Activities for kids & families

Trick-or-treat through the city

Naturally, one of the biggest goals on Halloween is to get as much as candy as possible. For kids (and adults, depending on your embarrassment threshold), trick-or-treating is the main event on the night of the 31^st. Whereas in North America and Europe, people go from door to door asking for sweets, in Colombia, they go to shopping malls and candy stores. Expect most of the malls in Medellín to be dotted with small witches, devils, ghosts, and ghouls asking for treats and singing this song:

Triqui Triqui Halloween                Tricky Tricky Halloween
Quiero dulces para mi                  I want candy for me
Si no hay dulces para mi              If there is no candy for me
Se le crece la nariz.                     Your nose will grow.

Arts & crafts at Parque Explora

If you’re looking to get creative on Halloween, Parque Explora’s Hack-lloween event is a full afternoon of cool activities. From costume-design and zombie makeup to creating electronic masks and monster robots, the different workshops take place Wednesday 30^th from 2 pm until 6 pm in Taller Central. All the classes are suitable for children aged 8 and above and are a fantastic way to prepare for a night of thrills.

Dog costume competition in Ciudad del Río

Paisas love their pooches, so it’s no surprise that Halloween is seized as an opportunity to get their four-legged friends involved. On October 20^th, at the skate park in Ciudad del Río, pets don their Halloween costumes and compete for the prize of best dressed. The competition is hosted by the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute Club but dogs of all breeds are welcome to join. Whether you have a budding furry contender or just want to witness the cuteness unfold, arrive with a camera at 9 am.

Participants must sign up with their perro in advance; tickets are $25,000 COP and include entrance to all the activities, as well as snacks for dogs and humans.

Activities for adults

Go Colombian at Andres Carne de Res

An iconic bar and restaurant in Colombia, Andres Carne de Res is famous for its steaks, bizarre décor, and over-the-top parties. If you’re looking for a fonda-style Halloween combined with hearty Paisa food, this is the place. Come Halloween, Andres Carne de Res is a mixture of all things weird and wonderful – we’re talking heavy decorations, bright lights, and a variety of outrageous costumes. The chain usually has a theme for Halloween, so be sure to check beforehand what 2019’s event has in store.

Party in Parque Lleras

Arguably the place to be come nightfall on Halloween, Parque Lleras is located in the heart of the El Poblado neighborhood and is known for its vibrant nightlife. The square is surrounded by multiple bars and clubs playing pounding reggaetón and spilling people out onto the streets.

On October 31^st, most of the venues have themed nights or offers on drinks and entry, plus costume competitions. To soak in the most impressive outfits in the city, Parque Lleras is the main stage. Foreigners and locals alike flock here but it’s typically Paisas that win in terms of commitment – expect to see celebrities, zombies, and clowns ready to rumbear.

Get cultural at Palacio Egipcio

Over in El Centro, Palacio Egipcio will be combining Halloween with the Mexican Días Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The art center’s doors open at 10 pm on Saturday November 10^th, beginning the night with a theater production of ‘La Muerte y la Vida’ (Death and Life) and then launching into a full fiesta with DJs playing. Audio-visuals and artistic scenery will also feature throughout the evening, which is due to go on until 4 am. Tickets cost $20,000 per person and must be purchased in advanced via Eventbee.

Salsa at Dancefree

Ready to get sweaty on Halloween? Head over to the Dancefree studio on November 2^nd and put your footwork to the test. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or a newcomer, Dancefree’s events are ideal to learn steps quickly and make some sultry new friends. Complete with live music and different dance classes, as well as an open bar for rum and Aguardiente, the night is a wholly Latin experience. The event begins at 9 pm and runs until 4 am. Admission is $20,000 COP and can be paid on the door.

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In her latest post, Sophie completely updates our list of the best cafés in Medellin. Many of these spots are ideal for digital nomads, so we’ve included details such as the upload speed and download speed for each café. For those who prefer coworking spaces, check out Sophie’s previous post here.

Ten years ago it was pretty much impossible to get a decent cappuccino in Medellín, but now the city is synonymous with delicious coffee that goes much further than the Paisa people’s beloved tinto (black coffee).

