Botero Plaza
Open plaza filled with more than twenty bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero, all in his trademark rounded style. A favourite place for photos and for people-watching.
Medellin
This spring-like city lies in a valley among mountains and is known for a modern food scene, cable cars and the street art of Comuna 13.
Attractive locations
Museum of Antioquia
Art museum in a handsome former city hall, with a large collection of works by Fernando Botero and other Colombian artists, next to the sculpture plaza.
Cerro Nutibara
Small hill with views over the city, topped by Pueblito Paisa, a replica of a traditional Antioquian village with a plaza, church and craft shops.
Parque Explora
Interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits, a large aquarium and a planetarium. It is popular with families and curious visitors.
Arví Park
Nature park in the forested hills above the city, reached by a scenic cable-car ride. It has walking trails, picnic areas and country air.
Comuna 13 (San Javier)
A hillside neighbourhood in western Medellín, once known for violence and now known for colourful street art, hip-hop and outdoor escalators that ease the steep climb. Local guides lead walking tours.
El Peñón de Guatapé
A huge granite rock rising from the lakeland east of Medellín, with a long stairway to a viewpoint over the reservoir's islands. The nearby town of Guatapé has brightly painted houses.
Airports
Jose Maria Córdova International Airport MDE
It is about 19 km in a straight line from Medellin.
Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport EOH
It is about 4 km in a straight line from Medellin.
El Caraño Airport UIB
It is about 134 km in a straight line from Medellin.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Colombia page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan16.2 °C116 mm
- Feb16.6 °C92 mm
- Mar16.8 °C138 mm
- Apr16.7 °C220 mm
- May16.7 °C243 mm
- Jun16.5 °C172 mm
- Jul16.4 °C177 mm
- Aug16.5 °C193 mm
- Sep16.4 °C193 mm
- Oct16.1 °C220 mm
- Nov16.0 °C205 mm
- Dec16.1 °C152 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: Apr, May, Oct.
Costs
Prices here are about 38% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
Feria de las Flores
Medellin hosts a flower parade featuring silleteros.
Who can help
Emergency
123 for all emergencies.
local government
Tourism Police (Policía de Turismo), National Police of Colombia
Helps with: Specialised police group for tourism. Its listed duties include watching over tourist attractions, giving tourists information and guidance, and handling their complaints. The phone is the police administrative switchboard; emergencies: 123.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors in Colombia. The police page also gives the national emergency number 123.
Phone: +57 6015159000
Address: Calle 14 Nro. 62-70, Zona Industrial, Puente Aranda
ngo
Cruz Roja Colombiana (Colombian Red Cross)
Helps with: Colombia's national Red Cross society, a private non-profit humanitarian body. Its work includes a blood bank, disaster risk reduction, health care and humanitarian projects.
Who qualifies: People in Colombia needing its humanitarian, health or disaster services; contact the national headquarters or a local branch.
Phone: 601 794 6566
Address: Av. Cra. 68 # 68 B -31, Bogotá
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Colombia
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Colombia it works with the government on migration management and protecting people on the move, and on solutions for displacement.
Who qualifies: Migrants and displaced people in Colombia, and government partners. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +57 1 6397777
Address: Carrera 14 N° 93B-46, Bogotá
local government
Emergency number 123 (police and ambulance)
Helps with: Reaches the police and the ambulance service in Colombia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 123
local government
Fire emergency number 119
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Colombia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 119