16-day Medellin, Colombia Trip Details

Introduction

Ready to spend two weeks working from your laptop in Medellín, Colombia? Digital Nomad Trips are extended-length trips for our community of remote workers who love adventure.

Our local Community Manager will make sure you get settled into El Poblado so you can work hard and play hard.

Work remotely with your group from your 24/7 co-working space as your schedule requires, and spend the rest of the time enjoying the laptop lifestyle.

Medellin is one of the digital nomad capitals of the western hemisphere and boasts incredible weather, modern services, a plentitude of dining options, world-class nightlife, and adventure activities just outside the city. 

Duration: 16 days & 15 nights

Start: Trip begins at 5:00 p.m. for a welcome meeting at our accommodations.
We provide airport pickup at Medellin Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) anytime after 6:00 a.m. on arrival day.
Check-in at your accommodations is 2:00 p.m. If you arrive early, reception can hold your bags while you go out and explore your new surroundings on your own.

Finish: Trip ends at Medellin Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) at 11:00 a.m. on Day 16.
Check-out at the accommodations is at 11:00 a.m. 
We will provide private airport transportation anytime on the last day of the trip. 

Airfare booking details will be sent after registration--please wait to book your flight until you receive further instructions.

What's Included

  • 16 days & 15 nights in a private apartment
  • 7 dinners
  • Private airport pick-up upon arrival
  • Private airport drop-off upon depart
  • 24/7 Co-working Space Acess
  • 24/7 Gym Access
  • Whitewater Rafting Eco-adventure outside Medellin 
  • Guatapé Day Trip and Entrance to El Peñol
  • Chiva Bus City Tour
  • Comuna 13 Tour
  • 2 Apartment Cleanings
  • Digital Nomad Trips Community Manager
  • Personal recommendations for optional activities
  • The chance to meet some kick-ass people
  • Access to the Digital Nomad Trips Community
  • Taxes always included, never hidden fees, & NO blackout dates
Book with confidence: it's free to switch your trip more than 60 days out

Travelers are responsible for international airfare to and from Colombia.

Optional activities and transportation to and from them are not included.

Airfare booking details will be sent after registration–please wait to book your flight until you receive further instructions.

All Digital Nomad Trips prices are in USD.

Highlights

  • Spend 16 days in Medellin, Colombia
  • 24/7 access to co-working space
  • Luxury apartments in El Poblado
  • Small group of young professionals
  • Fantastic food and adventure activities

Is this Trip for You?

Are you a remote worker or entrepreneur looking to exchange “work from home” for “work from paradise?” 

Do you aspire to be a digital nomad but don’t want to worry about being lonely, searching for WiFi, or staying safe?

Then, Digital Nomad Trips is for you!

Our local Community Managers will ensure all of your trip details are taken care of, so you can work efficiently and spend the rest of your time on incredible adventures in Colombia. 

-Age requirement: 21+
-Group size: ~15 max
-Physical rating: Light. Some activities include physical activity like climbing stairs. The day in Comuna 13 requires significant walking uphill in the city. If you don’t wish to climb the 700 steps up La Piedra del Peñol, you can relax in a cafe. You will love Guatapé either way!

Travel Community

Digital Nomad Trips is our professional co-working community for remote workers. 

Before your trip, you'll have the opportunity to join a private WhatsApp Group and connect with others members of your group. In addition, many travelers meet at the airport or for pre-trip drinks if they are from the same city. Others coordinate plans to stay in a country after their trip.

During your adventure, our Community Manager will do their best to foster an open, supportive environment where people feel safe to truly be themselves.

After your trip, you'll be an official alumnus of Digital Nomad Trips and be invited to our close-knit professional community on WhatsApp. Here you can discuss remote work tips, support each other in life as a digital nomad, and even meet up for co-working or travel in different cities worldwide.

Itinerary Disclaimer

Travel can be unpredictable. Our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience.

While we intend to adhere to the itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into it, and on occasion, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and are subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Meals

Eat like a local with delicious Colombian dishes such as bandeja de paisa and some of the best fruit in the world.

