A Weekend in Medellin: City of Eternal Spring

After our time in Guatape, we headed back into the city of Medellin for a few days. The drive in is such a stunning mix of mountains and city scape, and I couldn’t quite get a shot that is really representative of how beautiful it really is from the car.

We stayed at the newer Medellin Marriott Hotel and loved its location. Set in the El Poblado neighborhood, we immediately set out to check out our nearby eateries and just enjoy the fresh air. The El Poblado neighborhood is one of the city’s most popular areas for visitors, known for its tree-lined streets, stylish cafés, international restaurants, boutique hotels, and energetic nightlife.

At times, it felt as if we could have been back in Portland. Clean streets, lots of trees and parks and we even strolled up on a Starbucks, what?

Forgive us, there is no Starbucks in Cartagena, so we had to stop in for a drink, just for old times sake. Sometimes being expats means finding reminders of home, in the form of overly sugared drinks, in a new-to-us foreign city. We were delighted to also find a Krispy Kreme Donuts and may have visited more than once, don’t judge us.

Zoo Sante Fe

Once we had our fill of treats, it was off to explore the City. Next up was going to check out the Parque Zoológico Sante Fe. We took a taxi and came right to the entrance, which is conveniently located in the center of town.

It was a quiet morning with not too many visitors and I was pleasantly surprised at the facilities and the care towards the animals. Lots of knowledgable staff just waiting to share information with you, and many of up close encounters with animals from this region. We enjoyed the meandering paths and interesting exhibits (the butterfly garden was a big hit).

Metro Cable Cars

The next day, we headed for one of the main tourist attractions, Metro Cable Cars. They give you a bird’s eye view of the city with all its rolling hills and colorful barrios.

Medellín’s Metro Cable system was introduced in the early 2000s as a pioneering urban solution to connect hillside communities with the city’s main metro lines, transforming access to jobs, education, and services for neighborhoods that were once isolated. Originally designed as public transportation rather than a tourist feature, the cable cars quickly became a symbol of the city’s social innovation and urban renewal.

Today, they are used daily by locals as part of Medellín’s integrated transit system, while also attracting visitors who ride for sweeping views of the Aburrá Valley. The Metro Cable stands out as a tourist attraction because it offers a unique, affordable way to experience Medellín’s geography, culture, and progress from a local perspective. We loved the peaceful rides up and down, enjoying seeing all the architecture and city life below.

Final Thoughts

I was so happy to be walking around in jeans and t-shirt with a slight breeze, Medellin was a wonderful break from the chaos and heat of Cartagena, I could have stayed longer and seen ever more. I would have like to take the Communa 13 Graffiti Tour and learn about the art history of the area, though I’m not sure it would have been as enjoyable with small children.

On this trip, I was really able to see my kids embrace a new City with all their adventurous spirit. I hope they keep the wanderlust for exploring new places. Not all of our activities were “kid-centered” but they liked them nonetheless.

Overall, Medellin was the perfect long weekend. Easy in so many ways.