macdaddi

That is a lot of the major sites; I might add a few notes: Parque del Rio Medellin has spectacular lights at night. El Segundo Parque de Laureles has just been redesigned and re-opened and is a great spot for exploring night or day. The Estadio Giradot and the surrounding sports complexes (6 pools!) is a good afternoon stroll and popular workout spot. Parque Arvi is enormous and contains 5 distinct zones. I would recommend picking just one to hike as the trails can be fairly long (60-90 minute for most). You can download the app to your phone to get an interactive map as well. Cemetario de Belén is a nice option and more interesting architecturally During the Fiesta de las flores, it is traditional to visit the town of Santa Elena where many of the silleteros are designed. it is the heart of the flower industry in Medellin. Finally, you have not mentioned Guatapé and El Peñol which are 90 minutes away and worth the trip. I usually spend a long weekend there (you can rent a luxury finca for nothing) to chill out and hang with friends for a few days. No shortage of things to do. Good luck with your planning.

I only know Hotel 61 Prado because there is a custom bicycle shop around the corner. It looks nice enough and has an upper terrace (i think) which would give you great views of the city. However, keep in mind this neighbouhood is hilly. Everything will be up a hill or down a hill, which can be a turn off for some. The Prado barrio itself (and neighbouring La Mansion) were once the most prosperous neighbourhoods in the city, so they are filled with beautiful homes and lots of mature trees. Great for walking and exploring if you are good with hills.

Yes, absolutely. La Setenta (Carrera 70) is the heartbeat of Laureles and is loaded with bars, restaurants, vendors and pretty much everything you expect in a Latin American city. At the end of the La Sententa is the Giradot stadium which the two major Medellin fútbol clubs call home. It is also the finishing spot for the parade of Silleteros during the Fiesta de las flores in August. You willl find that La Setenta is busy all of the time, but on weekends it is packed with people looking to get out and socialize. As a result, there is always a police presence on this street. Walking in Laureles at night is very safe in the zone you described. Be certain to take a GPS enabled phone if you are walking down to Sillón Rojo from Laureles, as the street change from the circles (Circular) to the grid pattern below the Universidad Pontificía. You need to navigate across the Diagonal 66B to Avenida 33 which can be tricky as both are very busy traffic thoroughfares. I have always understood Avenida 33 to be the north-south border between Laureles and Belén barrio. There are several gay bars along this avenue between Carrera 78 and 80 (Purple, Happy, and Rainbow). Sillón Rojo sits very close to the intersection of Avenida 33 and Carrera 65, however it is located on the south side of the Avenida 33 where all of the moto shops are located, not on the North side as shown on Google maps, so grab a picture from the web and maybe have them on WhatsApp just in case they need to send someone to find you (crazy, but I have seen them do this). There is also a special Uber service some nights for pick up and drop off at the club so maybe check ahead before you go.

This sounds more like Parque Duque where the Quebrada Santa Barbara river flows down underneath the neighbourhood (Medellin has hidden part of this river many years ago). The Parque Bicentenario is the park along this river in east Medellin which is a very popular place to chill out on the weekends

There is only one Parque del Periodista on Cra43. You can Google the history and how the park came to be. It is a sliver of a city street where people congregate to smoke up and consume other substances. There are four convenience stores along the park where you can purchase soda/beer/rum to consume. For extra you can get a cup with ice. There is a heavy police presence and you are completely safe while people watching. The park is located at the intersection of Calle 53 (Giradot) and Carrera 43 (Maracaibo). There used to be the infamous Tabu Video cabanas across the road, but that was closed the last two times I was there, so I assume that it is gone forever.

I love it -- but it's all about perspective. I have pointed out here in other posts that the Parque Bolivar is a tourist attraction because a pivotal scene in Narcos was filmed there. So that is what brings in the tourists. But it is (as you pointed out) an open-use drug zone. Parque del periodistas is another. So if one is not comfortable in that environment then probably best to steer clear. There truthfully is nothing of note in this area, unless you must see all the churches in Medellin or need to update your fish tank (all of the aquarium shops are on Cra47 in this corner of La Candelaria -- no idea why)...

I have stayed at Laureles Factory Lofts on the Circular 1 which are a nice, open concepts room with basic kitchen in the room. New building and clean, operated by Caracol Investment group Laureles Factory Lofts 6C Cra 69 Medellin, Antioquia The largest hotel on La Setenta is Hotel Dorado La Setenta 7C26CP Medellin, Antioquia and there are at least a dozen hotels along Circular 5 on either side of La Sententa. Most will be small hotels (under 30 rooms) with a small breakfast room and sundeck. It is normal to include breakfast with your stay at all Colombian hotels, and many of them put out a massive morning spread of food each day.

