Neighborhood Guides
Articles about Neighborhood Guides from Medellin Living — expat guides, news and first-hand experience in Medellín, Colombia.
Safest Places to Stay in Medellín: Neighborhood Guide for Travelers (2026 Edition)
TLDR? Laureles, El Poblado, Envigado, and Sabaneta are some of the safest places to stay in Medellín for travelers. Each area has a different vibe, but choosing the right neighborhood can make your visit feel easier,…
Living in Medellín as an Expat: Cost, Lifestyle, and What to Expect in 2026
Short on time? Living in Medellín as an expat can cost around $1,200 to $1,800 per month on a budget, around $2,000 to $3,000 for a comfortable lifestyle, and up to $5,000+ if you want a premium setup. Medellín has…
Landmark Boutique Hotel: 2026 Best Hotel in Poblado, Medellin
html id=”4lyvut” TLDR? Landmark Boutique Hotel is one of the best hotel options in El Poblado, Medellín, thanks to its location in Manila, spacious rooms, rooftop pool, restaurants, spa, and relaxed boutique atmosphere.…
Getting Around Medellín by Bus, Train, Tram, or Cablecar
For some, a city as big as Medellin can be intimidating when getting around, whether it’s a tourist spot or your workplace. Luckily in Medellin, there are many ways to get around. They all are easy to use and…
How Many Days Should You Stay in Medellin?
Medellin is becoming a popular tourist destination, despite its rocky history. Today, it’s a thriving hub where you’ll find booming business and plenty of fun activities. The trouble is, with so much to enjoy, it can be…
A Guide to Buying an Apartment in Medellin
TLDR? Buying an apartment in Medellin is easy and can be a great way to get a migrant visa. Investing in real estate is always a winning idea, whether you’re looking to live there or just use it as a rental property.…
10 Cool Things to Do in El Centro, Medellín (2019 Update)
There are many things to do in the El Centro Medellin neighborhood. This includes museums, parks, outdoor gyms, markets and restaurants.
San Javier: Safety, History & Demographics (2019 Update)
San Javier (Comuna 13) is a mostly residential, lower income area occupying the hills at the western edge of Medellín, Colombia.
The Best Medellín Neighborhoods (2016 Update)
Jeff updates a popular post looking at the best Medellín neighborhoods for foreigners, including El Poblado, Envigado, Laureles, Belén and Sabaneta.
Carlos E. Restrepo: University Neighborhood Turned Hot-Spot
Carlos E. Restrepo is not just the name of a Colombian ex-president, it’s one of the most versatile spots to hangout in the city.
Villa Hermosa: A Suburban Shift Within Medellín
Ryan makes his first trip to Villa Hermosa, a comuna he finds to be quiet and residential, almost like a small suburb, in Medellín’s eastern sector.
Manrique: Grand Tango Homage, Gradual Progress
Comuna Manrique is synonymous with tango and Carlos Gardel, and someday it could become yet another symbol of progress in the redevelopment of Medellín.
Santa Cruz (Comuna 2)
A brief profile of the predominantly residential Santa Cruz (Comuna 2) en northeastern Medellín, Colombia.
Robledo: Medellín’s Third Largest Comuna
Robledo is the third largest comuna in Medellín but isn’t known well by foreigners. It is home to Cerro El Volador, the largest hill and park in Medellín.
Castilla: Discovering Comuna 5 Through Its Nightlife
Castilla (Comuna 5) is a middle-class district in the northwestern part of Medellín. The comuna is home to the Terminal del Norte (northern bus station).
Attractions Abound in Aranjuez
Aranjuez is a district in northern Medellín that boasts a cluster of attractions, including the city’s botanical gardens, aquarium and Parque Explora.
Itagüí: A Nightlife Hotspot Is Growing Up
We take a closer look at Itagüí, a city and suburb south of Medellín, and often overshadowed by its rapidly growing neighbors.
Bello: Medellín’s Northern Neighbor Moves Forward
An overview of Bello, the city on Medellín’s northern border, which is home to half a million people, and is seeing a lot of new development.
Night and Day in Comuna Popular
The Santo Domingo Salvo neighborhood in Comuna 1 (Popular) was one of the most dangerous parts of Medellín, until the arrival of the Metrocable.
Buenos Aires: Underrated and Undiscovered
Ryan explores Buenos Aires, a comuna just east of downtown Medellin.
Guayabal: Transportation Hub and Tango in Southern Medellin
Guayabal is a comuna in southwestern Medellin. Main points of interest include the city’s domestic airport, southern bus terminal and zoo.
Envigado: From Pablo Escobar to Trendy Suburb
Envigado has got great nightlife and restaurants, beautiful parks, charming people and neighborhoods, and, according to Dave, the best Christmas lights.
La América: An Underrated Medellín Community
La América, a mostly residential area, is a middle-class oasis with friendly people, good local food and a handful of places that are fun to hang out.
Laureles / Estadio: The Next Poblado
The comuna of Laureles / Estadio is an up-and-coming district in Medellin, featuring affordable housing, diverse restaurants, and plenty of nightlife.
La Estrella Travel Guide
La Estrella is a pueblo at the southern end of the Medellin metro system, popular with nature lovers looking to explore Reserva El Romeral.
Belén: Medellín’s Most Well-Rounded Community
Belén is a working-class community just west of the Medellín River. It’s home to Pueblito Paisa and a popular nightlife district on Calle 33.
Sabaneta Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Drink, and Party
In this Sabaneta travel guide, Dave shares tips for how to make the most of your visit to Sabaneta, including restaurant and nightlife recommendations.
The Best Neighborhoods in Medellín
Editor’s note: This article is out-of-date and it has several inaccuracies so it was updated in October 2016, which is found here. Expats looking for a place to live in Medellín almost always drift to the same place:…
La Candelaria (Centro): A Closer Look at Downtown Medellin
All about Centro, or downtown Medellin, including a brief history, points of interest, advice for staying safe and room costs.
Poblado: Medellin’s Wealthiest Neighborhood
The El Poblado neighborhood south of Medellin’s city center is considered one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the city.
Parque Lleras: Medellin’s #1 Nightlife District
Every weekend, beautiful women flock to the bars and discotecas of Parque Lleras, the main Zona Rosa (nightlife district) in Medellin, Colombia.
What’s In Niquia?
Hang around Medellin long enough and you might start to wonder what’s in Niquia, the northern terminus of the metro line. A few months ago, I had plans to meet up with a friend on a Friday night. Boarding the metro on a…
New Blog Feature – Neighborhood Reports
I am excited to share a new feature on Medellin Living which I developed over Semana Santa. In an effort to provide useful, current, first hand information to foreigners contemplating or planning a move to Medellin,…