Having a little bit of finger-pointing about where to find the best fresh ingredients with the top quality to fulfill the dream of having a fitness lifestyle and accompanying your workout never hurts.

That’s why we prepared for you a list of the top organic grocery stores in Laureles where you can find everything you need to start your healthy diet and discover new flavors and textures. 

Let’s jump in!

Alimentos Sostenibles

By far, the best organic grocery store in Laureles. Alimentos Sostenibles is located in the heart of Laureles.  However, there are other venues in the city like San Lucas and Mall Lemont.

Finding your way around is very easy. Located in the Laureles Mall (129 Store),  these shops are popular amongst locals for the wide variety of  options. Non-vegan, vegan, and vegetarian brand products are sold here. Also, If you want to find products that fit a specific diet, try:

• Gluten-free products
• Fat-free products
• Organic groceries
• Energetic products 

One of the most popular products, the vegan popsicles,  are made with sweetened almond milk and low-calorie stevia. 

The entire catalog of products is on the website, so you can do the market shopping without leaving home. Delivery can take 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your location.

Check out these organic stores that offer everything needed for a specific diet or shopping on the go. treat yourself with a low-calorie snack.

Website:https://www.alimentossostenibles.com.co/

Address: Calle 37, Mall de Laureles # 80-32 Lc.129, Medellín, Antioquia

Saludpan

Saludpan is a restaurant and health food store that competes with Alimentos Sostenibles for the top place on the list. Saludpan is a perfect place for lovers of healthy food.

There is usually  a long line of people waiting to have lunch or buy something from the store, so please come with patience! This restaurant is completely vegan and vegetarian, so you’ll not find any meat dishes. If that disappoints, some imitations are very convincing!

Among the other products found in the eco shop:

• Raw food 
• Wheat bread
• Products based on vegetable protein (Chorizo, lentil burgers, jam, etc.)

Do not miss the Garden Saturdays! 10 am only on Saturdays, the store is full of fruits and vegetables recently harvested from Tierra Paraíso, completely free of pesticides and fungicides.

If you run out of ideas about what to cook for lunch or dinner, check the recipe book of vegan and vegetarian dishes on the Saludpan website.

An insider tip for lunch at Saludpan is the raw lasagna, with layers of zucchini, mushrooms, vegetables, sprouts, almond cream cheese, avocado, and dehydrated tomato paste. This meal also comes with a fresh salad. 

Website:https://saludpan.com/sitio/index.php

Address: Cq. 4 #70-84, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia

Carulla

Carulla is a big supermarket chain where there are national and international products. Carullas are mostly located in Laureles and Poblado. Some items in Carulla are familiar to those sold  in US supermarkets. 

Most stores have a café, a snack bar inside, and a place to sit and enjoy your food. It’s a very convenient spot to have lunch while grocery shopping.

The things that most stand out at Carulla are the colorful shelves full of fruits and vegetables. 

They are so vibrant that it catches the eye in an instant! 

In Medellin, there are multiple stores located all over the city.  Grocery shopping or getting a snack is accessible even when leaving the Laureles neighborhood.

Some locals think Carulla is expensive compared to other big stores in Medellin.

While that may be the case, many products are reasonably priced. 

Carulla also allows you to shop online, then pick up the bags at the store. Feel free to have the bags delivered to your hotel or Airbnb instead. 

Website:https://www.carulla.com/

Address: Transversal 39B, Cq. 73B #22, Medellín, Antioquia

Vita Integral

In addition to finding a wide variety of healthy organic foods, you can also try organic beauty and wellness products. Vita Integral offers good quality products at low prices.

Among other types of food you can find in this store, the most interesting are:

• Lactose-free products
• Sugar-free products
• Keto diet products
• Paleo diet products

Vita Integral is an organic grocery store that functions as the middle ground in terms of price and convenience between Carulla and Saludpan.

Website:https://vitaintegral.co/

Address: Av. Nutibara Trv. 39B 77-40

Eat Fresh and Healthy Food in Medellin

Nourishing your body with the freshest ingredients of Medellin is very easy. It’s even better if you’re lucky enough to stay in one of the most community-based neighborhoods of the city, Laureles. 

So, what do you think? Are you ready to start or continue with your healthy eating? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Like the story? Take a second to support Medellin Living on Patreon!

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No need to spend hours scrolling through your phone to catch eco-conscious fashion stores. One of these shops can be just a few blocks from your hotel or Airbnb.

Are you ready to renew your wardrobe and shop until you drop at Medellin’s best sustainable clothing stores? Then there’s no time to waste.  Here’s a look at the top picks!

What Is Sustainable Clothing?

In short, sustainable clothing refers to fashion made with less use of natural fibers, water, and reduced resources. However, sustainable clothing also means that workers have decent working conditions and fair wages.

Also, the clothes are cruelty-free, as they don’t contain animal origins.

Its goal is to last over time and stop the impact the fashion industry is leaving on the planet and society.

Now,  jumping into the best places to find eco-friendly fashion in Medellin is next!

My Green Life Shop

This is a sustainable fashion store for the little ones of the family. The goal of this Colombian brand is simple.  The  goal is to make everyday living easier for all mothers while caring for the environment.

My Green Life uses 100% organic cotton from Peru to make its garments. The Green Life garments process in an ecologically and socially responsibly way. 

This stylish clothing store avoids using chemicals, modified seeds, or pesticides. Plus, they care  about the quality of their garments by using natural dyes, so the fabrics are anti-allergic.

On their website and in their store, you’ll find stylish clothes for babies and children of different ages:

• Babies from 0 to 18 months: Sets, pajamas, jumpers, shirts, dresses, pants, blazers, vests, and newborn sets.
• Children up to 6 years: Dresses, skirts, boy sets, and girl sets

Alongside the wide variety of racks of clothes carefully made with the best materials, the store also sells dolls, bathroom accessories, blankets, bibs, baby carriers, and stockings.

Being a small brand, you’ll find the clothes in the ‘Tribu Mujeres con Vision’ store in the Oviedo Mall. There, different brands of women entrepreneurs from Colombia meet.

Website:https://www.mglifeshop.com/

IG: @mglifeshop

Address: Cl. 6 Sur #15-43a, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

Cuery Sustainable Leather Goods

Cuery began as a project created by a young man from Comuna 13 of Medellin. He decided to employ single mothers, women, and vulnerable young people.

