MEDELLIN Astounds Visitors!
How cool life here in Medellin is... NOT JUST a FEW of US THINK SO....
SakiToronto
I have visited this fascinating city 5 times over the last 3 years. The paisas are the most wonderful, warmest and accomodating people in all my latin travels. Visit the Fernando Botero museum, great shopping at El Tesoro and Santa Fe, fantastic night life at El Poblado. The city is full of christmas lights and decorations that are breathtaking and a must see around christmas. Enjoy the festival of flowers in late July and early August. Visit some of the beautiful botanical gardens and enjoy the greenish scenery. Like all other major cities use extreme caution when travelling to parts of the city that you should not be. The only downfall is the noise and nightlife never stops.I married a paisas and was the best thing that ever happened.
I have visited this fascinating city 5 times over the last 3 years. The paisas are the most wonderful, warmest and accomodating people in all my latin travels. Visit the Fernando Botero museum, great shopping at El Tesoro and Santa Fe, fantastic night life at El Poblado. The city is full of christmas lights and decorations that are breathtaking and a must see around christmas. Enjoy the festival of flowers in late July and early August. Visit some of the beautiful botanical gardens and enjoy the greenish scenery. Like all other major cities use extreme caution when travelling to parts of the city that you should not be. The only downfall is the noise and nightlife never stops.I married a paisas and was the best thing that ever happened.
robAtl
I'll be there in June to shoot photos. Looking forward to it. It will be my second time in Colombia. It's a wonderful country and the people are very friendly and always willing to help. Never did I feel I was taken advantage of. IF you're interested in my photos, just check my FB page. rob.capilli
May 16, 2013 at 12:02 p.m.
AmariMiami Henry, thank you for visiting my beautiful city. Unfortunately the era of Pablo Escobar left a really bad imagine to the rest of the world. So, again thank you for this wonderful article and hope you pack your bags again and visit a few more times.Medellin is beautiful, the food is amazing and not to mention the people are courteous and will always greet you with a smile.
I'll be there in June to shoot photos. Looking forward to it. It will be my second time in Colombia. It's a wonderful country and the people are very friendly and always willing to help. Never did I feel I was taken advantage of. IF you're interested in my photos, just check my FB page. rob.capilli
May 16, 2013 at 12:02 p.m.
AmariMiami Henry, thank you for visiting my beautiful city. Unfortunately the era of Pablo Escobar left a really bad imagine to the rest of the world. So, again thank you for this wonderful article and hope you pack your bags again and visit a few more times.Medellin is beautiful, the food is amazing and not to mention the people are courteous and will always greet you with a smile.
J.C.Los Angeles
Beautiful city, great weather, friendly people, and most important lots of beautiful young woman !!!!. Its a no brainer, Medellin is the city to go visit, to go on vacation, even to go live.
Feb. 6, 2013 at 10:16 p.m.
Feb. 6, 2013 at 10:16 p.m.
Barney BeansMedellín
Pablo Escobar died in 1993 - that's 20 year's ago and even then not many had contact with the man. Mentioning his name in context with Medellín is somewhat like going to the US and likening the entire experience to Jeffrey Dahmer or Boo Honey.
Pablo Escobar died in 1993 - that's 20 year's ago and even then not many had contact with the man. Mentioning his name in context with Medellín is somewhat like going to the US and likening the entire experience to Jeffrey Dahmer or Boo Honey.
Barry LeeMedellin
I took a shot over 3 years ago and saw that Medellin was way way way under the radar of the world and I saw that it would just take a little time for people to see what I and many people who visit here see. Its a paradise. Weather, food, economics, everything is great. I ride the bus for 1600 pesos, grab lunch for 7,000. ( $3.70) I run a short term rental company here. I seen nothing but a spike in tourism in the last 4 years, When I pushed all in on Medellin 3 1/2 years ago I got a lot of laughs from friends of the family. I basically said I believe, in a Colombia that's where the happiest people on earth voted themselves this past year. I don't want to hear any more Pablo stories. I want stories about the delivery guy on the bike who stopped when he saw I was lost to help me. I want to see the building Portero who helps the elderly and anyone else get into their apartment and he sometimes doesn't get more then a hug or a kiss on the cheek.
