I went to Medellín in February 2020. People in Bogota told me I would like Medellin, that they had more pride in their city. In general, I found that to be true. The city has invested a lot in a diverse and innovative public transit system, including a two line elevated subway that runs like a behemoth right through the central city, but which also includes bus lanes, an LRT and Metrocable (which are like gondolas). Throughout the city, there was evidence of investment in infrastructure, new sidewalks and park over an expressway, for instance. I found the vibe a bit more relaxed and helpful than Bogota.
Photo List (Total 548 Photos)
Click bolded headers below to view, or click "just the best" for quick tour
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Centro (273 photos) - This massive gallery includes all of central Medellín during several walks. There two squares that are the heart of the city, the Parque Berrio and the nearby Plaza Botero, so the gallery starts at these two and captures the Metro system, some of the historic buildings nearby, and two art galleries there. It then diverts to the west, through fairly rough retail streets (including a large area with lumber stores), and then goes to the Plaza Minorista. A second set of photos heads to the west and captures skyscrapers, the Parque de Bolivar, and other areas. A last section is a long walk to the Museo Casa de la Memoria.
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Across the River (32 photos) - Across the Rio Medellín from downtown is the Parque Rio Medellín, which covered over an expressway so that there was some access to the river, and as well the Cerro Nutibara, which I climbed for views of the city.
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North (92 photos) - North of the downtown area there were a set of attractions, including a cemetery and a botanical garden. I also took a walk in a neighbourhood called Moravia and bought some dry cookies there. The second half of this gallery shows my voyage by Metrocable to the Parque Arvi. Though this massive park was not open, mysteriously, the journey there and back was really quite fascinating.
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Poblado (52 photos) - This area south of the city was where my hotel was. Not a terribly interesting area, but these photos do capture a visit to the Museo de Arte Moderna.
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Communa 13 (45 photos) - This area west of the downtown is famous as a former poor barrio up the mountain which has been transformed into a tourist and arts zone. They installed outdoor escalators that take you up the mountainside with ease. I took a tour of the area with a guide who lived there, and walking along the tiny streets way up the mountain was fascinating and noisy.
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Guatapé (54 photos) - I hired a driver to take me to this town over the hills outside of the city. Though the weather was overcast, it was a nice day. I got to go through the very long and very new 8.2 km Tunel del Oriente. The countryside into which we emerged was first industrial/suburban, then had a brief agricultural phase, then became touristy. We stopped at the Réplica Viejo Peñol, a kind of mock town for one that had been flooded for a dam. The highlight of the day was the big rock at Guatapé, which you can walk up and see the artificial lake around you. We also visited the village of Guatapé, which has a long tradition of colourful decorated buildings. Also a photo from the plan and the at the airport.