The product’s designs inspire versatility, safety, and elegance.  The manufacturing process of all bags and accessories use eco-leather. Eco leather goes through a less polluting tanning process than most  manufacturers. 

This leather uses reconstituted leather, produced by the waste from the production chain of leather, footwear, and leather goods.

Their catalog of eco-leather products includes 

• Logbooks with eco-leather covers
• Jewelry
• Backpacks
• Purses

Overall, a local brand with sustainable initiatives that seek to support the people who need it most and take advantage of waste by creating products of very high quality. 

Something to highlight from Cuery is that you can get their products at low prices from the website or store. The store is in the San Javier neighborhood. 

Website:https://cuery.com.co/

IG: @cuery_ecomarroquineria

Address: Cra. 99 #44-20 Interior 202, San Javier, Medellín, Antioquia

Eco shopping by Islu

This small family business sees used clothing as an opportunity to take care of the environment. The founder and inspiration of the brand are Absalon Abad, a 70-year-old peasant who supported his family by recycling clothes.

Many people contribute to the cause and recieve money by donating or selling clothes that arent wanted anymore! It’s a win-win.

There are two options if interested. The  most popular action is to fill out a form on the website. The company will pick the clothes up from home.  There are also five collection points in the city to go to in person!

The clothes they sell on their website and store go through an arduous and careful process:

1. They collect the garments from the collection points.
2. Selection of garments that are in good condition and suitable for use.
3. Then clothes go through a cleaning process to remove 99% of impurities and bacteria.
4. Now they’re ready to be used by someone else

Eco-shopping leads to  social projects. Donating clothes allows the store to collect  money to pay university fees for young people who need them.

Website:https://ecoshopping.com.co/

Address: Cra 48A #118-22 , Medellín – Colombia

Pura

A sustainable clothing store located in El Poblado neighborhood. Their clothes are a little more pricey.  However, the products are high quality, and 60% of pure garments are eco-sourced materials.

This brand also supports a group of local women as they’re committed to social responsibility in Medellin.

Pura has a showroom in El Poblado where there is the seasonal collection. Many customers support their entrepreneurship by buying some clothes. Placing your order from the website is also available!

Website:https://puraclothes.com/

Address: Cl. 10b # 36-13, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

Support Conscious Shopping in Medellin 

Nothing is more satisfying than helping the planet while supporting local craftsmanship, plus renewing wardrobes with local Colombian designers.

Sustainable clothes are the first step to making way for new things in your life.  Remember that the garbage of some can be a treasure to others!

So, what do you say? Are you ready to update your wardrobe with sustainable clothes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Like the story? Take a second to support Medellin Living on Patreon!

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Crafts from Museo de Arte Moderno

Carrera 44 #19A-100

For gift-givers who like a little culture in their purchases, Museo de Arte Moderno (MAMM) is a museum in Ciudad del Río with a range of cool trinkets in the gift shop. Here, visitors can buy film or exhibition posters, jewelry, stationery, clothes, and plenty of Medellín memorabilia created by independent designers. Think of MAMM as an upscale souvenir store – the prices are certainly higher than in El Centro but the products are originals and reflect Colombia’s growing arts scene. MAMM is probably best suited to presents for parents or older relatives, or your slightly hipster friend.

Botero souvenirs from Museo de Antioquia

Calle 52 #43

One of the top tourist attractions in Medellín, Museo de Antioquia is a solid option for Christmas goodies. Shoppers can’t go wrong with lots of Fernando Botero merchandise, books about Medellín’s history and culture, ornaments, and cute artifacts. Like MAMM, the prices can be higher here but the quality is good and your money goes towards supporting the museum. It’d also be nice if, before your gift to the person, you show them photos of Plaza Botero and the sculptures just outside the shop.

Coffee from Pergamino

Carrera 37 #8A-37 or Calle 10B #36-38

As the second-largest exporter of coffee in the world, Colombia is famous for its beans. While there are plenty of places to buy coffee, Pergamino is a Medellín-based café that works closely with farmers around Colombia to ensure freshness and fairness in their coffee. Even better, the brand sells special present packages which include a bag of their traditional Lomaverde roast with a Pergamino mug and a special Navidad blend. The set comes in a box and is ideal for people who don’t have time to wrap something. There are also individual packs of coffee ranging in strength, as well as posters of Colombia; plus, the baristas can grind the coffee to your preference.

Added bonus: Pergamino now deliver their coffee overseas. Check out their website for FedEx options straight to the lucky person!

Boutique bits from Vía Primavera

Carrera 37 

This picturesque street in El Poblado (coincidentally where one of the Pergamino cafés can be found) is home to rows of boutique stores. If you need to buy for a fashionista, there are loads of independent label designers here, with items of clothing that can only be found in Medellín. There are stores dedicated to underwear, swimwear, jewelry, and shoes too. The shops cover a range of styles and price tags, so you’re bound to find a gift to suit. Primavera, Caduto, and OnA are a few of our favorites for clothes, while The Tea House and The Wine Collection stock loose tea, pottery, and imported wines.

Shoes & clothes from Palacio Nacional

Carrera 52 #48-45

El Centro, in general, is a fantastic area to go Christmas shopping. The streets full of vendors, markets, and malls mean the selection here is huge. From clothes, shoes, bags, electronics, food, decorations, accessories, souvenirs, and textiles, El Centro really has everything. Plus, El Centro is far cheaper than El Poblado or the Viva malls.

Located a block away from Parque Berrio metro station, Palacio Nacional is a grand building spread across multiple storeys. From the outside, it literally looks like a palace. On the inside, however, it’s full of sneakers and clothes – most of which are expensive brands at a fraction of the retail price. If you have to buy a gift for someone with expensive taste, Palacio Nacional is a saving grace. Just remember to always haggle the price and to bring cash.

Artwork from Comuna 13

San Javier

Comuna 13 was once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Medellín. Although still facing troubles, it has made a significant transformation and is now a favorite spot for travelers to the city. The colorful graffiti splashed over the walls, stairs, and houses of Comuna 13 tell the story of the area’s struggle and mirror how the residents are taking its narrative into their own hands. All the artwork is done by locals, who have since set up galleries or sell their work on the street.

