Laureles Medellin: Culture And Nightlife Within Walking Distance

Laureles Medellin: Culture And Nightlife Within Walking Distance

Moving to Colombia is an experience that checks every box for any digital nomad. Medellin is a city that offers stunning mountain views of the Andes from practically anywhere you are—and there’s a lot to see and do around town. Laureles, Medellin is a destination for many expats and digital nomads passing by, but why?

Laureles Medellin is considered a quiet part of town that is within walking distance of vibrant nightlife, eateries, shopping, and cultural activities. Move to Laureles if you want to stay for a longer stretch of time but don’t want to miss out on the club scene and other activities.

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We’ll cover everything you need to know about the Northwest side of Medellin, including the various reasons you should consider moving there as an expat. Even if you’re just stopping by, we think Laureles, Medellin is a great place to stay as a digital nomad.

Why Should You Move To Laureles Medellin?

Having drinks and snacks across from Primer Parque de Laureles Medellin
Having drinks and snacks across from Primer Parque de Laureles Medellin

Laureles is a residential area that is pretty close to the hustle and bustle of city life (literally within walking distance). This makes it a perfect choice for expats whether they are moving to Colombia with families or not. You can work during the day and enjoy the serenity of a calm neighborhood while still being a few minutes away from all the fun. 

Another reason people like this neighborhood is the walkability—there are very few streets that go uphill so it’s pretty easy to walk around the area. That’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying Medellin the way the locals do. It’s also a great area for cyclists.

Because this barrio is mainly upper-middle class, it’s considered one of the safer areas in Columbia. However, we’d like to point out that you’ll probably need to speak Spanish well to get by in this neighborhood. That’s a good thing too! You’ll get the full Columbian experience by socializing with the locals.

Activities And Things To Do Laureles Medellin

welcome to Laureles Medellin
Welcome to Laureles Medellin

Living in Laureles, Medellin opens up the opportunity for digital nomads and tourists to participate in a variety of activities. Being surrounded by very busy neighborhoods is not the only perk of living in this area. You’ll find many co-working spaces which are perfect for most nomads, but here are a few fun things to do on your time off:

Culture

As you admire the colorful buildings while walking along the green avenues of Laureles, you’ll probably want to explore the local culture. Visit the Teatro Barra del Silencio, a silent theater that will blow your mind even though it’s a mime act. 

Digital nomads also like to visit Naturalia Cafe for live music for brunch on the weekends—you’ll find some of the best local musicians playing here.

For an art and culture experience, we recommend that you visit Fundación Aburrá in Laureles Medellin. It is a museum that showcases thousands of art pieces from the indigenous peoples of Antioquia. 

Fundación Aburrá in Laureles Medellin
Fundación Aburrá in Laureles Medellin

Nightlife

You won’t find many clubs and bars all over Laureles, but right in the center of the neighborhood is La Setenta (Carrera 70) which is a long stretch of bars, cafes, and nightclubs. At the end of La 70 you’ll find the Pontifical Bolivarian University (UPB), and then another avenue (Avenida 33) of vibrant nightlife.

Our favorite for rock n’ roll is Pub Rock 33, which you can find on Avenida 33. However, we recommend bar hopping because there are many great spots all within walking distance of each other. 

Sports

Within about a mile you can reach a sports complex with two stadiums, a baseball field, a basketball arena, and more. Soccer is the national sport and you can expect the entire Estadio area to be full of excited fans before and after a match. 

Even if you’re not a die-hard soccer fan, it’s worth it to take a walk down to the Estadio area to join the locals just to feel the energy of the city when the local teams are playing against each other. 

Atanasio Girardot Stadium
Atanasio Girardot Stadium

Best Restaurants In Laureles Medellin

Note: This blog has been updated August 23, 2022. Several of the restaurants on our list have been negatively affected by Covid-19 and may either be temporarily or permanently closed. If you have any information to the contrary, please let us know in the comments below!

The food scene in Laureles, Medellin is mouth-watering, to say the least. Whether you’re craving international cuisine, American cuisine, Colombian, or other Latin-American cuisines—it’s all available in and around Laureles. Here are some of the best restaurants in Laureles:

  • J&C Delicias: (Temporarily Closed): The best arepas in town. If you’re willing to explore a variety of toppings, this is the place to go. It’s a staple in Colombian cuisine for a good reason. Try the shrimp arepas, you won’t regret it. 
  • Mondongo’s: For more typical Colombian dishes you’ll want to visit Mondongo’s. Don’t skip some of their more bizarre foods such as their Mondongo soup—that’s made of diced tripe (cow stomach). It’s worth a try and you might even come back for seconds.
  • Barbaro Cocina Primitiva: There are more than a few steakhouses in Medellin, and many are in Laureles as well. Barbaro is our top choice because of its passion for cooking meats using different slow cooking methods.
  • Caduff Pasta Fresca: Italian food is very popular in Laureles, and the competition is fierce. Caduff Pasta uses fresh ingredients, even making its own pasta. Try their lasagna, and you won’t regret it. They also sell fresh pasta. 
  • Barbacoa Burger & Beer: (Temporarily Closed): When you’re craving a big juicy burger or other American food, this place hits the spot. Some might even argue that their burgers are better than some of the restaurants in the States. 
  • Full Arabe: This was by far our go-to restaurant. We lived across the street from here and fell in love with the food. The sampler platter, pictured below, was a great sampling of all of their dishes, each of which was delicious.
Our delicious meal at Full Arabe in Laureles Medellin
Our delicious meal at Full Arabe in Laureles Medellin

Why Choose Laureles Medellin Over El Poblado

You’re more likely to hear about El Poblado from the expat community, but Laureles is arguably a better choice for many digital nomads. If you’re more interested in nightlife, El Poblado may be a more logical choice. Choosing Laureles is recommended because you can have your cake and eat it too—everything is nearby but you don’t need to sleep next door to a nightclub.

Cute Mural on our walk in Primer Parque de Laureles Medellin

Move to Laureles, Medellin with your family or on your own as a digital nomad. You’ll get a laid-back experience of Colombia and a taste of eternal spring. If after reading this you think Laurales may not be for you, check out our list of other neighborhoods in Medellin for expats and digital nomads.

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