Bienvenidos a Colombia!
photo by metropolitan-touring.com/colombia/places/medellin/
Colombia Was Calling — And Baby, We Answered!
Alright, let’s talk about Colombia!
We traveled to Colombia for a wedding and stayed for a week back in June 2024. We really didn’t know what to expect, but we knew it was going to be beautiful. And let me tell you—that thang was NOICE! Mountainous backdrops, lush green views… it was truly breathtaking.
The airport was located way up in the mountains, so we had to drive down the winding roads to reach the city of Medellín. Once we were off the mountain and in the heart of the city, we pulled up to our hotel—The Factory Lofts.
The Factory Lofts Stay
First of all, this hotel was cute and quaint. Perfectly positioned near tons of restaurants and local eateries. The room was a decent size with a mini kitchen and a modern workspace that we actually put to use. And let me talk about this wall of industrial windows—picture a garage door setup but make it stylish. Fire station meets loft chic. Very cool.
The weather was absolute perfection. High 70s to 80s, barely any humidity. As Floridians, we’re used to humidity that’ll choke you out on a summer night. But this? Glorious. I don’t even know why we thought we’d be near a beach (lol)—but we weren't. The nearest one was about 8 hours away annnnnnd that wasn’t happening. But we found some other gems to fill our time.
Our Travel Vibe
We’re pretty chill. We genuinely love lounging in bed, watching TV, and sipping wine over good conversation. So, we didn’t cram our itinerary. We were out every other day and intentionally stayed in on our off days.
So here’s the breakdown—what we did on the “out” days and a quick review of the eats. One thing we learned about Colombia: they know how to season their food, OKAY?! As proud Black Americans, we appreciate well-seasoned food. Chiiiile—we didn’t have to reach for salt, pepper, or hot sauce ONCE. That’s how you know.
- Okay, so let’s jump right in!
Monday
We checked into The Factory Lofts, and it instantly made our “must-return” list. We didn’t explore the whole property, but next time we will. Rooftop pool, jacuzzi, gym, and a shared workspace with all-glass walls and industrial-modern decor. And affordable? Chile. We paid $550 for the week. A whole week! We also met a few American expats who live there part-time. Smart folks.
Tuesday
We kicked off the day with a traditional Colombian breakfast at La Guadalupana, right across the street. I had chicharrón for the first time—it hit the nostalgia button hard. I used to live off salt and vinegar pork rinds as a kid…don’t judge me.
Ty fell in love with their coffee, so we went back every morning for coffee and empanadas. Later, we took a long walk around the neighborhood to get our bearings. It was a super chill day.
That night we ate at a restaurant across from our hotel called La Tienda de la 70. We both had salmon, yuca fries and a small fresh salad. Hands down, the BEST meal we had while there. Not to mention the freshest ass mojitos we ever did taste!
Wednesday
Date night in the city! We had dinner at Abbiocco, and it was giving sexy + delicious. I had salmon over rigatoni in a lemony butter sauce. Ty had something equally delicious (but let’s be real—I forgot what it was, lol). We dined on the patio under the stars, and that weather was just as tasty as the food.
Now, the drive into the city? A whole journey. Traffic, mopeds, people everywhere. We were instantly grateful we stayed in a quieter area. We like our peace.
Thursday
This was the day! We actually went outside, lol. We booked a city bike tour—and hands down, it was the highlight of the trip (besides the wedding, of course).
We rode electric bikes through the city center, explored historical spots, parks, and tucked-away neighborhoods we never would've seen otherwise. We even biked up to Pueblito Paisa, a little mountaintop village with 360-degree views of Medellín. The sugar cane juice (guarapo) with lime was - Chef’s kiss. And the people on the tour had good energy, good conversation, and overall good vibes.
Friday
Chill day again. We made breakfast in the room—fresh eggs, avocado, toasted bread, and Ty's daily coffee run to La Guadalupana. That night we grabbed burgers at a local American-style spot called Medellin Burguer Company. They were juicy and seasoned to perfection.
Saturday
Wedding time! This wedding was wedding-ing. Gorgeous venue, incredible views, and the kind of love that fills the room. We couldn’t have our phones during the ceremony, so no photos from that moment, but trust me—it was everything. The reception was a total vibe.
Sunday
We rested. After all the excitement from the wedding, we needed a reset. We packed, chilled, and got ready to head out the next day.
Final Thoughts
Colombia showed out. We had an amazing trip and are definitely planning to return. For $550 a week—and even cheaper for a monthly stay—Medellín might just be our future second home. Until next time, Colombia… you were real 💚