Art from Comuna 13 is a creative gift, and it helps the people living there to have their voices heard around the world. If you do choose to get gifts from Comuna 13, we recommend buying directly from the artist or small galleries, to ensure the money goes to a good cause.  

Drinks & food from the local tienda 

With the huge surge of spending that takes place over Christmas, it can be easy to forget about smaller businesses that can’t compete with malls. Why not invest in the community and pick up some gifts from the local tienda? It’s where some of the best and most authentically-Colombian items are.

A bottle of Aguardiente is cheap and always fun – you could take it home, crack it open, and play Colombian drinking games together. Ron Medellín is another good choice, particularly if you like giving things that have the name of the places you’ve visited on them. Or, if your recipients aren’t drinkers, arequipe is a caramel-like spread that Colombians put in desserts or eat by itself.

Failing all that, a pack of trusty arepas makes a light-hearted gift.

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Higher end budget

Clothes & shoes

El Tesoro

Located in El Poblado, this mall sits up in the hills and is not only fantastic for brands but also for the stunning views across the city. Home to over 300 stores ranging from Calvin Klein, Adidas, Mango and Zara, plus a selection of restaurants, a cinema complex, and fairground rides, it’s easy to spend a whole day at El Tesoro. Prices are definitely higher here than other malls in Medellín, but if you’re looking for recognizable brands and high quality, it’s a safe bet for shopping.

Santafé

One of the largest malls in Medellín, Santafé is known for its retractable roof which opens on sunny days. Boasting over 400 shops in the mall, including Falabella (South America’s biggest department store), Levi’s, Converse and Victoria’s Secret to name a few, Santafé is popular with locals and expats alike, and you’re likely to see well-dressed Colombians and dogs pottering around here.

Oviedo

Across the street from Santafé on the famous ‘Milla de Oro’ (the ‘Gold Mile’, named so because of the upscale shops and hotels lining the street), Oviedo is smaller than the two previously-mentioned malls but is still as swanky. Brands like Diesel, Esprit, MAC cosmetics, Lacoste, and Superdry all have stores here, plus the mall even sometimes has yoga classes taking place on the fourth floor.

Homeware

Tugó

There are a couple of Tugó stores dotted around Medellín, offering chic and modern items of furniture for people who prefer minimalism and solid colors. The stores are often very stylish and have display rooms that could easily be featured in a Danish Hygge guide, but it comes at a cost. While there are undoubtedly more expensive couture homeware shops, Tugó certainly has high price compared to other chain stores in Colombia.

Groceries

Carulla

Comparable to Whole Foods in the U.S or Waitrose in the U.K, Carulla is the pricier supermarket in Medellín. That said, ex-pats tend to prefer Carulla as it has a wide range of international foods, along with a deli section with different cheeses and a bakery making fresh bread daily – both products which can be difficult to find quality versions of in Colombia. A weekly shop here may cost up to a third more than at other supermarkets, however, the fresh produce generally lasts longer and there are more options for people with dietary requirements.

Mid-range budget

Clothes & shoes

Centro Comercial Unicentro

Over in Laureles, Unicentro mall has around 270 stores, including Arturo Calle (for men’s clothing and suits), Hush Puppies, Maybelline, Tennis, Totto, and more. Unicentro is a good option if you want to shop without the overwhelming crowds that can dominate at the malls in Poblado. This mall is also ideal for people with young children, who can enjoy Happy Land Park on the second floor, which is packed with games and amusements.

Viva Envigado

Supposedly the biggest mall in all of South America, Viva Envigado spans across four floors and has the capacity for over 400 stores. Having only opened its door in 2018, the mall is extremely popular and weekends get especially hectic. Shops range from American Eagle, Decathalon, Gef, and Nike, as well as smaller, independent brands. There’s an overwhelming number of restaurants for when you work up an appetite; oh, and a Ferris wheel and football pitches on the roof.

Homeware

Homecenter

The closest thing to Ikea in Colombia, Homecenter is a huge furniture and homeware store, normally the go-to spot for people who have just moved to Medellín. Selling everything from mattresses to electronics to decorations, Homecenter is practical to find most bits in one place and they also offer online shopping. Prices here are reasonable but not cheap and most of the products won’t last a lifetime (although they do have a very relaxed pet policy that might make up for it).

Groceries

Éxito

Arguably the supermarket of Colombia, Éxito is the equivalent to Walmart in the states – huge and cheap. There are over 20 Exíto stores in Medellín, and some of the bigger ones sell clothes and appliances as well as food, while there are express stores for quick neighborhood purchases (although these have higher prices). For regular shoppers at Éxito, it’s worthwhile investing in Colombia Puntos (points): a loyalty program that gives customers cashback on their shopping. Carulla is owned by Exíto so the rewards system works there too.

Jumbo

Similar to Exíto, Jumbo has a line of supermarkets across Medellín, and the largest stores have a bakery, delicatessen for meat and fish, clothing line, and electronics. Jumbo’s prices average the same as Exíto although there are a few odd things that can be cheaper or more expensive. The best thing about Jumbo is that it regularly has sales, so if you time your visit right, you can enjoy significant discounts.

Lower end budget

Clothes & shoes

El Centro (Palacio Nacional)

The place for anything and everything, El Centro is a mecca for cheap markets, street stalls, impressive replicas, and bartering. While there are tons of bargain shops throughout the center, Palacio Nacional is quite possibly the best shoe shopping in the city. The beautiful grand building may seem a little out of place from the outside, but inside, it overflows with fake brand sneakers, caps, and clothes (all with a genuine likeness to the original), and is not only cheap but very fun too.

Groceries

Tiendas D1

Akin to Lidl or Aldi in Europe, D1 is basic grocery shopping with a small price tag. While you won’t be able to find everything on your shopping list here, there are some surprising luxuries like pesto, prosecco, almonds, and wine available. There’s additionally a cheap selection of toiletries at most stores, and people have even claimed to save up to 40% on their groceries at D1 compared to Exíto and Jumbo!

Electronics

Centro Comercial Monterrey

Back in Poblado, Centro Comercial Monterrey is a mall specializing in all things tech. The huge space has nearly 200 stores that offer electronic repairs, as well as sell phones, computers, printers and game consoles. It’s a useful place for people who own Apple products, as the company only has a handful of licensed shops in Colombia, often charging the same prices as in the U.S. While it’s important to note that you’ll lose any Apple guarantee with your device if you bring it to Monterrey, it’ll cost you a fraction of the price and is normally returned on the same day.