To be clear, I want anyone who decides to visit this tiny corner of Medellin to understand what they are walking into. If this is on your bucket list, then by all means head on down to Calle de los Pecados. Poor Angelo 25cm has seen his discussion forum hijacked @12is12 Here is a map of the area. Most will enter from the Metro station which is directly to the west (left) of this region. The area I have discussed sits in the upper right hand corner. Now if you need to refresh your aquarium, then you will need to visit this part of town as that is where those businesses exist. Otherwise I think it is prudent to skip this area, there are so many other places to visit in this city. The area with the tourist highlights -- and I do recommend that you visit during the day -- are in the Green Zone. So lots of buffer between then. Walking down Calle 57a during the day is unlikely going to start an incident, but after dark this neighbourhood is a very different place.

You can navigate this area reasonably well in the daytime. Issues with drugs/dealers/homeless are still there, just less obvious as they are not hanging around in the sun. The pickpockets do not take days off so me mindful about who is around you. Sundays are especially busy as many will stop at La Cadelaria for the crafts markets, to see the Botrero park statues and tour the landmark Palacio de la Cultura Uribe Q: Actually, why wld a tourist want to b there at night anyway? Not my place to question motivation. For some this is a real thrill, and I can appreciate that perspective. Just know that there is a darker side to this neighbourhood. Q: BTW, "locals r going to have many questions..." - why do they care? This neighbourhood once served as the centre of commercial life in Medellin and was once the only option for gay men and women (and non-binary) to meet up and socialize. So there is history to this tiny street as it was once the only place in Medellin for openly gay gatherings. As a result, there is still a draw for some locals for historic reasons and because these bars are at an approachable price point. They will be curious why you, a foreigner that can easily afford the more affluent options in El Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado have chosen to spend your time in these tiny (and I mean small, many of these bars hold only 3 tables) establishments that are off the beaten path. Basically they will want to know why the hell you are slumming it when you have many other options available. Want to add here that I have referenced La Cantina de Javi several times on these forums, but I am not certain that the business survived the pandemic. Will need to check into that...highly recommend their lively cantina to get a glimpse of Paisa living.

I would agree. This part of town (La Candelaria) can be very rough and navigating this alone without a deep understanding of the city layout and where you are headed could be catastrophic. This area sits next to the largest prostitution zone in Medellin. The girls (and their managers) are aggressive and intimidating if you are not versed in the zone and its rules. You may want to watch a few YouTube videos to get a sense of what it looks like. Pickpockets are common in this zone of Centro. The park directly in front of the cathedral -- Parque Bolivar -- is an open-use zone (yes, they have those in Colombia) and is a meeting point for drug dealers and addicts. There are also many homeless who congregate here for the food and care they receive at the cathedral each day. If you stand out as a gringo, you are going to get a LOT of unwanted attention just being there after the sun sets. That being said, I have been to Machete and Leo's and walked over to La Cantina de Javi from this area, all after 10pm. However, I know the city pretty well and knew enough to enter from Avenida Oriental and stay exclusively on that side of the barrio. I am also 100% comfortable speaking Spanish with the locals who are going to have MANY questions about what you are doing there in the first place. As others have pointed out, the "working boys" you will see here are not exactly model material. Many are homeless and working as prostitutes for survival. This is a gritty but real side of Medellin. If that works for you, then proceed with great caution and stay to the east side of the barrio. If you can see even see cathedral, you taking an unnecessary risk. Please be safe. People are regularly assaulted here with little to no police presence. Now you know.

Hotel Mansion suites is still there. however the street is mostly closed down, a victim of the pandemic. Of the many bars along this tiny street, only Machete Club and Moe's are still open. The Game bar on the corner is gone and bricked up entirely. Not sure about the future of the Calle de los Pecados in Medellin.

Yeah, I can only laugh at this one. Literally the places named (Domino's pizza, Paradise Lleras hotel, etc.) are steps from my old place in Medellin, so I know this neighbourhood intimately. This poster made a few obvious mistakes about Colombian culture that I am not going to name here, but I will be much more careful about engaging going forward.

