Neighborhoods of Medellin – The most dangerous and safest places to stay

Want to discover one of the most emblematic cities in Colombia and want to know the most dangerous areas of Medellin to avoid.

Medellin guide to dangerous neighborhoods

Indeed, Medellin has long been associated with violence and drug cartels. But over the years, the city has undergone a remarkable transformation and become a symbol of resilience and progress.

In this article, we'll explore safety in Medellin, the most dangerous neighborhoods to avoid, the safest places to stay, and precautions to take to fully enjoy this beautiful city!

I wrote this article by synthesizing information such as statistics, rankings, study reports, media, press articles. It is therefore factual and does not contain any discriminatory judgment.

Is it dangerous to go to Medellin right now?

Medellin, Colombia's second largest city, is a popular tourist destination for its history, bustling streets and heritage.

Currently, in 2024, it is less dangerous to go to Medellin than it was 20 or 30 years ago.

However, Medellin is one of the cities in Colombia that has faced a sharp increase in crime in recent years (numerous scopolamine attacks against tourists). Read the travel recommendations on France Diplomacy which indicate that for several months, a deterioration of security conditions in Medellin has been noted.

If you don't want to miss out on visiting Medellin, you will need to take precautions to ensure your safety:

  • Inform you about dangerous neighborhoods to avoid (list below),
  • Be accompanied by a guide to visit certain neighborhoods such as the Commune 13 ;
  • Regularly consult the precautionary recommendations on France Diplomacy or on embassy websites.

Medellin dangerous city?

Medellin has had a tumultuous history marked by violence and drug trafficking, notably with the Pablo Escobar cartel. However, it is important to note an improvement in the situation in recent decades.

Although violence and crime are still present, Medellin has made continued efforts to increase security.

According to the latest statistics, Medellin is not among the most dangerous cities in the world. In fact, the rate of homicides per 100 people has fallen from 000 in 382 to just 1993 today. These figures clearly show the progress made in terms of safety.

If we compare its level of crime on the Numbeo ranking, we see that in 2024 Medellin is at the bottom of the table of the most criminal cities in South America. Indeed, with a crime index of 55.56, Medellin is less dangerous than Rio, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima et Bogota.

Medellin crime map
Map published on Numbeo.com

Map of dangerous neighborhoods in Medellin

Here is a map where you can identify the most dangerous neighborhoods of Medellin listed below:


Most dangerous neighborhoods in Medellin in 2024

According to the most recent statistics, Comuna 10 (Candelaria), Aranjuez, Manrique, Robledo, Laureles and Belén are the most dangerous neighborhoods for both tourists and residents of Medellin.

Here is the detailed presentation of these neighborhoods to avoid in Medellin:

Comuna 10 – La Candelaria

Comuna 10, also known as La Candelaria, has been listed for many years as one of the most dangerous areas in Medellin.

Security statistics revealed that in 2023, 185 violent murders were reported in the city (19 fewer than the previous year). Comuna 10 leads the statistics in terms of homicides, robberies, extortion and other crimes. In 2022, this neighborhood had already recorded the highest number of homicides with 75 cases out of the 389 reported.

Some of the neighborhoods that make up the comuna are Prado, El Chagualo, San Benito, Guayaquil and Calle Nueva benefit from measures deployed to improve security in these areas but they continue to remain dangerous for tourists.

Aranjuez

Comuna Aranjuez, located in the northeast of the city, ranked third among the most dangerous comunas in Medellin in 2022. In 2023, Aranjuez is now the second deadliest neighborhood in Medellin with 18 homicide cases.

Manrique

Manrique, also located in the northeast of the city but in the highest part, has recorded 12 homicides since the start of 2023. It is interesting to note a notable increase in this crime compared to the same period of the year 2022, where only five cases had been reported, an increase of 140%.

Robledo, Laureles and Belén

Robledo, Laureles and Belén are three other neighborhoods in Medellin that attract the attention of authorities due to their high rate of violent murders.

Areas to avoid in Medellin

Less dangerous than the neighborhoods mentioned above, here are the other neighborhoods to avoid in Medellin for a tourist stay because of their insecurity or their location too far from tourist sites:

  • Comuna 5 – Castilla
  • Comuna 11 – Laureles
  • Comuna 16 – Belén
  • Comuna 15 – Guayabal
  • Comuna 13 – San Javier
  • Comuna 7 – Robledo

Red light district in Medellin

Among the neighborhoods to avoid we often forget the red light districts which are often very poorly frequented at night. In Bogota, it is the Plaza Botero that it will be better to avoid the night (see article on lanacion.com).

Best area to stay in Medellin

When I stayed in 2018 at Medellin, I had looked for a safe, friendly, central area and not too far from the sites to visit in the city. I chose the Poblado Manila district.

Located right next to the neighborhood EL POBLADO (favorite area for tourists), there are beautiful hotels, good restaurants and the lively El Poblado district just a few minutes' walk away. This is where I had reserved the Guest House Poblado Manila for €21 per night (in 2018).

But the most popular neighborhood in Medellin is El Poblado. It's home to the most trendy bars, upscale restaurants and vibrant nightlife. This neighborhood offers a wide range of accommodation options, from boutique hotels to upscale apartments, making it ideal for business travelers and tourists alike.

If you are looking in this tourist area for a good comfortable hotel with swimming pool and jacuzzi on the roof, then I recommend the hotel Masaya Medellin.

hotel far from the dangerous areas of Medellin

How to visit Medellin safely?

It's easy to get lost when you don't know the city.

So, to avoid finding yourself in a dangerous area of ​​Medellin, it is better to take a guide to visit the city or the tourist bus tour bus. Here is a site where you can book your guided tour day:

Pictures by Ulysses Casaraz - daniel santa from Pixabay

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