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Morning

Yoga

What better way to begin the weekend than stretching in the sunshine among Medellín’s lush nature? If you’re one of the lucky people who wakes up on Saturdays with boundless energy, there are a few places across Medellín that offer morning yoga classes. In Envigado, Café Otraparte has group yoga starting at 8.30am and is free to join, while over in Ciudad del Rio at Telemedellín, yoga guru instructor Jaime Escobar leads classes at 8.30am (voluntary contributions are encouraged). For a slightly later start, Jardín Botánico hosts yoga sessions starting at 10 am with Atman Yoga (again, participation is free but tips are welcome).

Brunch

Brunch has well and truly established its presence in Medellín and no longer is arepa and chocolo the only option to start the day. All over the city are a range of brunch spots serving delicious dishes and coffees to enjoy with a group of friends. Ganso & Castor is a Medellín-based restaurant that rustles up eggs, avocado toast, pancakes and more to hungry guests, while Al Alma specializes in artisanal bread, and the Swiss Bakery has a range of sweet and savory treats in addition to rich Colombian coffee. A lesser-known brunch spot gem, La Miguería has numerous locations across Medellín and bakes mouth-watering pastries for extremely modest prices. It’s a hit with locals, so arrive early to avoid standing in line.

Afternoon

El Centro

Looking to bag a bargain? The place to go is downtown El Centro. Calle 48 # Carrera 51 and 52 – the streets connecting Parque de las Luces with Parque Berrío – are lined with shops and malls selling everything from clothes, kitchen utensils, electronics, DVDs, food and more. Pretty much anything you could possibly need is available in El Centro, plus, it’s one of the cheapest areas in the city. Granted, most of the clothes and shoes are replicas, but the genuine likeness is impressive. Be sure to practice your haggling skills here and always barter for a lower price – a great way to put your Paisa slang to the test!

Even if you’re not keen to shop, El Centro is a fun experience in itself; it’s loud, busy and entertaining. While we don’t recommend coming here with a hangover, the market is perfect to people-watch and admire the chaos.

El Castillo

For a little culture and breath-taking views of the city, head over to El Castillo just south of El Poblado. Having been built in 1930, the Gothic-esque castle is perched on top of a hill and has fountains and manicured gardens perfect for a picnic or simply strolling around the grounds. Visitors here can take a guided tour around the castle, seeing the grand décor and precious collections, as well as learn about the former residents and the building’s transformation into an arts center.

On Saturdays, there are normally food stands at El Castillo, so guests can buy snacks and drinks to relax with on the lawn. Alternatively, visitors can purchase picnic packages for special occasions, including food and drink, a tablecloth, cutlery, and decorations. El Castillo is open from 10 am until 5 pm on Saturdays, and entrance costs $13,000 COP for adults, $9,000 COP for children and students.

Evening

Fútbol match

Soccer is the biggest sport in Colombia, and although there isn’t a match every Saturday, if you’re lucky enough to be in town when there’s a game on, you have to go. While the games themselves are never too dramatic, the atmosphere from the stands is incredible. The main stadium is Estadio in Estadio-Laureles, and is where thousands of fans descend on game nights to show their support. The two teams from Medellín are Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín, and while both of them have an avid following, Independiente is known for being louder and wilder.

It’s best to buy tickets in advance from official vendors at the stadium or from touts on the day. Tickets cost between $10.000 COP to $50.000 COP and it’s worth noting that no alcohol is allowed in, or served at the stadium.

Party

Naturally, every Saturday night in Medellín is worthy of a fiesta. Colombians and travelers alike flock to fondas, clubs and salsa bars to drink and dance the week away, or try their luck finding romance. The nightlife across the city varies depending on the neighborhood but generally speaking, Parque Lleras in El Poblado is the rumba spot. Lined with bars and clubs and always filled with people spilling onto the street and pounding music, Lleras is an obvious go-to location on Saturdays. That said, if you’re searching for something new, these are a few of our favorites elsewhere:

Dulce Jesús Mío

There are two Dulce Jesús Mío in Medellín but the one in Itagüí is best. Found on the side of a busy road, this fonda is utterly unique and utterly Colombian. The lively bar has performances, most of the staff in costume, confetti and lots of risqué props, plus the funniest bathrooms you’ll experience in a club. Come with a large group and prepare to be bewildered. Cover starts from $10.000 COP.

1984

Tucked away down a side street in Ciudad del Rio, 1984 boasts a fantastic view of the area from its outdoor balcony and attracts a cool crowd nightly. The music here changes from hip hop to electronic and funk, and is ideal if you’re hoping to see international DJs or brush shoulders with Medellín’s local artists. Entrance starts at $15.000 COP.

Son Havana

Over in Laureles, Son Havana is a Cuban space that’s always bursting with Colombians strutting their salsa skills. The ambiance here is vibrant and sweaty, complete with a live band and of course, plenty of shots of Aguardiente. Whether you’re a salsa novice or expert, visit for the brilliant music and to be spun by a Paisa!

Want to continue your weekend activities? Check of the best things to do in Medellín on Sundays.

If you are looking for other fun activities to do while you are in Medellín, don’t forget to visit our article “Top 10 events of the week in Medellín” where you can find a variety of events: from art exhibitions, to movie nights, free language exchanges, classical music concerts, theater nights, gastronomy events and much more!

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When I first started living in Medellín over five years ago I primarily shopped for groceries at the big box Exito stores as well as Carrefour, which was sold to Cencosud in Chile in 2012 and rebranded as Jumbo.

In addition to Exito, I now shop regularly at Tiendas D1 as well as PriceSmart and our grocery bill each month has dropped substantially as a result.

There is a Tiendas D1 store within walking distance from our apartment. I started shopping at this D1 for some staples last year and their prices are typically much lower than at Exito.  They also have some decent wine at good prices.

What is Tiendas D1?

D1’s strategy is to open very small grocery stores in local neighborhoods with good prices. They essentially are a no frills store with low overhead.

D1 has a policy that if you aren’t satisfied with the quality of their products you can return them without explanation and they will return your money. They also have a policy of low prices at all time without advertising or promotions.

