Ask any nomad who's spent more than three months in Medellín where they live, and the answer is almost always the same: Laureles. It's not the flashiest neighborhood — that's El Poblado. It's not the cheapest — that's Belén or Sabaneta. But Laureles hits the sweet spot that matters for remote workers: flat walkable streets, fast WiFi cafés on every corner, rent that doesn't destroy your budget, and a mix of Colombian culture and international community that keeps it interesting without feeling like a tourist bubble.
Time Out named Laureles one of the "coolest neighborhoods in the world" — and while that brought a wave of attention, the neighborhood has absorbed it without losing its character. Here's everything you need to know about living here as a nomad in 2026.
Rent Prices in Laureles (March 2026)
| Type | COP/Month | USD/Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio (25–40m²) | 2,500,000–4,000,000 | $675–$1,080 | Furnished, short-term |
| 1-Bedroom (40–70m²) | 3,000,000–5,500,000 | $810–$1,490 | Most popular for nomads |
| 2-Bedroom (60–90m²) | 4,000,000–7,500,000 | $1,080–$2,030 | Good for couples/sharing |
Micro-Zones Within Laureles
Primer Parque de Laureles: The heart of the neighborhood. The park itself is a gathering point, surrounded by restaurants, cafés, and a strong nomad presence. Walking distance to everything. Slightly higher rents within a 3-block radius.
Segundo Parque de Laureles: Quieter than Primer Parque, more residential, but still well-positioned. Good for nomads who want the Laureles lifestyle without being in the middle of the action.
La 70 Corridor: Carrera 70 is the main restaurant and nightlife strip. Living near La 70 means you're never more than a 5-minute walk from a good meal, a craft beer, or a rooftop bar. Noisier on weekends.
La Floresta: The quieter extension of Laureles to the west. Lower rents, fewer tourists, still flat and walkable. Close to Circular Coworking. Often called "Laureles without the hype."
El Velódromo: Near the Estadio Metro station. Slightly cheaper, great Metro access, and proximity to the Atanasio Girardot sports complex. Good for fitness-oriented nomads.
Coworking Spaces
| Space | Day Pass | Monthly | WiFi | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circular Coworking | $8–$12 | $110–$120 | Fast fiber | 4.9/5 on Google. Converted house, 3 floors, pet-friendly, yoga studio, bikes |
| Semilla Café | COP 45K ($12) | COP 650K ($176) | Fast | Café + coworking hybrid. PS4 chill area, phone booths, overlooks Primer Parque |
| Inspira | — | — | 1000/500 Mbps WiFi 6 | Fastest internet in Laureles. Ticket-based system, ~20 stations |
| Factory Lofts | — | — | Fast | Newer space at end of La 70. Good prices |
Getting Around
This is Laureles' biggest advantage over El Poblado: the streets are flat. You can walk or bike everywhere. The Estadio Metro station is on the western edge, connecting you to the entire city. A Metro ride costs COP 3,820 (~$1.03) with a personalized Cívica card or COP 4,400 (~$1.19) without one.
Uber works throughout the neighborhood (though it technically operates in a legal gray area in Colombia). Taxis are plentiful. Rappi delivers everything.
Food & Dining
Laureles has the best food-to-price ratio in Medellín. A corrientazo (set lunch with soup, protein, rice, salad, drink) runs COP 15,000–20,000 ($4–$5.40) at local restaurants. The La 70 strip has everything from craft burger spots to sushi to wood-fired pizza. Street tinto (black coffee) is COP 1,500–3,000 ($0.40–$0.81) from vendors on every corner.
Safety
Laureles is one of Medellín's safest neighborhoods for foreigners. Estrato 4–5, well-lit streets, regular police presence. Standard precautions apply: don't flash expensive electronics at night, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid walking alone down empty streets after midnight. The risk of violent crime here is low; the main concern is petty theft (phone snatching).
Who Should Live in Laureles
Laureles is the right choice if you want flat, walkable streets (no hills), rent that's 30–40% cheaper than El Poblado, a mix of Colombian and international community, excellent café culture for working outside your apartment, and a neighborhood that feels like a real place — not a tourist enclave.
It's the wrong choice if you want maximum nightclub energy (El Poblado's Parque Lleras is louder), luxury high-rise apartment towers, or immediate proximity to Medellín's fanciest restaurants.