This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
MedellĆn is Colombia's second-largest city; geographically located in the northwest of the country, it makes for much more than just a journey-breaker.
MedellĆn has left its bad reputation associated with the drug cartels behind. As home to Pablo Escobar, the country's most famous villain and leader of the MedellĆn drug cartel, Escobar was previously loved by his contemporaries. The next generation of MedellĆnos do not hold as much respect and MedellĆn has returned to a more peaceful place than when it was the battleground of the Cali and MedellĆn cartels. However, it is interesting to find out more about Escobar -- there are regular tours that bring tourists to his home, his grave, and to the house of his brother, Roberto. There is a cable car that can be taken up to a location where there are awesome views of MedellĆn's sprawling city.
Colombians are very passionate people and this passion is so evident at football matches. The team Atletico Nacional is the best-known team based in MedellĆn and there are matches regularly. Tourists regularly attend football games and Colombians embrace their interest in their teams.
When the sun sets, most people get ready for a night in the area Parque Lleras, an area of the city that most know as the Zona Rosa, where the youth come out to party all night long! Plenty of different restaurants, bars, and nightclubs give you places to drink an Aguila beer or for those planning a wild night, some shots of aguardiente.
Every December, MedellĆn prides itself on its Navidad, or Christmas celebration all over the city -- it is renowned as having the most vibrant display of neon holiday lights. The public transport in MedellĆn is very good with trains, buses, and cheap taxis. Most tours offer private buses, which collect guests from all the hostels. It is also very well serviced by the country's long distance buses with a modern bus station.
There are many hostels in MedellĆn, offering every service that backpackers seek. Many are conveniently located near the Zona Rosa area.
Written by local expertz for Medellin
RayJ
