Medellín Travel Tips: Safety, Money & SIM

Staying safe: the Medellín travel tips that matter most

The first of many Medellín travel tips you'll hear from locals is no dar papaya: literally “don't give papaya”, meaning don't make yourself an easy target. In practice:

• Keep your phone out of sight on the street, especially near the kerb where motorbikes pass.
• Carry little cash and leave expensive watches and jewellery at your accommodation.
• Never leave your drink or food unattended and don't accept anything from strangers. The UK government warns that criminals in Colombia use scopolamine to drug and rob travellers.
• Be careful with dating apps: don't invite people you've just met back to your room or go to theirs; meet in busy public places.
• Use ATMs in daylight and inside banks, supermarkets or shopping centres.

In an emergency, dial 123. Medellín's city government asks people to use only this number, as calls are routed to the police, ambulance or fire service from there.

Money, cards and tipping

Colombia uses the Colombian peso (COP). Cards are accepted in most restaurants, supermarkets and malls, but you'll need cash for corner shops, buses, street stalls and for topping up the metro's Cívica card, since ticket windows only take cash.

• Withdraw cash at bank or mall ATMs during the day, and check the ATM fee on screen before you confirm.
• Keep small notes: taxis and small shops often can't change large bills.
• Tipping: restaurant bills usually include a suggested service charge. Under Colombian law (Ley 1935 of 2018) it's voluntary and can't exceed 10% when the restaurant suggests it. You can accept it, change the amount or decline, and the restaurant must tell you it's voluntary.

When paying by card, keep it in sight and ask for the card machine to be brought to your table. If a machine asks whether to charge in pesos or your home currency, choosing pesos usually avoids a poor conversion rate set by the machine.

Airport bus with COMBUSES

Start your trip the easy way: from José María Córdova Airport, the COMBUSES bus takes you into central Medellín around the clock, with a digital ticket and a 23 kg bag included.

Book your ticket →

Phones, SIM cards and data

Having data from the moment you land helps you book a taxi, use maps and show your digital airport bus ticket. You have three options:

• Roaming with your home provider: easiest, but check the price before you travel.
• A travel eSIM: buy it online before you leave and it works as soon as you land, if your phone supports eSIM.
• A local SIM: the main networks are Claro, Movistar and Tigo. Buy it at an official store and bring your passport. With a Colombian SIM, the provider may ask you to register your phone's IMEI; do it in the store to avoid the line being blocked later.

Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and malls, but avoid online banking on open networks.

Save your accommodation address, a copy of your passport and the customer service numbers of your airline and of COMBUSES, (+57) 316 023 5197, on your phone just in case.

Getting around: metro, taxis and apps

• Metro: the fastest way across the city. It runs Monday to Saturday from 4:30 to 23:00 and on Sundays and public holidays from 5:00 to 22:00 on the main lines. You pay with a Cívica card.
• Metrocable and tram: both connect to the metro and reach hillside neighbourhoods and Parque Arví.
• Taxis: order them by app or phone, or use the official taxi rank at the airport. Avoid hailing taxis on the street, particularly at night, and check the plate and driver's name before you get in.
• Walking: El Poblado, Laureles and the centre in daytime are easy to explore on foot. At night, walk in a group or take a taxi.

Medellín sits in a narrow valley and traffic builds up at rush hour, early in the morning and in the late afternoon. If you need to reach the airport at a set time, leave with plenty of margin.

Before you land: immigration and the airport

Medellín's airport, José María Córdova, isn't in the city itself but in Rionegro, about 20 km south-east of Medellín and more than 2,100 m above sea level, so it feels noticeably cooler than Medellín when you step off the plane.

• Check-MIG: Migración Colombia's free online form, filled in between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight. Its 2026 documents describe it as optional, but some airlines ask for it at check-in. Only use the official .gov.co website.
• From the airport to the city: COMBUSES buses leave for Paradero San Diego and Hotel Nutibara every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, and for Metro Exposiciones every 20 minutes between 4:00 and 18:00.
• Luggage: one carry-on plus one checked bag up to 23 kg are included. Children under 2 travel free on an adult's lap.

Buy your ticket online and show it on your phone: no reservation and no fixed departure time.

Places on the map

Frequently asked questions

More Medellín guides

Photo: I.D. R.J. (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)