PBH / Colombia / Forums (active) Travelguide Cheap hostels Pictures

themedellinmap.com - Medellin, Envigado, Laureles

MEDELLIN
Emerald green mountains and an abundant variety of trees and plants are drenched by an eternity of warm sunshine. Medellin is calm, hospitable and rightly proud of both its traditions and eye-boggling transformation into one of South America's most sought after cities. Sincere, uncomplicated and unaffected by tourism, Medellin's spectacular valley is rivalled only by the people it beholds.

Medellin is blessed with an all year round, spring-like climate, except for the occasional downpour which helps to keep the city clean. Medellin does not suffer from any natural weather disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods or tsunamis.

As South America’s longest standing democracy, Colombia remains the United States’ staunchest ally in the region. With drug use largely confined to user countries like the US or Europe, a vastly improved security situation and a murder rate lower than many US cities, Medellin is one of the safest cities in Central or South America.

With a world class transport system, sophisticated shops, gourmet restaurants and cafes, a wide choice of bars and clubs and accommodation options and more high rises under construction than NYC, LA and Philadelphia combined, Medellin’s transformation into a modern paradise seems to have gathered an unstoppable momentum.

People from Medellin (Paisas) are famous for their friendliness, beauty and ingenuity. Famous Paisas include, the current President Álvaro Uribe, the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, South America's most successful artist, Fernando Botero and the most entertaining goalkeeper ever to brace soccer, René Higuita.

ENVIGADO
While El Centro can be too congested and polluted, or El Poblado too modern and almost boringly safe, Envigado dabbles in a little sophistication, but maintains its traditional Colombian charm.

Indeed, it's a great place to sample some typical Colombian cuisine or check-out a laid back salsa bar.

Envigado is technically a city in its own right and has its own mayor, football team, newspapers, etc. Indeed, it feels a little distinct from other parts of Medellin and more like a typical South American city with lots of low-rise buildings and bustling streets of people.

LAURELES
Laureles is one of the most upmarket neighbourhoods in Medellin, perhaps second only to El Poblado.

Set at a slightly lower altitude than El Poblado, Laureles is often noticeably warmer. Unlike El Poblado, it is also predominantly flat with plenty of sidewalks, although arguably less green.

Although it doesn't have a metro station, Laureles is well served by public transport. And despite a swarm of high rise condos and upmarket supermarkets, Laureles has many cheap restaurants and cafes.

Laureles's bars and clubs centre around Calle 33 (La 33), which in recent years has become increasingly expensive and a little scarce of people as a result.

For an interactive map of Medellin with comprehensive travel guide listings and independent reviews, please visit: http://www.themedellinmap.com

the medellin map is written by apartments-medellin.com. Please visit http://www.apartments-medellin.com for luxury apartment rentals in El Poblado, Medellin.

By englishman on Sep 21, 2009, 17:19 in Travel tips.