Blue Flag Beach

Do you want to know what a blue flag beach is? It is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education which indicates that a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator has fulfilled the standards. Blue Flag also refers to a trademark that FEE owns. In this regard, you should know that FEE is a non-governmental organization that consists of 65 organizations in 77 member nations.

The criteria of FEE's Blue Flag come with the following:

• Standards for quality, safety, environmental education, and information,

• The provision of services and

• General environmental management criteria.

If any beach, marine, and boating tourism operators have a blue flag, it indicates that they also follow high-quality and environmental standards. These beaches & marinas of FEE member countries get certificates annually. According to FEE, these are awards. The announcement of these awards takes place every year on 5 June for Europe, Canada, Morocco, Tunisia, and the nations which belong to similar geographic locations. On 1st November each year, the announcement of the award takes place in the Caribbean, New Zealand, South Africa, and other nations in the southern hemisphere.

The incorporation of the water quality standards is connected to the EC Water Framework Directive in the European Union. As of 2016, Spain has the most number of blue flag beaches than other nations per year since the giving the awards started in 1987.

History:

It was created as a pilot scheme in 1985 in France from the Office of the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe.

French coastal municipalities got the Blue Flag awards because these meet all standards of sewage treatment and bathing water quality. In 1985, eleven French municipalities got this award.

Blue Flag on the European Community Level in 1987:

The European Commission developed the European Community activities in 1987, this is why it was called the "European Year of the Environment." This commission got the Blue Flag concept from the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe. Then, they agreed to regard this as one of the "European Year of the Environment" activities in the Community.

The programme was developed to add other areas of environmental management like waste management and coastal planning and protection. Moreover, Marines, beaches, became also eligible for this award. There are 244 beaches and 208 marinas, which got Blue Flag awards in 1987.

Success: The number of these awards is increasing per year. So, over the years, the criteria have become more strict. For instance, it began using the restrictive guideline values as imperative criteria in the EEC Bathing Water Directive in 1992. And from this year, it was decided that the blue flag criteria will be the same for all the participating countries.

Outside the European Union:

Present program:

More than 4,154 beaches and marinas received these awards worldwide in 2015. We have given here the names of the forty-seven nations which join this Programme, including:

Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Serbia, Sint Marteen, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, US Virgin Islands, and Wales.

Blue Flag Beach Criteria:

It was the year 2001 when FEEE rules were changed. As per this new rule, they decided to allow non-European national organizations sharing the goals of FEEE, becoming members, and changed its previous name by dropping Europe from its name, becoming the Foundation for Environmental Education. A few authorities and organizations outside the Union of Europe have joined FEE. It was the year 2001 when South Africa and Caribbean countries joined. Foundation for Environmental Education has been cooperating with UNEP and UN WTO to extend it outside Europe. In this regard, you should know that the FEE members are South Africa, Canada, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, and four countries in the Caribbean region. While Brazil & Aruba are in the Programme's pilot phase, countries like Jordan, Macedonia, Turks & Caicos Islands, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates have started implementing this Programme.

Environmental education and information:

• A beach has to give information about coastal zone ecosystems & the natural, sensitive areas in the coastal zone.

• A blue flag beach should give information about bathing water quality.

• It needs to display Blue Flag Programme information.

• The code of conduct for the beach area needs to be visible to the public. Besides, if people request to know about the laws governing the beach use, these should be available. People must get the opportunity to do at least five environmental education activities.

Water Quality:

• Meet the standards for bathing water quality. 
• Any industrial or sewage-related discharges should not affect the beach area. 
• It should monitor the health of coral reefs located in the beach's vicinity. 
• Beaches must have all the necessary things for sewage treatment and effluent quality.

Environmental Management:

• It is essential to set up a beach management committee to institute environmental management systems. In addition, it is necessary to conduct beach facilities' regular environmental audits. 
• Beaches need to comply with the regulations that affect the beach's location and operations such as coastal zone planning and environmental legislation. 
• The beach should be clean. 
• Adequate numbers of waste disposal bins should be present on the beach. These need to be maintained and emptied daily. 
• Beaches should have facilities to receive recyclable waste materials. 
• These have clean, sanitary facilities with controlled sewage disposal. 
• Ensure that no unauthorized camping or driving and no dumping are seen on these beaches. 
• Regulations related to the domestic animals on the beach must be followed strictly. 
• It is necessary to maintain the beach's buildings and equipment.

