medellin, colombia resources
INFORMATION
ProColombia, Tel: (in the U.S.) 305-374-3144. Colombia’s tourism organization has a robust Website filled with lots of helpful information about Medellin. www.colombia.travel/en
GAY LIFE
BarChiquita, Carrera 37 #10-37 Local 205. Tel: +57-316-744-8466. This LGBTQ bar may be small, but it attracts a large and well-dressed clientele with its creative vibe, cool décor, and great music. www.facebook.com/BarChiquita
Club Oraculo, Carrera 36 #8A-123. Tel: +57-316-744-8466. Arrive early to claim your space on the dance floor
at this fun, small dance club. DJs spin a variety of musical styles, and if you get there before midnight on Thursday or Friday, you won’t pay a cover). www.facebook.com/ClubOraculo
Donde Aquellos Bar, Carrera 38 #9A-26, Parque Lleras. Tel: +57-4-312-2041. The oldest gay bar in Medellín’s upscale Poblado district, Donde Aquellos has been attracting night owls since 2000 with its attractive open-air seating that’s perfect for people watching; the new indoor lounge offers the opportunity to dance, too. www.dondeaquellosbar.com.co
Industry Club, Calle, 26A 43F 72, Barrio Colombia. Tel: +57-316-638-4028. Located in a neighborhood called Barrio Colombia, Industry Club offers two different vibes. One section usually plays fast-paced techno dance music, while the other plays crossover and pop hits. www.facebook.com/industryclubmedellin
Zero by Purple Club, Carrera 39 #8-81. Tel: +57-301-630-9011. Dance music and drag shows attract a lively young crowd to this popular venue, which also hosts a variety of theme nights and special events. www.facebook.com/ZERONIGHTCLUBMEDELLIN
HOTELS
Art Hotel, Carrera 41 #9-31. Tel: +57-4-369-7900. Exposed brick provides the perfect backdrop for the original modern art on display at this interesting property, which is located in the upscale Poblado district. The rooftop restaurant, Vaggart, serves international cuisine with a lovely city view. www.en.arthotel.com.co
Charlee, Calle 9A #37-16. Tel +57-4440-4968. The rooms are decidedly unique at this boutique hotel, where rooms have names and a variety of amenities like Jacuzzis and balconies. The property also has a rooftop lounge and bar complete with pool, and a street-level restaurant called Lucia that specializes in Tuscan cuisine. www.thecharlee.com
DuParc Royal, Calle 9 #41-36. Tel: +57-4-448-4505. Situated near Lleras Park in El Poblado district, DuParc Royal is a good place to indulge, with a spa, gym, bistro-style restaurant and café piano bar. www.en.hotelduparc.com.co
InterContinental Medellin, Calle 16 #28-51. Tel +57-4-444-8106. Travelers looking for brand-name luxury with a view will find plenty to love at this long-running favorite,which sits atop a hill and offers amenities including an outdoor heated pool, tennis court, spa, and multiple upscale restaurants. www.ihg.com
Lleras Green Hotel, Calle 9 #40-30. Tel: +57-4-560-2000. Located conveniently close to Lleras Park, this mid-priced property has a terrace with city views, an attractive casual restaurant that serves Colombian food and other light fare, and clean, simple rooms. www.lleras-green.hotels-medellin.com/en
Medellin Marriott, Calle 1a Sur #43a-83. Tel: +57-4-444-3636. Travelers looking for luxury will do well at this modern property, located in El Poblado. A spa, fitness center and outdoor pool are among the reasons guests love this property, and one of its restaurants, Nau, is known for its Japanese cuisine. www.marriott.com
Hotel Nutibara, Calle 52A #50-46. Tel: +57-4-511-5111. If you’re on a budget and love history, Hotel Nutibara is a good choice. Once the city’s most luxurious hotel, today it’s a wallet-friendly option with basic-but-comfortable accommodations just steps from Plaza Botero and the Antioquia Museum. www.hotelnutibara.com
ACTIVITIES
Casa de la Memoria, Calle 51 #36-66 Parque Bicentenario. Tel: . +57- 4- 5202020. An important attraction for those who want a deeper understanding of Medellin’s difficult past, this museum honors the memories of the victims of urban conflict.
