El Poblado – The Safest and Richest Neighborhood of Medellin

If you are coming to Medellin for the first time, chances are you have already heard of El Poblado. El Poblado is the safest and richest upscale neighborhood located in the south-east of Medellin. This neighborhood is considered the cleanest, most comfortable and most expensive in the city.

It is the favorite neighborhood for many foreign tourists and expats as it provides all the comforts of the western lifestyle.

What exactly makes El Poblado so popular?

Things to do in Poblado Medellin

There are enough things to do in El Poblado. It is filled with multi-cuisine restaurants, cool cafes, and large shopping malls. The best malls in this neighborhood are El Tesoro, Santa Fe, and Oviedo. These malls have great ambiance and diverse food and shopping options, making them ideal for a weekend hangout with your friends.

Tourist and Student accommodation in Poblado

This neighborhood is filled with numerous hotels, hostels and high rise apartments. In El Poblado, you can easily find many comfortable international student houses on Tellanto.com.

El Poblado is an upscale commercial district, and if you decide to do an internship or a semester exchange here, choosing an international student house in this neighborhood is a convenient option.

El Poblado is an estrato 6 neighborhood, meaning that the cost of utilities in this area is higher than other neighborhoods in Medellin. Your cost of living in Colombia would be higher than in other areas. Although you get a lot for it in return.

However, this neighborhood provides easy access to various restaurants, supermarkets like Exito and Carulla, and other commercial establishments. Also, foreigners having limited knowledge of Spanish can easily settle in the neighborhood, as the residents of El Poblado primarily speak English.

Close to EAFIT University and Spanish schools

Medellin is home to some of the best Colombian universities. Many of them are located near El Poblado, making it a great neighborhood for international students. Near the university are also great student houses for a very reasonable price.

The renowned EAFIT University is located in this neighborhood so you will see a great student population in this area. There are plenty of other reasons why studying in Colombia is a great idea.

There is also a wide range of options for learning Spanish. The most popular Spanish language school in El Poblado is the Toucan Spanish School. Apart from regular interactive lessons, this school also organises many local tours and fun activities to help students learn Spanish in an enjoyable way.

We’ve written another post on how to get a student visa in Colombia. But read carefully, you do not always need a student visa.

Is Poblado safe?

El Poblado is regarded as one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. The streets are mostly busy, even during nights and there is a strong police presence in the neighborhood. However, it goes without saying that you must take common precautions for your safety while traveling, no matter where you go.

Parks in Poblado

Amidst all the bustle of El Poblado, you will find parks like Parque Lineal La Presidenta, where you can relax, take a walk and enjoy the greenery. Near this park, you can even shop for fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market which takes place on Sundays.

El Poblado Park is another park that provides a great spot for taking a break. The park is surrounded by many restaurants and bars as well.

Outdoor activities

To encourage the residents of Medellin to get more active, the popular outdoor event, Ciclovía takes place on Sundays and holidays. On these days, parts of major roads are closed to vehicular traffic. This way people can freely walk, jog, and ride their bicycles on the main streets. While staying in El Poblado, you can go for a walk or a bike ride on Avenida Poblado. This is a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy your weekend.

Apart from high-end shops, you will also find several outdoor markets in El Poblado. San Fernando Plaza hosts flea markets on Sundays. Here you can buy clothing and footwear, decoration and craft items, jewelry and more.

Another outdoor market takes place at Via Primavera, where you can find clothes, shoes, crafts at good prices. These markets take place during several months in a year.

The comforts, amenities, and sense of safety make El Poblado one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Medellin. In El Poblado, you get to enjoy the kind of lifestyle you would find back home, while still being close to the traditions and culture of Colombia.