Safety and Services:

• People should have access to many lifesaving equipments or be able to take help from lifeguards. 
• Beaches should have First aid equipment. 
• The presence of management of different users and uses of the beach is necessary to avoid accidents & conflicts. 
• There should be an emergency plan to manage pollution safety risks. 
• The beach area needs to be patrolled. 
• Enough supply of drinking water on the beach is required. 
• Each municipality should have access to a minimum of one Blue Flag beach. There must be toilet facilities for disabled people. 
• It must come with a beach map showing all the facilities.

Top Blue Flag Beaches:

These are a few blue Flag beaches across the world. Let's see what these are and about their facilities.

Thassos, Greece:

Whenever it's come to discuss the most beautiful blue flag beaches, this blue flag beach Greece is the one that comes to our mind. As we already know, Greece is God's own country, with plenty of beautiful landscapes & beaches. There are about 1,000 islands that are adorned with the safest beach globally. While it is hard to select any particular beach, if you really want to pick one, it is better to go with Thassos, part of the North Aegean Sea. The cool coves and the bluest of waters are major reasons due to which you should visit this beach.

Praia da Rocha Baixinha, Portugal:

While it catches visitors' attention with its clean water, the beach is less crowded than others. Remember that this country is famous for being the best place as a surfing paradise because of the large waves. You will find a few beaches in Portugal that will definitely mesmerise you. Beach lovers will be astonished visiting the Praia da Rocha Baixinha (Portuguese Low Rock Beach) or Praia dos Tomates (Tomatoes Beach) in the Algarve area. The broad beach line offers ample space, privacy, as well as less-crowded spots. You can enjoy the incredible nightlife in pubs and clubs to make your evenings more exciting.

Kaputaş, Turkey:

The beauty of Kaputaş's azure waters and white sands draw the attention of most visitors and make the beach one of the best and most beautiful blue flag beaches globally. FEE observed the wonderful beaches of Turkey and put this one in the rankings. So, to get the relaxed vibes, you can definitely come here. The azure waters and white sands makes the beach breathtakingly beautiful.

Palombaggia, France:

The crystal-white & fine sand with clear turquoise waters makes this beach mind-grabbing. The country is popular for its romantic Parisian getaway. If you think this nation's capital is the only place to visit here, then you need to have a look at the mind-blowing beaches of the country. You can choose Corsica as your base due to the heavenly beaches; among these, a few are a little wild, while the other ones offer low-key shorelines. We recommend visiting the Palombaggia which becomes mesmerized due to the gorgeous crystal-white sand & clear turquoise waters.

Caló des Moro, Spain:

The eye-catching shores of this blue flag beach in Spain will definitely leave a mark in your mind. This nation has become the favorite beach destination for most people because it includes a lot of blue flag beaches. Remember that Barcelona, Ibiza, and Formentera are not the only ones which make Spain famous because it is also popular for its serene and beautiful beaches. The breathtaking view of Caló des Moro beach, lying on Mallorca island will definitely mesmerize you.

Spotorno, Italy:

The charming sceneries of the Liguria region make the beach popular. Generally, when we think of this country, the first thing that comes to our mind is food & architecture. But if you come here or plan to visit Italy, you should not miss coming to this beach. Choosing the most beautiful blue flag beach in Italy is never easy. However, we still recommend you visit Spotorno in the region of Liguria. It is famous for its charming views that can be found only in Italy.

The Bottom Line:

In this article, we have given enough information regarding the blue flag beach. You can see the facilities of these beaches, the criteria that these beaches need to meet to get the blue flag award, etc. However, you can visit these above-mentioned top six blue flag beaches on your vacation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. What does it mean when a beach is Blue Flag?

The term blue flag indicates that jellyfish, sharks, fish, stingrays, or other marine life have been spotted on a certain beach. Once a lifeguard notices any dangerous animal in the water or a rip current, he needs to call a supervisor to display the red "No Swimming" flag. It means that swimmers need to get out of the water.

Q. Which country has Blue Flag beach?

You should know that FEE, the abbreviation of Foundation for Environmental Education, is an international voluntary programme. It wants beaches to abide by strict water quality criteria, environmental management, accessibility, and education. Spain is the nation having the most Blue Flag beaches.

