Best Places to Stay in Medellin: From Peace & Quiet to Trendy & Hip

So you’re planning a trip to Medellin? Excellent decision, as Medellin is an incredibly special place that I’ve absolutely fallen in love with. In fact, I could 100% live there. So the next step is figuring out a place to stay. Are you looking to relax and feel at home? Are you looking to make friends in a trendy/chilled out vibe, are you looking to party? A culturally rich experience? To get away? I’ve got 5 budget friendly, best places to stay in Medellin that could be perfect for you, depending on what you’re looking for.

For Peace, Quiet and a Feeling of Home:

Yellow House Hostel

Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood of Floresta, you will find the incredibly peaceful Yellow House Hostel. I’m telling you, I’ve never stayed in a quieter, more relaxing hostel in my life! It’s probably the best nights sleep you can get at a hostel.

I loved my stay at Yellow House Hostel for multiple reasons, but the peace and quiet has to be at the top. It was the perfect place while I was studying at Colombia Immersion (Laureles Campus) as it offered a quiet-as-a-library study atmosphere. The large living room with oversized couches and soft lighting made it feel like home, and the two adorable golden retrievers lazing about the house certainly didn’t hurt either.

In addition, every morning the friendly owner (Vincent) puts out a wonderful complimentary spread of eggs, cheese, toast with jam, cereal, fruit, and coffee or tea for his guests. The Floresta metro station is less than a 5 minute walk, making it extremely easy to maneuver around the city as well. At only around $9 per night in a dorm room with breakfast included, it’s probably the best value in Medellin.

Location: Cra. 81a # 47a-48, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

To Book Yellow House Hostel Click Here.

For a Culturally Rich & Authentic Experience in Medellin:

Land To Enjoy AirBnB

Marco and his mother Maria run this AirBnB with a mission that goes beyond providing a clean, quiet and comfortable place for their guests (which they also do). Not only are they offering a great place to stay in Envigado, they are offering an opportunity to get an authentic, inside look at the real Medellin. You gain instant friends by staying here, as Marco is happy to show you the ins and outs of his beloved city.

Not only does he offer day trips to nearby fincas and coffee farms (you can check out more about his tour company, Land To Enjoy here), but he invites you to local cultural experiences that you would have never experienced otherwise. One of my favorite nights out in Medellin was an evening that he organized at La Salón Málaga – a traditional Tango Bar in San Antonio where you can watch World Champion tango dancers in action. After watching a few mesmerizing tango performances, audience members flooded the dance floor to get their salsa on (more to come on this!).

It was special to stay at Marco & Maria’s AirBnB because they basically become your Colombian family and they genuinely want you to have the best possible experience. In addition, the apartment is located extremely close to Colombia Immersion Envigado Campus, making it a great place for students studying at this campus to stay.  It really is the perfect place for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the culture, as they also encourage “solo Espanol” in the house (although Marco speaks really good English so communication is not an issue whatsoever). And, if you’re looking for a little extra help with your Spanish, Maria is a University teacher, and offers private Spanish lessons exclusively to guests for only 20,000CP per hour, or 240,000CP for 15 hours.

***Marco & his mother will soon be opening another AirBnB in the same neighborhood that has three floors, including a gorgeous terrace (I got a VIP sneakpeak hehe). They plan to utilize the space for community events like local musician showcases, terrace yoga, and language exchanges. More to come on this after their grand opening in the late summer, early fall. I can’t wait to stay here when it’s ready!!!

Location: Barrio, Obrero, Envigado

For a $40 Credit to AirBnB Click Here!

To Book Land To Enjoy Air BnB Click Here

For a Seriously Cool & Chilled-Out Vibe:

Ondas Hostel & Cafe

If you’re looking to meet people from all over and connect with like-minded travelers in a really cool chilled-out vibe, Ondas Hostel is definitely for you. This place is designed and decorated so thoughtfully with gorgeous little details like hand painted art on the walls and tires repurposed as planters and patio furniture. The rooftop is my favorite hangout spot in the hostel, with bohemian details and decoration that makes for the most perfect spot for morning coffee or reading a book.

The main space of the hostel is on the second floor, with loungey couches and more cool hand painted artwork. The dorm style rooms are spacious and clean, and most guests respect the “quiet after 10pm” house rule. The first floor is the cafe which still has tire marks on the floor from when the space used to be a garage. I treated myself to coffee, french toast, and bagels throughout my stay, and it was all was very tasty.

They’ve repurposed the space into a hostel with so much character, and overall, it’s a super welcoming place. The owners Kit & Sam offer events through their hostel like language exchanges, trivia night, and digital nomad meetups to really create a global community. I really loved getting involved in the events they offered as well as enjoying the chilled-out, but upbeat energy of this place.

Location: Carrera 81 # 45g 52, Carrera 81 and 46, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

To Book Ondas Hostel Click Here

For a Weekend Getaway to Guatape:

Casa Encuentro

Located just a 12 minute walk from the Guatape town center, Casa Encuentro is what I would consider the perfect place for a weekend Getaway from Medellin if you just want a break from the city. Casa Encuentro is set up on a hill outside of town offering sweeping views of the surrounding Penol-Guatape Reservoir and the famous Piedra del Penol.

I checked in with Monica and Paulo who were so lovely and showed me to my adorable single room. My room had a perfect view of the lake and I could even see horses grazing off in the distance…talk about peaceful! The room was small, but so cozy and comfortable and I really appreciated all the little details like the stone carved sink and artisanal tiling throughout the bedroom and the bathroom.

I found so many little places to relax at this property, from picnic tables, to hammocks, to the outdoor balcony where you can enjoy your complimentary breakfast each morning. This is a true B&B, serving up a new menu every day of the week consisting of some variation of fresh fruit, eggs, baked goods, as well as tea and coffee, all made to order. I’m honestly so sad I could only stay for a night, as I could have stayed and relaxed here for a week! I look forward to coming back in July with my family!

Location: Vereda Quebrada Arriba, Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia

To Book Casa Encuentro Click Here

Disclaimer: I received complimentary stays at the above establishments for my opinions, but all opinions are my own. I only recommend places I would stay myself!

Wander On,

Wanderluluu xx