The world is recognizing how Colombia has become the jewel of south america.
Ean. 28, 2013 at 5:29 p.m.
LuzMiami
Medellin is the most beuatiful city in the world. We are very proud of our city. Thanks God the good people is a mayority in Medellin.
Jan. 28, 2013 at 3:16 p.m.
Medellin is the most beuatiful city in the world. We are very proud of our city. Thanks God the good people is a mayority in Medellin.
Jan. 28, 2013 at 3:16 p.m.
Colombia Eco TravelColombia
Henry,
Henry,
Thank you for visiting Colombia and Medellin.
Hopefully you'll be back and not just to the cities which are trying to be very NYCish.
Cheers,
J
JohnnyNYC
Yes, Colombia has changed from what it used to be in the 80's & the 90's but a lot of people know this already. Most tourists generally go to destinations where they have been labeled safe and not so expensive. As soon as the U.S. Dollar starts getting significantly stronger ( NOW LR)you will see that a lot of Americans will start going to cheaper destinations.I have been to Medellin multiple times, specifically El Poblado(THAT'S HOW IT IS ACTUALY NAMED, NOT: POBLADO..look it up if you don't believe me). The name El Poblado ("The Village") derives from the first Spanish settlement of the Aburrá Valley in 1616 that was built in what is today its main square.El Poblado is equivalent to going to 5th or Park ave in Mid-town Manhattan. So I could safely say that there is not place where you are going to find the typical local from Medellin. Yes, it's full of tourists, but how can you blame them if it is one of the safest areas in Medellin.I honestly have to say that Medellin is my favorite city in Colombia. I remember a few years ago reading an article about the president of Spain staying at the Intercontinental hotel in Medellin and saying that he loved Medellin so much, and that Medellin should actually be the Capital of Colombia.The people in Medellin are very hard working, very family oriented, the girls are beautiful and the people for the most part are known to be extremely friendly.
Jan. 23, 2013 at 6:49 p.m.
JohnnyNYC
Yes, Colombia has changed from what it used to be in the 80's & the 90's but a lot of people know this already. Most tourists generally go to destinations where they have been labeled safe and not so expensive. As soon as the U.S. Dollar starts getting significantly stronger ( NOW LR)you will see that a lot of Americans will start going to cheaper destinations.I have been to Medellin multiple times, specifically El Poblado(THAT'S HOW IT IS ACTUALY NAMED, NOT: POBLADO..look it up if you don't believe me). The name El Poblado ("The Village") derives from the first Spanish settlement of the Aburrá Valley in 1616 that was built in what is today its main square.El Poblado is equivalent to going to 5th or Park ave in Mid-town Manhattan. So I could safely say that there is not place where you are going to find the typical local from Medellin. Yes, it's full of tourists, but how can you blame them if it is one of the safest areas in Medellin.I honestly have to say that Medellin is my favorite city in Colombia. I remember a few years ago reading an article about the president of Spain staying at the Intercontinental hotel in Medellin and saying that he loved Medellin so much, and that Medellin should actually be the Capital of Colombia.The people in Medellin are very hard working, very family oriented, the girls are beautiful and the people for the most part are known to be extremely friendly.
Jan. 23, 2013 at 6:49 p.m.
CaligatorLos Angeles
I just got back from Medellin as well...on Thursday. Just returned back to the States from a three week adventure in Colombia. Que Lindo! While I wish I could've spent more time in Medellin I can honestly say I found it to be an incredible city. Pristine, warm, and teeming with activities for any type. I would not be the least bit surprised if Medellin became a major international destination within the next 5-10 years. I found it just as vibrant and exciting as Buenos Aires and a helluva lot safer than Rio.