In the many cafés around the city, it’s common to see digital nomads working on their laptops with a flat white in hand, and coffee shop owners in Medellín have cottoned on to the fact that their establishments make an excellent alternative to working from home or in coworking spaces. Now, there are a lot of great cafés to meet colleagues, get through some emails, or simply have a productive day of work.

We’ve listed our favorite cafés to work from in Medellín, as well as a few other great places that are worth visiting. (Photo above courtesy of Pergamino Café).

Café Cliché, Laureles

French-owned Café Cliché is a great place to set yourself up for nomadic working. Furniture is mismatched in a cool way and the entire place is super quirky and European. The space is split into three different areas, so it’s easy to find somewhere quiet to work, and the low-key playlist is the perfect soundtrack for productivity.

Their menú del día is one of the best in the city, and there are lots of European-style eats on the menu, including tapas and quiches. Their cappuccinos are 4,500 COP ($1.57), or, if you want to make it a Paisa coffee, they’ll add rum and Chantilly cream to it for an extra 7,500 COP ($2.62).

Cliché is closed Sundays and Mondays and doesn’t open until 12pm every other day. But it’s open until 10pm each night (midnight on Fridays and Saturdays), so, if you’re at your most productive in the afternoons, this is the place for you.

Upload speed: 3.10 mbps

Download speed: 20.83 mbps

https://www.facebook.com/CAFECLICHEMedellin/

Carrera 76 #41-41

Ondas, La Floresta

This cool bohemian café is attached to a brilliant hostel that holds events, including language exchanges every Wednesday and Friday. The café itself is centered on a large communal bench which gives you a nice way to meet nomads and travelers. There’s also a nice patio area if you prefer to work al fresco.

The food and drink menu is extensive, and a cappuccino is 4,500 COP ($1.57). The pizzas are a popular choice with hungry nomads, and with good reason, and there are also lots of smaller dishes like bagels and empanadas on the menu.

The opening hours are great: you can drop by any time from 9am to 9:30pm every day. The setup of the café means that you might not be able to sit next to a power point, so make sure you have a full charge on your laptop just in case.

Upload speed: 2.99 mbps

Download speed: 18.59 mbps

http://www.ondasmedellin.com/cafe/

Carrera 81 #45g-52

Café Zepellin, Laureles

A Laureles institution, Café Zepellin is loved by nomads and locals alike. The space is big and quirky, there are plenty of power points, and there are lots of quiet corners to tuck away in and get some work done (the cute patio at the back is especially popular).

The menu is extensive, and the owner imports cured meats and cheese from Europe, which is a blessing for nomads wanting a taste of home. The menú del día is delicious and will only set you back 14,000 COP ($4.88). There’s also a huge range of well-made coffees on offer at an average price of 5,000 COP ($1.74). The café is open noon-11pm Monday to Friday and 2pm-11:30pm Saturday and Sunday. And there are live music events once a month if you want to hang out with a beer or a cocktail once your work is done.

Upload speed: 1.57 mbps

Download speed: 13.9 mbps

https://www.facebook.com/cafezeppelin/

Transversal 39 #76-12

Hija Mia, El Poblado

Hija Mia is tucked away in Manila, one of the fastest-growing areas of El Poblado, and is the area’s best-kept secret.

This small café has a great tranquil vibe to it, and it’s easy to focus on your work. The English-speaking staff are friendly and attentive, which further adds to the relaxed mood of the café. The outdoor area catches plenty of sun, the inside seating is comfortable and the power points are plentiful.

Hija Mia take their coffee seriously, and there’s a wide range on offer. They originally opened their doors to combat the lack of decent flat whites in Poblado, and their perfect version is 4,500 COP ($1.57). The café is closed on Sundays and open for a half day on Saturdays, but during the week it’s open 7:30am-7:30pm.

Upload speed: 8.45 mbps

Download speed: 12 mbps

http://hijamiacoffee.com/

Calle 11a #43b-9

Café Revolucion, Laureles

Café Revolucion is very popular with expats, and the friendly owner and great location means that it’s always full and buzzing. The inside of the café is small and there’s only space for around ten people, but there’s also an outdoor area in which to enjoy your caffeine hit.

