Medellin, Colombia has seen a remarkable transformation in recent years. Once infamous for its rough reputation, the city is now a popular destination for digital nomads and travelers looking for an affordable place to visit. Medellin is currently implementing new regulations to attract more responsible visitors and remote workers.
The city, once known for bachelor parties and all-night revelry, is being reshaped by Mayor Federico Gutiérrez. The focus is now on attracting visitors interested in cultural experiences and professional digital nomads. Last year, over 1.4 million visitors came to Medellin, many of them from the United States.
Medellin and Colombian immigration authorities are taking steps to make it clear that misbehaving tourists are not welcome. The district of El Poblado, famous for its nightlife, is now heavily monitored with police, security cameras, and checkpoints, especially around Calle 10 and Lleras Park. The Mayor even imposed a temporary 1:00 am curfew on bars to control the partying, although this curfew has since been lifted. Security measures are strict in hotels, nightclubs, and restaurants, and prostitution is banned in popular tourist areas. Large billboards warn tourists about the severe penalties for sexual tourism and the exploitation of minors, with signs posted in all hotels requiring strict ID checks for guests.
Colombian authorities are also working with the US to prevent undesirable tourists from entering the country. At the international airport near Medellin, tourists are subjected to extra questions about their trip, and those with criminal records may be turned away under the new ‘Angel Watch’ program.
The US government has warned travelers to avoid dating apps in Medellin due to incidents where tourists have been drugged and robbed. Even Tinder users in Medellin receive warnings about the dangers of meeting people through the app. This caution extends to nightclubs and bars, where unsuspecting tourists have been targeted and drugged with Scopolamine. So far in 2024, 28 tourists have died in Medellin, including from homicides and natural causes. The homicide rate in Medellin in 2022 was 15 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, a 3% reduction from previous years and lower than the national average in Colombia.
Colombia’s Digital Nomad visa, initially praised for its ease of approval, has become more challenging to obtain. Applicants now face additional paperwork requirements, including criminal FBI background checks with Apostille, official proof of good standing for self-owned companies with Apostille, and proof of ownership for digital nomads operating their own companies with Apostille. All forms must be dated and issued within the past 60 days.