Note: This was originally written in 2019. Working in front of a screen doesn't change based on location. Medellín is a great place because of the opportunities to try food, the outdoors, work from amazing cafes, and the opportunity to meet diverse people. I traveled to Medellín, Colombia, both to explore for a week on vacation and then to immerse myself in daily life while working remotely as the creator of , the first cryptocurrency news audiocast app. Coinverse The high standard of living is great for productivity. : Convenient and safe, the metro has been running since 1995. Commuting : Choose a new cafe every day, and you'll still not see all of them. There are plenty of coworking options too. Places to work : Eat locally and affordably, or choose international options. Food Coffee culture Unlike the states, adding cream to coffee is doing your taste buds a massive disservice. The coffee is flavorful, ranging in levels of sweet, fruity, bitter, chocolate, vanilla, and creamy flavors. Espresso is the default. Learn to ask for "cafe filtrado" if seeking drip coffee. Important factors for cafes are the coffee and atmosphere for working and hanging out. I was concerned with the availability of power outlets and the internet and discovered this was not an issue. The most expensive coffee was $2, and many places have a full food menu. These are my three favorites in El Poblado, where I spent most of my time. : It is small, friendly, and comfortable. You have to try the hardy version of avocado toast. This cafe has many travelers. Hija Mía : Each cup is served with a piece of smooth dark chocolate. They offer a full-day coffee experience on home brewing and experimenting with flavors. Urbania Café Pergamino ( , ): Although it's a chain, the coffee is great. I prefer the newer Calle 10b location as it has an open second floor which is quiet and great for focusing. They offer great gift wrapping for beans bought as gifts, too. Carrera 37 Calle 10b I spent time at other great cafes in El Poblado, too. : This doubles as a clothing store and restaurant with big healthy salads for lunch. The iced coffee was my favorite. Pardo : High-end and comfortable. Cafe Velvet : This location is open the latest, 10 PM most nights, and 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Starbucks Coffee Milla de Oro In Laureles, I enjoyed , with a rock and roll vibe and a great spot for meeting up, and , a small and trendy spot. Café Zeppelin Rituales Compañia de Café These come highly recommended from and 's , which organizes the best cafes based on factors such as atmosphere, food, wifi, etc. Anthony Castrio Jeff Hilnbrand Cafe Grind Rankings Laureles Café Cliché Quiero Café Naturalia Café Café Revolución Envigado Vizzto Café Apasionado See cafes map Coworking A coworking space is great for increasing productivity. Spaces range from backpacker to upscale tech company vibes. Selina is part of a hostel and has a grassroots feel with an affordable monthly rate compared to traditional office space. It contains both a cafe and a restaurant. Their weekly events like yoga, happy hours, live shows, etc., are a great time to meet people. Selina WeWork feels like a Google office with cafes, amenities, stunning views, and a variety of work areas. After lunch, people found their favorite spot to close their eyes for an afternoon siesta. WeWork See Coworking map Communities There is most likely a community here for you based on your professional interest. I've met salespeople, marketers, designers, programmers, wellness professionals, etc. here. Begin by searching on . I found the group. The majority of the first talk I attended was in Spanish. Once the event was over the organizers Cristián Gomez and introduced themselves to me with a smile. Meetup.com Medellín Android Carlos Daniel After speaking with them I felt welcomed and they invited me to give my own talk. there on . The one feature I still actively use Facebook for is finding local groups to learn from by searching for "Digital nomads in {city}". I gave a talk Android architecture patterns Healthy eating Street food is tasty. However, in order to feel good and be productive, eating healthy is important. Although more expensive, there are great options from around the world. Fast casual Mediterranean options like Falafel Time 's salads German Street Food chains: Identical to Chipotle in food and price Tacohouse : Salads Saludpan Sit down : For lunch or drinks Burdo : Cafe with healthy food options Pardo : Build your own protein bowls Betty's Bowls : Indian food Zaaika Indian Bárbaro Cocina Primitiva ( , ): Great and affordable steaks El Poblado Laureles : Salads Mezzaluna See food maps If you're interested in "Why Medellín?", the best local flavors, and activities to experience, read the following. Medellín —The nomad's hidden gem Medellín — A taste of classics and the best cacao Medellín — Discover the local appeal enjoys sharing and is a researcher and product consultant. Adam Hurwitz travel open info