It is the question we get asked most before a booking, and it deserves a straight answer: yes, Medellin is a safe city for visitors who move around sensibly. It receives millions of tourists a year, has an infrastructure built for them, and the areas a traveller visits are busy and well looked after. But, as in any big city, you need to know where and how to move.
What has changed
The Medellin of the 80s and 90s no longer exists. The city spent two decades investing in public transport, libraries, outdoor escalators in its toughest neighbourhoods and public space. The result is a city now studied at universities around the world as an example of urban transformation. On our city tour we tell this story with context, because understanding it is the best way to travel relaxed.
Safe areas for travellers
- El Poblado and Laureles: where most visitors stay. Restaurants, cafés and hotels. Safe by day and night on the main streets.
- Envigado and Sabaneta: quiet residential neighbourhoods to the south.
- Downtown (El Centro): perfect by day for Plaza Botero, the metro and the museums. At night, better with a local or simply have dinner elsewhere.
- Comuna 13: the tourist area of the neighbourhood is safe and full of people. The ideal is to go with a local guide, not out of fear, but because without context you miss half of it.
Tips we give all our travellers
- "No dar papaya." The local expression: don't flash your phone in the street unnecessarily, or jewellery, or a camera hanging from your neck. What you would do in any big city.
- Ride-hailing apps or taxis ordered by the hotel, not hailed on the street at night.
- Watch your drinks in bars and clubs: don't accept drinks from strangers and keep yours in sight.
- Dating apps: there are known scams targeting foreign tourists. First meeting always in a public place.
- Carry just enough cash: pay by card where you can and change money at exchange offices, not on the street.
- Save the emergency number: 123 works across Colombia.
And outside Medellin?
Guatapé, the Coffee Region, Cartagena and the country's tourist routes are safe and busy. On our travel packages the accompanying guide is with you for the whole trip, which settles any doubt before it appears.
In short
Medellin is a city to visit, not to fear. With the same precautions you would take in London, New York or Toronto, you will enjoy it. And if you would rather do it with a local from day one, that is what we are here for: write to us and we will plan the trip.
