If you are looking for an easy answer on where to stay in Medellin, I’m glad that you found our guide! After spending time in Medellin and having friends who live in the city, we’re sure of a few awesome places to stay.

In the list below, we have recommendations on the best places to stay for every type of trip, as well as the best neighborhoods to stay in. As a bonus, I’ll discuss where NOT to stay, even if other guides online give it an “OK.”

I hope all the ideas of where to stay in Medellin help you book the perfect accommodation for your travels!

Quick cheat sheet of where to stay in Medellin

Quick takeaways for this guide

  • Medellin has several safe neighborhoods to stay in, with El Poblado and Laureles as the long-time favorite areas for travelers.
  • There is a great number of hotels, hostels, apartment rentals and colivings in Medellin, with a place to stay for every budget.
  • Find the best of each type of accommodation in the list that follows, based on ratings, location and safety.

Best areas of Medellin to stay in

I’ll tell you where to look for accommodations in Medellin in terms of the best and safest neighborhoods, as well as where NOT to stay, in this section. (And for general questions about safety in Medellin, visit my Medellin safety guide.)

Best: El Poblado & Laureles

Many sources will quote the four to five safest areas of Medellin to stay in, and my recommendation is no different! As I’ve personally stayed in and lived for a month in El Poblado, this is the first and most obvious choice. Poblado is the original “international district” in Medellin, and is a favorite for expats, nomads, families, travelers, tourists and business travelers.

Dan and I currently have some friends who travel full-time and choose to live in Laureles, which should prove that it’s safe for expats and foreigners. In fact, Laureles was voted the #1 coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out, for 2023. It is now home to various coliving hotels and communities for remote workers. It has an array of dining and cafe options.

The differences between Poblado and Laureles are a few: El Poblado is VERY hilly, so keep that in mind. You’ll have strong calves after a week in Poblado. Laureles is flatter. Poblado is the center of action for nightlife, dining and cafes, and for that reason, the main streets can be a bit loud, especially at night. Laureles is all-around quieter. Lastly, Poblado is, on average, more expensive. You will find better deals (but act now!) in Laureles for renting apartments, hotels and coliving setups.

Other safe neighborhoods (runners-up!)

Other runner-ups (or “tie games”) go to Laureles first, and then Belen, Sabaneta and Envigado. Laureles is the newest neighborhood that is a hot spot for “digital nomads” and expats who want to escape the busy-ness (and hilly streets) of Poblado. Belen, Sabaneta and Envigado are areas that are more residential, and considered largely safe as well.

Remember: crime can happen at any time in Medellin, just as it can in other major cities across the world from Bogota to Barcelona! These neighborhoods are considered safer than others.

Where NOT to stay in Medellin

You may find some outdated guides that also answer “where to stay in Medellin” and they may recommend staying in El Centro (downtown Medellin). I do not recommend this. If you see this suggestion OK’d in another blog or website, I would think twice about it. Of course, many of the best things to do in Medellin are in Centro, but I don’t think it’s an ideal area for accommodation.

As a foreigner, going out at night, past dark, in Centro, may be the type of experience you aren’t looking for, as it is much easier to be a target for crime when you look less like a local Colombian. To see the sights in Centro for a day, opt for a tour! Check out my Medellin Free Walking Tour review for some visuals of Centro.

How much to budget for staying in Medellin

I think the most important thing to say about budgeting for a stay in Medellin is that your travel budget can take you far. Luxury hotels will cost half of what they would in places like NYC, and getting a beautiful apartment rental for a few nights will be a steal.

Medellin accommodation overall brings great value for travelers, hence why we call the city one of the best affordable travel destinations in the world!

At the luxury level, $150-200 USD a night may let you stay at a 5-star accommodation. Mid-range options will cost between $65-150 USD a night, depending on the hotel and the location (with El Poblado being the priciest, relative to other neighborhoods).

For backpackers looking for hostels, dorm beds come in a range from $15-25 USD per night (depending on how many beds in the room), and private rooms cost upward of $30 to 60 USD, depending on the type of hostel or guesthouse.

Best apartment-hotel rentals (luxury apartments)

Why stay in an apartment-hotel? This is my favorite type of accommodation, as you get to feel like you’re “living” in an apartment, without all the strings attached of having a lease! And, it’s also like a hotel (best of both worlds). Check out my recommendations here for the best ones in Medellin.

Loma Verde Aparthotel

Owned by Casacol, the city’s largest owner of luxury apartment rentals in Medellin, the Loma Verde Apartments in El Poblado is an easy choice for any traveler looking for a home-away-from-home style of accommodation. The apartment-hotel has both short- and long-term booking and rental options for travelers and expats.

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Photo of Becca Siegel and Dan Gold

We had an excellent stay at Loma Verde, and we liked the quiet location away from the bustle of Poblado’s main drags. Also, the rooftop dipping pool was an amazing way to unwind and watch the sunset after a day spent walking, eating and drinking coffee. Check out our in-depth Loma Verde Casacol apartment hotel review.

Having stayed in “aparthotels” like The Lisboans before, we like to have the conveniences of home (a kitchen, lots of space to stretch out and lounge around in) and the thrill of a hotel in a new city. Loma Verde Apartments are available in one- and two-bedrooms, and it’s a family-friendly building where babies, toddlers and kids are welcome. We recommend it in our kid-friendly guide to Medellin.

Book Loma Verde Aparthotel

Laureles Factory Lofts

Also from Casacol, the industrial-chic Laureles Factory Lofts building in Laureles has almost a “Brooklyn” vibe. Best for solo remote workers or couples, the studio apartments are rentable for a night or a month. There’s a rooftop pool, a gym and beautiful sweeping views.

