Medellin: Day 3

We had half a day in Medellín, so we wanted to make the most of it. We got up, packed, and headed out on the metro.

Because Medellin is built in the valley, but also up the valley into the mountains, the metro runs the length of the valley with normal train cars, but to get into the mountains it uses cable cars. The cable cars were pretty cool. We took metro trains to the cable cars, and then two sets of cable cars all the way up to Parque Arví. You board the cars by walking on to them while they're moving. It reminded me of some rides at Disney World to be honest.

While we were on the cable cars, we got the opportunity to fully appreciate the sheer size of Medellin in the valley and climbing all over the mountains. It is such a unique public transportation system!

We went all the way up and over the edge of the valley to Parque Avrí. However, rather than getting off, going to the ticket desk, paying for a return ticket, then queuing to get back on, we just waved at the guard and stayed on as the car looped back on itself to make the return journey.

After we got back to the hostel, we sorted our luggage and went to the big Exito to get some lunch and dinner. Never in my life has a hamburger caused me as much stress as waiting for our lunch to be made so we could go and catch our bus. It turned out a guy a couple of spaces in front of us had ordered a dozen burgers! When we say them all lined up in the grill, we thought we’d be getting our food in a few minutes. How wrong we were when Mr Burger Man loaded up bags with his dozen burgers.

After the agonizing wait, and power walk back to the hostel, we luckily had a quick taxi journey to the bus station for the first time in Colombia, which meant we got there with plenty of time. Salento (and coffee), here we come 🌴☕.

Allan’s deal of the day: Free cable car ride from Parque Arví after staying in the cable car (actual saving is difficult to quantify due to the way you pay for the metro and cable cars)

Noah boutique hostels Medellín
9/10
Facilities: 😀
Comfort: 😀
Location: 😀
Cleanliness: 😀
Value for money: 😀
Staff: 😀

Summary: Truly a home from home. Amazing staff.

Good: Noah’s goal is to feel like a home from home and it really did feel like that. Noah was by far the most welcoming and friendly hostel we stayed at in Colombia. We always felt safe. Staff allowed us to check into our room early after arriving on a night bus the first morning. They also allowed us to store our luggage for free when we headed to Salento for a couple of nights (Salento is highly recommended). After returning to Medellín two hours earlier than planned due to the bus driver thinking he was a racing driver, staff allowed us to sleep on the (sheltered) terrace for free and provided us with blankets. They then offered us with free breakfast and allowed us to use the shower, despite us officially checking out three days prior. Great location with massive supermarket a five-minute walk away and the nearest metro station around a 10-minute walk away.

Bad: The manager was genuinely interested in feedback, both positive and negative. At the time, we couldn’t provide any meaningful feedback/suggestions. 5% card fee. In hindsight, the 5% card fee is excessive given the actual fees for credit card payments are no more than 3% in Colombia (we weren’t charged a fee at our hostel in Bogotá). However, a 5% card fee seems common in Colombia. Furthermore, the twin room with shared bathroom was tiny and right next to reception, which could be loud at night/early morning. We knew the room was tiny before we booked but we didn’t know it was located next to reception, with the only window opening towards the reception area. We had to ask for the TV volume to be turned down one night, which, to be fair was lowered immediately. Please note, I’ve still given Noah 9/10 and each of the individual ratings the best rating despite these comments.Baca lagi