Q. Can you swim in Blue Flag beaches?

Beaches that got Blue Flag awards have been certified as these fulfil the necessary standards. The beaches are guaranteed to remain clean & adequately maintained. Compared to the non-Blue Flag beaches, these have better accessibility and offer more safe swimming chances.

Things to Do in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, one of the towns of Thailand, was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. However, this location has become a very attractive destination to different types of travellers and backpackers. Tourists visit here repeatedly due to the enchanting beauty of the place. Basically, the energy in the town captivates people to visit here, especially those who love trekking adventures. So, let's dig into the article to know the top things to do in Chiang mai.

Best things to Do in Chiang Mai:

These are some of the unique things to do in Chiang Mai:-

• Chiang Mai Night Safari, 
• Play with Elephants at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, 
• Adventure at Doi Inthanon National Park, 
• A Whitewater Rafting on the Mae Taeng River, 
• Soak yourself in the Charm of Sunday Walking Street Market, 
• Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep,

The place has its own magic that allows you to enjoy a heritage tour of the city, seek blessings at the temple, do adventure sports, enjoy the nightlife culture, and so on. You should know that there are many modern as well as traditional things to do in Chiang Mai. Are you a seeker of the contemporary world? Then, the vast range of things to do in Chiang Mai will give the correct flavor.

You can enjoy beautiful slides at Tube Trek Water Park or attend an informative cooking class. In addition, there are a few traditional things to do, like paying homage at Wat Phra Singh and taking a Segway Ride in the Old Town in Chiang Mai. Boat riding and shopping in the night market in Chiang mai, Thailand can make your trip more enjoyable.

Top Things To Do In Chiang Mai Thailand:

Visit the Divine Wat Phra That Doi Suthep:

If you plan to explore any cultural place here, you must spend some hours at Wat Phra Doi Suthep. While this one is a sacred temple in the area, people believe it was founded in 1383 by King Keu Naone. Its aim was to treasure a bone shard of Buddha.

People need to climb a staircase with 306 steps because the temple is situated on the mountain. The marvellous architectural brilliance and stunning design of the statues will make you mesmerized. The unmatched scenic beauty of the landscape will allow you to have an aesthetic experience.

Chiang Mai Night Safari:

If you want to enjoy a nail-biting experience, the combination of thrilling wildlife exploration and the darkness of night will make your dream fulfilled. The night safari zoo in the city allows the tourists to get the opportunity of viewing glimpses of rare nocturnal beasts. The Safari tour covers more than three different zones, including Savanna Safari, jaguar Trail, and Predator Prowl.

Tourists can ride on a tram to enjoy the safari or walk their way via these zones. Giraffes, zebras, rhinos, tigers, jaguars, pumas, and lions are a few animals you can watch during this journey. Whereas the laser light show, a dancing fountain in the park will make your trip more imposing.

Grand Canyon Water Park Tickets Chiang Mai:

Professional lifeguards supervise the entire area with standard marine life jackets to ensure safety. It is an outdoor natural Water Park located on the north side of the town with an area of over 35 acres. Wakeboarding, Kayaking, Ziplining, and Canoeing are some outdoor activities you can experience here. You can find the famous 'The Grill Restaurant' here, where you can taste delicious Thai and Western dishes. The 'Caramleo Cafe' is famous for desserts & cold drinks.

Play with Elephants at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary:

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, located near the city, is a must-visit place for you if you haven't played with elephants before. There are several exciting things to do in Chiang Mai city, allowing the tourists to spend the time with the elephants. Tourists can feed elephants and bathe them also along with getting a chance to click pictures with them.

You can find An English-speaking guide who will let you know about the history of the elephants. If you love spending time here, you can have an overnight stay option.

Know the Culture of the Karen Hill Tribe:

We all know about the Tribals who put on brass rings on their necks. You can have an interactive session with the people of the Karen Hill Tribe. Thus, you can get a chance to learn about their history, and customs. If you want, reserve one day to explore Chiang Dao to meet those long-neck tribals.

If you are eager to know about the tribal culture of the location, you must try to have an interactive session with the Karen Hill Tribe. Moreover, you can purchase handicrafts sold by the tribals.

