new customers. This is perfect when you want to save huge amounts of money compared to scoring such activities at regular prices.
Tickadoo
Tickadoo is perfect if you’re a fan of anything touristy in Medellín. Instead of coupons for spas and restaurants, this platform focuses on booking tours, attractions, museums, parks, and
activities. Find good offers for Parque Arvi tours, MAMM tickets, food tours, and even family attractions for your kids.
When you purchase discounted tickets on Tickadoo, you don’t have to wait in long lines when you reach the place. Just quickly show the voucher to the venue staff, and you’re good to go.
The biggest similarity to Groupon is that Tickadoo helps users save money and conveniently book experiences online before arriving. However, its vibe is much more tourism-oriented and curated for travelers rather than locals searching for beauty deals or restaurant discounts.
Rappi
Rappi, despite being primarily a delivery app, also features exceptional promotions in Medellín. Find discounted meals, free delivery vouchers, grocery promotions, travel discounts, pharmacy deals, and cashback promos when you create an account.
Once you subscribe to a premium membership, you get additional discounts that can help you save even more.
Despegar Colombia
Despegar Colombia is not completely similar to Groupon, but it’s one of the best platforms if you want to score amazing hotel and travel packages. Here you can find discounted prices on domestic flights, Medellín hotels, bus tickets, weekend escapes, and vacation bundles.
Despegar Colombia
is an excellent choice if you want to score bundled deals when traveling from Medellín to Cartagena, Santa Marta, or San Andres.
Tips to Save Money in Medellín Without Groupon
Even without coupon platforms, you can still save a few bucks while exploring Medellín. Here are helpful tips you should not miss out on.
Use WhatsApp for Reservations
You’ll notice that most Colombian businesses have direct WhatsApp contact numbers for inquiries. Try to contact them through this app so you can also score better prices. That way, you can also negotiate tour rates, spa packages, hotel discounts, and even transportation transfers.
Visit During Weekdays
Besides scoring cheaper rates, visiting during weekdays also helps you avoid huge crowds. Find better deals on weekdays for hotels, glamping activities, spas, and even tourist attractions.
Keep Tabs on Colombian Holidays
Prices undergo a surge during famous Colombian holidays, so you have to book or plan your trip in advance. Expect a big jump in rates during Feria de las Flores, Semana Santa, and Christmas holidays.
Score Great Deals in Medellín
With Groupon’s inactivity in Medellín, many websites and applications have evolved in the promotions, discounts, and bundled deals they offer. Travelers willing to explore beyond traditional coupon websites can find excellent bargains throughout the city.
Use a mix of local apps, Instagram promotions, travel platforms, and direct messaging with businesses. You’ll discover better prices and more authentic experiences than you would through an old-fashioned coupon site.
For budget-conscious travelers, digital nomads, and long-term visitors, Medellín remains one of the best-value cities in Colombia.