The café is open Monday to Saturday 8:30am-7pm, and Sundays 9am-6pm. For early workers, there’s a tasty breakfast of eggs, toast and salad for 6,500 COP ($2.28), and there are cookies and cakes if you fancy a snack. The drinks menu is huge, and their cold teas are incredible. A flat white is 4,500 COP ($1.57), and there’s a good range of smoothies available for 6,500 COP ($2.28).

This isn’t the quietest of cafés, and, as it’s a popular place on a main road, you’re going to experience a fair bit of noise. But, if you enjoy sociable working or just need to answer a few emails, Revolucion is a great option.

Upload speed: 1.72 mbps

Download speed: 16.37 mbps

http://caferevolucion.co/

Carrera 73 #410

El Café de Otraparte, Envigado

Envigado’s best-known café is a lush haven that feels like a wonderful hideaway in the middle of the bustling barrio. The trees, pond, and abundance of outdoor seating create a lovely, tranquil atmosphere that is perfect for focusing.

Prices are very reasonable at Otraparte, with drinks starting at 1,200 COP ($0.42) for a tinto. The food menu is huge and features light dishes like salads and sandwiches, as well as more substantial eats including pasta. There’s also plenty of booze on the menu if your day calls for something stronger than coffee.

Opening hours are from 2pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm Saturdays and Sundays, so this probably isn’t the place for you if you’re an early bird. But Otraparte is open until 12am Sunday to Thursday and 1am Friday and Saturday, so if you’re having meetings or are a night owl, this is the perfect place for you.

Upload speed: 1.62 mbps

Download speed: 17.85 mbps

https://www.otraparte.org/cafe/

Calle 27 Sur #43a-61

Paraiso, Laureles

Small but perfectly formed, this lovely little café is a great quiet spot for productive days of work. The seating is comfy and every table has access to a power point, so you can really get settled in here.

If you’re in the café at lunch time, their menú del día is fantastic. Prices vary, but the meat option is usually around 16,000 COP ($5.59). There are sandwiches and salads available too, and the owner and her staff bake everything in house, so be sure to check out one of their beautiful cakes while you’re there. If you just want a drink, a cappuccino is 5,500 COP ($1.92), and a delicious fresh juice is 7,500 ($2.62).

We love that this café opens at 8:30am, as you can get a nice early start on the day that way. It’s closed on Sundays, but is open until 8:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9pm on Friday and Saturday.

Upload speed: 6.88 mbps

Download speed: 12.52 mbps

https://www.facebook.com/paraisorestocafe/

Calle 42 #70-38

Pergamino, El Poblado

If you’ve been to Medellín, the chances are that you’ll already know about this incredibly popular café.  As one of the oldest places of its kind in the city, it’s developed quite a following with backpackers and nomads, as well as Poblado locals.

There’s a huge outdoor area in which to enjoy the sun, or two separate rooms inside if you need a power point. Pergamino are known for the quality of their coffee, and their delicious iced lattes or cold press options are served in mason jars for around 5,000-6,000 COP ($1.76-$2.11). There are cakes and pastries aplenty, too, if you fancy a snack while you work.

Opening hours are 8am-9pm Monday to Friday, 9am-9pm Saturday, and 10am-6:30pm Sunday, so there’s always time to get your work done here.

Upload speed: 7.7 mbps

Download speed: 12.37 mbps

https://us.pergamino.co/

Carrera 37 #8a-37

Café Velvet, El Poblado

Positioned directly across from Pergamino, it might seem brave/crazy to go up against Medellín’s best-known café, but Velvet has a lot to offer itself.

Seating is comfortable, and there’s a small outdoor area toward the back of the café which is lovely and bright. Individual and comfy desk-style seating lines one of the walls, which clearly shows that Velvet wants to cater to the city’s nomads. There are plenty of power points dotted around the large space, and it’s quiet enough to focus without the atmosphere feeling flat.

Coffee is slightly pricier than other options on our list, but at 5,800 COP ($2.03) for a cappuccino, you’re getting great coffee for what is still a relatively small amount of money. Opening hours are 8am-8pm every day, which is handy if you like to work at the weekends.

Upload speed: 8.35 mbps

Download speed: 22.82 mbps

http://cafevelvet.co/en

Carrera 37 #8a-46

Naturalia, Laureles

This café doesn’t look like there’s much to it from the outside, but don’t be fooled: it’s massive. The small front opens out into a huge and airy back room that has a nice productive buzz to it, thanks to all the nomads working in the space.

There are plenty of power points at the tables by the walls, and you shouldn’t struggle to get one of those spots. Tables are well spread out, so it’s easy to avoid distractions that can sometimes be annoying at other places on our best cafés list.

Be warned, there are some seriously delicious food smells coming from their kitchen, so you’re going to need to try one of their many lunch options. Hot drinks are an average of 5,000 COP ($1.92), or if you’re in a group try out the delicious French press for 8,800 COP ($3.08).

Upload speed: 1.19 mbps

Download speed: 14.46 mbps

https://www.facebook.com/naturaliacafe/

Circular 3 #70-39

Other cafés in Medellín

Rituales, Laureles

https://www.ritualescafe.com/

Circular 74 #29b-22

Cocolatte, Envigado

https://www.facebook.com/Cocolatte-Caf%C3%A9-732502910219123/

Calle 30 Sur #43a-13

Tomasa y Al Alma, El Poblado (three locations in Medellín)

https://www.facebook.com/tomasayalalma/

Calle 8 #35-37

Algarabia, Laureles

https://www.facebook.com/algarabiatiendacafe

Calle 39c #73-29

Botanika Lounge, El Poblado

https://www.facebook.com/botanika.lounge/

Calle 9a #37-03

Do you have a favorite café in Medellín? Let us know about it in the comments below.

About Sophie

Sophie is a freelance writer from the north of England. She has been traveling and working in South America since August 2017, and currently lives in Medellín. She runs the blog Table for One, where she writes about what it’s really like to travel as a solo woman.

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Woka is a very nice restaurant that is relatively secluded from the rest of Parque Lleras. The owner thought of the concept eight years ago and opened his dream restaurant a year later. Every aspect of the restaurant was designed to create a memorable experience.

Part of this experience is exclusivity. Woka Lounge is on a third floor (above La Triada restaurant, and Carito, a vallenato club) so you will appreciate not having people ask for money or trying to sell you pirated movies from the sidewalk.

The restaurant’s sole focus is to stimulate your five senses using the four elements of nature: earth, water, air, and fire.

The night starts from the moment you walk up the stairs, and you hear jungle noises; it looks like you are walking through a rainforest.

The restaurant is decorated with trees and moss that give you the sense of being surrounded by nature, a waterfall by the kitchen, “fires” on the walls that flicker the entire night and a pleasant breeze that you would expect from any open air restaurant in Medellín.

Woka Lounge features an international menu with dishes like Peruvian ceviche, sushi, and filet mignon.

My family and I ordered six different dishes from the menu to get a taste of the variety they offer.

I love seafood, so I ordered the Ceviche Mixto with octopus, tilapia and shrimp for 26,900 pesos ($11). They serve the freshest seafood I’ve had in Medellín so far, (they import their seafood three times a week to guarantee the quality).

We also ordered Pad Thai, a big plate for 25,900 pesos ($10). Everything they serve is fresh, quick and delicious. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and it was drizzled in a savory, light tamarind fruit dressing.

The Woka Chicken was a pleasant surprise for 29,900 pesos ($12). The creamy teriyaki sauce blended very well with the chicken. It was sprinkled with slices of bacon and mushrooms and was served with a side of mashed potatoes.

My favorite dish out of all of them was the salmon salad. It was mouth-watering; flaky and rich. We expected salmon chopped up into pieces over the salad but were pleasantly surprised when they served us a full fillet with the salad on the side.

Woka has an open roof, perfect for stargazing, that slides closed in case of rain. I can imagine eating dinner or enjoying their wide variety of cocktails under the glow of a full moon.

The restaurant has two floors, the main floor that is perfect for friends to enjoy some delicious cocktails and talk and a second floor balcony which is much more private, and thus, better-suited for a date.

As you’d expect, Woka Lounge is at its busiest during the weekends and they have fire shows at the bar at night.

