Medellín Hacks You Need to Know Before Coming
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.
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 Exito every time
- Works with Claro, Tigo, and Movistar
- Bonus: set up auto-top-ups so you’re never left without data mid-Uber
Register Your IMEI ASAP 🔐
Hack: If your phone isn’t registered in Colombia within 30 days, your service might get blocked.
- Register via your provider store
- Claro is common to get as a SIM card and the second you get your SIM card, ask them to register you right away as well
- Saves you the stress of getting randomly cut off one day
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
LuzIA = AI Magic for WhatsApp 📲
Hack: Hate long voice notes? LuzIA transcribes WhatsApp audios instantly. Yes, Whatsapp currently has the transcribe option but it’s limited to English and sometimes it doesn’t even transcribe well. LuzIA is pretty 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 ✅
Decline Conversion Fees in all ATMs 💸
Hack: Do yourself the biggest favor and DECLINE CONVERSION every time so you can get a better conversion. Here are some ATMs that work with international cards
- Davivienda
- BBVA
- Servibanca
There’s more than just Uber out there 🚕
Hack: Download other taxi apps to give yourself options in case Uber gets too expensive! Cause it sometimes is.
- Uber
- Didi
- InDrive
Join WhatsApp Groups = The Medellín Cheat Code of All Time 🔑
Hack: EVERYTHING happens on WhatsApp, whether it’s events, coworking invites, yoga, hiking, or any last minute meetups.
- Join MDE Community groups
- Read each group’s rules to engage properly
- Archive your groups so you don’t get overwhelmed by the notifications and just visit each group as needed!
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
Medellin Community 
