Take a CAB

Taxi Stand in El Centro

OPINION PIECE... Take a CAB!!!!

MEDELLIN........... Of all the great features that make living livable in Medellin, transportation is the best .....

So, take a cab.. so very convenient.  And if there are two or three of you and you can often easily beat the bus or metro fares (even though they are ultra-inexpensive too. ) 

I have heard all of the arguments about Uber. Do what you prefer but I understand that Uber is illegal  Anyway, enjoy Uber if that is your thing.  The six billion dollar US company needs your money. 

Meanwhile yellow taxis are cheap, clean, all yellow... no tipping required or even expected... maybe you can round up for a small propina (tip). Your choice. Realistically in the US you have very little choice... hehehehe...No special night fares. All cabs in Medellin are metered!!!... Fares displayed and Driver ID info is required to be displayed.  It's a good idea to glance at it... although I have NEVER had a problem with a cabby.  If you have, we've probably heard it, but feel free to share in the comments section. 

And the taxis are ubiquitous so it's VERY RARE to have to wait. You can phone for one or hail one on the street or get one at the many taxi stands all over town. Laureles to Lleras 9,000 or so... $3.50 USD , Lleras to Estadio, Five bucks. Belen to Lleras is about $4.50, although why anyone would leave Laureles or Belen or Estadio for Parque Lleras is beyond me.   Calm down.  It's a joke. 

IMHO Buses are nuts and dangerous... cowboy drivers. Accelerate brake, accelerate break my bones...accELERATE!!!!!!!

On the Metro it can be hard to get a seat but the system is easy and efficient and clean and safe and scenic. Green Metro buses are available from all neighborhoods with transfer to Metro for a bit extra.... $1.10 US for bus plus metro fare. 87 cents for bus only or metro only.   You do NOT need exact fare.   

After getting over the wonderful touristic attributes of the Metro you will probably be taking taxis and rarely use the Metro.  If you make long trips across town north and south, the Metro is the best idea perhaps .. and then pick up a cab.



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Corollary...a car in Medellin? OF COURSE because you are a proud Gringo... hehehe...You kidding me? Nah!  WHY would you need one except to get out of town to localities...and the long distance buses are very good, modern, usually European -built and inexpensive.  No chickens. Goats optional. Or contract with a tour service, or look on GringoPaisa. 

Some cabbies speak some English and most are glad to find out about you and where you're from. They tell great stories about the States and their relatives there. Generally a nice bunch of men and women who all work hard. 


 Cab drivers will help you load your packages at supermarkets or malls etc and help you unload at your destination. Really, that's the way to go. 

I've been here 5 years and the rumors about screwing the gringo are rampant, including ones about crime-laden cabs.  Well..Not in my experience. One guidebook says always call for a cab, never hail one on the street.. Uhhh not true in my extended and intense cab riding experience. (I'm sure we'll now here about all the times cabbies screwed the expats... boring , especially since I'm from New York, and in Paris, where I lived, it seemed that all the cab drivers were pimps and surly and terse and could be very rude.)  

Worst rip-off I experienced was when a female driver tried to take me up Cerro Nutibarra to get to the Teatro Metropolitano.  I told her to turn around, and I refused to pay the extra 15 cents that were on the meter.  She said she was looking for El Teatro Metropolitano on top of Cerro Nutibara. 

Can you see the Teatro Metropolitano from here?? 

Best cabby story..he asked me if I had ever been in Texas and I told him yes, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio.  "Ever been in Dalhart?," he asked. 

"No, what were you doing in Dalhart?"

"Five to ten for possession! ", he replied.