Solo Female Travel in Medellín

Solo travel experience

I think as a tourist/solo traveller Medellin is best explored through walking tours. I did ones of downtown and Comuna 13 and felt safe and secure walking round with a group and with a local guide. I probably wouldn’t have gone to either alone as it can be easy to take a turn onto the wrong road, and downtown Medellin is ripe for pickpocketing

Solo travel experience

I stayed in Poblado, a neighborhood with many other travelers. I booked a walking tour of downtown and Comuna 13 through my hostel. I learned a lot about the city, and met other travelers. I was out after dark in Poblado each night and I felt safe.

Solo travel experience

I was there solo at the end of July last year. Everyone was so nice and I didn’t have any issues. I don’t speak Spanish which made ordering food a bit difficult. I loved Medellin and definitely didn’t want to leave.

Solo travel experience

I went to Medellin solo and ended up staying 6 months. I loved every moment of it. I took the metro, even at night, didn’t live in tourist areas, used Ubers, and went partying alone. I have never felt unsafe, but I meet people who have had bad experiences.

Solo travel experience

I felt fine. Some neighborhoods are walkable but overall the city is not super walkable because of huge high ways that cross it, most people get the metro/Ubers. Mindful of the usual caution I have when travelling I used my phone and walked alone quite a bit too.

Take a tour of Communa 13 - Ride the Metrocable to get a view of the entire city - If you have time, take a day trip to Guatape! Look up the rock in Guatape!

Where to stay: Candelaria (Drink Chicha at one of the hole in the wall places here) I actually didn’t stay in Candelaria but if I was doing a quick trip to bogota that’s probably where I’d stay, tons of hostels Where to eat: La Puerta Falsa (order the tamales, just one will fill you up), right near Plaza Bolivar -There are tonsss of great restaurants -Casa Magola is my favorite coffee shop in Bogota -Museums: Museo de Botero (one of my faves), MAMU (another fav), There are multiple museums all in the same area, Also Museo Nacional de Colombia, Gold Museum, there are tons of museums Where to go out: Zona Rosa (tons of clubs, rooftop bars, just look up who’s having events), Zona T, go to a salsa performance!, (Andres DC was a bit too touristy and overhyped in my opinion) -Usaquen Farmers Market on Sunday is great, there are tons of cute restaurants and cafes in this area -Climb Monserrate (views), or just take the cable car up lol -The salt cathedral is overhyped in my opinion. I wouldn’t waste the time traveling there and back if you’re limited on time. But it is unique and you won't regret it. I just don’t love being so far underground I guess -Buses are an easy way to get around. Taking the Transmilenio is def worth it but im not sure if you’ll really need to depending how long you stay GUATAVITA -Take a day trip to Laguna de Guatavita (El Dorado): see the lake and the cute town MEDELLIN -I only had a short trip here -El Poblado is a super touristy neighborhood where you’ll always find somebody down to party. But you’ll probably end up speaking more English than Spanish -Selina = the hostel I stayed at. I think it was like a 30 person room lol and it was fun and super clean -Happy Buddha = the party hostel. But if you like sleep I might suggest not staying there -La Octava is a bar with a ball pit. There are tons of other bars -Walking Tours: so worth it, it’s technically Free, just tip your guide (ps the Escobar tours are different and mostly scams) -Take the cable cars -Parasailing: I would definitely recommend, if you can squeeze it in Museums: Museo de Antioquia (one of my faves), so many more! GUATAPE -day trip from medellín, worth it! -Climb El Peñon -the town is super cute and colorful CALI -great salsa dancing -I had a friend who lived here. It’s not very touristy so you can totally skip Cali since you’re not planning to stay in colombia that long SALENTO -Camping here was so nice! -It’s a cute colorful town -Known for coffee -Drove here from Cali with friends -One of my fav memories CARTAGENA -the coast, very touristy -I actually never visited here but all my friends say it’s a must see. I plan to go back and visit!

Medellin there's a great free walking tour. Take the cable car to Parque Arvi. Guatape is a great day trip from Medellin. Go check out the Botero statues around the city. I stayed in El Poblado area in a hostel.

I’d recommend the modern art museum. The area around the museum, ciudad del rio has little parks and is nice to walk and chill. El Mercado del Rio (in the same area) is like a big food court area with GOOD food. Another good museum in Medellin is Museo Casa De La Memoria, again about the history of violence in the country, very beautifully done though heavy. The cable ride up to Parque Arvi is really beautiful, and the air is so fresh and nice once you get up there. The jardín botánico in Medellín is also nice to walk around for an afternoon and have a drink in if you have time. Son Havana bar in Laureles is great if you want to try salsa. Poblado is really popular for nightlife for foreigners. La 70 (street name) in Laureles is another poppin’ spot but more Colombian. There’s another salsa bar on 70 called El Tibiri that is a whole experience - but be prepared to sweat if you go in there 😅 oh and definitely do the comuna 13 graffiti tour in Medellin! And go to guatape - easy day trip from MDE. Be open to the food and trying new things! Cazuela de frijoles is great and filling. Eat arepas, they will grow on you, and you will find that there are dozens of ways to make them. And when you’re on the coast eat as much fresh fish and ceviche and seafood as you can, it’s amazing.

Solo travel experience

I was there in August, I stayed in Laureles. I walked around at all hours by myself and didn't have any problems. There are less safe areas but Poblado and Laureles are nicer areas. Uber is a great way to get around. Only 4% of Colombians speak English so it's good to know a little bit of Spanish. Get a local Claro sim card, do the Real City walking tour as soon as you get there, busses are very cheap if you want to get outside the city.