Rooms are exceptionally clean, and the staff is awesome (there’s a 24-hour front desk with Spanish-English bilingual staff). For a trendy stay in Laureles where you can jump in on this happenin’ neighborhood, call this the choice.

Book Laureles Factory Lofts

Best hotels in Medellin

Medellin has no shortage of great hotels, many of which are new, and catering to the international traveler. Some are so unique and worth checking out, even if you don’t stay there!

Click Clack Hotel

While I’ve never stayed at the Click Clack, I have walked by it plenty. This unique 5-star hotel is big on cool and dark aesthetics, and has luxuriously-crafted modern rooms with a vibe. At the top end of rooms, there are suites and a duplex.

More than just a hotel, the Click Clack is an experience. There’s a Thai restaurant (Mekong) on site, and the property is generally a hub for action and activity. For those trying to travel sustainably, notice that the Click Clack is working toward environmental efforts, like already having eliminated single-use plastics.

Book the Click Clack

Patio del Mundo

Patio del Mundo is a smaller boutique hotel in El Poblado that’s like a little oasis. Even in a big city, staying at Patio del Mundo makes it possible to look out on your balcony at a jungle of leafy greenery. Rooms are eco-themed, with fun colored tiles in the bathrooms plant-themed deco.

I recommend this small hotel if you’re looking for a tranquil getaway located near the action of El Poblado, but specifically not in it. Patio del Mundo is located on a quiet street, only a 10-15 minute walk to those downtown cafes like Pergamino.

Book Patio del Mundo

Marriott Medellin

While hotels like the Click Clack are located just steps from the busy drags of Poblado, the Marriott Medellin is set down on Carrera 43 in somewhat of a hotel district. This hotel is a Marriott as you’d expect it to be, with a business center, pool, a fitness center, on-site dining and event spaces.

If you’re looking for a downtown hotel next to the best places to eat in Medellin, this is not it; however, this hotel is idea if you like to stick with the Marriott name and if you’ll be seeing the area via day trips from Medellin, tours or with a driver/by car.

Book Marriott Medellin

Best backpacker hostels in Medellin

Viajero Medellin Hostel

I stayed in a Viajero Hostel in Cartagena! Viajero Hostel in Medellin is a super cool spot for travelers who want to be social and make memories in a backpacker hostel. It has an A+ location in El Poblado, and has a modern and chic look! Weekly activities include Spanish classes, salsa classes, ping pong tournaments and mixology classes. There’s a 360-degree view of the city from the roof, too.

Book Viajero Medellin

Los Patios Hostel

This highly-rated hostel in Medellin is not the cheapest, but it is modern and has a whole list of amenities and features that are loved by travelers from all over the world. Among its highlights are an all-female dorm, social lounges, a shared kitchen, rooftop yoga, Spanish classes, game tables, coworking space and a rooftop bar.

It’s everything a backpacker in Medellin is looking for!

Book Los Patios Hostel

Casa Kiwi Hostel Medellin

We wound up hanging out on the rooftop of Casa Kiwi Hostel Medellin during our first stay in Medellin, and it was a cool scene. This hostel has a fun rooftop patio that has a small swimming pool, too. It has great ratings for security, and a perfect location right in the heart of El Poblado.

Book Casa Kiwi Hostel

Best colivings for digital nomads

Medellin is a growing digital nomad hotspot now, so it makes sense that some awesome coliving buildings have sprouted up. We’ve had great experiences at this type of accommodation while traveling and working remotely, so read on here at “What is a coliving?” Here are the ones to consider in Medellin.

Indie Universe (Laureles)

Indie Universe is the first “creative” coliving hotel in Medellin, and located in Laureles, it’s in a prime location to be the home for digital nomads staying in town for a while. Rooms are super clean, there are great views and the coworking space is within the hotel itself. WiFi is fast and a coffee shop inside the property keeps everyone caffeinated and productive.

Book the Indie Universe

International House Coliving (Laureles)

Reminding me of Nine Coliving in Tenerife, International House Coliving is more of a coliving house, rather than an apartment building with a coworking space like Indie Universe. International House Coliving aims to bring together digital nomads from across the globe into communal spaces and create community in their Medellin house. There’s great WiFi, an awesome terrace, super helpful staff and an excellent shared kitchen.

You can book on Booking.com or Hostelworld.

Selina Medellin

More of a hostel, but also a coliving environment for some, Selina Medellin’s best feature is its CoWork that is open to anyone who’d like to purchase a membership (day pass, weekly or monthly). We coworked here for a month when we lived for a month in El Poblado, and liked the community, unlimited coffee and yoga classes.

You can book the Selina hostel here and the CoWork here.

Airbnb

Airbnb is the last option for accommodation in Medellin, and is a totally fair option. Depending on your budget, Airbnbs in Medellin range from private rooms in a host’s home, to an entire home with cool features.

Our last time in Medellin, we went to a party at a rented house in El Poblado that had a swimming pool in the living room (yes, you read that right, and it was quite slippery in the end). For the most part, you will find regular apartments in apartment buildings. Depending on your budget, you can score amenities like gyms, pools, roof decks and more.

Tips for booking an Airbnb in Medellin

There are absolutely some great options on Airbnb. My best suggestions are: to read reviews, look at the total rating score and use the “search” in the reviews in case you are curious about something specific like “wifi” or “stairs.”

How much to budget for an Airbnb in Medellin

For a private room, prices range from anywhere between $12 USD per night to $200+ USD. As you can see, there is a ton of variation in the type of accommodation you could get.

For an entire home, where you could go with a group or a family, prices range from $50 USD to $450+ USD.

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