Sample Breakfast Menu:

  • Fresh fruit, juice, coffee, tortilla, rice, beans, eggs, and toast.

Sample Dinner Menu:‍

  • Bandeja de Paisa: a massive dish of kidney beans, white rice, ground meat, fried egg, plantain, chorizo, black pudding, and avocado.
  • Mondongo: a popular lunch dish, this slow-cooked soup consists of carrots, onions, peas, bell peppers, celery, and cilantro.  
  • Remember that Medellin is a very cosmopolitan city, so you can find cuisine from around the world, including sushi, Italian food, American comfort food, Chinese, Peruvian, Argentinian, Caribbean, and more.

Colombian delicacies: 

  • Colombian coffee
  • Buñuelos: fried dough balls
  • Fríjoles antioqueños: a bean dish from the Antioquia region.
  • Arepas: a cornbread usually stuffed with meat and cheese.

We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Most meals can be modified for special requests and food allergies. There are many vegan and vegetarian options around Medellin. 

Transportation

Throughout your trip, you will travel by private ground transportation, public bus, and taxi.

  • Private ground transportation to and from the airport (Included)
  • Transportation to included activities (Included)
  • Taxis, Uber, and subway fare (Not Included)
  • Transportation to dinners will be either on foot, taxi, or Uber (Not included)
  • Optional activities do not include transportation.

Accommodation

You will stay in a private luxury apartment with your own bathroom in El Poblado, a five-minute taxi from the nightlife district of Provenza. We chose to stay in a quiet residential neighborhood, so there are minimal noise disturbances at night. You will be within walking distance or a short, economical taxi ride from anything you need.

Housekeeping is provided two times during your stay. You can coordinate with the front desk a date and time that works for you. Additional cleanings are available for 40,000 COP or approximately 9 USD.

The studio apartments have a king bed with private bathroom, galley kitchen with a two-burner stove, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave. There is a desk and chair, as well as a small coffee table and two chairs.

The one-bedroom apartments have one queen bed in the bedroom and a door separating the bedroom from the open-concept living room / kitchen area. You will have a private bathroom. There is a breakfast bar with stools in the kitchen, a sofa in the living room, and a desk and chair in the small workspace in the living room. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, stove, refrigerator, coffee maker, blender, and microwave,  

All rooms are equipped with kitchen utensils, a security safe, a hair dryer, and an iron.

The studio apartments have shared laundry facilities on their floor in the apartment building. The one-bedroom apartments have a washer/dryer within the unit. 

Studio Apartment

One-Bedroom Apartment

Co-working space/Common areas

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance with at least 200,000 USD in medical coverage is required to participate on our trips. This must include coverage for repatriation.

Please note that travel insurance covers trip-related issues such as trip interruption, lost luggage, theft, etc. In addition, travel medical insurance covers repatriation, medicine, ambulance rides, and hospital visits/stays. 


We strongly suggest that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, loss of luggage, and personal effects. Please ensure that your travel insurance covers all of the activities you plan on participating in.

Here are a few options for travel insurance that meet our minimum medical coverage requirements: Wanderwell, SafetyWing, and World Nomads. Some plans do not cover certain “high-risk” activities. Please read your plan’s coverage and make a selection based on your planned trip.

Wanderwell donates at least one percent of your insurance purchase to Explore Austin, a sustainable youth outdoor education program, via 1% for the Planet, selected by Digital Nomad Trips.

We receive a fee if you purchase products through links on this page at no extra cost to you.

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Cancellation Policy

Flexible

Give us at least 60 days’ notice, and you can switch your trip for free, or we'll hold your credits for future use.

If you have an emergency cancellation that is less than 60 days before your trip, please refer to your travel insurance company, as they may cover you for some expenses. Unfortunately, we cannot transfer trips or hold experience credits within 60 days of the trip because we have already secured reservations on your behalf.

Trip Leader Expectations

All Digital Nomad Trips are accompanied by experienced Community Managers.

