WhatsApp: If you do not have this app, please download it before coming so you can set it up with your phone number. It is widely used here for messaging and phone/video calls via wifi, and it will make your international communication much easier.

Greetings: Before Covid, all Colombians greeted with a kiss on the cheek for women-women and women-men. Men-men usually shook hands. Now, it is all up in the air about how to greet. Sometimes we elbow bump.

Gringos (a term for foreigners) tend to come off a little cold. It is customary to ask Colombians how they are, how is their family, and so on before engaging in other discussions.

Hygiene: Colombians are extremely clean. They do not leave the house without showering, and they brush their teeth three times a day (at least).

Bathrooms: It is not customary to flush ANY paper products down the toilet, including toilet paper, as the pipes are more sensitive than North America. You should throw all paper waste products (including toilet paper) into the waste bin.

Flip-Flops: No Colombian would wear flip-flops outside their house or a beach. This is the number one way to bring attention to yourself as a gringo, so just something to keep in mind.

Shoes: It is very atypical and considered bad manners for Colombians to take their shoes off at a wedding reception. If you think your heels might get the better of you by 2 am, bring some cute flats to slip your feet into so you can keep on dancing.

Clothes: Despite the weather often being warm (think spring time in New England), Colombians would only wear shorts to workout or to the beach. Just another thing to keep in mind if you would like to blend in at all.

Taxi etiquette: Do not shut the door with force. This is the number one way we are scolded as gringos- slamming taxi doors. They might even jump over the seat to try to prevent our inevitable slam. Try to close their (much lighter) doors with a soft push. They will greatly appreciate it.

Tipping: Tipping is not a cultural norm in Colombia. However, in formal restaurants, they will often ask if you would the "servicio" (tip) included. This is always a flat rate of 10% and it is not expected that you give more, unless you are feeling generous.

You do not need to tip a taxi driver - it is neither normal nor expected. The minimum charge is 5,500 pesos (less than $2), so if you happen to take an extremely short ride, your fare might show lower than this on the taxi meter, but they will charge you the minimum so be prepared for that.

Food in Medellin is a farmer's diet developed for a simple palate. It revolves around beans, rice, and meat.

The most famous dish in Medellin is Bandeja Paisa, which consists of beans, rice, several kinds of meat, a fried egg, french fries, a small side salad, and a fried or grilled plantain (sweet banana).

Other popular dishes (especially popular with gringos) are Sancocho, which is like a supersized chicken soup, and Ajiaco, which is also a soup with chicken, but it is thicker and served with capers. Both are delicious.

We also recommend you try empanadas (a small, moon-shaped fried dough filled with different things), palito de queso (dough and cheese stick), and mango biche (a sour mango often served with salt and pepper).

Feeling thirsty? Try the wide variety of tropical juices (lulo, maracuya, pineapple, mango, blackberry, etc), , different flavored lemonades (especially "limonada de coco"), guarapo (sugar cane drink), and the local liquor called "aguardiente" or a rum such as Ron Medellín.

If you are looking for spicy food, Medellin is NOT the spot for that - bring your own hot sauce! (or ask for ají - a slightly spicy sauce often available by request).

Colombian Restaurants:

Mondongos

Dona Rosa

Ajiacos y Mondongos (lunch only)

Hatoviejo

Pesqueria (coastal food- fried fish, coconut rice, ceviche)

Medellin is becoming more and more of an international destination, so ethnic food is growing daily. Here are some links to our favorite spots:

Breakfast spots:

El Alma (multiple locations in Poblado)

Ganso y Castor

D´Andres

Bagatelle (en Hotel Diez)

Matilde

Cafes:

Pergamino (multiple locations all over city, great to buy coffee to take home!)

Cafe Velvet

Hija Mía

Happy Hour/Bars:

El Social (multiple locations, very typical spot for late afternoon drinking with friends)

BBC (a Colombian crafted beer company)

Medellín Beer Factory (local brewery)

Tres Cordilleras (local brewery)

Lunch or Dinner:

Crepes and Waffles - literally everything, from desserts to salad bar to vegetarian options; a very popular chain for casual dining in Colombia

Cafe Zorba: Vegetarian pizza

Home Burger: Burgers (several locations in Poblado)

Chef Burger: artisanal burgers

Hello! Burger (en Masaya Hotel): Burgers

Florez: Wide range of food options

Bao Bei: Asian Fusion (tiny spot, go early to get in line)

Naan: Indian

Tandoori Halal: Indian

Rocoto: Peruvian - ceviche

Misturia: Asian Fusion

La Causa: Asian Fusion

Hanami Sushi Bar: Japanese

Carmen : Fancy fusion (reservation a must)

El Cielo: Fancy eating experience (reservation a must)

Oci.MDE: Fancy eating (reservation necessary)

Healthy Options/Great for vegetarians :

Smash

123 Wok

Mundo Verde

Mezza Luna

Don´t want to leave the hotel to eat or need some quick groceries? Download the Rappi app and order to your hotel - it's easy and completely online!

The wedding will be a beautiful mix of musical genres. That said, when the DJ is not spinning, the band will be a Cuban Salsa Band. If you want to try out your salsa skills when the band is playing, take a look at some of these videos!

Basic Salsa Steps Tutorial

Cuban Salsa Steps in Action

Want to go dancing or see Colombian dancing while in Medellín?

Social Club (mixture of salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaeton, and more)

Cuchitril (salsa section and crossover section with reggaeton)

Son Havana (Cuban salsa spot, often live music on weekends)