Come to Medellín Like an Adult, Visitors & Aspiring Stay-Longers

• Medellín offers rebirth; but only if you leave tourist vibes at the door

• Learn Spanish fast or pay for confusion (and getting ripped off)

• WhatsApp + MyMedellin.org groups are your shortcut to real people

• Respect local laws, avoid arrogance, treat the city as a guest would

• If you miss food from home, don’t complain; build what you want here

The Tourist Trap vs. The Grown-Up Way

You can come here for parties, Instagram stories, and cheap thrills. Fine, go enjoy Lleras. But this isn’t for you.
This is for people who come here expecting to grow, learn, connect, and treat Medellín like more than a backdrop for their ego trip. There’s a growing wave of purposeful visitors; ecotourists, medical tourists, remote workers passing through, etc. I’d trade the shallow tourists for even a fraction of that crowd.

Yes, people leave the U.S. (and other places) because the noise is exhausting. The culture warfare, the ego wars, the growing financial reality of living in the western world. Here, you can unplug, breathe, focus and to many that’s the draw and it’s real. At least if can be. If you don't

Medellín: The City of Eternal Spring (For Real)

They call it that for weather. But I call it that for second chances. Spring is rebirth and Medellín can be your reset - If you let it happen. Weather is part of the draw, but the second chance mindset is the real reward.

Pre-Arrival Reality Check

Don’t board a plane with fantasy expectations. Here’s what you need to know before you step off the plane:

• Your creature comforts will shrink. That’s okay, you’re here to reshape life, not reprint your old one.

• Speak Spanish. Less than 5% of people here speak English fluently. If you don’t try, you’ll pay in time, money, respect.

• Safety isn’t guaranteed. Stay alert and don’t look for trouble. Trouble finds foolishness fast.

• Politics? Leave them behind. You’re not here to co-opt someone’s dinner conversation.

• Paisas aren’t dazzled by foreign status. Don’t expect applause. If people overreact to see you, be careful.

• You’re a guest. Your behavior influences how foreigners are seen.

• Bribes aren’t a fallback. Don’t assume them. If you break laws, own consequences.

• Treat local people like family; your mother, sister, friend. Always.

• Giving helps. It doesn’t always mean money. Volunteer. Share your skills.

• Comfort lives outside your comfort zone. Lean into discomfort, that’s how you grow.

How to Find Your Tribe (Fast)

If you visit and feel lonely, you blew an early chance. There are options, ways to plug in immediately:

• Sports lovers? Try Barrio Sur Cafe, Philly Steaks, Patricks, Vibes

• Volunteer seekers? Loads of nonprofits need help

• Want quick social entry? Language exchanges, meetups

• But the fastest route: WhatsApp + Instagram groups

• MyMedellin.org is the directory that consolidates all groups you need

Seriously, use MyMedellin.org. It’s curated, updated, and saves you weeks of trial.

Blending Into Paisa Life

If you stay more than a few days, flipping to “tourist mode” is a trap. Start integrating from day one.

• Don’t idolize Pablo Escobar, locals are over it.

• Use imperfect Spanish. Speak, mess up, improve. If you’ve been here long and still can’t manage basics, you've let yourself down.

• Miss a taste from back home? Create it. Others already did, look at 404 Pizza, Beach Burgers, El Parche Grill if you need an example.

• Don’t expect the road to bend to you. You must build your path.

What I’m Changing

I’ve wasted energy tiptoeing around fools who act like they “understand Medellín” from TikTok. They don’t.
Going forward, I serve people who come here seriously — not to chase thrills but build.
Upcoming topics:

• Taxes you actually need to care about

• Plugging into the community, not just chasing nightlife

• WhatsApp group strategy

• Remote work from Medellín without the BS (I'm working on a paid guide for this one)

• Real reasons to come, and reasons not to

• LGBTQ life here

• Dating for grownups

• Volunteering with real impact

Tell me what you want to know. Drop a comment or hit me at medellinunfiltered@gmail.com. I read it all — even the noise.

Whether you're here 2 days or 2 months, show respect, bring humility and let the city surprise you. Medellín deserves more than Instagram shadows.