Medellin highlights and activities

Weather:
Medellin is known as the “city of eternal spring” due its mild and pleasant climate year-round.

• Temperatures typically range between 15°C (59°F) and 28°C (82°F) .
• The city experiences two rainy seasons, in April-May and September-November, with frequent afternoon showers, while mornings are usually sunny and warm.

Festivals:
The city is one of the main cultural centres of Colombia. Medellín carries out important and recognized festivities at local, national and international level such as:

• Hay Festival (January): It's a cultural festival that has more than 20 small events such as projection of films or talks with internationally known researchers and authors. You can find the different events in parks, libraries or museums.
• Colombiamoda (July): It's the most important fashion fair that takes place in Colombia, in this event national and international designers are famous for their designs and the quality of their collections.
• The Flower Festival (August): During this festival, the Medellin is filled with displays, competitions, and parades that explain and showcase the incredible flowers grown in the area and the culture that has developed with this agricultural activity. This ten-day festival also includes cultural shows, horse or automobile parades and beauty contests.
• Altavoz (October): This 3-day music festival features bands from all around the world. It’s the perfect mix between electro, reggae and rock so you surely find something that suits your taste.

From Europe there are several flights to Colombia. The main airlines that connect directly with Europe are Iberia, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways and Avianca, almost always with a stopover in Bogota. Upon arrival at the José María Córdova International Airport, located in the municipality of Rionegro, east of Medellín, you can take a taxi that takes you directly to your hotel or holiday apartment, in an approximate time of 45 minutes

There is also an efficient bus service, which reaches downtown Medellín. If you are traveling by road from Bogotá or another Colombian city, you will arrive at one of Medellin's bus terminals. The service is very efficient, comfortable and safe. The bus terminals are the collection centers for transportation to the small towns of Antioquia, and to the tourist centers on the outskirts of Medellin. 

Moving around

Medellín is the Colombian city with the best public transportation system in Colombia. For all tourists, it is easy to get around the subway, tram and metrocable, as well as the public bus service, taxis and Uber, all at a very economical cost.

• The Metro de Medellín has two lines: A and B. The first crosses the city from north to south and the second from east to west. Both have transshipment to the different metrocable lines (aerial cabins) and tram without an additional cost. Through the Metro you can reach the most important tourist sites in the city.
• More than 20 thousand taxis roll through the streets of Medellín and the metropolitan area, in a service that is very affordable and accessible at any time of the day and night.
• Also, Uber provides services in the X and Black categories. As in other parts of the world, the platform is not legal, so precautions must be taken when using it.

Medellin is the second-largest city in Colombia after Bogota. Once considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world because of drug cartels, Medellin has reinvented itself into an incredibly pleasant place. But, don't forget, like in any other big city in the world, you can encounter some petty theft.

These are some simple tips that should keep you out of trouble:

• Don’t flash large amounts of money in public
• Look out for pickpockets on public transportation
• Call or use a smartphone app to arrange for a taxi instead of hailing it on the street
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Keep your phones and cameras out of sight
• Don’t wear flashy jewellery
• Avoid taking cards or passports out with you