If you’re planning a trip to Medellín, you might be concerned about how to stay safe in the city – as I was before setting off on my trip. Medellín was once known as one of the most dangerous in the world, and has today transformed into one of Latin America’s most exciting travel destinations – but it is yet to fully shake off its reputation as a place of crime and violence.
In the 1980s and 90s, Medellín was the epicentre of cartel violence, and was famed globally as a war-zone with high levels of political and social instability. Today however, it’s a vibrant city full of innovation, culture, and warm hospitality. While its past still makes some first-time travelers hesitant, Medellín has made incredible progress in safety, infrastructure, and tourism.
Like any major city, Medellín still has areas where caution is necessary, but for the most part, the neighborhoods popular with visitors—such as El Poblado and Laureles—are safe, lively, and well-patrolled. The city’s modern metro system, well-lit streets, and strong police presence in tourist areas contribute to a much-improved experience for travelers.
Is Medellín Safe?
By choosing the best area to stay in Medellín and following basic precautions during your stay, Medellín can be a safe city to explore. Police presence is high in most tourist areas, and in my experience, locals are keen to ensure you experience all the city has to offer, without worry. Naturally, like any big city, crime does sadly occur, but you can reduce your chances of falling victim to this by choosing a safe in Medellín to base yourself in during your trip.
The safest places to stay in Medellín are:
- El Poblado - arguably the city's most touristy area, El Poblado is easily one of the safest neighborhoods in Medellín.
- Laurales - dubbed as Medellín’s ‘coolest’ neighborhood, Laurales also benefits from a low crime rate.
- Belén - this is one of the city's most up-and-coming districts, and is popular with expats and longer term visitors. Despite being less popular than other neighborhoods, it’s still very safe.
- Envigado - Envigado is the place to stay if you want an authentic Colombian experience, without having to worry about safety.
El Poblado
El Poblado is my favorite neighborhood in Medellín, and is the place I recommend staying the most for first time visitors. It’s a lively spot and you’ll find pretty much everything you want here - there are endless accommodation options and places to eat and drink. El Poblado was the only place I regularly walked around at night as a solo female traveler in Colombia; It feels incredibly safe even at night, as the streets are buzzing with people.
The tourist police presence here is notable, and you’ll see officers patrolling on bikes and on foot around the clock. As a result, El Poblado has a significantly lower crime rate than the rest of the city, particularly when it comes to robberies.
There’s plenty to do in El Poblado without even leaving the district - head for a night of dancing in Provenza, sample street food from the trucks that line Ciudad del Rio, or hop between the trendy coffee shops of Manila. The neighborhood is very well connected by public transport, tour operators, and local cab providers, making it a great base point for exploring things to do in Medellín.
Best Hotels and Hostels in El Poblado
1. El Cielo Hotel Luxury Luxury
A five-star hotel located in the centre in El Poblado which offers impeccable service and an extensive range of amenities.
2. The Charlee Hotel Mid-Range
This high-end hotel features classily designed rooms and an outdoor swimming pool, as well as a tasty breakfast buffet.
3. 23 Hotel Medellín Budget
A great budget choice that doesn’t compromise on comfort. 23 Hotel has a fantastic rooftop jacuzzi terrace, which is a great place to soak up views of the city.
4. Rango Hostel Boutique Hostel
The perfect choice for backpackers wanting a boutique-style accommodation with a great atmosphere.
Laurales
Laureles is another one of the safest places to stay in Medellín. This leafy tree-lined district was voted ‘The World's Coolest Neighborhood’ by Time Out in 2023, and it’s popular with the city's young creatives and professionals. As a result, it has a buzzing atmosphere and a great cafe scene.
This neighborhood offers a much more authentic (and cheaper!) experience than El Poblado, so it’s a great place to stay if you want to feel like a Medellín local. It’s a centrally located district with lots to do nearby - shop in Uni Centro (one of Medellíns best malls), or watch a football match at the very lively Atanasio Girardot Stadium.
Laureles is one of the safest neighborhoods in Medellín, and its streets are well-lit and busy at night so you don’t need to worry about venturing out after dark here. Locals are friendly and welcoming, and there is a high police presence to keep you safe.
Best Hotels and Hostels in Laureles
1. Hotel Cavalta Luxury
A five-star hotel with a rooftop terrace and jacuzzi, offering luxury at a very reasonable price. It’s centrally located, close to all the restaurants and bars of Avenue 70.
2. Hotel Casa Laureles Mid-Range
This is a great choice for couples or budget travelers wanting somewhere comfortable to stay with an excellent buffet breakfast.
3. The Wandering Paisa Budget
The best backpacker hostel in Laureles, offering clean and colorful forms and private rooms with great common areas for meeting other travelers.
Belén
This area is less popular with tourists than El Poblado and Laureles, but it’s still a very safe neighborhood in Medellín and offers excellent value for money. It’s a great area to stay if you’re staying in Medellín for an extended period of time, as you’ll find everything you need here, including restaurants and coffee shops, gyms, a park, and a great shopping centre (Los Molinos).
Belén is in a great location for exploring some of the city's main attractions, with Comuna 13, the Metrocar and Pueblito Paisa only a short distance away.
Safety-wise, there’s a very lowkey and peaceful atmosphere here so you don’t need to worry about things like pickpocketing as much as you would in a more crowded area. It’s one of the more affluent areas in Medellín with a lower crime rate than many neighborhoods.
