Moving to Medellín or planning to stay for a few weeks? If you've considered this city to spend some time to cowork, connect, find yourself… or chase that endless spring weather, these hacks will save you time, money, and headaches.

Get a Local eSIM Before You Land 📱

‍Hack: Set up a local eSIM ahead of time — Claro has the best coverage across the city and beyond.

• Skip the airport SIM kiosk scramble
• Claro > Tigo/Movistar if you're heading outside Medellín
• One less thing to sort out on day one

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Don't Skip Travel Insurance ✈️

‍Hack: Get your travel insurance sorted before you arrive — it's a must-have either way. We use GENKI for ours.

• Choose any doctor and use private or public hospitals — no network restrictions
• Genki pays the hospital directly if you're admitted, and most other claims get paid in 2 business days or less
• Works for the Digital Nomad Visa if you're aplying!
• Click HERE to check out options

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Top Up Your Phone Like a Local 📱

‍Hack: Use Ding.com to top up your Colombian SIM card from anywhere, anytime.

• Saves you from finding a tienda or going to Éxito every time
• Works with Claro, Tigo, and Movistar
• Bonus: set up auto-top-ups so you're never left without data mid-Uber

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Register Your IMEI ASAP 🔐

‍Hack: If your phone isn't registered in Colombia within 30 days, your service gets locked.

• Register via your provider store
• Claro is common to get as a SIM card, and the second you get it, ask them to register you right away too
• Saves you the stress of getting randomly cut off one day

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Pay Like a Local with WanderWallet 💳

‍Hack: Use WanderWallet to pay locally and scan BRE-B QR codes — especially at the shops that don't take cards!

• Skip the "solo efectivo" panic
• Works at the small tiendas and stalls where card machines just don't exist
• Also works in Brazil (pix), Argentina and Bolivia!!!
• Download with out referral link to get $5 HERE.

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Menu del Día = Your Budget-Friendly Lifesaver 🍲

‍Hack: Skip overpriced tourist spots and eat where locals do. Look for menu del día signs.

• Full meal (soup + main + drink) for 12K–22K COP
• Best areas: Laureles, Envigado, Belén
• Ask: "¿Tiene menú del día?" and locals will point you to the good spots

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LuzIA = AI Magic for WhatsApp 📲

‍Hack: Hate long voice notes? LuzIA transcribes WhatsApp audios instantly — and honestly, you'll need it, because Colombians love sending podcast-style voice notes jaja. WhatsApp's built-in transcribe is limited to English and often misses. LuzIA is solid. Number: +34 613 28 81 16

• Save time by reading, not listening
• Also translates and summarizes chats
• Add LuzIA as a WhatsApp contact → forward your voice note → done ✅

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Decline Conversion Fees in All ATMs 💸

‍Hack: Do yourself the biggest favor and DECLINE CONVERSION every time so you get a better rate. Here are some ATMs that work with international cards:

• Davivienda
• BBVA
• Servibanca

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There's More Than Just Uber Out There 🚕

‍Hack: Download other transport apps to give yourself options in case Uber gets too expensive — because it sometimes is.

• Uber
• Didi
• InDrive

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Join WhatsApp Groups = The Medellín Cheat Code of All Time 🔑

‍Hack: EVERYTHING happens on WhatsApp — events, coworking invites, yoga, hiking, last-minute meetups. If you don't have WhatsApp yet, get it before you land; it's how everyone here communicates.

• Join MDE Community groups before you land so you can quickly connect with locals and fellow travelers and digital nomads
• Read each group's rules to engage properly
• Archive your groups so you don't get overwhelmed by notifications, and just visit each one as needed

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Learn Just Enough Spanish to Blend In 🚩

‍Hack: You don't need to be fluent, just strategic. And honestly, just TRY. Paisas are so kind to people learning Spanish and are very helpful.

• "¿Cuánto vale?" → How much is it?
• "¿Tiene menú del día?" → Do you have the daily menu?
• "Una bolsita, por favor" → Small bag, please

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Want more Medellín insider tips, events, and connections?

🪩 Join our MDE Community WhatsApp groups where 10,000+ nomads & locals meet, discover, and engage.

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