Discover Doi Pui Village:

Although this small Hmong village is more tourist oriented compared to authentic. You will get to see a little bit of information on the history of several groups that lived in the Thai mountains in earlier generations.

Are you feeling touristy? Then, wear ethnic dresses for a photo shoot. You will get to see small stores here selling hand-woven textiles, handmade jewellery, tea, and other goods. In addition, there is a large garden adorned with several plants. You can have lunch at any small restaurant along with enjoying the breathtaking scenic beauty of this place. Hence, you can order a hot bowl of khao soi.

Adventure at Doi Inthanon National Park:

Visiting this national park may be the best memorable experience you can have on your Chiang Mai trip. This park is adorned with numerous waterfalls located in the mid-area of forests. Besides, there are traditional villages, picturesque hills with viewpoints. In addition, tourists can enjoy a pleasant climate throughout the year. Many photographers admire this park for its mesmerizing scenic beauty. It is an excellent destination for hiking and camping.

A Rafting on the Mae Taeng River:

You can add the thrilling experience of Mae Taeng River rafting to the to-do list in Chiang Mai. Hence, an English-speaking instructor gives you all the instructions to ensure safety. The experienced guide can make sure that you will enjoy the best whitewater rafting here.

You can feel your heartbeat going wild when you are on a raft and pass through the rapid. Visiting here between July and March can allow you to have a memorable journey in your life.

Soak in the Charm of Sunday Walking Street Market:

Wanna feel the pulse of the town? Then, you must not complete your trip without exploring the Sunday Walking Street Market. The market's atmosphere on Sunday invites many tourists and creates the desire for shopping and dining fun.

You will get to see a large market there from where you can purchase several things like handbags, clothes, massages, and street food. You will get the opportunity to enjoy the nightlife as the market remains open till midnight.

Explore the Knowledge Treasure of Lanna Folklife Museum:

We recommend you to explore the Lanna Folklife Museum to learn about the culture and history of this region. The museum contains endless information which is divided into eighteen various galleries.

Costumes, artifacts, objects of daily use- all of these can give you an idea about the lifestyle and culture of the local people. Having a tour of the museum will allow you to view an excellent collection of significant religious statues, paintings, and specimens of temple architecture.

Try Street Food at the Chiang Mai Gate Market:

The Chiang Mai Gate Market is the location where you can enjoy mouthwatering street foods. Here, vendors sell a savoury dish made of spicy meat and basil dishes, called pad kra pow. In addition, you can have a palatable dessert of fresh mango.

Ziplining:

If you want to make your trip more exciting, you must have a zipline experience or the Flight of the Gibbon which is a great zipline operator allowing you to zip through dense rainforest.

Besides, tourists will get an opportunity to enjoy glimpses of wild gibbons. However, the highest safety standards are maintained along with professional sky rangers for the safety purposes.

Check out Art and Craft in Bor Sang Umbrella Village:

Bor Sang Umbrella Village is a must-visit location if you want to know about Chiang Mai handicrafts and purchase items from there. The craft village, located 9 km far from the main town, is renowned for colorful paper umbrellas crafting made from sa paper produced from mulberry tree's bark. Moreover, tourists will get the opportunity to learn about traditional art from locals and interact with them.

End Your Day at the Night Bazaar:

If you are ready to do haggling, come here as it is a great location for shopping. As Night Bazaar brings the most traffic of tourism, you must be safe against getting ripped off. However, clothes, carvings, scarves, and housewares are a few great finds in the place.

After completing shopping, tourists may take in a muay Thai boxing fight, a significant part of local culture. Generally, the entrance to the fights remains between 200 to 400 THB.

'No Bar' Experience with Tigers at Tiger Kingdom:

Visiting the Tiger Kingdom must be one of the interesting things to do in Chiang Mai. It is a tiger centre with grown tigers and tiger cubs. You can't find something more energetic than interaction with tigers & coming closer to them without the involvement of chains or bars.

It is why the place is a must-visit one. Moreover, you can capture your fun moments, like playing with the animals to make your trip memorable. Trainers supervise the enclosures. So, there will not be any probability of misadventures.

