Every week flocks of tourists come down in Medellin while thousands back home wonder whether the city is safe. What the dos and don’ts are but especially, what not to do in Medellin?
The city has undergone a massive renaissance since the mid-2000s and this is only the beginning.
Medellin has opened its doors to eager visitors who wish to embark on a new adventure in a country new to travelers. But this article isn’t about what to do in Medellin. Here’s our list of top activities.
Instead, here are our top 5 things not to do in Medellin.
Don’t Wander off by Yourself
You’re likely visiting on your own and love to do some exploring. This is great and Medellin has a ton of landmarks.
But it is when the exploring gets out of hand after hours that things get complicated. You’re likely going to be staying in El Poblado which is the city’s best and safest sector.
Poblado has always been a great neighborhood and though it can be touristy, this is your safe area.
Many of our more adventurous guests like to wander off and explore other neighborhoods for their nightlife.
We recommend if you don’t have a local friend you trust, refrain from wandering off. Many female “friends” have invited our guests to party in other neighborhoods and this hardly ever ends up being good.
The further you leave El Poblado, the more difficult it is to find someone who speaks English.
If you have an event planned outside of El Poblado, be sure you hire a local guide or concierge service.
Tip for wandering off in Medellin
As humans, we know when we’re out of our comfort zones. This is why it is important to be with someone who speaks Spanish or at least have a dictionary present.
Have your address and ID with you at all times and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. That being said, find a place that has a long line of cabs (these places are easy to find and safe) and has one of them take you home.
Don’t eat from Anywhere off the Street
Medellin is one of the only cities in Colombia where you can drink tap water but that alone will not do.
Coming from a place where sanitary rules are the norm, your body is used to different types of foods so to not disrupt that, please refrain from eating from any old street vendor.
In every corner, you’ll see vendors offering burgers, hot dogs, kebabs, etc. You be the judge, if you see a place with questionable hygiene, go with your gut. Nothing ruins a trip more than stomach problems, believe me. Drunk you might not be a good judge of character but keep an eye out.
Medellin Street Food Tips
Street food is delicious but unless you’re with someone that knows the area or vendor, avoid buying street food. We recommend our street food guide to ensure you have someone that is always one step ahead.
Taxis in Medellin
This rule applies everywhere in South America.
You’re safe in the Poblado area but when the sun sets, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Parque Lleras may be where the hustle and bustle is but if you’re drunk and alone there’s a possibility that you might take just any random cab off the street.
This is fine during the day but at night there are more people likely to take advantage of your current state of insobriety.
If you find yourself alone, be sure to find a place that has a long line of cabs (generally called an “acopio de taxis”) this is your best bet. If there is no acopio in sight and you’re alone, avoid getting drunk, you shouldn’t be inebriated while on your own anyway.
Tips for Hailing Taxis in Medellin
If you want to be extra safe, download Easy Taxi or Tappxi apps on your smartphone. These apps are exactly what they sound like and are the best way to get around, if you have wifi that is. We also have Uber!
Don’t Slam Car Doors in Medellin
This might sound rather silly but drivers get pissed off.
American cars seem to be a lot bigger and their doors harder to shut. Cars here are more like clown cars and you’ll likely ride in a hatchback or sedan.
For that reason as hard as it is to lose the habit, we recommend you not slam the doors. This is a delicate subject for drivers and they can get aggressive. It might not be a deal-breaker but let’s take care of taxis and fix this terrible stereotype of door-slamming Americans.
Scopolamine in Medellin
Scopolamine is known as the devil’s breath and is a powerful sedative used to drug tourists.
Females at clubs use it to lure single travelers or very small groups looking too drunk to function.
There are a few gentlemen’s clubs in Medellin that you need to check out (best strip clubs in Medellin). But keep an eye on your drinks and don’t share drinks with extra friendly waitresses or random girls.
It sounds like common sense but many unsuspecting tourists have woken up two days later with everything but their passport missing. Avoid this very unfortunate event and just keep an eye on your drinks at clubs.
Where to Stay in Medellin?
We have a great article that speaks about where to stay in Medellin for a bachelor party and where to stay for single travelers.
As the gurus for all things Medellín-related we want you to enjoy your stay in this wonderful city.
For that reason we want you to feel free and email us asking anything. Regardless of what you’re here to do, we’ve seen and done it all. Contact us today to learn more: info@medellinvip-net or (877) 562-4913.
