Recommendations to keep in mind during your stay in Medellín

○ When using Uber, it is customary for someone to sit up front and drivers will often insist that someone rides in the front seat as well.

○ Cars are smaller here, so opt for the larger cars and SUVs with Uber Comfort or Uber XL. The difference in price is minimal. A common car that is sufficiently spacious and comfy is the Renault Duster.

○ Don’t slam the car doors!! Since the cars are smaller and lighter, the doors are nearly as heavy requiring much less effort to close. Allowing a car door to slam is considered very rude. Drivers will almost always flinch and make comments if a car door is slammed. It is a big cultural difference.

○ Traffic is heavy and what may appear on a map as a short distance is often much longer than expected. Plan ahead. – It’s really hard to get Ubers during high traffic times and when it’s raining.

○ At restaurants you will ask you if you want to include the service tip (“propino” or “servicio”). The standard and customary amount to tip is 10%.

○ Milk country, but milk alternatives available:

– Slim milk (“deslactosada”);

– Almond (“almendras”);

– Coconut (“coco”).

○ Telling the restaurant how you would like your steak cooked:

– Cold rare= “blue” or “azul”

– Rare= “rojo ingles”

– Medium rare= “termino medio”

– Medium= “tres cuartos”

– Well done= “bien cocido”

○ Medellin is a juice paradise. Juices can be water based or yogurt based. You can also order a juice with soda making for a refreshing bubbly juice. Here is a quick translation to try them:

– Orange Juice comes in two varieties. “jugo de naranja” and “jugo de mandarina.” Naranja is your typical OJ, but manadarina tastes like OJ made from clementines.

– “Jugo de maracuyá” is passion fruit juice;

– “Jugo de mora” is blackberry juice; 

– “jugo de piña” is pineapple juice;

– Rappi is the best food ordering app like DoorDash.

○ When shopping in a mall, there are several questions you will receive from a cashier that might catch you off guard.

○ First, it is customary for the cashier to ask for your ID number. Let the cashier know you have a ID and provide your Drivers License number. Sometimes the cashier may even avoid the necessity of it once you inform them it is a foreign ID. Proof of ID is rarely necessary. Odds are you will have your DL number memorized by the end of the trip.

○ Generally the second question is if you want a bag (“bolsa?”). Obviously, you do so say yes. The bag will be added to your purchase, but it will be less than a dollar.

○ Then, the cashiers will also ask if you want a “factura electronica.” Just say no. That is something for locals and business owners.

○ The cashier will also ask “A cuántas cuotas” which means “how many payments.” You’ll just want to say one (“uno!”).

○ Some stores and restaurants give you the option of paying in dollars or in pesos. Always select payment in pesos. The store/restaurant is charging you a worse currency conversion than your bank will charge.

○ Stores and more often in restaurants will not accept card. It is important to keep cash on hand. Pay with your cc whenever you can to save your cash for the places where you can’t.

○ Speaking of cash, the currency conversion is better to withdraw locally from a Bancolombia ATM. Don’t bring dollars.

○ People in Medellin are very friendly. Everyone says good morning (“buenos dias”), good afternoon (“buenas tardes”), good evening (“buenas noches” or “Feliz noche”) even if you are a complete and total stranger. Embrace it!

○ CheckMig, hotel or airbnb address ready.

○ It rains just about everyday at random times. It can last 5 mins or an hour. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket