Visit Medellin, Colombia - Instead of Chiang Mai

If you’re thinking about going to Chiang Mai, Thailand, but want to find a place like it, then Medellin is a great choice. Medellin is in the Aburra Valley, surrounded by beautiful green mountains in Colombia. It’s a city that has changed a lot from a difficult past and is now known for new ideas and culture.

The weather in Medellin is like spring all year, which is why people call it the “City of Eternal Spring.” It’s a friendly city that welcomes visitors who want something different from the popular places in Southeast Asia, like Chiang Mai.

Top Things to Do in Medellin, Colombia

Here are top things to do in Medellin, Colombia:

1. Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: Check out the cool street art and hear stories about how this neighborhood that used to be unsafe has changed.
2. Parque Arvi: Ride a cable car to this big park to walk, ride a bike, and see great views of the city from above.
3. Plaza Botero: Look at the huge statues made by Fernando Botero in this main square.
4. Metrocable Ride: Try out Medellin’s special cable cars that are part of the city’s train system and enjoy the amazing views.
5. Guatape and El Penol: Go see the bright and colorful town of Guatape and go up the 740 steps to the top of El Penol rock to see the beautiful lakes and islands around it.

Tasty Vegetarian Eats in Medellin

Medellin is a great place for people who eat vegetarian food. The city has lots of tasty veg food that doesn’t have meat.

You can find Colombian dishes made without meat at places like Restaurante Vegetariano Govinda's.

Compare Medellin with Chiang Mai

Here’s a comparison between Medellin, Colombia, and Chiang Mai:

Medellin, Colombia

• Lively City Life: Medellin has modern things to use, fun cultural things to do, and an important history.
• Mountains All Around: Medellin is in the Andes mountains, which means it has lots of green plants and beautiful sights.
• Cool Cable Cars: The city has a cable car system that shows how much Medellin cares about keeping the city green and moving forward.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand, has a lot of cool things to see and do, and here’s what they are.

• Old Temples: This city is famous for having many old temples. Two of the most famous ones are Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Chedi Luang.
• Lots of Traditions: You can learn about Thai traditions by visiting the city’s markets, joining in festivals, and seeing the local crafts.
• Beautiful Nature: All around Chiang Mai, there are green forests, waterfalls, and mountains. It’s a great place for walking in nature and visiting places like elephant parks.
• Tasty Food: If you like trying different foods, Chiang Mai has lots of street food and traditional Thai dishes that are really good.

What's the best way to get around Medellin?

To travel around Medellin in a simple way, you can use the city’s public transport. Here’s what you can do:

• Metro: The metro train in Medellin is quick and goes from the top to the bottom of the city. People are really proud of it and it’s fun to ride.
• Metrocable (Cable Car): The cable cars are connected to the metro and go up to the hillside areas. They give you a great view and are exciting to try.
• Buses (Metroplús): There are many buses called Metroplús that don’t cost much. They’re good for going to places where there’s no metro, like the neighborhoods of Laureles and Poblado.
• Taxis: There are lots of taxis and they don’t cost too much. It’s better to get a taxi using an app on your phone to be safe.
• Ride-sharing: You can also use apps like Uber, Cabify to get a ride anywhere in the city.

Just remember to carry some money for the buses and enjoy the trip!

To sum it up, Medellin in Colombia is a lively city that’s different from Chiang Mai in Thailand. Medellin has its own mix of new ideas, old stories, and pretty places. Whether you like the busy city life and new things in Medellin or the old temples and long history in Chiang Mai, both cities are special and will give you memories that last forever.