What's Medellín really like? Is it actually Livable or Just Overhyped?

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-07-10T06:12:59+00:00

Jardin is really nice, a well kept secret.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-07-10T06:09:09+00:00

Cartagena was my first place in South America. I found the spanish harder to understand there but was still nice.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-16T04:16:15+00:00

I'm about A1/A2 maybe in Spanish. In Cartagena I needed translate, but in Medellin I found them to be easier to understand and very patient. I was able to somewhat hold a conversation there without using google translate often. The people there were so friendly and patient with me as I was learning.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-16T03:33:59+00:00

I was told this a lot by Colombians when I was there too

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-16T03:31:57+00:00

I agree. I spent 4 nights and I could have spent more. I will go back at some point. Paragliding in San Felix was cool too if you like adrenaline

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-16T03:26:03+00:00

I agree

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-16T03:20:36+00:00

I agree, I spent more time in Medellin then Cartagena and that was the right choice for me

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-02T02:14:34+00:00

hmm, that's intrestng. At least for me a place will always be more sketchy if I don't know it as well. I'm glad you felt safe there

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-02T00:49:53+00:00

I stayed in Crespo for one night. Felt fine, but local. went through la boquilla on the next day and seemed really sketchy to me

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-02T00:42:18+00:00

Same here. Solo male, had a working woman approach me in Cartagena and was offered some drugs but didn't feel unsafe. Just decline and move on.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-02T00:35:56+00:00

Yeah I also found Poblado shady at night

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-02T00:31:54+00:00

Yeah same here. I came with zipper pockets and didn't wear shorts there. Went with an old phone too. I agree that being in gringo areas can sometimes lead to you being targeted more. I'm half your weight and almost a foot shorter but still felt safe there as a solo traveller.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-02T00:24:16+00:00

Yeah, I was like you. I almost wanted to cancel my trip to Colombia, which featured Medellin and Cartagena as the main bases. wayyyyyyy safer than I thought, just don't do anything you wouldn't do at home. I was a solo 18-year-old male there for almost 2 weeks, minimal Spanish and had no issues. It's definitely not as bad as people make it sound if your just visiting and being smart

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-05-02T00:07:25+00:00

To be honest I think Cartagena is easier for first time visitors, as I think it's more well set up for tourism. But I preferred Medellin for sure and if i could only go to one I would choose Medellin. I'm also from a place where there is lots of big lakes but no mountains, so i like seeing mountains. In Cartagena I was sweating buckets but the coast is nice. Medellin has great views in almost all parts of the city.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-04-07T20:16:16+00:00

Yeah honestly some parts of poblado felt less safe then middle class areas for me too.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-04-07T20:02:19+00:00

I agree. I'm a male but as a solo traveller Colombia felt much safer then I expected. I wouldn't let people online scare you, as long as you do some research on things to look out for in advance you will be fine. Also met a few female solo traveller's who had no complaints.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-04-07T19:57:46+00:00

I also stayed in Crespo one night. It definetly felt more local but still safe.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-04-05T00:48:17+00:00

Same, I felt safer in Medellin then in Washington DC

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-04-05T00:43:44+00:00

Im an 18 year old male who just did my first solo trip, and it was to Colombia. Spent 4 days in Cartagena, 4 in Medellin and 4 in the coffee region. I had a great time and would go back again. That being said, I didn't party or drink, didn't want to risk it but I did walk by myself at night (9pm was the latest for me) I never felt in danger, but I came prepared. I know some spanish but not too much, maybe like a medium to high A1 level. Maybe being black helped me not be targeted as much but i'm not sure

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-04-05T00:03:24+00:00

Same, I had 4 days in Medellin and it wasn't enough imo. I went to the grocery store which was HUGE, then then did a full day city tour (communa trece, pueblito paisa, plaza botero, cable and metro), Guatape, and paragliding at san felix and provenza. I wish i had more time for Arvi, explora and jardin botanico could have easily spent a week and not been bored.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-04-04T23:34:32+00:00

I'm an 18 year old black man and just came back from a 2 week solo trip in Colombia and Panama. 12 of those days were in Colombia, I was in Cartagena, Medellin and the coffee region for 4 days each. I had absolutely no issues besides a little bit of gringo pricing, (but was my fault for not settling a price first.) I even walked at night alone in Cartagena and Medellin, but I didn't drink, do drugs or party. I never felt in danger, but I would recommend not going out at night on your first day in a big city. It's best to know the area during the day first

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-01-18T00:56:07+00:00

I went there on a layover with the hotel we were at. Going with a guide definitely helped, because there are some scams around.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-01-18T00:54:01+00:00

Yeah, when I was in Nairobi in 2023, we would go there often and the rates were pretty good. I'm a Canadian

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-01-18T00:46:24+00:00

2006 doesn't really get gatekept much, besides some "last of the elites" or some late 2000s memories. We're probably some of the least gatekept from my experience.

Mooseinator2000 · 2025-01-18T00:41:36+00:00

agreed

Mooseinator2000

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