Your Community Manager will organize your private driver to and from the airport, show you around town, accompany you on included activities, organize and attend dinners, and ensure you are well taken care of during your trip.

Your Community Manager will not be with you at the co-working space, sleep at the accommodations, or stay out until early morning at the disco. They will give you the autonomy to experience Colombia as a local.

The goal of the Community Manager is to facilitate an incredible experience and help our travelers have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends.

You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

Packing List

Please be eco-friendly!
  • Bring a reusable water bottle.
  • Bring a reusable straw to limit the amount of single-use plastic waste.
  • Use as little plastic as possible by declining straws and plastic bags at restaurants and when shopping.
  • Please avoid aerosol bug sprays as they negatively affect the environment.

We recommend using a travel backpack for your convenience or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. You will be responsible for carrying your luggage.

We highly recommend packing active gear, as we'll be outdoors and active throughout the trip.

Below are our staff picks of the best items on the market we travel with!  All products selected are 3 ounces or less to comply with TSA carry-on size and are organically inspired when possible.

Do not forget: an umbrella, water bottle, sunscreen, waterproof rain jacket, sunglasses, and a hat!

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you Digital Nomad Trips will earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

Passport & Visas

Guidelines for U.S. Passport Holders:

Visas are not required for stays less than 90 days in length.

Make sure you have an updated passport with you. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the last date of your trip. Please consult the U.S. Department of State with any more questions.

Make sure there is no damage to your passport. Conditions that may constitute damage requiring you to replace your passport include water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing or torn-out visa pages, a hole punch, or other injuries.

Health & Insurance

Check out our Travel Alerts Page for up-to-date COVID requirements.

The tap water in Colombia is NOT safe to drink. Please bring a reusable water bottle and join us in our efforts to be environmentally friendly and keep Colombia beautiful. We recommend buying water by the gallon and refilling your reusable water bottle frequently.

Please consult with your doctor before traveling regarding physical activity and vaccinations.

No inoculations are required to enter Colombia from the United States, but the Center for Disease Control suggests vaccinating for Hepatitis A and Typhoid.

If you are traveling to Colombia from Brazil, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Uganda you will be required to present proof of Yellow Fever Vaccine.

Mosquito-borne viruses exist in most of Latin America. Please cover exposed skin and use a non-aerosol mosquito repellent.

Money & Currency

We suggest bringing 500 USD in cash to be used at establishments that do not accept credit cards. Most places within Medellin accept credit cards, but it’s always good to have Colombian Pesos on you in case of emergency.

This is not the total cash amount that you should expect to spend on your trip. Please consider your own spending habits for additional expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, and optional activities.

Your Community Manager can show you where banks and ATMs are. Please remember that most ATMs in Colombia only allow withdrawals of 100 USD-200 USD per transaction.

The official currency of Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP).

Call your bank and order Colombian Pesos before your trip if you'd like a better exchange rate.

Remember to let your bank and credit card company know you will be traveling overseas.

For an up-to-date exchange rate, download the XE Currency Exchange App.‍‍

Please be advised that US Dollar notes that are slightly torn, heavily marked, or faded may be difficult to exchange. Therefore, it is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100 USD.

Tipping Customs

While tipping isn’t customary, it is undoubtedly appreciated, especially when you have received outstanding service. Be sure to tip in the local currency (Colombian Pesos) to ensure the recipient does not have to pay additional fees when exchanging. Giving 3,000-4,000 Colombian pesos for maids, bellhops, wait staff, etc., is always appreciated. 

In Colombia, a 10-15% tip is voluntary but is usually included on your bill.

Further tipping for wait staff is appropriate in the case of excellent service. When in doubt, ask your Community Manager for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.

Safety & Security

Always carry a copy of your travel insurance, health insurance, and passport with you. A photo of these items on your phone is also a good backup.

Keep your passport and any valuables locked in the safe at the hotel.

Don’t leave valuables unattended.

Leave flashy jewelry at home.

US Citizens, please consider registering with US State Department's “SMART Traveler Program” which can contact your family in an emergency.

