Welcome to Medellín!

Your essential guide for the first few hours

AT THE AIRPORT

Do these before leaving

Get cash from ATM

  • Known banks: Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA
  • Press "Sin conversión"
  • You'll need cash everywhere

Buy SIM card

  • Known carriers: Tigo, Claro, Movistar
  • Tourist plan: ~$50,000 COP (~$12 USD)
  • Ask: "SIM para turista por favor"
  • Test before leaving!

Get to the city

  • Official white airport taxis: ~$120,000 COP (~$30 USD)
  • Price is fixed and regulated by government
  • Ask to see current price - they must show visual rate card
  • Say: "Tarifa fija por favor"
  • Trip: 45-60 minutes

FIRST HOUR IN THE CITY

Set yourself up for success

WhatsApp

Download WhatsApp

ESSENTIAL - everyone uses it. Taxis, restaurants, your host.

📱 iOS 🤖 Android
🚗

Transportation Apps

Safe and reliable rides around the city.

Uber
📱 iOS 🤖 Android
DiDi
📱 iOS 🤖 Android
🍕

Food Delivery Apps

Get food delivered to your location.

Rappi
📱 iOS 🤖 Android
Uber Eats
📱 iOS 🤖 Android
🚨

Emergency Numbers

⚠️ No 911 service in Colombia:
📞 General Emergency: 123
🏥 Health/Medical: 125
🚑 24hr Ambulance: 132
🗣️ Key phrases:
"Necesito ayuda" = I need help
"Soy turista, no hablo español" = I'm a tourist, I don't speak Spanish
💵

Colombian Currency Guide

💵 Current bills in Colombia:
$100,000 ~$25 USD
$50,000 ~$12.50 USD
$20,000 ~$5 USD
$10,000 ~$2.50 USD
$5,000 ~$1.25 USD
$2,000 ~$0.50 USD
💡 Recommendations:
  • $20,000 (~$5) - For daily purchases, tips, street food
  • $100,000 (~$25) or $50,000 (~$12.50) - For restaurants, larger purchases when $20k isn't enough
  • Credit cards accepted but not everywhere
  • Buy water/beer to break large bills
🏦

Find Essentials

🛒 Groceries: Jumbo, D1, Éxito
💊 Pharmacy: Farmatodo, Cruz Verde
🏦 Banks/ATMs: Bancolombia, Davivienda
🚌 Transport: Metro, Uber, DiDi
🏥 Healthcare: Clínica Las Vegas, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe
☕ Coffee: Juan Valdez, Starbucks
🛍️ Shopping: El Tesoro, Santafé
🍕 Delivery: Rappi, Uber Eats

🎉 Discover Medellín

🎭 Tonight's Events 📅 This Weekend 🆓 Free Events 🏘️ Poblado Guide 🌳 Laureles Guide 💃 Dance Culture