Medellin is the capital of the department of Antioquia and the second largest city in Colombia. The city has an estimated population of 2.3 million. With an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius (74°F), Medellín’s year-round temperate weather has earned it the nickname of "the City of Eternal Spring". It is located in the Aburrá Valley, a central region of the Andes Mountains in South America.

The city has hosted a variety of high-profile international events such as the 50th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the 9th South American Games, the 38th OAS General Assembly, and the Seventh Session of the World Urban Forum.

Besides being a major commercial and industrial center, the city is famous for its vivid cultural scene and nightlife, as well as its friendly, helpful people.

In 2013, Medellin was selected as the winner of The Wall Street Journal and Citi's “Innovative City of the Year” competition, a global advertising program developed in partnership with The Urban Land Institute to recognize the most innovative urban centers. The city has been also recognized by Tripadvisor - the world’s largest travel site - as one outstanding destination in South America.

For more information and start planning your trip, please visit http://www.medellin.travel/en.

Getting to and around Medellin

You can get to Medellin by air or by land. The city is served by two major airports and two bus terminals.

Airports

Olaya Herrera Airport (OH).

Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (also known as Rionegro airport).

Bus terminals

Medellin has two bus terminals which are the central hub for bus travel to and from Medellin.  For more information about Medellín bus terminals please visit http://wwww.terminalesmedellin.com.

Cost of living in Medellín

One of the most important things to consider when studying abroad is how much money you need to have in order to be comfortable. The following figures will help you determine how much you need to budget in order to live comfortably during your time here.

These numbers are presented with and based on the Colombian peso (COP). If you would like to see the current exchange rate for your country’s currency to COP, check out http://www.xe.com currency converter for the most recent currency conversion rates.

Average monthly rental cost for a room: COP $350.000

One-way ticket (local transport): COP $1.700

Meal (average restaurant): COP $7.000

Soft drink (vending machine) COP $2.000

Click here to learn more about the cost of living in Medellin.

Accommodation

Medellín offers a wide variety of accommodation options to fit any budget and range from hostels and hotels to bedrooms and apartments.

Below you will find helpful information concerning housing and accommodation options in Medellin.   

https://medellin.travel/

www.tripadvisor.com

Sights & attractions

Regardless of which sights you choose to visit, you can be assured that you will find unique experiences available only in and around Medellin.

Below you will find a list of guides to Medellin’s attractions, sights and museums.

Museums

Museo de Antioquia

Museo El Castillo

Museo Cementerio San Pedro

Museo Pedro Nel Gómez

Museo de Arte Moderno (MAMM)

Planetario de Medellín

Parks and zoos

Parque Explora

Parque Arví

Botanical Garden

Parque de los Deseos

Parque de los Pies Descalzos

Santa Fe Zoo

Plaza Botero

Libraries

Biblioteca Pública Piloto

Parque Biblioteca España

Universidad de Antioquia library

Outdoor attractions and activities

Cerro Nutibara/Pueblito Paisa

Cerro El Volador

Nightlife in Medellín

Going out in Medellín is a must do to anybody visiting the city. If you want to get to know Medellín´s nightlife there are plenty of options available.

Las Palmas

Parque Lleras

La 70

La 33

Autopista Sur

More information can be found here.

Restaurants

There are diverse gastronomic options in Medellín. Check out the links below to discover a wide variety of places to eat.

www.medellinsisabe.com

www.tourgastronomico.com.co

Nearby towns and cities

The department of Antioquia consists of 9 sub-regions including the Aburrá Valley, where Medellín is located. Each sub-region boasts a number of cultural, gastronomic and architectural spots.

Click here to learn more about Medellin and its surroundings.

Transportation

Medellin has the best-integrated public transportation system in South America, with a number of transport options connected to a fast, clean and efficient metro network. Take a look at these transportation options.

Metro: Medellin metro system comprises two main lines, Line A, which runs north-south through the city; and Line B, running east-west through downtown.  It has 28 stations in operation, one of which is conveniently located near the UdeA campus. For more information about the Metro system check out the official https://www.metrodemedellin.gov.co/.

Cable car system (Metrocable): this cable car system is composed of three lines (J, K, and L) and connects the hillside neighborhoods with the main metro network. It is also one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

Metroplus: This system also known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) consists of gas-powered articulated buses also connected to Metro and Metrocable systems. This system comprises two lines, each with at least one stop connected to a line of the Metro, where you can transfer to Metro or Metrocable lines. Metroplus buses circulate throughout the city and primarily serve the neighborhoods of Aranjuez, Manrique, Belén and downtown Medellín. The Metroplus station closest to University is Ruta N station.

SIT (Integrated Transport System): This system consists of buses providing transportation services to and from the various metro stations.

Bike sharing system (Encicla): It consists of a network of shared bicycles available for short-term use for free.  This bike sharing system is a convenient, comfortable and flexible way to cycle in Medellin. Bikes are available at secure, easy-to-use, automated docking stations spread around the city, and two stations are conveniently located near the UdeA campus. http://www.encicla.gov.co/.

Bus routes: Numerous high-frequency bus routes are available all over the city. Check out the transit system map to determine which route is more convenient for your trip.