Uber works in Medellin and is the safest way to call a taxi. 

Although El Poblado is generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering around any town at night. Therefore, we recommend staying in small groups when possible.

Make sure you have your hotel address written down in case you are separated from your Community Manager.

Weather

Medellin is commonly referred to as the city of the eternal spring. Many people consider it the most favorable climate in the world.

That being said, always have a long-sleeve and short-sleeve option, a light rain jacket, and an umbrella on hand. You will start your day with long sleeves and need to remove a layer in the mid-day sun. Passing rain showers can occur anytime.

Year-round highs are 77 or 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius), and lows of 62 or 63 degrees Fahrenheit or (17 degrees Celsius). 

Remember that although the temperatures are comfortable, the sun can be much more intense than you are accustomed to because you are closer to the equator and at approximately 5,000 feet of elevation, or 1500 meters. 

The dry season in Medellin is short lasting from December to March. The rest of the year, Medellin has approximately a 69% chance of rain each day.

cultural information

Medellin is a progressive, cosmopolitan city located in the Catholic country of Colombia.

People from Medellin are incredibly proud of their city. The city's transformation is truly remarkable, as it was one of the world’s most dangerous cities in the 1980s. 

Many people from Medellin dislike speaking about Pablo Escobar. Many locals dislike when tourists buy souvenirs with his face on them, celebrating the city’s dark past. However, other people are open to discussing Escobar and Colombia's issues regarding narcotrafficking. They choose to discuss these issues as not repeat history.

People from Medellin are friendly and helpful. They are proud of their subway system, the only underground metro in Colombia. They are taught in school to respect the metro, so please do not eat litter or speak loudly. Be polite and you will be welcomed with open arms.

Colombia is a Spanish speaking country, so it’s important to know a few key phrases. Many people who work in tourism speak English, but locals really appreciate when you attempt to assimilate to their culture and speak their language if you are spending a significant amount of time in their country. 

Key Phrases
  • Hello -- Hola
  • Excuse me -- Perdon
  • How are you? -- ¿Como estás?
  • Thank you -- Gracias
  • Please -- Por favor
  • Where is – ¿Dónde está?
  • How much is – ¿Cuánto es? 
  • A beer please -- Una cerveza por favor
  • Dude – parce 
  • Someone from Medellin – paisa 
  • Party – rumba 

Optional Activities

General Rules

Respect the people around you and the environment in which you’re traveling. This includes but is not limited to fellow travelers, Community Managers, the local community, nature, wildlife, and yourself.

Do your best to keep yourself and fellow travelers out of harm’s way.

It’s important to obey local laws and customs while on our trips. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing appropriate clothing while visiting certain communities, refraining from taking photos of people without asking, avoiding using illegal drugs, having weapons, and soliciting prostitution. If you’re not sure about something, take time to educate yourself or ask.

Travel involves contact with new cultures. When confronted with a different way of living than you’re used to, do your best to understand that neither way is better nor worse. They’re simply different ways of life.

Know your limits! This applies to physical ability, emotional space, social situations, and alcohol consumption. If you can’t participate in something, be upfront about it. If you need a break from people, take it. Stop drinking before you get too drunk.

Community Managers are working in the travelers’ best interest. If they say something or ask you not to do something, it’s not because they’re tyrants, but because they want you to have a good time!

Lying or withholding information about any physical or mental condition that might affect your ability to participate in any activities may be grounds for removal from your trip with no refund.

Staying longer or arriving early?

Hostel Recommendation in Medellin:

Selina’s Medellin

Viajero Hostels

Still need to book your flight?

Newsletter

To avoid missing out on special offers and community updates from Digital Nomad Trips, get our newsletter here.

OUR SISTER BRAND UNDER30EXPERIENCES HAS

MORE THAN 800 FIVE STAR REVIEWS

"I just wanted to thank you for assisting me in my first U30X trip planning. This was literally the BEST thing that happened to me in a long time. Everything about it was great!!" -Gray P.