www.museocasadelamemoria.gov.co
Museo de Antioquia, Carrera 52 #52-43. Tel: +57-4-251-3636. Medellin’s most popular museum, this venue offers enough to warrant at least a half-day visit. More than 100 works by artist Fernando Botero are on display, as well as an array of pre-Colombian, colonial and modern art. www.museodeantioquia.co
Museo de Arte Moderno, Carrera 44 #19 A 100, Ciudad del Rio. Tel: +57-444-2622. Modern art fans flock to this impressive venue, which is set in a creatively re-imagined industrial building. Check the schedule to see what’s on exhibit, as well as what’s playing at the onsite cinema. www.elmamm.org
Out in Colombia, Tel. +57-300-249-7948 or U.S. number 602-399-7433. This Medellín-based LGBTQ tour operator offers a wide array of guided tours, excursions and experiences in Medellín and elsewhere in Colombia. It’s a great way to see the city from many different angles, including culinary tours, cooking classes, nightlife tours and day trips outside the city. www.outincolombiatravel.com
Parque Arvi, Centro Ambiental y Cultural Parque Ariv, Corregimiento de Santa Elena, Vereda Piedras Blancas, Sector El Tambo. Tel: +57-4-444-2979. Nature lovers won’t want to miss this sprawling park, which is graced with lots of hiking trails that run through lovely pine and eucalyptus forests. The scenic ride up in the Metrocable gondola lift system is one of the most memorable parts of the experience. www.parquearvi.org
Toucan Café & Tours, Calle 10 #41-32. Tel: +57-4-586-9215. Whether you’ want to take a Spanish class, have a coffee or visit the tiny coffee museum, this is a rewarding place to visit. www.toucancafe.co www.toucanspanish.com
Viva Expeditions. Tel. +64-9-950-5918. This mainstream tour operator is a reliable option for general tours of the city with expert guides. www.vivaexpeditions.com
SHOPPING
Mon y Velarde, Calle 8 #37-25. Tel: +57-448-4115. Stylishly casual men’s clothing and shoes are the main draw at this retailer. www.monyvelarde.com
Orozco, Carrera 35 #10a-54. Tel: +57-1-559-6112. Orozco is one of the top shops to visit when you’re looking for exquisitely contemporary men’s clothing in Medellín, with two main collections: one exceptionally trendy, and one that consists of handsome suits. www.orozcoclothing.co
Wanitta, Carrera 37 N° 8A – 32. Tel: +57-4-311-5756. Youthfully beautiful blouses, dresses, skirts, footwear and accessories for women place this retailer high on the “must-shop” list. www.wanitta.com
RESTAURANTS
Café Zorba, Calle 8 #42-33. Parque Lineal de la Presidenta, El Poblado. Tel: +57-4-604-4529. This nondescript eatery is a great place to satisfy your hankering for freshly made pizza; some say it’s the best pizza in the city, in fact. www.cafezorba.com.co
Carmen, Carrera 36 #10A-27, El Poblado. Tel: +57-4-311-9625. Located in a lovely former home in the chic El Poblado district, Carmen wows diners with contemporary cuisine made with classic Colombian elements. www.carmenmedellin.com
El Cielo, Carrera 40 #10A-22. Tel: +57-4-268-3002. With branches in Miami and Bogotá, El Cielo is renowned for its creations by Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos Valencia, who has ranked as one of the 50 best chefs in Latin America by the San Peregrino World’s 50 Best listings. www.elcielorestaurant.com/us
El Tabún, Carrera 33 #7-99. Tel: +57-4-311-8209. Tasty dishes like kebabs, shawarma and samosas are among the Middle Eastern delights served at this casual-cool venue, which provides a refreshing culinary alternative. www.eltabun.com
Hacienda Origen, Carrera 48 #20-34. Tel: +57-4-448-9030. Freshly prepared, healthful Colombian cuisine is the focus at this casual eatery, which has multiple locations throughout the city. www.haciendaorigen.com/en
Mercado del Rio, Calle 24 No. 48-28. Tel: +57-302-331-1752. A diverse array of gourmet cuisines and upscale setting make this an ideal place to please a variety of palates, whether you’re in the mood for Colombian food, sushi, barbecued beef, or a host of other favorites. www.mercadodelrio.com
Oci.mde, Carrera 33 #7-21, El Poblado. Tel: +57-448-8203. The ambiance is elegant yet relaxed, and the cuisine is decidedly delicious and creative, with everything from tilapia ceviche to suckling pig with pumpkin mash. www.ocimde.com
Osea, Calle 9 #43B-28, El Poblado. Tel: +57-4-589-9192. What this trendy restaurant lacks in size, it more than makes up in style, with an expertly curated small menu of Colombian and international dishes that evolves on a monthly basis. www.oseamed.co
Salon Malagá, Carrera 51 #45-80. Tel: +57-4-231-2658. It may be surprising that tango is a treasured musical tradition in Medellín. This is one of the best places to enjoy live shows, accompanied by light Colombian fare. www.salonmalaga.com
3 Tipicos, Carrera 34 #7-05 El Poblado. Tel: +57-4-322-3229. Tasty and traditional Colombian cuisine is what keeps people coming back to 3 Típicos, a decidedly casual eatery that serves satisfyingly generous portions of barbecued ribs, grilled pork and other local favorites. www.3tipicos.com
Urbania, Calle 8 #43B-132. Tel: +57-300-554-8855. Set in a former garage, this café serves locally produced brews, and even offers tours to a coffee farm outside the city. www.urbaniacafe.com
Velvet, Carrera 37 #8A-46. Tel: 57-4-311-9405. This Belgian-owned café serves fresh-roasted coffee sourced from farms around the region. www.cafevelvet.co
