When it comes to Colombia, especially Medellín, people usually land in one of two extremes. You have the people who think it’s the most dangerous place on Earth and believe they can’t relax for half a second without getting kidnapped or killed. Then you have the people who think Medellín isn’t dangerous at all and walk around like nothing can happen to them.
The truth is in the middle. Medellín is still a dangerous city and there are still kidnappings, robberies, and murders. A lot of people who have visited in the last few years have gotten themselves into serious trouble. But it wasn’t because they were minding their own business. It was because they were doing things they shouldn’t have been doing.
So here’s a list of areas to avoid if you want to have a great experience in Medellín.
Bello and the northern part of the city should be at the top of your list to avoid. The way Colombia divides cities is by sectors. The farther north you go in Medellín, the less police presence you’ll see and the more control the criminals have. Places like Bello, Copacabana, Aranjuez, and Manrique are only safe if you have family there, people know you’re visiting, and the neighborhood knows exactly whose house you’re going to. Otherwise, you’re rolling the dice.
El Centro is another area where you cannot walk around with your guard down. It gets very dangerous very fast. Tourists love to act like nothing can happen in broad daylight, and that’s where things go wrong.
Now this isn’t to scare you. Medellín is beautiful if you know where to be. If you stay in the south of the city, places like El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, and Sabaneta, you’re going to be very safe. You’ll see beautiful buildings, great food, fantastic coffee shops, and you can actually relax.
I was born in Colombia but grew up in Orlando, so I’ve seen both sides of how people view Medellín. If you want to have a great time, it’s simple. Stay out of trouble. Most people who get themselves hurt come here for the wrong reasons. Medellín is a city of abundance. Whatever you look for, you’ll find. If you look for health and wellness, entrepreneurship, beautiful people, great restaurants, and good energy, you’ll get all of it in abundance. If you look for trouble, problems, danger, or fast temptation, you’ll find that too.
Hopefully, this helps you stay safe and actually enjoy your time here in Colombia. If you have any questions about Medellín, Bogotá, or the best places to hang out, drop a comment and I’ll help you out.