They offer a huge menu of drinks, cocktails, and liquors as well as imported wines, but their specialty are the four unique tiki drinks that they serve all in different tiki-inspired cups.

My mouth is watering just thinking about the large menu, and I can’t wait to go back to try the rest of it.

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Dinner was provided compliments of Woka Lounge; all opinions are my own.

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I typically stayed at Hotel Dann Carlton when I was in Medellín for a few days. If I was in Medellín for a longer trip, I rented a furnished apartment.

Hotel Dann Carlton is located on Avenida Poblado in El Poblado, which is the most popular neighborhood in Medellín for foreigners visiting the city.

More About the Hotel

The hotel has a total of 200 rooms with five different types of rooms: Standard, Twin, Junior Suite, Suite and Suite Real. In 2011, the hotel remodeled its rooms.

Each of the rooms has a flat screen television and minibar. They also have free Wi-Fi available for customers in the hotel.

Hotel Dann Carlton is conveniently located about a five-minute walk from many restaurants and bars in Parque Lleras plus it is within walking distance to shopping along the Golden Mile (Milla de Oro) in El Poblado.

The hotel also has three restaurants, Spiga D’i Palermo (Italian), Tony Romas and Zaguan Del Patio (informal).

Tony Romas specializes in ribs and is a rotating restaurant at the top of the Dann Carlton with panoramic views of the city.

Hotel Dann also has locations in Barranquilla, Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Ibagué and Popayán.

My Impressions of Hotel Dann Carlton

I have stayed at several other hotels in Medellín and prefer the Hotel Dann Carlton as it is cheaper than some of the other upscale hotels Medellín. I have recommended the hotel to several friends visiting Medellín, and they also have liked it.

In my experience, the staff in Hotel Dann Carlton is friendly and helpful, and they have several staff members who speak English.

I also like the location close to the Parque Lleras nightlife district. The hotel is also within walking distance to the Oviedo and Santafé malls, which are located about a 10-minute walk away.

The revolving Tony Romas restaurant at the top of the hotel is a unique restaurant in Medellín with spectacular views of the city at night.

Tony Romas also specializes in romantic dinners, so it’s a good place for a special date – you can contact the restaurant to arrange a special flower arrangement at your table.

Note that the Hotel Dan Carlton located in Barranquilla also has a revolving restaurant, El Giratorio, which I’ve also visited.

Hotel Dann Carlton’s Prices

I recommend calling the hotel directly to make a reservation as you can sometimes find rates lower than found on some of the hotel booking sites.

It is best to have someone fluent in Spanish make the call, as they sometimes quote lower prices to Colombians speaking fluent Spanish. Also, check out the hotel website as they often run promotions.

In January, the Hotel Dann Carlton in Medellín had run a promotion of 202,240 pesos ($82) per night including taxes for a standard room including breakfast for a couple.

I checked for a week stay in late April and was quoted a rate of 298,217 pesos ($121) per night for a standard room for a couple, including breakfast, on the hotels.com web site.

For a junior suite, the rate was 421,670 pesos ($171) per night.

Hotel Dann Carlton in Medellín fills up quickly for popular dates such as the Feria de las Flores (Festival of the Flowers) held in August and during the Christmas and New Years holidays.

I recommend making reservations well in advance for popular dates.

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One of the questions I get asked the most by foreigners is what they can do during the middle of the week.

It’s safe to say I can now give them my honest opinion and tell them to go on a bar crawl with the crew over at the Poblado Pub Department.

When my sister came in September, I mentioned the bar crawls on Wednesday nights in El Poblado but we later found out the girls (Erin and Hillary) were out-of-town. She didn’t get to go on the bar crawl with me but I still planned to try it out solo.

Flash forward a few weeks and I was ready for my night out in Parque Lleras. At 9:30 p.m. I was on my way to meet the crew of the Poblado Pub Department.

The night began over at the Happy Buddha Boutique Hostel on Via Provenza where we played games like flip cup and drank beer from a two-story tall beer funnel.

After signing in and getting my wristband, I was immediately given a beer and a shirt from the girls that says “Trust me, you can salsa. – Guaro”

The wristband costs 25,000 pesos ($13) for men and 20,000 pesos ($10) for women and pre-sale, and includes shots at every location we stopped at, including a round at the Happy Buddha as well as free beer for the drinking games. On any given night you can expect to visit four or five bars.

