I have not been to many cities in South America, so I did not have any expectations for Medellin before arriving. I read many positive reviews about the city before going to Colombia, but I am the type of traveler that likes to experience things firsthand before making any judgments. The town, once one of the most dangerous places on the planet, has now become a hotbed for digital nomads and travelers alike. From 2010-2020, Medellin made numerous lists of must-visit travel destinations in blogs and news publications. It became the “it place” in South America seemingly overnight, and I had to see what all the excitement was about.

I landed in Medellin in the afternoon during their “winter” with the sun shining and a cool breeze. The temperature was 28 degrees, the yearly average, and I was taken aback by the laid-back and calm vibes I got from the place. On this particular trip, I had already visited Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Bogota. The energy that I got even before leaving the airport in Medellin was entirely different from any other place I have been to in South America.

The locals seemed so relaxed, and everyone I came across was friendly. Not knowing Spanish was an inconvenience, but people I met took the time to explain what they could in English. The city was very affordable, with accommodation and food being the cheapest I experienced in South America. The nightlife was great with nightclubs playing the latest hip-hop, reggaeton and top 40 music from around the world. I stayed in the El Poblado area of the city, which is known for its concentration of foreigners and crazy nightlife. Staying in a location like this is usually a no-go for me, but during the daytime, it was quite serene, and I only occasionally would see the odd gringo.

I did a walking tour during one of my days in Medellin, and the communities’ love of graffiti and hip-hop music was a surprise to me. The walking tour took us through the infamous Communa 13, which was once controlled by notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. This area has now transformed itself into a cultural wonderland filled with artwork, music, dancing, and food stands. A lot of the youth have put their energy into the hip-hop culture to express peace and love to the area once overrun with violence. Watching the locals dance and rap was terrific to me. Hip-hop really does Travel!

I only spent five days in Medellin, and I easily could have spent five months. The atmosphere, the people, and vibes were some of the best I have experienced throughout all my journeys overseas.  I plan on going back as soon as the borders are open to experience more of one of my favorite cities on earth.