Flying to a new country for dental work can feel intimidating. This guide covers the practical stuff so you can focus on your smile, not logistics.
Money
Currency
Colombian Peso (COP). Roughly 4,000-4,200 COP = $1 USD. Prices in thousands feel huge but are small in dollars.
Best Way to Pay
Credit/debit cards work widely (Visa/Mastercard best). Many places take USD for large purchases. For small vendors, you'll need pesos.
Getting Pesos
ATMs give the best rates. Withdraw from airport or shopping mall ATMs (safer). Avoid exchange booths — terrible rates.
Pro Tip
Set up a Wise account before traveling. Best exchange rates, lower fees than banks.
Language
Spanish is the language. English is limited outside tourist infrastructure. However:
- Dental clinics serving international patients have English-speaking staff. This is a key selection criterion.
- Hotels in El Poblado usually have English-speaking staff.
- Restaurants in tourist areas often have English menus or staff.
- Uber drivers, shops, pharmacies — minimal English. Use Google Translate.
Essential Spanish Phrases
Download Google Translate with offline Spanish before your trip. The camera feature translates menus in real-time.
Getting Around
🚗 Uber / DiDi / Cabify
Uber is legal and everywhere. Rides across the city: $2-6. Airport to El Poblado: $17-25. Also try DiDi (often cheaper) and InDriver (you negotiate price).
🚇 Metro
Colombia's only metro system. Clean, safe, efficient. ~$0.60 per ride. Connects to MetroCable gondolas. Great for exploring, though not always convenient for El Poblado.
🚕 Yellow Taxis
Metered. Slightly cheaper than Uber but language barrier can be tricky. App-hailed taxis (Taxis Libres) are safer than street hails.
🚶 Walking
El Poblado is walkable within neighborhoods. Hills can be steep. Laureles is flatter. Walking is safe during daytime in tourist areas.
Food & Dining
Medellín has excellent food at great prices. Here's what to expect:
- Meal costs: Local restaurant lunch $5-8. Nice dinner $15-25. Street food $2-4.
- Tipping: 10% is customary at sit-down restaurants. Often added automatically as "propina voluntaria" (you can decline).
- Coffee: Colombia = world-class coffee. "Tinto" is a small black coffee. "Café con leche" = with milk.
- Water: Tap water in Medellín is safe to drink — a rarity in Latin America.
For post-dental soft foods: Sancocho (soup), arepas, fresh fruit smoothies, and rice dishes are everywhere.
Practical Details
📱 Phone & Internet
- SIM cards: Claro (best coverage), Tigo. ~$10-15 for 10GB/month.
- WiFi: Strong in hotels, cafés, malls.
- WhatsApp: Everyone uses it. Have it ready.
🔌 Power
- Outlets: Same as USA (Type A/B)
- Voltage: 110V — same as home
- No adapter needed!
⏰ Time Zone
- Colombia Standard Time (COT)
- Same as Eastern (EST) when not daylight saving
- 1 hour behind Eastern during DST
🏥 Pharmacies
- Farmatodo, Drogas la Rebaja — chains everywhere
- Many meds OTC that require prescription in USA
- Staff can help with basic needs
Cultural Tips
- Paisas are friendly. People from Medellín (called Paisas) are known for warmth and hospitality. Don't be surprised if strangers chat with you.
- Greetings matter. A simple "buenos días" or "buenas tardes" when entering shops or elevators is polite.
- Time is flexible. "Colombian time" is real — things may start 15-30 minutes late. Don't stress.
- Don't talk politics (at first). Colombia's history is complex. Listen more than you speak about sensitive topics.
- Soccer = religion. Atlético Nacional vs. Independiente Medellín is the city's big rivalry.
Quick Safety Reminders
- ✓ Stay in El Poblado, Laureles, or Envigado — the safe tourist zones
- ✓ Use Uber/taxi apps rather than street hails at night
- ✓ Don't flash expensive jewelry or electronics
- ✓ Keep your phone secure (not back pocket)
- ✓ Don't accept drinks from strangers
- ✓ Trust your instincts — if something feels off, leave
Apps to Download Before You Go
- Uber — Primary transport
- Google Maps — Download offline Medellín map
- Google Translate — Download offline Spanish
- WhatsApp — How clinics and everyone communicates
- Wise — Best exchange rates
- Rappi — Local delivery app (food, groceries, pharmacy)
Ready to Experience Medellín?
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