In D1 you bag your own groceries and bags cost money (50 pesos each) so bring your own. They are also cash only. They don’t accept credit cards or debit cards. Each D1 store is relatively small and they are pretty non-descript with just a D1 sign out front.

Tiendas D1 nearly doubled its total sales in Colombia last year due to the opening of many more stores in neighborhoods of Colombian cities and its low price strategy.

The company added 100 stores in Colombia last year, growing from 319 to 419 stores. Revenue at the company in 2015 reportedly increased 96.6% compared to 2014.

D1 sells a range of grocery products but they usually only have one brand of each product, such as one brand of white sugar or one brand of ketchup. In D1 you won’t find the big selection of different brands that you will find in an Exito or Jumbo.

You will normally find only about 500 or less products in each of the small D1 stores compared to many thousands of products found in an Exito store.

What About Pricing?

Pricing in general in D1 is lower than the pricing you will find in Exito or Jumbo for similar items.

To compare pricing I surveyed the pricing of 13 different items in a D1 store in Sabaneta and an Exito store in Sabaneta and here are the results:

Out of the 13 items I surveyed, only one was not cheaper than in Exito – white sugar was the same price in both stores.  The average savings of the items I surveyed was 24 percent.

You can find many items sold in D1 that are at least 30 percent cheaper than in Exito.

We use D1 to buy a number of staples including paper towels, plastic bags, cleaners, eggs, bread, canned tuna and several other products.

Where Can You Find D1?

D1 has well over 100 stores in the Medellín metro area. They have over 80 stores in Medellín, 17 stores in Envigado, 5 stores in Sabaneta, 14 stores in Bello and 14 in Itaguii.

You can find a list of D1 store addresses on the company website. The company also has stores in many other cities in Colombia.

The Bottom Line

We started shopping at PriceSmart when it opened in December 2014 and Tiendas D1 since moving to Sabaneta in July last year and our monthly grocery bill has dropped by over 35% (in terms of pesos) since mid 2014.

We also started shopping at the new Makro that opened near the Poblado metro station after it opened in March this year.

The bottom line is we haven’t seen any impact of inflation in our grocery bills by starting to shop at lower cost stores.

In fact, Nielsen reported that the low-cost channel that includes D1 and PriceSmart in Colombia is extremely popular and nearly doubled its presence in Colombian households last year.

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The new store sells primarily groceries with many items selling for substantially cheaper prices than can be found in Exito or Jumbo.

In fact many restaurants, hotels and other businesses in the city buy from Makro due to the low prices in large, wholesale size packages.  The store also sells to individuals and families.

I visited the new warehouse store a few days after it opened and I was impressed at many of the low prices I saw.

What is Makro?

Makro is part of the Dutch SHV Group, which is a holding company that also owns a gas company, financial company, recycling firm, oil producing company as well as the Makro chain of warehouse stores.

Makro started its activities in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 1968. The warehouse store concept of the company was successfully introduced for the first time in Latin America in Brazil in 1972.

In 1989 the company started operations in Asia with the opening of its first store in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1997 the group sold its stake in Makro Europe but still owns Makro operations in Latin America and Asia.

In Latin America, Makro has over 150 stores including 78 stores in Brazil, 37 stores in Venezuela, 20 stores in Argentina, 17 stores in Colombia and seven stores in Peru.

In Colombia, Makro has stores in 12 Colombian cities with a total of 17 stores, which are sized at between 4,000 and 9,900 square meters each.  The newest store in Medellín is expected to support 80 direct and 70 indirect jobs.

What Does Makro Sell?

Warehouse stores are able to keep prices low due to the no-frills format of the stores. When I was walking around the new warehouse store I overheard several Colombians saying, “tan barato” (so cheap).

Makro sells grocery items in well over half of the large warehouse store. Many of the grocery items are in large, wholesale size packages. The store also sells some electronics and appliances as well as items for the home and offices.

The store has a lot of familiar Colombian/South American brands as well as a number of imported items. There are fewer imported items to be found at Makro than are found at PriceSmart.

What About Pricing ?

Pricing in general in Makro is lower than the pricing you will find in Exito or Jumbo for the same items but you may need to buy larger size packages in Makro.

To compare pricing I surveyed the pricing of 14 different items in both the new Makro store and the Exito store in the Mayorca mall in Sabaneta and here are the results:

Out of the 14 items I surveyed, only one was not cheaper than in Exito – Aguardiente was the same price in both stores. The average savings of the 14 items I surveyed was 23 percent.

By comparing pricing by quantity between the stores you can find many items in the new Makro that are at least 30 percent cheaper than in Exito. So if you do a lot of cooking you can save substantially by shopping at Makro.

What Does the Membership Cost?

Makro doesn’t charge a fee for its membership, unlike PriceSmart, which charges 65,000 pesos per year.

It took me only a few minutes and it was painless to sign up for a membership and get a Pasaporte Makro card, they just want to see your ID and also fill out a short form with your ID number, address and phone numbers.

Where is the New Makro Located?

The new Makro is located about a four-minute walk west from the Poblado metro station, it’s across the river in an industrial area located in Guayabal. This is a safe area to walk during the day, as there are many pedestrians in the area going to/from the metro station.

The address of the new Makro store is Calle 10 # 50-171, which you can give to any taxi driver to get to the store.  It is also easy to catch a taxi on the street outside the store.

The company reportedly chose the location of the new store to be close to El Pobaldo as well as being close to a metro station.

The Bottom Line

The new Makro warehouse store near El Poblado was pretty busy when I went on the first weekend after it opened with many people there checking out the new store.

The store had several checkout lines open so it was quick to checkout. I noticed several customers checking out with pretty full baskets.

The new Makro is better located than the PriceSmart that opened in December 2014. The new store is more conveniently located as it is close to the Poblado metro station making it easy to get to.

I expect the new store will be popular based on what I saw in my initial visit with some good prices to be found and a wide selection of products.

I used to shop at the first Makro in Medellín located near the Suramericana metro station when I lived in Estadio over five years ago. But when I moved to Belén and now Sabaneta it was no longer convenient to shop at the first Makro – the new store is more conveniently located.

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I get asked about the cost of living in Medellín frequently as I have been residing in the city now for over five years.

The recent changes in the exchange rate with the Colombian Peso hitting an all-time low against the U.S. dollar has made the cost of living for my wife and I in Medellín now about 47 percent cheaper than two years ago.

