Medellín, the "City of Eternal Spring," is a vibrant city nestled in the Aburrá Valley of Colombia and has become a hotspot for digital nomads from around the world. With its pleasant climate, innovative culture, and affordable living, it's no wonder why. Here's your ultimate guide to thriving as a digital nomad in Medellín.
Where to Work: Best Cafés and Co-working Spaces in Medellín
Outsite has just launched 2 new coliving spaces in Medellin - spaces that are designed for remote workers, with workspaces and fast Wifi inside. Check them out.
Co-working Spaces in El Poblado/near Manila:
- Communal Medellin: This is a beautiful independent coworking space with weekly events and get-togethers for guests.
- Selina CoWork: Located in the popular El Poblado district, Selina offers a chic, comfortable workspace with fast internet, private meeting rooms, and networking events.
- WeWork: With several locations across the city, WeWork is known for its modern facilities and community-focused events.
Cafés with Wifi in Medellin:
Pergamino Café
- Location: Carrera 37
- Highlights: Known for its own coffee sourcing and roasting, offering a variety of seating options, excellent coffee, pastries, and strong Wi-Fi.
Café Velvet
- Location: Calle 8
- Highlights: Features local art and a vibrant ambiance, serving a range of coffees, including local Colombian varieties, and delicious food.
Urbania Café
- Location: Calle 8
- Highlights: Known for its quiet environment and strong Wi-Fi, offering a variety of coffee drinks and light meals.
Al Alma Coffee Roasters
- Location: Carrera 37
- Highlights: A favorite for breakfast and brunch, offering fresh bakery items and a variety of coffee options in a cozy setting.
Café Revolución
- Location: Carrera 73
- Highlights: Known for its energetic atmosphere, excellent coffee, friendly staff, and a menu catering to various tastes, including vegan options.
Where to stay in Medellín
El Poblado: The most popular area for expats and digital nomads. It’s safe, trendy, and full of cafes, bars, and restaurants.
Manila: The Manila neighborhood is located within the El Poblado district in Medellín, Colombia. Manila is a vibrant and artsy neighborhood with plenty of greenery and artisan coffee shops. Outsite Manila is in a central location, close to Parque Lleras.
El Tesoro: This is where Outsite El Tesoro is located - another smaller neighborhood within El Poblado. El Tesoro is not just a neighborhood in Medellín, but it's most famously known as a major shopping mall, El Tesoro Parque Comercial, in the El Poblado district. This mall is one of the largest and most upscale shopping centers in the city and is situated on a hillside, offering stunning views of the surrounding valley.
Laureles: A quieter neighborhood with a more local feel, offering spacious apartments and easy access to amenities.
Best gyms in Medellín
Bodytech
- Locations: Multiple locations across Medellín including El Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado.
- Features: Bodytech is one of the most well-equipped gym chains in Colombia, offering modern equipment, a variety of classes, personal training services, and wellness areas.
Smart Fit
- Locations: Found in several areas like El Poblado and Belén.
- Features: This gym chain is known for its affordable memberships and good facilities, including cardio equipment, weight training, and group fitness classes.
Gimnasio El Molino
- Location: Laureles
- Features: A local favorite, this gym offers a friendly atmosphere with a focus on personal attention. It provides a wide range of fitness classes, weight training equipment, and cardio machines.
Fit For All
- Location: El Poblado
- Features: Known for its premium facilities and excellent customer service, Fit For All offers specialized classes, high-end gym equipment, and personal training.
Best Yoga Studios in Medellín
Flying Tree Yoga
- Location: Laureles
- Features: A bilingual studio offering a variety of yoga styles including Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Restorative yoga. It’s known for its community vibe and also offers yoga teacher training.
Vinyasa Yoga Studio
- Location: El Poblado
- Features: This studio specializes in Vinyasa Yoga and provides classes for all levels. The instructors are highly experienced, and the environment is welcoming and serene.
Yoga Para Todos
- Location: Belén
- Features: As the name suggests, Yoga Para Todos (Yoga for All) aims to make yoga accessible to everyone. It offers a variety of classes including Hatha and Kundalini Yoga.
Green Yoga House
- Location: Envigado
- Features: This eco-friendly yoga studio offers a peaceful setting for practicing different styles of yoga. They focus on creating a sustainable and inclusive environment.
How to meet people in Medellín
Language Exchange Meetups: Participate in weekly Spanish-English exchange meetups at local cafes like Al Alma.
Digital Nomad Meetups in Medellin: Join Facebook groups like "Digital Nomads Medellín" to find out about upcoming events and meet fellow nomads. You can also search for specific sports, like soccer or padel, through this method.
Getting Around Medellín
Metro System: Medellín boasts a comprehensive and easy-to-navigate metro system that connects major parts of the city.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing: Apps like Uber and Didi are widely used and generally safe.
Day Trips from Medellín
Guatapé and El Peñol Rock
- Highlights: This colorful town is famous for its zócalos (decorative tiles) and the gigantic El Peñol Rock, which you can climb for panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and islands. The area also offers boat tours and water sports.
Santa Fe de Antioquia
- Highlights: A colonial town with well-preserved architecture, cobbled streets, and a slower pace of life. It’s perfect for those interested in history and photography. Don’t miss the Puente de Occidente, a suspension bridge that was once one of the longest in the world.
Jardín
- Highlights: Known for its beautiful landscapes and coffee plantations, Jardín is a picturesque town where you can experience Colombian coffee culture firsthand. Enjoy the charming town square, and visit a local coffee farm to learn about coffee production.
Rio Claro Nature Reserve
- Highlights: Ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The reserve offers crystal-clear rivers, lush rainforest, spelunking, zip-lining, and rafting. It’s a great spot for birdwatching and enjoying Colombia’s rich biodiversity.
Tips for Living in Medellín
- Stay Safe: While Medellín has transformed dramatically, it’s wise to stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
- Weather: The city has a spring-like climate year-round, so light clothing and a rain jacket are essential.
Ready to book? Outsite offers discounts on 30+ day stays, and you'll be instantly connected with the digital nomad community in Medellin. Book now.