Support this 100%. Colombians are working through a collective trauma and are looking to change the trajectory of the country. This weekend's presidential election result is the effect of Colombians looking optimistically forward and breaking free of the the eight families that have controlled the country's politics for the past 50 years. Colombians are not interested in discussing stereotypes nor a painful history of existing under a narco state. Skip the Pablo tours entirely and get to know the story of Colombia's recent conflicts as the Museo casa de la memoria instead.

#6 - Absolutely the #1 taxi issue with foreigners is slamming the car door. I like to remind new visitors to Medellin of the rules: its ColOmbia, not ColUmbia; always acknowledge others with food by saying "Buen provecho"'; learn to use "Buenos días", "buenas tardes", y "buenas noches" at the appropriate time of day; never slam the car door when exiting; and you certainly do NOT talk about Bruno.

Bien, me alegra! Que pases un excelente ratico en Argentina con los amigos y los famliares.

Another option that was shared via a Medellín co-working space newsletter this morning... There are dozens of events in an around Medellín if you are interested in meeting others to socialize in Spanish and learn more about the local variations. I would also suggest doing additional searches specifically based in Envigado, the largest barrio to the south of Medellín, as it his home to a very large ex-pat community. Good luck.

Yes, but you forgot to mention the Chilean accent....

@Latbear4blk I agree - the local spanish spoken in Medellín is super colorful and uses a lot of expressions and word-use exclusive to the region. I too am continually asking people to repeat words and sayings and am still learning to speak like a Paisa (even after 6 years of regular trips). Regarding the MeetUps, others may be interested in these resources Colombia language exchange nights. https://www.meetup.com/online-english-spanish-language-exchange-co/events/286395737/ Medellin Gringo Tuesday (El Poblado) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gringo-tuesdays-language-exchange-tickets-304935037907 The grand daddy of them all, Bogotá's Gringo Tuesday -- this is the best attended and most fun -- everyone is welcome. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g294074-d8592083-Reviews-Gringo_Tuesdays-Bogota.html https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/news/a60672/gringo-tuesdays-colombia-tiffany-kohl/

Great to hear your trip is back on. I just returned from Colombia and Gigolos still going in full force Thursday to Saturday. That weekend when you arrive is a holiday weekend in Colombia as the Assumption of Mary holiday falls on Monday, so it will be a "long weekend" in the capitol and Gigolos should be open on Sunday night. Have a great trip.

There are several Facebook groups for exactly this purpose: to organize meetups between Spanish and English speakers looking to practice their learning in the other's language. This can be managed online through video to practice before you arrive, and to also become acquainted with the local accent. I find it easy to follow, and I recognize that I spend a lot of time there, however I do not recall finding the accent challenging. In Colombia specifically you will find regular Meetups (as in the website) for foreigners to practice their Spanish. I have been to events in Bogota (with a Brazilian friend - he has a blast) and Medellin. It's a nice way to connect with both locals and meet other ex-pats and digital nomads, of which there are many in Colombia. I would also suggest looking at the many language schools locally that offer classes for every level and at a cost that is very reasonable by North American standards (about $10 per class).

I would not let that stop you from getting acquainted with the fun-loving caleños. The warning about Cali applies to the regions surrounding Valle de Cauca which are major producers, and the nearby city of Buenaventura is a major export centre, meaning that there a many unsavoury characters running around who have no patience for a clueless foreigner. The entire area from Valle de Cauca to Riseralda (Pereira) is very safe now. The city of Cali is a different Colombian experience to be certain, but the culture is highly social, famous for salsa, lively music and boisterous gatherings where all are welcome. The caleños love a good time and enjoying life. It is certainly one of the cities not to be missed in Colombia.

There is, sort of, a similar service. The owner of El Sillón Rojo has opened up a "massage" studio one block west of the club. You need to book an appointment but there are several masajistas to choose from once you arrive. Massage plus "services" cost 100-180K COP so it is easy to do the math. I will grab the details and add to the Medellín listings later this week. They have been actively posting to Grindr during this trip.

Was at Teatrón club last night with friends. As noted by other members, the rooftop bar Lotus club is once again men-only on Saturdays and the fully nude and erect strippers have returned to the stage.

Fercho's Masajes has had at least 3 locations (that I know of) over the years in and around this area of Medellín. The move to Bliss Suites (a love motel) happened in December 2020 if I recall correctly. The address to search on Google Maps is the Bliss Suites hotel for the correct, current location https://www.google.com/maps/place/hotel+bliss+suite/@6.2485042,-75.5626587,19.78z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8e4428f76fce8cc7:0x5598b6f866d3728b!8m2!3d6.25152!4d-75.5617654