Even with inflation in Colombia that hit a seven-year high last year at 6.77 percent, if you have an income in US dollars you won’t notice the inflation due to the improved exchange rate.

This post takes an updated look at 10 surprisingly cheap things in Medellín, which contribute to the low-cost of living in the city. Note the list is in no particular order.

Note the exchange rate used in this post is 3,454 pesos to the USD.

1. Apartment Rent

Apartment rent is our biggest expense but the cost to rent an apartment in Medellín is surprisingly cheap.

I have been renting unfurnished apartments while living Medellín for over five years. My initial experience in renting apartments in Medellín was documented in a four-part series: the first part is here, the second part is here, the third part is here and the fourth part is here.

We currently live in a three-bedroom apartment in Sabaneta, which we moved into in July last year.  It is located within walking distance to Parque Sabaneta. Our current apartment specifications include:

• Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, about 110 square meters (1,184 square feet)
• Kitchen with granite countertops, oven, and gas cooktop
• Gas water heater (tankless)
• 10th floor in a high-rise building, with two balconies
• Pool, sauna and small gym in building
• 24×7 security
• Estrato 4 neighborhood

Our rent for an unfurnished apartment is only 1,350,000 pesos ($391) per month. If we lived in ritzy El Poblado a similar apartment would rent for about 1,800,000 pesos ($521) per month.

We looked at unfurnished apartment rental costs in Medellín in five different neighborhoods in the city.

2. Triple Play Internet/TV/Phone

Triple Play Internet/TV/Phone services in Medellín are much lower cost than what you will find in the US. There are two major TV and Internet providers in Medellín that offer triple play Internet, TV and phone services: Claro and UNE.

We currently have Claro’s basic Triple-Play Service with 10 Mbps Internet, TV and phone services and I am very happy with it. The cost is only 137,474 pesos per month ($39.80) in an estrato four neighborhood.

Internet service with Claro has been more reliable than my Verizon FiOS service was in the United States and, of course, it is much less expensive. The cost of triple play from Claro is less expensive than just Internet services from Verizon in the US.

3. Taxis

Taxis in Medellín are plentiful and surprisingly cheap by Western standards. All taxis in Medellín use meters. A taxi meter will start at 2,700 pesos, and the minimum fare is 4,600 pesos ($1.33).

The taxi fare so far hasn’t been increased in 2016 in the city. There is also no need to tip the driver. But don’t expect a taxi driver to necessarily have change for a 50,000-peso note.

In my experience, you can go most places in Medellín for less than 15,000 pesos. I use taxis frequently, and my fares typically range from 4,600 pesos to 12,000 pesos, with an average of about 7,500 pesos ($2.22).

Hailing a yellow taxi on the street in Medellín is as simple as holding up your arm. During the daytime, you should be fairly safe picking up taxis from the street, however, exercise caution in the evenings.

Throughout the city, and often near points of interest, shopping malls, and local landmarks, you’ll see taxi stands where taxis queue up for customers. If you see one of these, it makes the process even easier.

You can also call a taxi and in my experience they typically show up quickly – in less than five minutes in many parts of the city. A few numbers for taxis in Medellín include 444-4444, 444-1000, 444-1111.

Mobile apps for connecting with taxis include EasyTaxi, Colombia-made Tappsi and the latest entrant, Uber.

4. Medication in Pharmacies

In Medellín (and the rest of Colombia), medication is often purchased at pharmacies (farmacias), which are easy to find, as they seem to be every few blocks.

They are also found in many malls as well as many supermarkets like Exito and Jumbo.

In my experience, the staff in Colombian pharmacies seems knowledgeable. If you ask, “What should I take if I am experiencing this problem?” they will normally have something to suggest.

Of course, exercise caution when taking advice from anyone other than your doctor. Many drugs that would require a prescription in the U.S. you can get without a prescription in the pharmacies in Medellín.

Pharmacies are technically supposed to require a prescription for many drugs, but I have never been asked for one. Years after passage of a regulation in Colombia to halt the unrestricted sales of antibiotics, there is minimal compliance.

You can get things like antibiotics, birth control pills, anti-depressants, erectile dysfunction pills and many other types of drugs without a prescription.

The generics in Colombia are typically very inexpensive. For example a 10-pack of 500 mg generic tablets of Ciprofloxacino (Cipro), which I found is good to treat traveler’s diarrhea, can cost only 4,500 pesos ($1.30).

Amoxicilina (Amoxicillin), a commonly used antibiotic for ailments such as ear infections, can cost 9,500 pesos ($2.75) for a 30-pack of 500 mg generic capsules.

Sildenafil (generic Viagra) can cost 3,000 pesos ($0.87) for a 2-pack of 50 mg pills.

5. The Metro and Buses

No list of things that are cheap in Medellín would be complete without including the public transportation system, which includes the Medellín metro and buses. The metro in Medellin is the only rail-based mass transportation service in Colombia.

The metro in Medellín is well maintained, squeaky clean and uses electrical energy. It opened in 1995 and has two train lines (Lines A and B) and a new Tranvía (street car) T-A line that opened last year.

The A metro line runs north and south and has 21 stations. The B line runs from the center of the city to the west and has seven stations. The new T-A line runs east from the center of the city and has nine stations.

The Metro also has three integrated cable car lines (Lines J and K and L) plus two integrated bus lines (Metroplus lines L1 and L2).

Note that the Line L cable car to Parque Arví has an extra fare. Two more cable car lines are under construction.

The metro fare is cheaper with a metro card (Civica), so it is highly recommended to get one. The fare is only 1,880 pesos (54 cents) with a Civica card/

The fare with the Civica card fare is about 10 percent cheaper than the regular fare and permits you to go through turn-styles to avoid the ticket window lines.

The Civica card is easy to sign up for and can be recharged with funds at any station’s ticket window. Civica cards can be obtained in the PAC offices located at the Niquía, San Antonio, Itagüí and San Javier metro stations.

Beside the metro, Medellín has an extensive bus system. The fare for the buses typically ranges from 1,800 pesos to 2,000 pesos.

The lowest fare buses are typically connections to the metro, and they have started adding Civica card support on some of these metro connection buses.

The bottom line is that between the metro and buses as well as cheap taxies in Medellín I have found a car is not needed for living in Medellín, which avoids a major expense typically required for living in the states.

6. Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are plentiful and inexpensive in Medellín. Out of all the typical grocery items, fruits and vegetables are typically some of the cheapest ones found in Medellín.

The farmers’ markets in Medellín like Plaza Minorista or small neighborhood tiendas typically have much better prices for produce than the large grocery stores such as Exito or Jumbo.

As an example of the price difference, a red onion at a tienda or farmers market that costs 200 pesos (about 6 cents) may cost about 900 pesos (26 cents) at a major grocery store.

Colombia is considered the second most bio-diverse country in the world (after Brazil) and Colombia likely has a number fruits you’ve never heard of, or look like nothing you’ve ever seen.

One of the things I like about Colombia is the fruit: delicious, cheap and plentiful. I made it a mission when I first started living in Medellín to try as many Colombian fruits as I could.

This site previously covered 11 exotic tropical fruits of Colombia, but the country has many more fruits available including anona, borojo, feijoa, mangostino plus all the fruits you can find in the United States.

I like the pitahaya (dragon fruit), but unfortunately, they are a bit expensive and harder to find. It’s difficult to find them for less than 2,000 pesos. It’s tasty and sweet and can be eaten scooped out with a spoon.

I also like several of the fruits in juices including lulo, maracuyá and tomato de árbol.

7. Electricity

Utility services are provided by EPM, the local utility in Medellín. EPM derives much of the power delivered in the city from hydroelectric sources.

Medellín is located at about 5,000 feet above sea level. It is known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ with an average annual temperature of 72 degrees, and that ranges from 59 to 86 degrees.

There is no need for heating or cooling with the climate in Medellín, which results in inexpensive utility bills. A few apartments in ritzy El Poblado have air conditioning, but I use a fan, which is enough for me during the day.

The electricity rate from EPM currently runs about 437 pesos (13 cents) per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the Estrato 4 neighborhood in Sabaneta where I live.

The rate per kWh is relatively high, but you don’t need to use much electricity due to the climate.

Electric rates also vary by estrato in Medellín with the highest rates in estratos 5 and 6. The lower rates in lower estrato neighborhoods are subsidized by the higher rates in the wealthier neighborhoods.

Our electric bill in a three-bedroom apartment over the past six months has averaged only 68,523 pesos ($19.83) per month since we don’t use that much electricity without the need for heating or cooling in the city.

We have averaged using only 125 kWh per month over the past six months.

The average home in the states uses 911 kWh per month (in 2014), which is over seven times what I currently use in Medellín – demonstrating a big benefit of the climate in Medellín.

Water and gas is also inexpensive and our total utility bill for electricity, water and gas has averaged 113,051 pesos ($32.73) per month in an estrato four neighborhood in Sabaneta.

8. Domestic Airfare

Domestic airfare can be inexpensive in Colombia, which makes it relatively cheap to travel between the major cities in Colombia. To get the cheapest domestic flights make sure to book at least two weeks in advance.

While buses can be even cheaper in Colombia, it’s a tradeoff. Buses take a long time, for example, up to 10 hours to go from Medellín to Bogotá, or about 12 hours to go from Medellín to Cartagena.

By plane, the flight from Medellín to Bogotá is about 40 minutes and from Medellín to Cartagena is about an hour.

Domestic airfare in Colombia used to be more expensive. But when discount airline VivaColombia started service in 2012 in Colombia, domestic airfare prices in Colombia have dropped dramatically.

On VivaColombia, it is possible to fly from Medellín to Bogotá for less than $65 round-trip and from Medellín to Cartagena for less than $100 round-trip.

A quick tip on VivaColombia – if you’re taking anything more than hand luggage, you can pay just as much for the flight for your luggage so travel light if you want it to be inexpensive. Traveling light can mean a ticket cheaper than bus fare.

If you use Avianca for domestic flights in Colombia, you can book as if you are in Colombia in pesos, and you will get a much better price versus booking in the United States in dollars.

It is easy to choose the country on Avianca’s website at the top of their website. You can typically save up to 50 percent with the country selected as Colombia and paying in pesos for domestic flights on Avianca.

Using this method on Avianca I have flown from Medellín to Bogotá several times for less than $70 round-trip and from Medellín to Cartagena for less than $100 round-trip.

9. Medical Services

Medellín has eight hospitals and clinics ranked as eight of the best 42 hospitals and clinics in Latin America, according to a recent study by América Economia.

Colombia is also starting to experience an increase in medical tourism with low costs for medical services.

As an example, a heart bypass surgery in the states that may cost $80,000 or more costs can cost less than $25,000 in Colombia.

Another example is a knee replacement surgery in the United States that costs about $40,000 and costs only about $15,000 in Colombia.

The salaries of Medellín doctors are typically a fraction of those in the states, even though they are in many cases required to have to same level of internationally recognized education and job skills.

Medellín is probably best known for Lasik (corrective eye surgery), cosmetic surgery and dentistry. Colombia is home to many of the best cosmetic surgeons in the world.

I dropped my dental insurance in the states several years ago as I found the dentists in Medellín could be about as cheap as my out-of-pocket costs with my dental insurance in the United States.

The bottom line is that if you live in Medellín, you can have access to world-class health care in several hospitals and clinics in the city at a much lower cost than in the US.

10. Clothing

There are many places in Medellín where you can find inexpensive clothing if you venture outside of El Poblado. The shops located in El Poblado typically have the most expensive prices in the city.

Medellín has a reputation as the fashion capital of Colombia. Two of the most famous annual fashion shows take place in the city: Colombiatex and Colombiamoda. Also many companies in the city manufacture clothing.

Places I have found some of the best deals for clothing include El Centro and the Mayorca and Puerta del Norte malls.

An example is that I recently found men’s Rifle jeans on sale in a Rifle outlet store in the Mayorca mall, and I was able to buy two pairs of jeans for only 60,000 pesos ($17.37) each.

The Bottom Line

Based on my experience living in Medellín for over five years, you can find many things in the city that are definitely cheaper than in the United States.

These surprisingly cheap things in Medellín have become even cheaper recently in terms of US dollars with the new exchange rate.

However, there are also some things that are more expensive, such as cars, cell phones and higher end computers. Last year we looked at eight expensive things in Medellín.

Imported cars can be quite expensive due to the import duty and taxes , ut it is also very feasible to live without a car in Medellín with the inexpensive taxis, metro and buses in the city.

