The third week in Medellín held space for even stronger routines to be established. Familiarity with the surrounding areas of Laureles had already been obtained, and comfort with the everyday flow within my barrio was apparent by now.

A few new cafés were added to the list to visit, as well as a place to call home for working out. Street food became part of the daily routine as well, with a quick pickup from a vendor within walking distance of my place.

The World Cup was also in action during this time, with Colombia advancing to the next round throughout my stay. Whenever game days occurred, the city atmosphere changed noticeably, with families and friends gathering at local bars and restaurants.

The streets would fill with bright yellow jerseys during this time, displaying the people’s strong country pride. A nice way of experiencing the unity and collectivism within Colombian culture, to say the least.

If fitness is a regular part of your daily activities, there are options available. If you prefer a gym membership over street running and standard park equipment, Laureles offers a list of choices. One is Elite House Gym, a small, modern-built gym equipped with a range of lifting equipment and machines, along with its own dedicated cardio room. There’s also a turf area for bodyweight movements and a coffee bar setup available for beverages upon ordering. The gym is located in Laureles, right next to Parque de Los Mangos.

If you depend on local vendors for maintenance and personal upkeep, Medellín offers a range of these services. Laureles has many nail, hair, and cosmetic salons throughout the barrio, along with barbershops for haircut maintenance. Gentleman Luxury Barber Studio was the shop used during the entirety of my stay. They hold strong reviews and have experience with coarse-textured hair as well. A cut costs around $15 USD, with a wash and style included afterward.

Walking through Laureles, you’ll encounter many coffee shops. Expect to run into one every block or so. Three locations made the list. Caelus Bakery Coffee is the first, offering plenty of seating along with patio and outdoor options. The food entrees are strong, and the plates are picture-worthy to add to it.

Cafe Euge is another strong option. The coffee is high quality, while the food is very flavorful and comes in a grand portion. Pausa Coffee & Brunch is the last recommendation, located right off Carrera 70. They offer a strong coffee and breakfast menu, along with a chic atmosphere for dining in.

You won’t want to go without trying the street vendor offerings, as these are normal food stops for locals as well. One of my most consistent visits was to Empanadas de Mi Pueblo. It was within walking distance of my room and ranked the best on food. An order I would not bypass is palitos de queso. This thick bread wrapped around cheese has a filling characteristic and tastes immaculate. Depending on your preference for how it’s cooked, you’ll want to try several vendors before deciding on your preferred location.

If you need to stop for quick toiletries or snacks, there are shops at the end of many blocks carrying everything from water and paper towels to a range of beverages and alcoholic offerings. Most locations only accept cash from foreigners. If you need something more specific or want to buy in bulk, visiting Éxito is your best option, as it operates as the local supermarket within the barrios. They accept both card and cash.

If you’re interested in becoming, or already live as, a digital nomad, you’ve probably heard about the importance of having a digital presence. More specifically, owning a domain that enables you to host a website where you offer your products and/or services.

Whether your business operates 100% virtually or in person, it’s imperative that you maximize your potential customer reach with a strong online presence. You’d otherwise be leaving money and discoverability on the table.

A few statistics from 2026 that show the value of a strong website follow:

Creating a website and owning a domain has been made simpler with the help of platforms such as GoDaddy and Squarespace. Simply decide on your company name and spelling, then search for and purchase the domain.

There are also several low- to no-code platforms available for building the website. Some strong options are Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify. Shopify has been my preference due to its customization potential and range of compatible plugins.

Once your website is built, you want to ensure it’s discoverable through a few minor backend steps. Indexing is the term for this process, and you can review it through Google Search Console after configuring your domain. Its Page Indexing report shows which URLs Google has found and indexed, along with issues preventing other pages from appearing in search.

The next step is tracking website visits and the effectiveness of the keyword terms used for SEO purposes. Consistent optimization and metric tracking over time can help your business accomplish organic acquisition.

Organic acquisition removes some of the heavy reliance on costly outreach and paid customer growth. Mastering the techniques mentioned in this section is often the make-or-break area of business in this digital age.

As of late July 2026, U.S. and Canadian passport holders, along with citizens of many Latin American countries, can enter Colombia without obtaining a Visitor Visa for short stays. Migración Colombia grants permission at the port of entry, generally for up to 90 calendar days.

Travelers may leave and re-enter during the same trip, but every entry remains subject to immigration approval. Leaving Colombia does not reset the permitted stay or annual limit. Visa-exempt visitors may remain for no more than 180 days, continuously or across multiple visits, within the same calendar year

Those wishing to stay beyond their initial permission can request a Temporary Stay Permit extension online. Applications should be submitted at least five business days before expiration. A tourism extension may add up to 90 days, costs COP 150,000 for most applicants, and is generally processed within three business days.

Global Country Reforms & Updates

U.S., Canadian, and Australian passport holders continue to require an electronic visitor visa. The eVisa costs about $80 USD and permits stays of up to 90 days.

Source: Brazil Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The temporary K-ETA exemption for currently exempt nationalities, including U.S. passport holders, has been extended through December 31, 2026. A voluntary application costs KRW 10,000, around $7 or $8 USD , and is generally reviewed within 72 hours.

Source: Korea Ministry of Justice and Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

Immigration fees increased on April 8, 2026. The Electronic Travel Authorization increased from £16 to £20, while a standard visitor visa for stays of up to six months rose from £127 to £135.

Source: UK Home Office.

Continue exploring Medellín through the YouTube channel, where you’ll find more POV walks, neighborhood footage, and everyday moments from around the city. The link is below.

Discover this week’s selection of partner newsletters and publications focused on travel, remote work, global mobility, and building a location-independent lifestyle. Explore them below.

Medellín feels more familiar with each passing week. Next week’s final issue will close the series with more firsthand observations, practical relocation insights, and reflections on building a location-independent life abroad.

Until next dispatch,
Structured Nomad