You don’t always visit the same places; they switch between a few different bars in the area so if you plan on going on different occasions it won’t be the same tour.

A normal group of crawlers ranges between 55 to 70 people, most of them foreigners, but a few locals go too.

We played games for about an hour and after waiting for and meeting all the crawlers, it was time to head over to our first location, a bar called Gunner a few blocks away. Again a round of shots was given and where there are shots there are games.

After 10 minutes at Gunner, it was decided that it was time for body shots. The first person to get on the bar was actually a guy, but throughout our time at the bar, plenty of people made their way up to take or give shots.

The next game was limbo. The winner takes home prizes depending on what is being offered that night. Surprisingly, the person who won was almost two meters, the tallest person on the crawl with us!

Our second stop was La Octava, a very popular bar close to Parque Lleras. Of all the places we visited that night, it was the fullest. Another round of shots were given out and again it was decided that body shots would be a great idea.

There were a few shots left over so Erin and Hillary walked around the bar offering the shots on the condition that the person did some sort of trick.

They tried everything from handstand push ups to flashing the photographer to get the last few shots and it was easily one of the funniest moments of the night.

A bit before midnight, we made our way to the third bar, Calle 9+1, where both locals and foreigners started dancing to their unique style of music.

The night I went on the bar crawl there was a smaller crowd of about 35 people. It wasn’t until I got to Calle 9+1 that I realized that larger groups could literally fill any empty bar or club.

Even though it was a smaller group, we had taken up about half the space of any club or bar we stopped at.

Our last stop was at Urbano, a club close to Parque Lleras that plays a little bit of everything. We had a lot of fun dancing to reggeaton, salsa, bachata and other styles of music.

When we got there, the first thing we all did was stop at the bar, order new drinks and continue partying the way every foreigner should in Medellín.

This was my first bar crawl but it definitely won’t be my last. I look forward to partying with the Poblado Pub Department again.

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Parque Lleras never disappoints in the nightlife scene, but sometimes you need to know where to look to find the kind of music and vibe you’re seeking.

A great example is Calle 9+1 (or simply “Calle 9”), located off Calle 10 on the same street as Mondongos restaurant, it’s a place very different from your normal Colombian club.

It’s famous in Medellín for the awesome parties and events they throw, as well as the electronica you can hear. It’s also known for being LGBT friendly, especially past midnight.

If you’re not much of a salsa or merengue dancer but you still want to dance a bit, this is the place to go.

The entrance is nothing fancy, a sliding glass door with a bouncer out front. If you don’t know where you’re going, you might miss it.

Luckily, most of the time there is a huge line outside.

Dancing

They play an alternative, funky techno-style music and they have special guest DJs almost every weekend.

The easiest and simplest way of dancing to their music is a simple sway from side to side to the rhythm of the music. You can switch it up a bit with some head movements but as long as you’ve got the basic step from left to right you’re doing great in the dance department.

Calle 9 is normally full of designers and photographers; that’s probably why it’s one of my favorite places to go, because I always have fun.

My favorite drink is the mojito frosty for 12,000 pesos ($6) and 3 for 20,000 pesos ($10) on weekends. They also serve a variety of beers, mostly national brands.

On Thursdays, they have a cover charge of 5,000 pesos ($2.50) and on Friday and Saturday the cover is 10,000 pesos ($5) with a free beer (Aguila or Pilsen) included in the price.

Most of the people who can’t or don’t like to dance to typical Colombian music, such as salsa, bachata and merengue, like to go to Calle 9 because they play fun, upbeat music.

It’s located in what I imagine was an old house. The space is very open and they have an open roof in the center of the club that can be closed in case of rain.

Dress Code

Calle 9+1 is a great place for people who don’t feel like dressing up to go out. Some clubs in the area have a dress code and won’t let you in if you aren’t perfectly put together, but thankfully Calle 9 is much more relaxed when it comes to attire.

I’m sure even a half-naked person could get in. Maybe I’m exaggerating but there’s no shame if I show up in flip-flops.

