Checking Into My Airbnb in El Poblado

After dinner, we headed down into El Poblado where I would be staying for the next several days.

The Airbnb itself was one of the nicest apartments I had booked in Colombia at the time. Located in a modern high-rise building, it featured floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of Medellín from nearly every corner of the living room.

The location was ideal. El Poblado is known as Medellín’s most popular neighborhood for visitors, filled with restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, and nightlife. It also served as a convenient base for exploring the city over the next few days.

As darkness settled over the valley and the city lights began to appear below, I knew I had made the right decision choosing Medellín for my next Colombian adventure.

Getting to Know Medellín

The next day I spent time exploring different parts of the city and getting familiar with how everything worked.

One of the things I quickly learned was how impressive Medellín’s public transportation system is. The Metro system is clean, efficient, and heavily used by locals. It became one of my favorite ways to move around the city.

As someone coming from Southern California, where public transportation often isn’t the preferred option, it was refreshing to see a system that connected so many neighborhoods together.

Throughout the day I wandered through different areas, took photos, and started developing a feel for the city beyond the typical tourist attractions.

Plaza Botero and Downtown Medellín

One of my favorite days was a guided tour that turned out to be much more personal than expected.

When I arrived, I discovered I was the only person booked on the tour. Instead of canceling, the guide continued with the day, which gave me the opportunity to ask questions and enjoy a much more relaxed experience.

One of our first stops was Plaza Botero.

The plaza is home to the oversized sculptures created by Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Even if you’ve never heard of him before arriving in Colombia, you’ll quickly recognize his distinctive style.

The sculptures are fun, unique, and surprisingly interactive. People gather around them, take photos, and enjoy the atmosphere surrounding the plaza.

The area also provided a glimpse into Medellín’s complicated history and remarkable transformation over the years.

Riding the Metro and Metrocable

One of the highlights of my first week was riding Medellín’s famous Metrocable system.

The cable cars climb high above the city and connect neighborhoods built into the hillsides. As the cabins rise above the valley, the views become more impressive with every passing minute.

Looking down over the neighborhoods and watching the city stretch across the valley gave me an entirely different perspective of Medellín.

It’s one thing to see the city from street level. It’s another to see millions of people living among the mountains from hundreds of feet above.

For many visitors, the Metrocable becomes one of the most memorable experiences in Medellín, and I completely understand why.

Visiting Comuna 13

No first trip to Medellín would be complete without visiting Comuna 13.

Today, Comuna 13 is one of the city’s most popular destinations, known for its colorful murals, outdoor escalators, music, and street performances.

Walking through the neighborhood, it’s hard not to notice the creativity everywhere. Nearly every wall tells a story.

What makes Comuna 13 particularly interesting is its history. Once considered one of the most dangerous areas in Medellín, it has transformed into a symbol of resilience and community pride.

As we explored the neighborhood, I found myself spending just as much time looking at the artwork as I did taking photos.

The energy of the area was contagious.

Musicians performed in the streets, artists worked on murals, and visitors from around the world wandered through the neighborhood learning about its past and present.