Tan. 22, 2013 at 10:10 a.m.
Ana MColombia
I'm glad that out there, my city is starting to leave behind that dark history that has stained the country for so many years now.
I invite you to read my article about this change in the following link. Thanks! http://dinews.posterous.com/the-beautiful-village-medellin-…
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:08 a.m.
PedroGermany
I'm gonna have to disagree with you Jenny, I'm from Medellin too, I'm a student and I've lived there my whole life. The reason he mentions Pablo is because he wants to start from how Medellin WAS before, so he can remark how much it has improved through the years. It's COMPLETELY bad that foreigners associate Colombia with drugs and Pablo and I find 100% correct you're analogy with Germany and Hitler. But I don't really think the author of this article mentioned Pablo in a bad form. He just wanted to show the readers how Medellin has transformed itself since that time. For that you have to show first it beginnings.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.RECOMMENDED2
I'm gonna have to disagree with you Jenny, I'm from Medellin too, I'm a student and I've lived there my whole life. The reason he mentions Pablo is because he wants to start from how Medellin WAS before, so he can remark how much it has improved through the years. It's COMPLETELY bad that foreigners associate Colombia with drugs and Pablo and I find 100% correct you're analogy with Germany and Hitler. But I don't really think the author of this article mentioned Pablo in a bad form. He just wanted to show the readers how Medellin has transformed itself since that time. For that you have to show first it beginnings.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.RECOMMENDED2
Michael IretonCalgary, AB
Great piece! We took a family trip to Colombia in March/April of 2012. My wife, 2 sons (7 and 9 at the time), and I had an amazing experience there, despite the ill-founded fears of friends and relatives about taking kids to such a "dangerous place".
Great piece! We took a family trip to Colombia in March/April of 2012. My wife, 2 sons (7 and 9 at the time), and I had an amazing experience there, despite the ill-founded fears of friends and relatives about taking kids to such a "dangerous place".
We did not originally plan to visit Medellin, but when the "enhanced security" for the impending Summit of the Americas completely drained the life out of Cartagena, we made a spur of the moment decision to jump over to Medellin for a few days, and we're SO glad we did. It was a fantastic experience. We stayed at the Dann Carlton (one of the hotels mentioned in the piece), and it was delightful. We visited several of the "Parques Bibliotecas", and the staff were thrilled and proud to give us tours and talk about the social and economic impacts they've had.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.
Tramites MedellínMedellín
Very few locals and tourist have been able to see the true beauty of Medellín, Antioquia or Colombia...
Very few locals and tourist have been able to see the true beauty of Medellín, Antioquia or Colombia...
Articles where Pablo Escobar, nightlife, etc... cannot paint the real beauty of this land, it would be wise to visit the surrounding towns, see the fauna and flora, speak to real Paisas, see the coffee farms, get out and breathe some fresh air...Medellín, Antioquia or Colombia have so much more to offer than drug lords or nightlife!
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.RECOMMENDED1
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.RECOMMENDED1
elpaisitaMedellín
Mr. Alford,
Mr. Alford,
Thank you for writing a very nice article about Medellín, let me remind you that Medellín was not ¨the largest cocaine-producing city in the world¨, it was the city with the biggest distributors of the world, the Medellín drug Cartel, I think that is a bit different. I could have done away with so much ¨Pablo¨ talk, not something many Colombian´s would like to be reminded about, the rest of the article was cool, also thank god you were not allowed into Palmahia, trust me not the place for tourist, think of it as a local hang out for emerging thugs!