Because Calle 9 opens during the week, it is very popular with foreigners staying around Parque Lleras. On any given night, you can find some residents of local hostels having fun.

At Calle 9+1, you’re guaranteed to have a great night, especially if you go with an open mind.

Read More: Cheap Hostels in Paris

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The words “glam” and “hostel” don’t seem to mix, but Happy Buddha Boutique Hostel, located in the heart of Poblado, does just that, aiming to please travelers who seek luxury and style, but who are also frugal-minded.

It is the first place in Colombia that mixes your favorite qualities of a hotel and a hostel, in one location.

The Amenities

This 3-year-old renovated boutique hostel features:

• Chic décor
• Stylish bar terrace
• Pool and ping-pong tables
• En suite bathrooms with complimentary soap, conditioner, shampoo and towel
• In-room flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi
• Spacious lockers with shelves and charge ports for your electronics
• Individual bunk bed lights
• Balconies
• 24-hour bilingual reception

Dorms start at 30,000 pesos (about $16) per night per person. Private rooms start at 110,000 pesos (about $57).

The price at the Happy Buddha also includes a great breakfast — eggs, toast and sausage, and on the weekends, calentado, the popular mix of rice and beans that’s a staple in Colombia.

Tree Bar

Tree Bar is actually what drew me to the hostel in the first place. This fun bar is open to everyone, whether they’re staying at the hostel or not.

The bar overlooks Via Provenza, one of the trendiest streets in Medellín that is home to or near some of the most popular locales in the city, such as Bogotá Beer Company and the Santo Baile dance studio.

As I sat there, I noticed how clean and organized the hostel is, so much so that there is a shine to it.

Some people were playing pool, some playing beer pong, others just enjoying a drink and getting to know the locals.

Read More: Best Hostels in Budapest

Hostel Events

There is a blackboard near the reception area that spells out events for each night, everything from a free salsa class (with free shots for those who dance) on Wednesdays to unlimited happy hour drinks if you wear a costume on Thursdays. Only on Sundays is there a day of rest.

The staff, dressed in sharp uniforms, is really friendly and makes you feel right at home.

I later learned that the employees receive full benefits and were trained by a seasoned hospitality veteran on how to handle the 100-plus savvy travelers who fill this place nightly.

Future Location

Maybe the best part of the Happy Buddha is this: as great as it already is, it’s going to only get better.

Another Happy Buddha will open this year in Guatapé, with over 80 beds, a floating lakefront bar, a massive infinity edge pool, and a vast array of water sports. (Editor’s note: Book your stay at the Guatapé location here.)

The hostel was inspired by Luna’s Castle, a hostel in Panamá City.

The owners noticed a trend of boutique hostels in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere, and they wanted to bring that to Colombia.

As they like to say: “We’re pioneering a new segment in the hospitality industry.”

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This post was brought to you by Happy Buddha Boutique Hostel and Tree Bar. 

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Watching the 2014 World Cup in Colombia was yet another expat experience I’ll always remember.

Laziness led me to watch Colombia’s first two morning (local time) matches against Greece and the Ivory Coast from the comfort of home.

They’d already qualified for the Round of 16 heading into their final group stage match with Japan, so the game didn’t mean much, but I decided it was time to start venturing out to Parque Lleras for the full experience. These are my favorite photos from the Japan, Uruguay and Brazil matches.

Colombia v Japan

Colombia v Uruguay

Colombia v Brazil

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Happy Hour remains foreign in most places in Medellín. But as more and more expats move here, we’re slowly seeing a change.

They might not use that term here, but more and more places are offering drink specials to attract clientele, and it makes sense, because liquor is what makes money.

There are several reasons to look for these specials, the biggest one next month being the World Cup.

Colombia has the No. 4 team on the planet and a lot of people who don’t make the trip to Brazil are going to be filling the city’s sports bars to support La Selección.

The first game is at 11 a.m. on June 14, against Greece.

But there are other places to go as well, places with a different atmosphere, whether it’s wine tasting or unwinding after a long day of work or sightseeing.

Now that Dave and I don’t go out as much as we used to, we’re hoping you will flood this post with comments about your favorite places because new places are popping up in Medellín all the time, so much so that we can’t keep up, hence the reason we are hiring more writers.

