Medellin, Colombia: Good Vibes, Lush Green Mountains and the Best Coffee

Laurie Hull
Feb 19
3 min read

Updated: Mar 22

High on top of the Nutibara Hill, Pueblito Paisa provided us a glimpse into traditional Colombian village life, all while overlooking the city of Medellin.

Towering red-brick buildings stand like guards around the city of Medellín, Colombia, nestled in lush green mountains that stretch toward the sky like a giant’s playground of LEGO blocks. This city radiates energy and charm, its beauty matched only by its vibrant atmosphere. From the moment I arrived, I felt an instant connection to Medellín—a city far larger and more dynamic than I had imagined. Second largest city of about 3 million people.

With its mild weather, Medellín was perfect for exploring its diverse neighborhoods, charming cafés, and fantastic restaurants. Here was some of the highlights:

*Friendly people and good vibes

*Rooftop bars with creative DJs and spectacular city views

*The Botero Museum—a true highlight! The park outside is dominated by his larger-than-life sculptures, while inside, an entire floor showcases his iconic paintings, often described as “exaggerated reality.”

I was fortunate to have an amazing guide—my niece, Salina—who had visited before and was familiar with all the top spots, particularly the city's renowned rooftop bars. It was delightful to reunite with her and catch up in such a vibrant environment.

Of course, like any city, Medellín has its contrasts. While I felt safe in most areas, downtown was rougher, with visible poverty, homelessness, and lots of prostitution. Fortunately, the Medellín Cartel no longer exists; it was defeated in 1993, led by Pablo Escobar – the “King of Cocaine.” The city still operates, but for tourists, it generally feels welcoming and secure, depending on the neighborhood. All in all, I felt safe.

Medellín also has the first (and only) Metro system in Colombia. Medellín is also known for its international travelers. With its perfect climate, it is correctly nicknamed "City of the Eternal Spring."

As always, I walked miles every day, ate incredible food, and met some amazing people along the way. Colombia is surprisingly affordable and increasingly popular with expats. Medellín left a lasting impression on me—its beauty, energy, and contradictions making it a city I won’t soon forget.

Side note: My arrival did not go as smoothly. I waited in the immigration line for over two hours, then ordered an Uber, which is considered safer than taxis there, but the Uber driver couldn't find me. He thought he canceled the ride, but he let me get in the car anyway and drove off. A few minutes later, he kept asking me something in Spanish. He pulled over by a dark toll station with our translator app, only for me to find out he canceled the ride and didn’t know where to take me. In the meantime, Uber was texting me, asking if I was safe and that I was not on the correct route. Ugh, I ended up paying him cash to take me to my hotel 40 minutes away. I never felt unsafe, but the driver clearly knew nothing about Uber.

One of the most famous areas I visited was Comuna 13 which was once one of the most dangerous parts of Medellín but now completely transformed. The steep stairways lead through a labyrinth of narrow alleys, vibrant murals, street performers, souvenir stalls, and local food vendors. I loved the mix of rap artists, bustling energy, and, of course, the graffiti. I’m a huge graffiti fan - as long as it’s done in an artistic and expressive way!