International House Medellin - Hostel

This low-cost hostel has a great social atmosphere and sits right beside an excellent park with two Olympic swimming pools, six basketball courts, two soccer fields, and a full gym. I quickly met people from Europe and Australia who took me to a soccer game, which was excellent. We stayed friends during my visit and hung out many times for more soccer games and American football games. Great environment for the price.

The rooftop terrace was a standout, with an incredible view, and the owners were kind and easy to reach. The place is near lively streets, cafés, and restaurants, and Fatima station is an easy walk away. Our room was clean, comfortable, and spacious, with a little terrace of its own. Getting in with a passcode was simple, so there was no key to worry about. The shared bathrooms were sometimes left dirty by other guests, though the owner cleaned them several times a day. The shower was hot on our first night, then cold for the rest of the stay, and I’m not sure why. Some guests were also quite rude and noisy.

The rooftop kitchen and common space were a highlight, with city and hill views, couches, and room to work, do yoga, or eat together. The cooking area was clean, well stocked, and organized so people could keep their own food. I spent a month in a private room with its own bathroom and felt comfortable the whole time. Staff were friendly, cleaned daily, and I had everything I needed. There’s a mall, supermarket, cafés, restaurants, gyms, and a sports and swimming centre across the street, all within a ten-minute walk. It was easy to be social here while still having privacy and a good setup for working independently. At night, earplugs were sometimes needed, but it didn’t bother me. The owner is friendly and reasonable, and I’d stay again.

The rooftop is what I liked most. It has a huge kitchen, two big fridges with a separate spot for each guest’s food, and several desks where you can work while enjoying an amazing view. I also loved how clean and spacious the place felt. There’s room in the bedrooms for luggage and a desk, handy if you need a private meeting or just want some time alone. Most of the people I met were digital nomads from different parts of the world. Great if you’re travelling alone or with someone and want to meet people while still having your own bedroom.