Take a Thai Cooking class to Become a Thai Cuisine Expert: We can ensure that after tasting authentic Thai food in this town, you must have the desire to cook it when you return home. But how to do that? It is possible only by taking a Thai cooking class. Thus, you can learn how to add Thai flavors to the culinary skills. The class lets you know everything like selecting the right ingredients for any recipe, cooking a Thai dish like experts, and so on. Therefore, you can work as a professional. A few hours of detailed guidance will let you learn how to prepare the famous Thai main course dishes and desserts.

Enjoy Songkran Festival:

This holiday destination can add a festive touch to your trip during the Songkran Festival which people used to celebrate over 3 days from 13th to 15th April for indicating the start of Thai New Year. During this festival, different traditional activities can be performed and water fight is one of these.

You can experience hordes of locals and foreigners who unload water stock on random targets. You can get a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural function of this city. Thus, you can create beautiful lifelong memories.

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai for Sightseeing:

Have you planned to visit Chiang Mai and enjoy all the tourist attractions? Then, you should go near the walled Old City. People planning to explore any spot on foot must come here. Here, you can see Buddhist temples, bookstores, antique shops, and cafés and enjoy the Night Bazaar buzzing near the Old City's Tha Phae Gate, a famous sightseeing place.

Let's see the names of different high rated hotels:

Luxury Hotels:

• Anantara Chiang Mai Resort 
• Ping Nakara Boutique Hotel & Spa 
• 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai

Mid-Range Hotels:

•  Golden Bell Hotel ( adjacent to Sunday Walking Street market) 
• Rimping Village 
• Shewe Wana Boutique Resort and Spa

Budget Hotels:

• Varada Place 
• Amora Resort Tapae Chiangmai 
• Rustic River Boutique

Conclusion:

There are several mind blowing things to see in Thailand, like world-class beaches in the South, mountain forests in the North, and so on. This article has covered all the different ways through which you can have fun and explore Chiang Mai. You can visit the temples of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Chedi Luang to enjoy the aesthetic beauty of the place. Besides, you can have a tour of the national parks like Doi Inthanon or Doi Suthep-Pui to make your trip memorable. Moreover, you can keep yourself busy in Chiang Mai's markets along with having palatable street food in the old city.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. What is Chiang Mai popular for?

It is mainly renowned for its ancient temples, but it is not the only thing that you can explore here. The outstanding view of the parks and night buzzes will mesmerize you.

Q. How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?

You need four nights and five days to explore the place.

Q. What is the best month to visit Chiang Mai?

The best month to visit this place is between October and April. At this time, you can enjoy cool & pleasant weather with a light breeze.

Things to Do in Medellin

Medellin is known as the "City of Eternal Spring" due to its perfect weather. There are several parks & plazas to welcome you and allow you to enjoy the sunshine along with having fresh juice from a street food vendor.

Ensure that you have learned the history of the city to appreciate how far it's come. The city is adorned with a lot of museums to educate people and give knowledge about its history. In addition, there are several things to explore, like authentic markets and neighborhoods. Moreover, you will find several restaurants, cafes, and bars here. Besides, you can go to clubs to enjoy salsa dancing. So, dig into the article to know about the top things to do in Medellin.

Things to do in Medellin, Colombia:

You can enjoy a coffee on the terrace of a chic sky bar in the morning or walk among towering skyscrapers. Then, fly in a gondola over traditional villages by afternoon.

Things to Do in Medellin:

Museo de Antioquia:

In earlier days, this was a city Hall which has turned into a museum. Here, you will find a huge collection of works by Fernando Botero, who is one of the most popular artists in Colombia.

As this artist was born in this city, he patronized this museum by donating multiple works of his. The guides recommend the visitors watch the earlier works of his first which are kept on the top floor. Then, you need to make your way down to see his evolution of him as an artist.

You will also get to see other works of international artists in the museum. Moreover, you will get an audio guide to learn more about the works of the artists. In addition, a small cafe and courtyard are there where you can spend time.

El Poblado:

This district is home to green parks, rivers, and edgy industrial buildings. It is considered a wealthy area in the town where foreigners generally hang out. That's why it is not the most authentic place but a safer place.

A main road has split the town. On one side, the area is quieter at night. Whereas the other side is more 'Family Friendly.' Tourists need to walk for around twenty minutes to explore the district properly. You should know that the time is sufficient to explore the colorful neighborhood with its beautiful art & the palatable foods of the restaurants.

