5-Day Itinerary for Medellin, Colombia

  • Day 1: Parque Arvi and Comuna 13
    1-hour drive from Medellin

    Start your day by taking a cable car to Parque Arvi, where you will enjoy stunning views of the city and the surrounding Andes. Afterward, take a guided walking tour of Comuna 13, a historically troubled neighborhood that has undergone a transformation in recent years, now recognized for its street art and community murals.

  • Day 2: Pueblito Paisa and El Penol Rock
    1-hour drive from Medellin

    In the morning, travel to Pueblito Paisa, a recreation of a typical Antioquian village. Admire the views of the city and its sprawling skyline from atop the hill. Afterward, head to El Penol rock, a massive granite peak overlooking a series of lakes that offers stunning views from its peak.

  • Day 3: Botanical Garden and Museum of Antioquia
    30-minute drive from Medellin

    Start your day by exploring the Botanical Garden, which offers an extensive collection of flora and fauna native to the region. Afterward, head to the Museum of Antioquia, which houses a wide variety of artwork and historical exhibits showcasing the culture and traditions of the region.

  • Day 4: Guatape and Escobar's Hacienda Napoles
    2-hour drive from Medellin

    Travel to the vibrant town of Guatape, known for its colorful streets, lively market, and stunning vistas of the surrounding countryside. After exploring the town, head to Hacienda Napoles, once owned by infamous drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, now a theme park with exotic animals and a massive dinosaur exhibit.

  • Day 5: Plaza Botero and Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe
    10-minute drive from Medellin

    Begin your day by visiting Plaza Botero, a public square surrounded by several large bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero, a world-renowned Colombian artist. Afterward, head to Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, a cultural center that offers various exhibitions related to the history and heritage of the region.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Parque Arvi (3 hours, free)
  • Comuna 13 walking tour (2 hours, free)
  • Pueblito Paisa (1 hour, free)
  • El Penol Rock (2 hours, $10 entrance fee)
  • Botanical Garden (2 hours, $5 entrance fee)
  • Museum of Antioquia (2 hours, $10 entrance fee)
  • Guatape (3 hours, free)
  • Hacienda Napoles (4 hours, $20 entrance fee)
  • Plaza Botero (1 hour, free)
  • Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe (2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $45

Transportation

Travelers should consider using a car rental service or hiring a private driver to get around Medellin and its surroundings. Taxis and public transportation are also readily available but may be less comfortable or convenient. Average costs for local transportation range between $1-5 per trip, depending on the distance traveled.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider exploring the upscale neighborhood of El Poblado or checking out the local art scene in the neighborhood of Laureles. Alternatively, if you have less time, you might consider combining some of the attractions listed above or cutting out the trip to Hacienda Napoles to save money or time.

Airports

Medellin is served by two airports, Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). EOH is much smaller and closer to the city center, while MDE is larger and located further away. MDE is the main international airport, and it takes approximately 45-minutes to reach the city center from the airport. If you are arriving at EOH, it will take around 15-minutes to reach the city center from the airport.

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