I don’t have a car and have met only a few foreigners living in Medellín with cars.

We are also curious, what are some other surprisingly cheap things in Medellín readers have found?

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Mayorca mall reportedly has had some of the highest sales per square meter out of all the malls in Medellín. Mayorca was also completely leased but had demand for even more space, which drove the expansion investment.

The major mall expansion adds 48,000 square meters (over 500,000 square feet) in 295 stores. The expansion will also add over 7,000 square meters of offices and a medical tower with 100 medical offices opening next year.

The expansion is located in a new building with four floors that is connected to Mayorca via two pedestrian bridges across Avenida Las Vegas. While the expansion just opened the majority of the spaces have already been leased.

The mall expansion opened just in time for the Christmas shopping season and the expansion was packed with people last weekend when I went to the new mall expansion.

Note there is another major mall construction project underway in Medellín. A large shopping mall is coming to Envigado to be completed in Q1 2018, which will be connected to the Envigado Exito and Envigado Home Center.

The new mall being built in Envigado reportedly will have 240 shops, a 14-screen movie theater plus 10 floors of office space when it opens in 2018.

The Shops in Mayorca

The anchor tenants of the new mall expansion are Exito, Flamingo and Home Sentry.   The Exito reportedly opens on December 3 and wasn’t open during the opening of the mall expansion.

The expansion of Mayorca adds 295 shops to the mall so it now has over 500 shops. You can find stores selling clothes, shoes, home furnishings, electronics, mattresses, eye-care and several other categories.

Flamingo is a department store that sells a wide range of items including clothing, furniture, electronics and appliances. Flamingo has two other stores in the Medellín metroplex located in El Centro and the Puerta del Norte mall.

Flamingo also has additional stores in Colombia located in Armenia, Bogotá, Itagüí, Pereira, Rionegro, Sincelejo, Soledad and Villavicencio.

Home Sentry is like a Bed, Bath and Beyond store in the U.S., but also sells some furniture, toys and tools.

The Home Sentry store has some good prices and during its opening from November 26 to 29 the store was very busy as it had opening promotions of 20-45 percent off many products.

This new Home Sentry store in Mayorca is the only one in Medellín. Home Sentry has other stores located in Bogotá (5 stores), Bucaramanga, Cartagena and Chía.

Food Options

Mayorca now has two food courts. The old section of the mall has a food court on the first floor. The new expansion adds a second food court with about 20 different fast food options to choose from.

You will find several of the typical fast food places in Medellín in the new expansion area including Frisby, KFC, Subway, and Quiznos.

You will also find some restaurants opening soon on the top floor in the expansion area of the mall including Crepes and Waffles, Il Forno, Nino Pastiono and Sport Wings, these restaurants weren’t open as of December 2.

Conclusions

Pro’s – With its expansion, Mayorca Mega Plaza is now one of the largest malls in the Medellín metro area. It’s also the only place you will find a Home Sentry store in Medellín.

The mall has an Exito for groceries, a Cinamas Procinal movie theater, two convenient food courts and several shops with good prices. There are also some nice apartment buildings near the mall.

Con’s – This is one of the busiest malls in Medellín and it can be crowed on weekends. Last weekend after the opening of the expansion the mall was packed with people.

My Verdict – Mayorca has always been a popular mall with several shops with good prices. The large expansion is likely to make Mayorca an even more popular mall.

How to Get There – You can take the Metro to the Itagüí station and it’s a very short walk to Mayorca Mega Plaza via a pedestrian bridge.

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Every Sunday morning from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., Parque La Presidenta in El Poblado hosts a bustling market where local merchants come to sell their fresh and delicious goods.

Even if you don’t know this park by name, chances are you’ve meandered through it a time or two.

Parque La Presidenta, for those of you not familiar, is the lovely little strip of green that flows down from Zona Rosa to Avenida El Poblado, lined with walking paths and beautifully manicured gardens and following the path of the similarly named Quebrada La Presidenta.

Near the bottom of the park you’ll find a towering white tent-like structure, and an area filled with exercise machines. The latter is actually more of a hybrid between an outdoor gym and a playground, fit for both adults and children alike.

It’s under this towering white tent and next to this outdoor gym slash playground where Mercados Campesinos Medellín takes place each Sunday.

Each vendor has their own table on which to display whatever it is they’re proffering, be it freshly harvested produce, decorative plants, sauces or jams, baked goods, coffee, or delicious hot snacks.

Additionally, each table bears a sign stating the name of the business being represented, the products they offer, and which local area they come from.

The market seemed to be something of a family affair. Many locals wandered about in neon workout gear, having obviously detoured from Sunday’s Ciclovía for some refreshments, with children and leashed dogs in tow.

It was a popular place to rest, to refuel with fresh juice or snacks, or to supplement their cardio by using the odd workout machines nearby.

My friends and I had mostly come by for the photo opportunities and snacks, and we found an abundance of both. We were pleasantly surprised to be offered free samples of many items as well, such as freshly baked breads or spreads like pesto and baba ganoush.

What I did finally buy was a refreshing cup of lulo juice for 2,000 pesos ($1), followed by a cup of coffee for 3,000 pesos ($1.50).

Our morning wandering the market was a very relaxing way to spend a Sunday. I love that they directly support local growers and families, and the products they offer really are excellent. I will most certainly be going back again soon.

About Mercados Campesinos Medellín

According to their website, Los Mercados Campesinos is a project by the Mayor through the Undersecretary for rural development established more than two decades ago as a way to aid local farmers and entrepreneurs in the commercialization of their goods.

Markets are held each Saturday in ten other neighborhoods around the city as well as two districts between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. in addition to the Sunday market in Parque La Presidenta in El Poblado.

They strive to offer only the highest quality goods at the best prices; you can be sure that everything is grown, harvested and manufactured locally and that your purchases are directly supporting local families in Medellín.

Mercados Campesinos Medellín has an active social media presence and updates their Facebook regularly to announce special events taking place around the city.

In the past, they’ve held weekend markets at many of Medellin’s major commercial shopping centers, such as Mayorca and Mall de Laureles, and for the next two weekends in February, find them at Centro Comercial Santa Fé.

You can also follow Mercados Campesinos on Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with happenings around the city. Look for the hashtags #CompraLocal and #MercadosCampesinos.

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