If you are serious about moving to this unique city, you’ll want to know some of our top tips for remote workers in Medellin. Other remote workers who have lived in this city have come to love it for its easy access to nature, eccentric culture and complex social fabric. Indeed, Medellin has become a model city in Colombia and across South America only in recent years and the fact the city has become such an international hub is a testament to the strength of the local expat and remote worker communities.
As such, long-term visitors here should feel lucky and excited to be able to experience such a special place in such a beautiful part of the world. To make sure you get the most out of your experience in Colombia’s second biggest city, we have outlined some of our top tips for remote workers in Medellin below.
This is a hugely important tip for remote workers in Medellin. Taking advantage of the huge international and digital nomad communities that already exists here will give all visitors a sense of belonging in the city and perhaps even a welcome support network. The many online groups available where you can meet other remote workers in Medellin will also give you an opportunity to mix with locals and get a more authentic experience of the city.
Without a doubt, Medellin has a complicated history. Decades of drug trafficking and ongoing social and economic inequality has left the city in recovery mode. As such, parts of this huge city remain dangerous and all visitors should be vigilant at all times. Having said that, violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare in the city’s central neighborhoods and, in line with this, a great tip for remote workers in Medellin is to enjoy the city and everything it has to offer but to do so sensibly in a cautious way.
An important tip for all remote workers in Medellin who truly want to experience paisa and Colombian culture in full is to learn Spanish. Conveniently, Medellin is a big student city and taking some of the city’s best Spanish classes at the Universidad Pontifica Bolivariana, Nueva Lengua School or even the Centro Interactivo de Español in Envigado will also give you an opportunity to make new friends and experience student life in the city.
Medellin is known as “the city of eternal spring” for its mild climate and verdant countryside so you will most certainly want to get out of El Poblado and Los Laureles to take some trips outside Medellin. Guatapé is probable the most popular day trip for remote workers in Medellin, with its colorful town and impressive inselberg providing sweeping views of the nearby lakes and the Paisa countryside.
Recent years have seen Medellin push back slightly against the huge number of tourists visiting the city. After all, Medellin does have a long-standing reputation across the region as a party destination. Sex tourism and gentrification have further damaged locals’ relationship with visitors. As such, a good tip for remote workers in Medellin is to be culturally aware of their surroundings and enjoy the city responsibly with a sense of respect for its native residents and its natural spaces.
For more information about living in Medellin as a remote worker, check out our complete Medellin guide.