Exploring Medellin’s Laureles like a local this 2024
Find out what to do in the Laureles neighborhood for a true Colombian experience this year!
Medellin, Colombia is a massive city.
With more than 16 communes, (areas) it might feel like an endless quest of how and where to spend your time.
Assuming you’re an extranjero, (tourist) you will learn that staying in Laureles and not Poblado, will provide you with an amazing base and way to enhance your Medellin travel experience.
“Laureles. The ultimate location. The next big thing. Local flavor. Call it what you want, this place offers so much more than anywhere in the city & it’s why you should stay here when you are in Medellin Backpacking”
Why I recommend Laureles in 2024 (even if just for one night)
- Location
- Metro
- Calle 70
- Cafes
- Food
- Parque Estadio
- Futbol Match
- Hostels & Accommodations
Why should I stay in the Laureles area in Medellin?
The Laureles neighborhood is the best location for a visitor to Medellin.
The central location makes the proximity to the north, south, east, or west and back as simple and efficient as possible.
For those who love exploration, this location is a goldmine.
Laureles – Estadio Metro Station
If you’re closer to the Estadio side, most areas are a quick walk to the metro. That quick walk complemented by a central location makes exploration far easier & enjoyable.
Did I forget to mention? This area is flat making walking & biking a breeze, whereas Poblado is a constant uphill or downhill battle. Don’t overlook this especially on hot days.
Calle 70 Street
Calle 70 is the main street in the area and is lined with countless bars, cafes & restaurants.
The crowd here is certainly local allowing visitors a more authentic experience of the daily life in Medellin.
Don’t get me wrong, you will find a sizeable extranjero population here but nowhere near the likes of Poblado.
For the futbol fans attending a match in the area, this neighborhood gets very active before and after games.
Laureles Cafes
Coffee plays an important role in the fabric of Colombian culture. Not only the social aspect but also for job creation. From seed to cafe, the needle needs to be thread throughout the entire cycle.
Luckily for the people living in this area there is no shortage of excellent choices. The list is exhaustive but here are some Laureles coffee options:
- Rituales – my go to and should be for everyone else. Won a blind taste test & for good reason, top quality LOCAL beans
- Best Laureles Cafes
Laureles Food
With all this coffee talk, you must have a hankering for some food. Like coffee, food options are endless here with everything from traditional Colombian to italiano, to Mexican to Japanese.
Don’t be afraid to try some of the Calle 70 street offerings as well. Cheap & well stocked, have your pick.
Intestine may shock your taste buds but make you return for more.
Here are some of my favorite places for food in the Laureles area:
- Ay Guey – Delicious Mexican joint with great economical choices
- Uno mas Uno – Solid Menu del dia plates combined with a quiet lovely corner location
- Chef Burger – nice burger options and ambiance for those looking for more of a taste of home
Parque Estadio
Traveling everyday you may have forgone your physical regimen & your typical leisure sport.
Parque Estadio offers almost every type of sport for free including an outdoor gym, skatepark, & Beach volleyball.
Have you been meaning to work on your inner Michael Phelps or become a world champion ping pong player? Don’t worry, it’s all here.
Futbol Match at Parque Estadio
Futbol fans rejoice. This is an incredibly exciting venue and atmosphere for a Futbol Match. I am not a futbol fan at all but had quite a memorable experience at a match. If you’re in Medellin and have the opportunity don’t miss out on this opportunity.
Best Places to Stay in Laureles
The Laureles Area is home to a number of backpacker-friendly hostels and accommodations. Here are some great places to stay in Laureles
Enso Hostel – (Cl. 47 #70a-73, Laureles – Estadio, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia) Situated in a tranquil area only one block from Estadio station & one block from Calle 70, this place is an incredible value for what you get.
Incredible location, cheap price point, and loads of adventure around you make this a no-brainer for the backpacker in need. Also included is free Breakfast + Towels. Is that not enough?
Come meet Oso the loving labrador & enjoy your favorite Netflix series in a spacious & welcoming common area.
Here are some other places to stay in the Laureles area you should consider:
- Yellow House Hostel
- Oasis Hostel Medellin
- Wandering Paisa Hostel
- Rock Hostel Medellin
- Area 51 Hostel
If you need to find anymore hostel options, check out your favorite booking website or hostelworld.com
More of the Best Things to know about the Laureles Area
You might be asking yourself, “is the Laureles neighborhood safe?”
Yes, it’s safe. Just don’t be an idiot and put yourself in bad situations.
More Medellin Backpacking Travel Guides
Whether you decide to base yourself in Medellin’s Laureles, your trip will be a blast.
I sure hope I’ve made it clear on what you should do when exploring this area, but to make sure you have even more fun, dive into my Medellin and Colombia travel guides below: