Merry Medellín – South America’s Colombian Hotspot
Medellin is Surrounded by the Andes Mountains Courtesy of ProColombia
Posted October 23, 2026
Few destinations truly meet expectations. Medellín, lauded as one of South America’s coolest cities, surely does.
Storied Medellín is a sprawling metropolis nestled in a multihued mountain setting where visitors never wonder what to do. Whichever way you turn, the inviting Andes envelope you, and so do the hardy people who live among them. It offers more nook-and-cranny neighborhoods than you can imagine, all sharing Colombia’s trademark hospitality. The perfect climate here keeps temps between 60 and 80 degrees year-round. Oh yeah, and your dollars enjoy a nice range, too.
Medellin’s Central Park
Estadio Skate Park, The “Central Park” of Medellin Photo: Bruce Northam
Sometimes the action finds you when you least expect it. I kept getting lured back to El Atanasio, a multipurpose stadium, and the upbeat community around it. Located in the heart of Medellin, the vibrant “stadium” neighborhood celebrates every human emotion and sport from roller skating to swimming to volleyball. The dining and accommodation options are worth celebrating, too. The stadium is the centerpiece of a massive public sports complex that, in my opinion, serves as Medellin’s “central park,” making it the ultimate people-watching spot in this city of 3.5 million people.
Locals come to this hub of romantic, athletic, and community connection to unwind, exercise, and chat. When I arrived, a group enjoying a roll-up skate party invited me to dance with them as their car stereo blared happy, horn-fueled music.
The 100 acres encircling the actual stadium are Medellin’s relaxed, affordable, multi-sport country club where ultra-social football and rugby practices happen side-by-side while tennis and soccer devotees thrive a stone’s throw away. The El Atanasio neighborhood is Medellin being its best, natural self.
Barbershop Postcards
Medellin’s barbershops are a hair-raising experience! Photo: Bruce Northam
Getting haircuts while abroad is one of my favorite traditions. My Medellín-style barbershop postcard provided an entertaining, hair-raising experience from the buzzing to the final feliz–the “happy ending.” The barber at Peluqueria y Barberia Maria Luisa in San Javier performed a post-cut serenade. He’s also a working musician—all for $5!
San Javier—Plus Above and Beyond It
Medellin’s Metro is an attractive and efficient public transport system Photo: ProColombia
After the haircut, I experienced Medellín’s attractive and efficient public transport system, which fuses above-ground commuter trains, trams, and soaring cable cars that resemble Swiss gondolas. I took a cable car from the Javier Metro station to La Aurora, which is perched on a steep mountainside. The in-flight journey soars over neighborhoods bisected by sharp mountain ridges. After a 30-minute uphill hike on foot, I enjoyed dinner overlooking the city at sunset at La Variante restaurant. This experience was followed by watching the nightfall light-show as the city came to life at night.
World-Class Walking Tour
Culture Palace Rafael Uribe Photo: ProColombia
As a seasonal guide who gives NYC walking tours, I’m familiar with what good customer feedback looks like. Real City Tours surely hits the mark. Our guide on this free tour (tips encouraged) was Herman, a dynamic and seasoned pro. The enthralling odyssey covered history, architecture, lore, art galleries, iconic landmarks, local markets, and social realities. This tour could be called Understanding Medellín—its people and its identity. From its turbulent past to its vibrant present, you’ll hear the city’s journey in a way that’s engaging, emotional, and memorable.
Nostalgic Music Scene
Salon Malaga – an Old Style Music-Joint Photo: Bruce Northam
A country’s history is discovered in its songs. Medellín’s Salón Málaga is an old-style music joint where 80-year-old DJs spin vintage 78s. The 1950s-era bar contains 12 antique, crackly sounding record jukeboxes. It features nostalgia far and wide plus dance classes downstairs. Columbia is a nation hooked on music defined by accordions, horns, guitars, and maracas—minus the software junk. Phew. Photos and other memorabilia covered every inch of this cavernous-getaway-otherworld. This joint should be landmarked.
Where to Eat
Bandeja Paisa Photo: ProColombia
Nearby, Mofly Sabor & Cafe, is another ubiquitous food hall with a bargain daily-special menu where lunch includes plantain soup, chicken, fries, and an avocado-mixed salad for 20,000p ($5). Ps, Colombia is a certified soup-lovers country!
Where to Stay
10-story Hotel Cytrico with rooftop access Photo: Hotel Cytrico
Hotel Cytrico, a modern 10-story building in the immediate estadio neighborhood, served as my base camp. A breezy open-air brutalist-cement and blocks-style structure with rooftop access also includes a lounge area and Jacuzzi. Its lobby restaurant serves homemade daily breakfasts as well as also lunch and dinner. Despite the hotel’s cinderblock appearance, the atmosphere is quaint and upbeat.
Medellín represents Colombia’s everything city, where welcoming locals make it easy to connect with the warm and beautiful soul of its people. Yeah, life is all about moments. This big valley with a buzz awaits. For more inspiration visit Colombia.Travel and BureauMedellin.
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