page 1 I first visited the city of Medellin in 2013. I was travelling through South America and after three months of bussing, staying in hostels and partying up from Peru I rolled into the North Bus Station feeling a little apprehensive about this Colombian city that I d heard so much about. Back in 2013 everyone on the road was talking about Colombia. People were telling me about the coastal towns on the Caribbean, the whale watching in the Pacific Ocean, the jungle tours through the Amazon, the lost Andean civilisations and the city of Medellin. FACTS ABOUT MEDELLIN Population: 3.800.000 Altitude: 1,583 mtrs Average temperature: 22 ( C) or 72 ( F) Also known as: The city of eternal spring Currency: Colombian Peso (COP) How did this city get on a list like that! My curiosity spiked. To me at that time Medellin meant Pablo Escobar but, like any concentration of a culture into a person, a singular idea or product, I was completely wrong. I came to find that this beautiful city of eternal spring had many layers of interest. Its dark and violent history, its famous artists and writers, its architecture, its fantastic transport infrastructure, the warm and friendly people, the amazing parties, the perfect weather, the growing location independent
page 2 entrepreneur scene everything had me hooked. I visited first like any normal traveller staying in the El Poblado neighbourhood, I was exploring the city in the afternoon and partying at night. But I soon wanted to make my move more permanent. That s when I began exploring all the other neighbourhoods, restaurants, cafes, bars, co-working spaces etc. I ended up staying for 6 months. I flew down to Argentina to travel again, but after 4 months I was back. I began to get into work mode and spent my time building my copywriting and CRO business. I visited coworking spaces and cafes, got to know some other digital nomads, joined a football team and made friends from all over the world. After two years, I want to spread the gospel of Medellin. It can be a daunting idea to get up and fly here, but that s why I ve written this guide, so that you can prepare by better knowing what to expect, where to go, where to stay, where to work and how to plug into this city s many growing communities of location independent workers. I hope you enjoy!
1. Plugging In Cell Phones and Internet 2. How to meet other digital nomads 3. Where to stay 4. Short term accomodation 5. Long term accomodation 6. Where to work 7. Culture & Tourist stuff 8. Nightlife 9. Cool destinations nearby 10. Cost of living breakdown 11. Getting here - flight deals 12. From the airport to Medellin 13. Visas 14. Safety 15. Interactive Map 16. Summery page 3
BACK TO INDEX page 4 When arriving in any destination for the first time it is important to plug-in. Medellin is no different. There are lots of digital nomads living and working from here, but first you need to get on the grid to begin networking. Here are a few ways to get yourself ready: Mobile phone/sim card There are three main cell phone providers in Colombia: Claro, Movistar and Tigo. As it is cheaper to call people using the same company, I have always used Claro because it is the most common provider. Prepaid (Prepago) SIM cards cost around $2 and calls are less than $0.10 a minute. Contract (postpago) phones are a cheaper option but you will need a Colombian ID to sign the agreement. If you already have an unlocked phone you will be able to take it to any of the main provider s stores (which are in almost all of the city s malls) where they will configure the phone for you. If you need to buy a new phone I recommend that you go to Monterrey Mall where you will be able to pick up any smartphone for around the same price as in Europe.
BACK TO INDEX page 5 Mobile internet Mobile internet coverage is very good all over the city. Like any modern destination, Medellin s metros and buses are full of mobile users checking their Facebook or email. It is generally excepted that Claro have the best coverage across the country, but the differences are slight in the city. Prices are low as competition is high. Take a look around each supplier and see which provider suits your needs the best. You can also invest in a dongle with prepaid data. Home internet Before splashing out on the most expensive mobile internet plan it is useful to remember that Medellin is full of free wifi! All the malls, restaurants, cafes etc offer a free service, even public spaces are being given the free wifi treatment. In terms of your home wifi, I would recommend that when you are viewing a new apartment or room you take your phone and perform a quick speed test before agreeing any terms with the landlord. Personally, I have always had relatively quick speeds, but I have heard some complaints from other nomads. I will discuss wifi at coworking spaces and cafes later on in the write up.
Monterrey Mall The best place to get all your technological needs in Medellin.
After you have got yourself a number and a connection you are all set to meet some other like-minded people your future network of friends and contacts. When I initially decided to move to Medellin it took me a while to get connected, and in hindsight I wish I had been a little more proactive. So here are a few ways in which you can quickly dive into Medellin s buzzing communities. Facebook Groups This is a great way to get an introduction to Medellin and its community. There are groups for all kinds of activities, but here I am only going to list those that are useful to us digital nomads: Digital Nomads Medellin: This is our group. Join for more discussions about all aspects of Medellin and keep up to date with digital nomad events. Events happen each month. Medellin Entrepreneurs Society: Full of great resources, this group is very popular and will answer many of your more general business related questions. Many users also post meet ups in bars or restaurants, there are lots of digital nomads in this group. Nomad meet up at Cafe Ondas BACK TO INDEX page 7