Medellin is still a thriving city among expats, digital nomads, and general travelers wanting to experience the hype, but there are certainly notable concerns about visiting.
First, prices aren’t what they used to be, as Medellin has far surpassed its ‘hidden gem’ status.
Second, crime may be a fickle topic, but it’s always on the back of minds for those who explore the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ with frequent muggings, scams, and other petty crimes.
Third, with such an uprise in foreigners, Medellin has lost its sense of realness. Travelers love visiting places that feel autentico.
The capital city of Bogota belongs in the mix as well, but on the flip side, there’s a lesser-known city that should all but deter you from visiting Colombia.
Super cheap, more authentic, and broadly considered safe to visit, Medellin’s top alternative may be the gorgeous city of Bucaramanga, set in the foothills of the vast Andes.
Experience Real Colombia In The ‘City Of Parks’
Colombia is more than a nation of monikers with the likes of ‘City of Eternal Spring’ and ‘City of Parks’, but at least you know what you’re signing up for when visiting.
In Bucaramanga’s case, as you can imagine, it’s great to enjoy the outdoors while surrounded by all the urban delights this underrated city brings.
Similar to Medellin, Bucaramanga is nestled in a bowl-like setting, backdropped by rolling hills and towering mountains that all but call you to get out and explore.
To entice you even more, Bucaramanga is home to Chicamocha National Park (a.k.a. “Panachi”), a highly rated park where you can hike amongst jaw-dropping canyons or ride the cable car for elevated views.
But really ‘City of Parks’ is more aligned with urban parks to get a sense of daily life here through sights, sounds, and flavors of the city.
Bosque Encantado Metropolitan Park and Morrorico Park both offer unmatched skyline views, while Santander Park is centrally located, making a great base to explore historic buildings, bustling empanada-laden markets, and great eats.
Start your day taking a stroll with world-renowned Colombian coffee in a city where you never know what weird and wonderful surprises you’ll stumble upon, such as giant ant sculptures fit for apple bottom jeans.
‘Boots with the fur’ might be a little much, though, in 80-degree temps throughout the year.
Bucaramanga Is Safer And Super Cheap
One could argue Bucaramanga is what Medellin used to be—a sunny, green, mountainous city oozing history, culture, and natural beauty. However, mainstream travelers don’t know about it because it’s overshadowed by the plethora of other household names.
While Medellin’s well-documented problems are their own to solve, Bucaramanga doesn’t have soaring prices and tourist scams – at least not yet.
According to International Living, Colombia’s mid-sized cities are the ultimate places to save some serious cash in your travels.
Bucaramanga has nearly 3 million fewer residents, but it still feels like a large city with timeless charm and an overall cultural ‘wow’ factor.
Dining out can be as cheap as you’d like, depending on whether you want a quick street meal or a high-end restaurant. For example, an authentic lunch with a drink included costs about $5 on average.
Hotels won’t break the bank either. Many boutique hotels cost under $30, while leveling up to 4 stars at such places as Hotel Internacional La Triada is just a smidge more; not to mention its great location near the magnificent Catedral de la Sagrada Familia and Santander Park.
Getting around is the cheapest of all by taking the Metrolinea at approximately 70 cents per ride.
Bucaramanga’s Digital Nomad Appeal
Just as Medellin was once just any ordinary city, it’s arguably more well known now as an expat/digital nomad haven, more so than in the wild times of Pablo Escobar’s reign.
Bucaramanga has everything digital nomads could want except an already thriving community of likeminded travelers.
But, that’s destined to change. With a buzzing cafe culture, easy-to-obtain digital nomad visa and affordable cost of living across the board, why not give Bucaramanga chance?
International Living also provided clearcut examples of why digital nomads will be enticed to move here:
- Healthcare – Monthly plans under $50
- Food – $5 for a nice lunch
- Transit – $0.70 bus rides, $3 taxis, and Uber is in service
- Utilities – Approximately $60 per month total for gas, water, and electricity
- Internet – $16
All in all, International Living estimates a monthly cost of living at $1070.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
