Medellin Reports

[Errol Flynn]

Why do people on this forum always get so touchy when someone says Medellin is dangerous (even to tourists)? I

Because the fear comes from Xenophobia. I have been to many different parts of Medellin (I also used to live in Manhattan) and I have always felt safe in Medellin by exercising the exact same precautions I would exercise in any large US city. Don't be an idiot and you'll be fine in MDE, be an idiot and you might get in trouble there or Bangkok or New Haven or Johannesburg or Paris or Moscow.

[Fun Luvr]

Laureles and El Poblado are areas with a lot of tourists, Starbucks, KFC, etc. It is safe to hail a cab in those areas, use Uber or walk around at night, however, use your common sense because people get robbed and so on in those areas as well. If you are walking around by yourself at night you are always more of a target. Move with a purpose at night and the taxis are inexpensive for gringos so don't be afraid to use them. The cabs are metered.

Be careful about hailing a taxi on the streets around Parque Lleras. I usually use the Easy Taxi app (now changed to Cabify) or the Uber app to order a ride. Within the last year, I have encountered dishonest taxi drivers that I hailed off the streets around Parque Lleras. They either have a fast meter or turn their meter off and claim it doesn't work. If they turn the meter off, I get out and don't pay them anything. It's usually harder to notice the fast meters. Easy Taxi creates a record, so drivers tend to be honest.

[Knowledge]

I don't use drugs or Facebook / tindr / other apps with providers. I know for a fact that there are ne'er do wells who target foreigners. There are certain precautions guys can take to lower the risk. Guys can also search for 'crime in Medellin' to get a feel for the risk profile. For the inexperienced or worried, casas are a safe option. You can run many searches for Medellin crime but you won't find reports about guys getting victimized in casas. You will find reports of bad sessions or unattractive girls but YMMV as the saying goes.

It's all completely true:

https://globalnews.ca/news/4917869/s...rrests-tinder/

It's important to respond to questions about safety realistically.

[Beobeo]

Can't help you on the hotels, although San Peter Apartments is frequently recommended. Chica friendly. Comfortable.

Any other apartment building that is as good as San Peter? I like to have a back up choice. Thanks.

[Mr Enternational]

There's a difference between being kidnapped and murdered and dying in a car accident because you or someone else wasn't paying attention. Big difference.

Why do people on this forum always get so touchy when someone says Medellin is dangerous

True. And whoever thought they would die at a garlic festival, at a country music concert, or sitting in class? No Medellin and no car accident involved in those. Living is dangerous. When your time is up, then it is up. Stop worrying and have fun while you are here.

[JjBee62]

There's a difference between being kidnapped and murdered and dying in a car accident because you or someone else wasn't paying attention. Big difference.

Why do people on this forum always get so touchy when someone says Medellin is dangerous (even to tourists)? It's the truth. The city has a long history of crime and, while things have improved, violent crime continues to pervade the city.

Because it's almost always exaggerated or taken out of context.

Is there really any difference between being robbed and killed because you weren't paying attention and being killed in a car wreck because you weren't paying attention? Most of the risk, in both situations, can be negated if you learn to pay attention.

[YippieKayay]

All what tourist drugging? Creeps? People die everyday all over the world. If you are scared to go somewhere because someone died, then why even leave the house? I'm sure people die in accidents close to your home everyday. Does that mean you get stressed out taking the expressway?

There's a difference between being kidnapped and murdered and dying in a car accident because you or someone else wasn't paying attention. Big difference.

Why do people on this forum always get so touchy when someone says Medellin is dangerous (even to tourists)? It's the truth. The city has a long history of crime and, while things have improved, violent crime continues to pervade the city.

[SankarShetty]

All what tourist drugging? Creeps? People die everyday all over the world. If you are scared to go somewhere because someone died, then why even leave the house? I'm sure people die in accidents close to your home everyday. Does that mean you get stressed out taking the expressway?

I have lived in cities with some of the highest crime rate in United States, (like Baltimore, Oakland, Chicago) but I never go hit the streets in inner city Chicago looking for P4P. Medellin on the other hand, I usually do casa runs in day time and park Lleras street scene in the evening, so mostly out exploring bars and parks, not scooped up in my 'safe' apartment.

[Orgasmico]

I will be in Laureles a couple of weeks, this news is giving me creeps!! Couple this with all the tourist drugging which is on an upward swing, its getting stressful.

You should be OK so don't freak out. Just something to be aware of. There are stories in the news mainly about Medellin and Bogota almost daily. Happens to Colombians as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPnWoGPbxiw&t=139s

[JjBee62]

Hey guys, have already booked my return to Colombia in September. Will start off in Medellin, then Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, back to Santa Marta and maybe visit Cucuta too? Have read back at least 20 pages on this thread but still have to ask a few questions as I've never been to Medellin before.

