Your first month in Medellin sets the foundation for everything that follows. There are practical tasks to handle - paperwork, bank accounts, SIM cards - but the real goal is deeper. It's building relationships, understanding neighborhoods, learning rhythms. This checklist walks you through both.
Days 1-3: Arrival and Orientation
Immediate Priorities
Arrange airport transport. Use official airport taxi (Taxi Amarillo) or Uber - never hail on street.
Get Colombian SIM card at airport or at your first convenience. Claro, Movistar, and Virgin are major carriers. You'll need Colombian phone number for everything.
Book temporary accommodation for first 1-2 weeks. Airbnb or short-term rental in El Poblado is standard. This gives you time to explore before committing to permanent apartment.
Notify bank and credit card companies of arrival and dates you'll be in Colombia. Prevents fraud alerts.
Register with your country's embassy if you're staying longer than 90 days. Optional but smart for safety.
Exchange Money Smartly
Exchange a small amount at airport (rates are mediocre but convenient). Withdraw more from ATMs around the city - ATM rates are typically best. Credit cards work in most places. Current exchange rate: 3,650 COP to 1 USD.
Days 3-7: Neighborhood Exploration
Getting a Feel for the City
Walk your temporary neighborhood thoroughly. Note restaurants, grocery stores, cafes, pharmacies. Get comfortable with street layout.
Use metro system. Buy single trip tickets or get a Civica card. Understanding transit builds immediate comfort and independence.
Explore at least two neighborhoods beyond where you're staying. El Poblado, Laureles, Sabaneta - sample different vibes to understand what appeals to you.
Eat at local restaurants. Try street food. Coffee from corner cafes. Get sense of daily rhythm and food you'll be eating.
Join a Facebook expat group (Expats in Medellin has thousands). Introduce yourself. Ask questions. Local expats are genuinely helpful.
Days 7-14: Administrative Start
Visa and Official Documentation
Check visa status. Tourist visa (90 days) is automatic for US/Canadian citizens. If planning to stay longer, research visa options (retired living visa, digital nomad visa) and timeline.
Start Colombian ID (Cedula) process if planning to stay beyond 6 months. You'll need this for bank account, insurance, and residency. Requires appointment at Migration office (Migracion Colombia).
Get international driver's license converted if you plan to drive. Colombian drivers license (Licencia de Conduccion) requires medical exam and written test. Optional if using Uber/taxis.
Banking and Financial
Open bank account. Major banks: Bancolombia, Banco de Bogota, Davivienda, Banco Occidente. You'll need ID (passport initially, Cedula once acquired). Accounts are free and process is simple.
Set up transfer mechanism for regular income. Most banks offer international transfers. Wise or similar services often have better rates than banks.
Get Civica card for public transit. Costs 20,000 COP (approximately 5-6 USD). Available at metro stations. Single ride costs 3,650 COP (roughly 1 USD).
Bank Account Benefit
Colombian bank account with debit card is remarkably useful. You can pay bills, make transfers, access ATMs. Opens doors for utilities and internet when you get apartment. Simple process even without full residency.
Days 14-21: Apartment Hunting and Healthcare
Finding Your Home
Browse apartment listings. Major platforms: Inmuebles24, Vivanuncios, Facebook groups (Apartments in Medellin). Also check Airbnb for monthly rentals as temporary stepping stone.
Schedule apartment viewings in your preferred neighborhoods. Bring Colombian friend if possible - landlords are sometimes hesitant with foreign strangers.
Negotiate rent. First price quoted is rarely final. Offer 10-15% less. Offer discounts for 12-month upfront payments. Leverage is real.
Sign lease when comfortable. Typical lease is 12 months. Make sure the contract is properly legalized (autenticado) - this protects both parties and prevents future disputes. A concierge service like
medellin.guide can handle the negotiation and legalization for you.
Healthcare Setup
Secure international health insurance - this is required by the Colombian government for new expats. EPS (Colombian national insurance) is only available with an R-type resident visa. Companies like Allianz, IMG, and GeoBlue offer plans at $150-$300 USD monthly. Many expats also pay out of pocket for routine visits since costs are so low here.
Get recommendations from expats for English-speaking doctors. Private clinics like Las Americas or Hospital SOS have English-speaking staff. Bookmarks these for future reference.
Fill prescriptions if ongoing medications. Pharmacies accept doctor prescriptions from home but bring documentation. Colombian doctors can continue most standard prescriptions.
Days 21-30: Settling In
Home Setup
Set up utilities. Electricity, water, gas may already be in the landlord's name - clarify before signing. In Estrato 5-6 (El Poblado), expect 700,000-1,200,000 COP/month ($190-$330 USD) for utilities. Internet: major providers are Claro, Movistar, and Tigo. Costs $30-$50 USD monthly. Same-day or next-day installation typical.
Connect phone service. Get proper plan with Colombian carrier (Claro, Movistar, Virgin). Test connectivity in your apartment and neighborhood.
Buy essentials. Bedding, kitchenware, toiletries. Exito and Jumbo have everything. For home improvement, try Homecenter. Prices are comparable to North America.
Social and Community
Attend expat meetups or events. Many neighborhoods have regular gatherings. Facebook groups often organize coffee meetups, dinners, language exchanges.
Find gym or fitness class. Gyms cost 25-50 USD monthly. Yoga, CrossFit, cycling studios exist. Good for community and routine building.
Establish routine spots. Favorite cafe, restaurant, grocery store. Familiarity builds belonging quickly.
Consider Spanish lessons. Many expats hire tutors (10-20 USD per hour) for 2-3 sessions weekly. Accelerates integration and confidence.
Don't Overcommit
Avoid signing long contracts or making major commitments before month 2-3. You'll refine what you actually want. Many expats move after first month once they better understand neighborhoods and needs.
Month 1 Reality
Your first 30 days will feel like drinking from a fire hose. New city, new country, Spanish everywhere, different systems for everything. That's completely normal and temporary.
Most expats report that things settle remarkably quickly. By day 10, the city stops feeling chaotic. By day 20, you have routines. By day 30, you're planning month 2 rather than panicking about day 1.
Be patient with yourself. Jet lag is real. Culture shock is real. But it passes faster than you expect. The fact that you're here and engaged with the process means you're 90% of the way to success.
Key Reminders
- Don't rush to sign long-term commitments. Flexibility first month is valuable.
- Connect with expat communities early. They're your safety net and social foundation.
- Explore beyond your immediate neighborhood. Multiple neighborhoods should feel familiar.
- Document everything (receipts, contracts, correspondence). You'll need records for visa extensions, taxes, landlord disputes.
- Keep copies of important documents. Passport scan, visa, vaccination records, insurance. Stored in cloud and paper.
- Don't stress about Spanish immediately. Everyone you need to communicate with speaks English. Learning happens naturally as you settle.
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Welcome to Medellin. You're going to love it here.