The city of eternal spring
If ever there was an example of a city turning itself around, Medellin is a shining beacon. In the 90s it was one of the world’s most dangerous cities, but fast forward 25 years and it’s one of Colombia‘s most diverse and exciting cities.
Nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring thanks to its consistently pleasant climate, the capital of Antioquia enjoys a favourable location between two Andean mountain ranges. There is so much going on here and its energy is undeniably contagious.
Much is said about Medellin’s public transport and while it may seem an odd thing to rave about, once you’ve visited, you’ll soon see why.
An extensive metro system helps its millions of inhabitants move around (a source of envy for the people of Bogota who are still waiting for theirs) and cable cars crisscross the skyline connecting the different communas. Where wandering into the wrong neighbourhood once came with severe consequences, this transport network has done much to unite the city of Medellin.
There are fabulous civic spaces, such as the Plazoleta de las Esculturas, home to 23 bronze sculptures by Colombian heavyweight Fernando Botero, as well as lively communas that embrace a positive future with vibrant street art and thriving community projects. Medellin is not a city that wants to forget, and the Casa de la Memoria is a wonderful museum that commemorates those affected by Colombia‘s turbulent past.
Highlights
Admire Fernando Botero’s huge bronze sculptures in the Plazoleta de las Esculturas
Ride the city’s cable car system
Visit the moving Casa de la Memoria (House of Memories) that commemorates those affected by Colombia’s civil war and drug trade
Treks and tours to nearby coffee plantations
Visit Guatape Lake
Jennifer Richt
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Medellin
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Where else to visit in Colombia
Barichara
Cobbled streets, charming plazas and pretty churches - Barichara is the real colombia. Hike the Camino Real to the impossibly sweet town of Guane and travel back home in a local tuk tuk for truly authentic experience.
Discover moreBogotá
So much more than just a stopover capital city, filled with colourful neighbourhoods, museums, art galleries, exceptional fine dining and atmospheric local markets. Let your guide explain the history of this great city as you sip a cup of Colombian coffee.
Discover moreCartagena
Vibrant, colourful and brimming with interesting culture and local heritage. Cartagena is the perfect place to get off the beaten track with a specialist art guide or local historian.
Discover moreColombian Amazon
One of Colombia’s best kept secrets, the Amazonas region is a place for true adventurers. Navigate the waterways in search of pink dolphins among the water lilies or hike the rainforest for a chance to glimpse to pumas and sloths.
Discover moreSierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Rising up from the stunning Caribbean coastline is one of the highest coastal mountain ranges in the world, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Magical mists shroud fascinating flower and flora as you can hike to waterfalls and dive underneath the cascading waters.
Discover moreTayrona Region
A tropical, picture-perfect paradise where you can relax and unwind. Wildlife enthusiasts will love adventuring with their guide as the region is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 200 species of birds and many reptiles.
Discover moreThe Coffee Triangle
Warm temperatures combined with the fresh air of higher altitudes make this region not only perfect for coffee growing but great for adventure activities. Try hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking and hot air ballooning.
Discover moreVilla de Leyva
Despite being a relatively small rural town Villa de Leyva has one of the largest main squares in Latin America, lined with white washed houses and walled gardens hiding colourful sanctuaries.
Discover moreMeet your Latin America team
When to visit
The best months to visit Medellín are December, January, July and August. The sunny and warm weather is ideal for exploring the city on foot, and these months also boast exciting celebrations – from the dazzling holiday lights and festivities of December to the famous Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival) in August.
Feria de las Flores
August
Dazzling holiday lights
December
Hiking trails
December - March
Plan your trip to Medellin
Whatever you want from your adventure in Medellin, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
We have traveled with Jacada four times; to Patagonia, Tanzania, Colombia and a longer trip to northern South America. Each time we had a wonderful trip and felt very supported throughout. We stayed in world class lodgings in amazing places and had experienced guides. Never once did we wait to be picked up. On the rare occasion that there were…
A perfectly planned trip to celebrate my birthday with my son in Cartagena! Jacada never ceases to amaze me with their attention to detail!
Every detail was to be taken care of and the trip had no hitches. Alll of the hosts, drivers and guides were wonderful.
I spent 9 days traveling solo in Colombia, specifically Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena. The trip was planned so thoughtfully and thoroughly, and they took into consideration all of my feedback and interests. From hotels to restaurants, to tours, everything exceeded my expectations. Lily and Berni were great to work with, and always available to discuss the details of the trip,…
Jen Richt designed the trip perfectly for me and my best friend on our first trip to Colombia. She heard us loud and clear and put together an itinerary that was diverse, covered a lot of ground and was exactly what we were looking for. A trip of a lifetime!
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.