Discovering Medellín

A Month of Culture and Adventure

¡Hola, Buenas!

I've been living in Medellín, Colombia, for about a month, and it's been amazing! I went on four tours with the same company, and I'd love to share my experiences with you. Each tour was unique and showed different aspects of the country's culture and history.

Free Walking Tour

I love doing free walking tours. They're a great way to meet people and make friends; you pay as much as you want. This tour took us through downtown Medellín, where we learned about the city's reality and Colombia's history. My favorite part was Plaza Botero; I learned so much about the artist Botero and his importance to the town. It's a fantastic way to get familiarized with Medellín. Here is a video showcasing the tour.

Local Food Tour

This tour was a no-brainer for me. I wanted to try local food and get to know Laureles, a neighborhood I considered living in. The craziest thing I tried was a fruit salad with cheese and ice cream. It was surprisingly good! While Colombian food is too deep-fried and meaty for my taste, everything on this tour was delicious. Each stop included explanations about the tradition and cultural context behind each specialty. It was a delightful way to eat like a local and discover hidden gems in Laureles.

Bario Transformation Tour

This tour was truly impactful. I loved visiting one of the Comunas with a social leader who grew up in the community and learning about how most Colombians live. We got insights into the education and health systems and saw the powerful changes happening in the community. It was an eye-opening experience that showed me the real Medellín beyond the tourist spots.

Exotic Fruits Tour

This was the highlight for me; it was my absolute favorite tour. I expected to try fruits I already knew from Brazil, like passion fruit, but they had so many fruits I had never seen before. We walked through the labyrinth of the indoor market, stopping at different fruit stalls, meeting the vendors, and learning how to recognize ripeness and quality. The fruits were amazing, and my favorite was Lulo, a typical Colombian fruit. Lulo has a tangy, citrusy flavor that's incredibly refreshing. It was a tasty adventure, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Medellín.

Medellín has been an amazing place to explore and live. Each tour gave me a deeper understanding of the city's culture and history. Special thanks to the guides that were nothing but amazing, you rock!

Thanks for reading,

Nomad Phil