Mr. Alford, there is so much more to see if you visit Medellín again, Antioquia, Jardin, Jerico, San Antonio de Pereira, that is where you will find the real ¨Paisas¨ not taking 15 minute strolls or taxi rides from the ¨El Poblado¨ haven you so describe, which in my mind is just a tourist trap. Perhaps, you will visit our beautiful botanical gardens or write a piece about why our culture is at a crossroads with bull fighting, more arts, cuisine, music. Medellín is not just El Poblado and it´s tourist haven´s please come back and see the real Medellín and it´s sorroundings. I suggest August during La Feria de Las Flores, X-mas time or any other time, get out to the ¨pueblos¨, see coffee plantations, the plant ¨Paisas¨ are most proud of and drink some Aguardiente at a local ¨heladeria¨ then you can just start to scrath the surface about being a ¨paisa¨ and being proud of the real Medellín and Antioquia!
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.RECOMMENDED2
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.RECOMMENDED2
RemberthBogotá
It´s great to see how some of you have enjoyed one of Colombia´s nicest and fastest growing city´s. But let me put something clear. I´m from the Netherlands, and I´ve got to say that Colombia is now a better place to life that you can imagine. Pablo is more like a legend where people do not even want to look at it. Past is a world of terror and so is Pablo in Colombia. It might be fun for a foreigner to come and do some sightseeing but the truth behind is never published. Go ahead and ask someone raised in Medellin´s 80s terror era and I m pretty sure your article might change its face. However, I´m sure you want to highlight the good about the city but be careful when mentioning Pablo. Regarding Bogota, is one of South America´s fastest growing economies. It´s true what someone said about garbage, but common, if you want to talk about garbage and safety, look at yourself first and be at least educated. Bogota´s museums, art galleries and night life have nothing to envy. I myself am a foreigner from nationality but have never felt one here. I´m proud of being Dutch, but I see Colombia as my home. Besides that, have you always felt safe in the bronx? brooklyn? Manhattan? safety issues can be found anywhere even in Amsterdam or London. So, please.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.
It´s great to see how some of you have enjoyed one of Colombia´s nicest and fastest growing city´s. But let me put something clear. I´m from the Netherlands, and I´ve got to say that Colombia is now a better place to life that you can imagine. Pablo is more like a legend where people do not even want to look at it. Past is a world of terror and so is Pablo in Colombia. It might be fun for a foreigner to come and do some sightseeing but the truth behind is never published. Go ahead and ask someone raised in Medellin´s 80s terror era and I m pretty sure your article might change its face. However, I´m sure you want to highlight the good about the city but be careful when mentioning Pablo. Regarding Bogota, is one of South America´s fastest growing economies. It´s true what someone said about garbage, but common, if you want to talk about garbage and safety, look at yourself first and be at least educated. Bogota´s museums, art galleries and night life have nothing to envy. I myself am a foreigner from nationality but have never felt one here. I´m proud of being Dutch, but I see Colombia as my home. Besides that, have you always felt safe in the bronx? brooklyn? Manhattan? safety issues can be found anywhere even in Amsterdam or London. So, please.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.