Let’s start with these.

1. Vértigo

Calle 33 #76-124, Laureles

If I’m watching football, and by that I mean soccer, I watching it here.

My friends and I went recently, for the Champions League final between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, which was great — other than how the game ended — because there were two big projector screens, something that will surely enhance the viewing experience during the World Cup.

We ordered a combo, 50 wings, three sauces, four sodas and a huge tray of potatoes, celery and carrots, all for 104,900 pesos (about $55), or 119,900 pesos (about $65) if we wanted a pitcher of 3 Cordilleras beer with our food.

Because it was Saturday, I also could have taken advantage of the 2-for-1 margaritas and martinis, but I didn’t because I had to work later.

You can’t go wrong on Wednesdays either, when there are 2-for-1 pitchers, or Thursdays and Fridays, when there are 2-for-1 beers.

You have so many options, there is no excuse for not stopping by Vértigo.

2. Amoretti

Carrera 37 #8A-60, Poblado

Aguardiente still has a stranglehold on the drinking culture here, but wine is starting to gain some traction.

The owners of Amoretti want to facilitate this with their Wednesday wine tasting events.

They bring in wine from Argentina and Chile, but they’re considering more imports from France, Italy and South Africa. Luisa, one of the owners, is finishing wine school and they will decide shortly thereafter.

The menu looks great there too, no doubt the result of Luisa and her business partner Estefania attending culinary school in Buenos Aires.

I went to the second-ever wine tasting event there and it was proof that there are more and more paisas looking to whet their palates with wine instead of Guaro. The place was nearly full when my friends and I left.

At each event they plan to offer a couple of wines with discounts ranging from 10 to 20 percent, as well as free samples if you order food.

Funny note of the night: I’m sitting there, getting some work done before it starts, when my friend Mike messages me after I had suggested he join me.

“Not sure I’m dressed for something like that,” he said.

“Bro, I’m rocking a tank top, camo shorts and tennis shoes,” I told him.

“I’ll be there right after work,” he said.

We were happy we went and agreed that next time, we would dress nicer. Probably.

3. Shamrock

Carrera 35 #8A-11, Poblado

The popular Irish pub is undergoing major changes, something you might read about in the future should all plans come to fruition.

Today we’ll tell you have what has been implemented, and those are the drink specials.

Every Monday through Wednesday, you can get 2-for-1 Cuba Libres, 2-for-1 Vodka Cokes, and a free shot of Aguardiente for each person in a group of five or more.

On Thursdays, it’s bar games night and while the Cube Libres and Vodka Cokes are not on special, the free shot of Guaro stands if you’re group meets the minimum.

Anyone drinking while partaking in beer pong, darts, flip cup or foosball will get a gulp of the Megalibre, a Cuba Libre in a giant jug.

When people used to ask me what they can do for fun at night earlier in the week, I’d shrug my shoulders or say, “You could go here, but…”

I don’t do that anymore.

4. Tiger Paw Hostel

Carrera 36 #10-49, Poblado

I never thought a hostel bar would make the list, but the Tiger Paw makes a convincing argument, the reason it’s one of the best hostels in the city.

Under new ownership again, the Texan that took over wants to do things big, the way only Texas can.

During the World Cup, they’ll have the projector screen ready, along with three TVs.

Every night there is a happy hour between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., when you can get two drinks for the price of one, including 3 Cordilleras, the tasty beer from the brewery in Barrio Colombia.

It’s a good place to do some pre-gaming before you head out to the other bars.

Now go get a drink.

5. Thaico

Calle 9A #37-40, Poblado

This place has done one of the most brilliant marketing campaigns in all of Medellín.

Why?

The place uses drink specials like 3-for-1 cocktails and 2-for-1 national beers to fill the tables overlooking Parque Lleras, something the food alone won’t do, because let’s face it, the food isn’t great, unlike Royal Thai, the only place I know of in this city that’s worthy of having Thai in the title.

So these drinks…

You’ll save a lot of money, and you’ll be overlooking the park as well.

If you’re with a group of friends and want a great deal, this might be your place.

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Join Juan Luis, Ana and the rest of the staff as they celebrate their latest accomplishment.

Live music will be featured.

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