Best Places to Stay in Belén
There are fewer choices of hotels and hostels in Belén, but you’ll still find some great places to stay here - particularly if you’re looking for an apartment or coliving option.
1. Hotel Zona Verde Luxury
This modern hotel offers spacious rooms and is in an excellent location, with Ecotourism Park Arví and Belen Park nearby, as well as plenty of restaurants and bars.
2. 80 Cooliving Mid-Range
A great choice with anyone staying long term or those seeking home comforts, as rooms here come equipped with kitchens. There’s also a lovely rooftop for enjoying views of the nearby Belén Park.
3. International House Coliving Budget
If you’re a digital nomad visiting Medellín, this is an excellent place to stay. The hostel offers cheap rooms and a well-equipped co-working space, and it’s a great place to network and socialise with other digital nomads.
Envigado
Envigado is a great place to escape the chaos of the city and it’s a very safe place to stay in Medellín. It’s predominantly a residential suburb so is a very peaceful spot, and offers a real glimpse into authentic life in Medellín.
There might be less to do here than other Medellín neighborhoods, but there’s still plenty to explore and a lot of the area's attractions aren’t overcrowded with tourists. Try Colombian fruits at the Envigado Produce Market, practice your dance moves at La Cabana del Recuerdo, or take a coffee tour at Finca La Leona - these might not be attractions you usually find but staying in Medellín Itineraries, but staying in Envigado means you’ll have the chance to do more off-the-beaten-track activities. Additionally, if you’re planning on visiting Guatapé, Envigado is on the right side of the city to visit on a day trip and beat the traffic.
Envigado is one of the safest neighborhoods in Medellín, and is a popular choice with expats for this reason. You’ll find less tourists here but you won’t feel out of place, as the suburbs residents are very friendly and welcoming.
Best Places to Stay in Envigado
1. Arame Hotel Luxury
A modern, clean, and comfortable base to explore the city, located within close proximity to public transport as well as local attractions like the Castle Museum.
2. Hotel Casa Madero Mid-Range
One of Envigados highest-rated hotels, staying here feels a million miles away from Medellín due to its peaceful, rustic cabins.
3. Apartamento Envigado Budget
The apartment includes a small kitchen, private bathroom, and a comfortable living space. It’s a good fit for short or mid-length stays, especially if you value a quiet stay.
My Advice for Staying Safe in Medellín
I stayed in Medellín for three weeks and didn’t run into a single problem. Of course, nowhere is 100% safe and unfortunate incidents can happen anywhere, but if you’re careful and follow these safety tips, you can ensure you stay safe in Medellín.
- ‘No Dar Papaya’ - Colombians have this saying which translates to ‘don’t give away your papaya’, and it’s an important saying to keep in mind during your time in Medellín. Flashing around things like phones and other valuables is inviting people to take them. This seems like pretty basic advice, but you’d be surprised how often you leave items on display without thinking about it - I’m pretty bad for having my phone sat on the table when I’m out for a meal, or leaving my bag hanging over the side of a chair if I’m sat at a bar. I didn’t realise how naturally I did both of these things… until I was staying in Guatapé one weekend, and a local ripped my bag off the back of my chair and told me off for leaving it out on display! Situations like this invite thieves to take your belongings, often before you even have time to register what’s happening. Stay aware and don’t let your guard down.
- Take out adequate travel insurance before your trip - unfortunately, you can do everything right and still be unlucky - not just in Medellín, but everywhere in the world. In the event that something goes wrong, you’ll be relieved to have good travel insurance to sort things out.
- Just because it feels safe, doesn’t mean it is - My experience with South America as a whole has been surprising, as I’ve found myself very quickly lulled into a false sense of security. The perception I had that I would constantly feel unsafe and be on high alert has rarely been the case. As a result, I became complacent - and very nearly paid the price one day in Salento. Myself and a group of friends had set our phone up to take a photo on a self timer, and I had set my bag down a few meters away to run in for the picture. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a man eye it up and start moving towards it. I was able to quickly run over and grab it before he could, but I couldn’t believe how stupid and complacent I had been! Don’t let your guard down just because Medellín feels safe.
- Stay vigilant at bars and clubs - There’s a pretty big problem in Medellín with Scopolamine spiking. This drug essentially turns you into a zombie, so criminals use it to disorientate victims before robbing them. The nightlife in Medellín is some of my favorite in the world, so don’t let this put you off - just make sure to keep your drinks covered, and never accept drinks or cigarettes from strangers.
- Don’t fight back - if you do end up in the unfortunate situation of running into a mugger who wants your phone or wallet, just hand it over. You don’t know if they’re armed or how violent they might be willing to get, and no material possession is worth risking your life for.
- Travel safely - stick to using rideshare apps like Uber and Indrive when possible, rather than local yellow taxis. Not only are they cheaper (as they don’t mark up the price because you’re a tourist), they’re known to be safer, and if something goes wrong, you have the drivers name and registration number to report to the police.
- Don’t buy drugs on the street or use dating apps - absolutely every tale of losing money I heard from fellow backpackers in Medellín started with either ‘this guy offered me cocaine’ or ‘I went for a drink with this girl from Tinder’. If you want to stay safe, those are two simple situations you can avoid putting yourself in to minimise the risk.
Thanks for reading this guide! I hope it's given you a better understanding of what to expect when staying in Medellín. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them below. Safe travels!