Explore the Numerous Parks and Plazas:

Due to the climate throughout the year, Medellin remains a perfect place for those who want to spend a lot of time outdoors. Here, you can see vendors peddling food & drinks and people lounging around. These are the two parks which you must visit after coming here.

Plaza Botero: — A famous artist of Medellin named Botero is renowned for his drawing and statues of oversized people. Containing 23 Botero sculptures, this plaza always brings traffic and remains packed with people taking photos, street performers, and artists. The park is located in the Old Quarter, and tourists can see some museums in the square.

Parque Lleras: — The location of the park is the center of Poblado, where you can see people all day and night. If you plan to come here, you can see food sellers, street foods, musicians, and those drinking into the wee hours of the night. If you want to add fun elements to your trip, then don't forget to come here.

Take a Day Trip to Guatapé:

If you are looking for a famous day-trip destination, you must come here. This one is a very colorful village located on a lake's edge. It will take around two hours from Medellin to reach here. Tourists can take a speedboat or party boat to take tours of the surrounding area. If you are one of the backpackers who are willing to spend one or two nights, you will definitely enjoy it. El Peñol is a granite monolith that has more than 700 concrete stairs. Climbing all the stairs to the top enables you to enjoy an excellent 360-degree view of the region.

See the Casa de la Memoria:

While it was opened in 2012, it has examined the history of armed conflict in Colombia. This museum especially illustrates the struggles of Columbians who have overcome to get to the present situation. Although this one is a solemn place, tourists can enjoy several important insights here.

Wander Parque Arvi:

The park is situated in the mountains near the town. You need to just take the gondola right from the subway to the park's entrance. During this ride, you can enjoy a few mind-grabbing views of the valley. The park is expanded by 16,000 hectares; including trails that date back more than 1,500 years. When you are going to enter this park, you can see a small market and hiking trails. If you are willing to visit, taking a guided tour is essential, and you need to pay 5,000-7,000 COP ($1.50-2.25 USD) for this tour. But you should always remember that the cost depends on the trial. Generally, the trails are 2-4 km long.

The park is on the edge of Medellin. If you ride a cable car, it will take you over to the slum areas and the city. In this ecological park, you will be able to see greenery landscapes and green forests. After entering the Parque Arvi, you will find around fifty different hiking trails to choose from.

Paragliding in Medellin, Colombia

You can now enjoy paragliding in the city to make your trip more adventurous. It is one of the most fun things to do in Medellin; mainly the town's an outside part, within the mountains. Based on the experience, you can choose a short flight of 15 minutes to see the surrounding area. If necessary, you are also capable of opting for a longer flight to enjoy the stunning landscape of the surrounding area.

Visit the Museums:

This town is home to creative things, so the presence of several museums can let you learn a lot about the nation's history & culture.

These are a few must-sees museums in Medellin:

Memory House Museum: Here, you can see the shades of earlier Colombian wars and conflicts.

Parque Explora: It is a very interactive science museum where you can see South America's largest freshwater aquarium.

Museo de Antioquia: This is an art museum that includes several works of Botero.

Museo de Arte Moderno: It is one of the modern art museums which are located in a refurbished industrial building.

Nightlife in Medellin, Colombia: Enjoying the nightlife in the town can give you the best feeling. Medellin is famous for its colorful bars, rooftops, and buzzing atmosphere. You can find several areas in the town that serve as great cafes during the day. Names of some such places include:-

• Berlin Bar

• La Octava Bar (ball pit!)

• Vintrash

• Rooftops (tourists can get the best views at Los Patios Hostel and Envy Rooftop)

• Parque Lleras: This Park is surrounded by bars and nightclubs like Envy Rooftop and Woka Lounge.

If you want, you can participate in the traditional Chivas (party buses) in the country. During this time, the buses usually play loud music and have flashing lights, carry people through streets and stop at bars along the way.

Shopping:

You can spend your morning by jumping between a few large brands & small boutique shops which sell unique prints and local designs.

These are a few great places for shipping:

• Makeno (135 Colombian designers)

• Ocho43

• Santa Fe Mall

• Carrera 37 (many shops here)

See a Soccer Match:

Futbol or soccer is a religion here, and you must try to watch the match. There are two local teams in Medellin: Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellin. The price of tickets remains under 40,000 COP (below $12.50).