Will stay in Laureles as it seems to be a good base, plenty of chicas online and daytime casas that look interesting there. These hotels in Laureles look good, anyone stayed in any of them? Hotel Casa Laureles, Lincoln, Vivre, Bolivariana Plaza and Cabo de la Vela.

Can't help you on the hotels, although San Peter Apartments is frequently recommended. Chica friendly. Comfortable.

I'll be arriving in the early evening, what's the best option to get there from the international airport? I guess the shuttle bus doesn't go to Laureles? How much would I pay for a taxi, are they honest / stick to the fares quoted?

The cheapest way is to take the bus. One goes to San Diego mall and one goes by Hotel Nutibara in El Centro. Doesn't matter which one as both end up about the same distance from Laureles. I think the current rate is 10 k. Someone said another 8 k for taxi from San Diego to Laureles, but I'd put it closer to 10 k.

On the wall outside the terminal is a big sign with taxi rates. I believe it's currently 75 k. That's for the white taxis. Most of the drivers will try to charge 5-10 k more.

The third option is to set up with a girl who has her own car and does airport pickup. She charges 80 k for the ride and it's worth it. She's also happy to make sure you're properly settled into your room, for a price. I'll send you her contact info by PM if you want.

I've read a lot about all the dangers in Medellin, but won't let it put me off. Read a lot of bad stuff about Bogota too before my trip in February / March, but once on the ground didn't have any problems. But how do the cities compare in terms of safety? I guess there are different elements you have to watch out for, ie in Bogota it's not recommended to just hail a cab, and in Medellin you have to watch out for people spiking your drinks. Is it safe in Laureles or El Poblado for example to just hail a cab, or better to use an app / Uber? Are parts of Laureles (Avenida Nutibara / La 70 ?) safe to walk after dark? What other comparisons about safety can be made in this respect ? Thanks for any advice you can give guys.

I always just hailed cabs in Medellin. I used Uber some, but taxis were always fine.

Avenida Nutibara is where the better restaurants are located. Although down close to Calle 33 it starts looking a bit tougher, it's fine to walk after dark. La 70 I've walked many times late night. Towards the weekend it will be very busy, especially after 9. Daytime through early evening it's always busy. It is also fine to walk after dark.

The restaurants on La 70 are mostly fairly basic. You can get a decent meal at just about any of them, but not many stand out. Mondongos, Rico Ajiaco and El Apache are all good. I found the better restaurants are off on side streets a block or 2 away from Carrera 70. Full Arabe is a favorite for Lebanese food.

Same basic security issues as in Bogota.

[Mr Enternational]

I will be in Laureles a couple of weeks, this news is giving me creeps!! Couple this with all the tourist drugging which is on an upward swing, its getting stressful.

All what tourist drugging? Creeps? People die everyday all over the world. If you are scared to go somewhere because someone died, then why even leave the house? I'm sure people die in accidents close to your home everyday. Does that mean you get stressed out taking the expressway?

[YippieKayay]

Keep the scary stories coming, I personally won't miss the gringos.

It's all completely true:

https://globalnews.ca/news/4917869/s...rrests-tinder/

It's important to respond to questions about safety realistically.

[SankarShetty]

Some of you guys might recognize this general location. Not much info yet since no ID, etc.

https://www.minuto30.com/fotos-encue...apeles/864862/

I will be in Laureles a couple of weeks, this news is giving me creeps!! Couple this with all the tourist drugging which is on an upward swing, its getting stressful.

[Orgasmico]

Is it safe in Laureles or El Poblado for example to just hail a cab, or better to use an app / Uber? Are parts of Laureles (Avenida Nutibara / La 70 ?) safe to walk after dark? What other comparisons about safety can be made in this respect ? Thanks for any advice you can give guys.

Laureles and El Poblado are areas with a lot of tourists, Starbucks, KFC, etc. It is safe to hail a cab in those areas, use Uber or walk around at night, however, use your common sense because people get robbed and so on in those areas as well. If you are walking around by yourself at night you are always more of a target. Move with a purpose at night and the taxis are inexpensive for gringos so don't be afraid to use them. The cabs are metered.

[Knowledge]

Keep the scary stories coming, I personally won't miss the gringos.

The northern part of Bogota is much safer than most neighborhoods in Medellin.

I visited Medellin a few times and did alright solo but recently there's been a number of sex tourists who got drugged, robbed, and in one case they tortured the guy emptied out his bank accounts and left his body up in the foot hills.