Public Transportation

There is an elevated-train (Metro) that connects the city from North to South, as well as the city’s gondola system (MetroCable). There are multiple bus-lines (MetroPlus) that connect to the Metro system. In addition, taxis and Uber are available. As a rule of thumb, avoid taking a cab from the street. Book online, by phone, or through your hotel reception. Shopping malls also have official Taxi stands.

Car rental is another option, but keep in mind most cars in Medellin are manual transmission. This is a more expensive service compared to the US, and we would not recommend, especially when public transportation is cheap and reliable.

Language

Spanish is the official language in Colombia. While knowing the language can help, many people speak English. Colombians are extremely warm people - most will go out of their way to help tourists. Colombians are also very talkative and may have little “respect” for your personal space. :)

Colombians greet everyone, including strangers. It is considered rude or at least bad manners to not greet someone back. Thus, when walking around you’ll quite often be greeted (Buenos Dias, buenas tardes or buenas noches: good morning, good afternoon, good evening), and it is decent to respond back with at least the same formality.

Weather/Climate

Colombia is the "City of Eternal Spring" and has only rainy and dry seasons. The wedding festivities will be around the start of the dry season. Temperatures will fluctuate between the mid 70’s and low 80’s. Sunrise/sunset are approximately around 6:30 am/pm.

Despite the nice warm weather, please keep in mind that people in Colombia, especially in Medellin and the capital, dress more formally than Americans. It is rare that people go out in athletic shorts, T-shirts or what is considered a typical American stereotype: flip flops. To avoid looking too much like a tourist, consider wearing nicer shorts, or jeans with a polo shirt or t-shirt.

A dress-code is more relevant based on what you are doing: if you are just walking through the streets and wandering throughout the city, then wearing comfortable clothes (such as shorts) is fine. But, if you are heading out for a nice meal, or going out at night or visiting a mall, then a better dress code is suggested.

Top Rated Things to Do in the City

Check out this list of recommended things to do! We will provide more input for anything you are interested in!

https://www.planetware.com/colombia/top-rated-tourist-attractions-things-to-do-in-medellin-col-1-14.htm

Food

Food in Medellin is a farmer's diet developed for a simple palate revolving around beans, rice, and meat.

The most famous dish in Medellin is Bandeja Paisa, which consists of beans, rice, several kinds of meat, a fried egg, french fries, a small side salad, and a fried or grilled plantain (sweet banana).

Other popular dishes (especially popular with gringos) are Sancocho, which is like a supersized chicken soup, and Ajiaco, which is also a soup with chicken, but thicker and served with capers. Both are delicious.

We recommend you try empanadas (small, moon-shaped fried dough filled with different things), palito de queso (dough & cheese stick), and mango biche (a sour mango often served with salt/pepper).

If you are looking for spicy food, Medellin is NOT the spot for that - bring your own hot sauce! (or ask for ají - a slightly spicy sauce often available by request).

Drinks

Feeling thirsty? Try the wide variety of tropical juices (lulo, maracuya, pineapple, mango, blackberry), different flavored lemonades (especially "limonada de coco"), guarapo (sugar cane drink), and the local liquor called "aguardiente" or a rum such as Ron Medellín.

Wedding Ceremony

Cocktail Hour & Reception