Take a Free Walking Tour:

Among the top things to do in Medellin, this is the one. If you have a real city walking tour, you will get informative instructions about the city. Taking a free walking tour, you can get a clear idea of the place, whereas you can ask a local expert to get answers to your questions.

Best Cafes and Restaurants in Medellin:

The country has many mouthwatering plates like Arepas indicating bread made from corn and Bandeja. In this regard, you should know that the Bandeja is a dish containing beans, rice, plantain, and avocado and people take this as their breakfast. While there are many local delicacies, you will find several top-class restaurants in Medellin.

These are the names of a few of them:

• Kai Restaurant (Great vegetarian food)
  

• Zorba Pizza (The best Pizza in Town!)

• Apilados de Autor (cheap healthy brunch)

• Helecho Vegan Sushi

• Pergamino (good coffee)

• Bread Factory (Swiss bakery)

• Betty Bowls

Hija Mia Nomada (great brunch)

• Arte Dolce (best ice cream)

• Alambique (best aesthetics)

• Azai Praia Lovers

• Mercado Del Río (food court)

How Much Does Medellin Cost?

You should know that this one is a cost-effective city. So, if you are looking for a reasonably priced option for staying, Medellin is a great choice. However, if you are planning to stay in El Poblado, you need to pay a bit more.

Budget:

• Hotels: 15 – 150 USD / night

• Hostels: 7 – 60 USD / night

• Price per meal: 5 – 15 USD

• Entrances: 2 – 15 USD

• Transport: 2 – 20 USD

How to Visit Medellin:

It is one of the larger towns in Colombia and has strong connections with other towns in Colombia, like Bogota or Cartagena.

By Bus:

If you want to get there in the most sustainable way, you should travel by bus. Buses basically take less than nine hours to reach Medellin from Bogota. It costs between 20-30 USD.

By Plane:

If you are tight on time, you can opt for internal flights. For instance, if you want to come here from Bogota by plane, you need to pay between 50-150 USD, and the journey needs one hour.

Remember that it will take some additional time for security and check-in. Therefore, in such cases, you can choose an overnight bus to save money on a night's accommodation.

Best Time to Visit Medellin:

Due to the tropical-warm climate near the Andes, there remains mind-blowing weather in the city throughout the year. That's why this city is called 'La Primavera Eterna' (the eternal spring).

Here, you can get the opportunity to experience cooler nights and a fair amount of rain(only for some hours at night).

You should visit here between December and March. Otherwise, you can plan a tour during fun festivals like the Festival of Flowers in August. It is a very big festival that can draw thousands of Colombians from all over the nation. Therefore, if you want to visit there during that time, you should book a trip in advance.

Safety in Medellin, Colombia:

The term 'No dar papaya' or 'don't give papaya' is a very popular saying in the country, but it has no connection with fruits. It actually means that you should not allow anyone to scam you. Although the city has been safe till now, people still have the intention to take advantage. Therefore, it is essential to remain alert.

For instance:

• You must stay in places where more police are available.

• If you travel in busy areas, you must keep your bags secure because pickpocketing is common.

• You must put your leg or arm through your items when sitting down. It prevents others from swiping bags from under the table.

• Never put your phone or wallet in your back pocket.

• Ensure that you leave valuable items in your locked-up hotel room

• You must not go down quiet roads late at night.

• You should always trust your intuition.

The bottom line:

You should know that Medellin is not such a city that has an old center or typical "tourist sites." But the city can provide a great window into Colombian culture. So, to learn more about its recent history, you should visit the place. Many people think that this city is safer than the capital Bogota.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the top attractions to visit in Medellin?

These are the top attractions to visit in Medellin:

• Medellin Metrocable

• Laguna de Guatape

• Museum Pablo Escobar

• Parque Explora

• Escaleras Electricas De La Comuna 13

Q. What are the most popular things to do in Medellin with children?

These are the most popular things to do in Medellin with children:

• MedellinDayTrips

• Tour Guides Medellín

• Camantours

• The Andes Adventure

• Super Tours Medellin

Q. Is three days enough in Medellin?

It is necessary to make at least a three to five-day plan to explore Medellin.