Sonya FierstNorthampton, MA
I lived in Medellín for 2 years while pursuing graduate studies in Geopolitics. It is a very exciting, dynamic and complex city with a traumatic past. I was glad to see the NYT write ab Medellín in a positive light, but I found this article to be surprisingly superficial. It's true, many people no longer face the same plight they lived through in the 90s during the Escobar era, but the violence and corruption that plagued the city a few decades ago has long from disappeared (as suggested). It's been diverted from the wealthier neighborhoods and concentrated in the poor communes, including Santo Domingo where the author passed through to visit la Biblioteca España and on his way to Parque Arví. It seems foreigners tend to see Medellín as either: 1) a dangerous and lawless city marked by extreme violence and drug-trafficking (for this stereotype it sure would be great to stop making reference to Escobar in every article written on Medellín) OR 2) a vibrant, born-again city with excellent nightlife that's been transformed entirely from its former identity. One's initial impression of Medellín, after visiting (+ esp after staying exclusively in El Poblado district, as it appears the author did) often switches from the former to the latter quite fast. Although there is certainly truth to Medellín's transformation, the reality of the city lies somewhere in between the two. It would have been nice to get a more well-rounded depiction or change the title to "Nightlife in El Poblado"
Jan. 21, 2013 at 12:19 p.m.RECOMMENDED1
I lived in Medellín for 2 years while pursuing graduate studies in Geopolitics. It is a very exciting, dynamic and complex city with a traumatic past. I was glad to see the NYT write ab Medellín in a positive light, but I found this article to be surprisingly superficial. It's true, many people no longer face the same plight they lived through in the 90s during the Escobar era, but the violence and corruption that plagued the city a few decades ago has long from disappeared (as suggested). It's been diverted from the wealthier neighborhoods and concentrated in the poor communes, including Santo Domingo where the author passed through to visit la Biblioteca España and on his way to Parque Arví. It seems foreigners tend to see Medellín as either: 1) a dangerous and lawless city marked by extreme violence and drug-trafficking (for this stereotype it sure would be great to stop making reference to Escobar in every article written on Medellín) OR 2) a vibrant, born-again city with excellent nightlife that's been transformed entirely from its former identity. One's initial impression of Medellín, after visiting (+ esp after staying exclusively in El Poblado district, as it appears the author did) often switches from the former to the latter quite fast. Although there is certainly truth to Medellín's transformation, the reality of the city lies somewhere in between the two. It would have been nice to get a more well-rounded depiction or change the title to "Nightlife in El Poblado"
Jan. 21, 2013 at 12:19 p.m.RECOMMENDED1
KennethColombia
I am an American that has lived in Colombia for a number of years and find this article childish.Yes it is true that Medellin is an excellent city and for me the best large city in Colombia.But to write about it like it is some utopia without problems is just ridiculous.Yes El Poblado is an impressive barrio, but unfortunately most Americans never venture out to discover the real Colombia with all its complexities.Medellin is far improved, but it still can be a dangerous city and precautions should be taken.Street crime is common, as are robberies at street lights and intersections while in a car.I could go on for a long time about the many people I know who have been victims of crime in Medellin.So yes enjoy the city, but enter as an objective adult not as a child and enjoy.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 12:19 p.m.RECOMMENDED3
I am an American that has lived in Colombia for a number of years and find this article childish.Yes it is true that Medellin is an excellent city and for me the best large city in Colombia.But to write about it like it is some utopia without problems is just ridiculous.Yes El Poblado is an impressive barrio, but unfortunately most Americans never venture out to discover the real Colombia with all its complexities.Medellin is far improved, but it still can be a dangerous city and precautions should be taken.Street crime is common, as are robberies at street lights and intersections while in a car.I could go on for a long time about the many people I know who have been victims of crime in Medellin.So yes enjoy the city, but enter as an objective adult not as a child and enjoy.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 12:19 p.m.RECOMMENDED3
JMKWash DC
Ken,
Ken,
NRNew York City
The author arrived veeery late to this great party! Medellin has been fabulous for nearly two decades, Bogota for even longer, and Cartagena forever. The people, the food, the nightlife, the art...indeed, Colombia has a lot to offer. Anyone travelling to Latin America should take precautions, though: keep valuables at home or the hotel, take taxis from stands or call them from the hotel, take cash from inside banks not streetside ATMs, do some research before visiting some city areas...A good rule of thumb is to ask the locals.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 12:19 p.m.RECO
The author arrived veeery late to this great party! Medellin has been fabulous for nearly two decades, Bogota for even longer, and Cartagena forever. The people, the food, the nightlife, the art...indeed, Colombia has a lot to offer. Anyone travelling to Latin America should take precautions, though: keep valuables at home or the hotel, take taxis from stands or call them from the hotel, take cash from inside banks not streetside ATMs, do some research before visiting some city areas...A good rule of thumb is to ask the locals.
Jan. 21, 2013 at 12:19 p.m.RECO
Sure, don't go at night to the most dangerous barrios... like anywhere else in the world.
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