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Top 5 things to (NOT DO) in Medellin this 2024
An advise guide for expats and travelers in Medellin
As we’ve mentioned in other posts: Medellín is trendy! The hype about visiting Medellín by foreigners from all over the world has generated a boom in the city’s and country’s tourism, as well as dynamics in neighborhoods formed by expats and investors who have made Medellín their new home.
Medellín no longer bears the violence that made it famous in the 90s. However, like in the streets of Barcelona, Rome, or New York, tourism attracts dark industries of unscrupulous people who take advantage of us tourists. That’s why I present this guide of 5 things you should not do in Medellín, so you can have a pleasant visit to the city and, above all, avoid unintentionally disrespecting the locals or clashing with the traditions of this city:
5. Using Dating Apps (Especially Men in Medellín):
Yes, over the last year, Medellín has again been in the news for negative reasons due to the phenomenon of dating apps and criminals taking advantage of these digital mechanisms. This is linked to the rise of sex tourism in the city and the notion spread by word of mouth among many travelers about how attractive Medellín’s women are.
This has led many tourists to come to Medellín with the idea that women will throw themselves at them with minimal effort, thus creating the notion that they will come to Medellín to easily date women. This, coupled with dating apps, has created a perfect cocktail for criminals to create fake female profiles and pose as seductive women to rob tourists, arranging false dates where they drug foreigners with drinks or the infamous “scopolamine” to then steal their belongings.
Several have died from overdoses of these drugs. That’s why the United States Government warned its citizens to avoid using these types of apps when visiting Medellín, and that’s why it’s listed here.
I’m not saying that using these apps is a definitive NO in the city, but do take all necessary precautions and be wary of women who are overly willing to arrange dates.
4. Taking Taxis at Night in Disco Areas:
Another caution related to the previous one. It’s not that foreigners are the only victims of this other phenomenon. Even many of us locals avoid taking taxis after partying. It’s not that all taxi drivers are bad, but cases of taxi drivers robbing their passengers when they leave clubs drunk do occur. That’s why we recommend using Uber services to get back home, especially paying with a credit card. This way, you’ll ensure that your driver is taking you to your hotel or residence without having to pull out cash to pay.
3. Talking About Pablo Escobar as if he Were a Hero:
This is a taboo topic in the city, and with the launch of so many TV shows about this man’s life, it has generated more controversy and discussion among its inhabitants.
While many tours sell the figure of this character as a hero for dollars, the truth is that the vast majority of the population of Medellín and especially Colombia have a bad image of this character.
But it’s not just about image or perception; today in Medellín live thousands of people who were victims of his legacy. His direct victims are estimated at at least 4,000 people, out of more than 200 bombs he placed in Medellín, one of which completely blew up a commercial Avianca flight, as well as more than 700 attacks, 500 police officers killed, among others, mean that today in Medellín live many children, grandchildren, siblings, or in general relatives of thousands of innocent victims who died because of his legacy.
Therefore, wearing his clothes or carrying accessories of him is an affront to the victims of this city who still cannot close this wound. This doesn’t mean that Pablo Escobar cannot be discussed, but his history and objective facts should be known so that travelers can get an idea of this character who is misrepresented and turned into a hero by Netflix and other series producers.
With Medellin Real Adventure, we offer a unique tour in the city called Pablo Escobar Not A Hero Tour, where we tour the city providing another side of this character, telling with objective facts the legacy of his criminal campaign and how his story completely marked the fate of our city.
2. Be Careful with Local Tourism Companies Offering Hikes in the Aburrá Valley:
The problem as such is not the local tourism companies, which for the most part I admire a lot and do a very nice job of creating experiences and taking locals out of their routine.
The problem is that they can sometimes be very risky with their hikes, doing hikes or trekking to mountains on the slopes of Medellín where there has been a trend of massive robberies of hikers.
One such example is “Cerro Quitasol” in the neighboring municipality of Bello, or hikes in Santa Helena that have ended in massive robberies where 30-40 tourists have their cell phones, chains, and general belongings stolen.
Even cases where they have been tied up or held for several hours while they finish their criminal labor. That’s why avoid doing hikes within the city, especially because Medellín is surrounded by beautiful towns, with spectacular mountains, completely safe for the traveler (Ask about our adventure options completely thought out for safety here).
1. Coming to Medellín Just for the Party:
