Medellin Guru 2021 – we had our four year anniversary last month and it’s time to revisit the most popular and most discussed articles of 2021 on the Medellin Guru website.
On July 20, 2017, Medellin Guru was launched, with a goal to provide up-to-date articles about Medellín and Colombia to help expats by covering the best places and best things to do, along with useful travel tips, living tips and experienced expat tips while also offering amazing photos.
In the past 48 months, Medellin Guru published a total of 679 articles with well over 7,000 photos.
In addition, we are working hard to keep all this content up-to-date. In the past 131weeks up to August 12, 2021 we updated a total of 1,316 articles. Some articles were updated multiple times, as things change constantly in Colombia due to coronavirus.
Also in 2021, we reached over 17,000 followers on Facebook, which makes Medellin Guru the most popular Colombia blog in English about Colombia in four years.
Medellin Guru 2021 – Our 11 Most Popular New Articles
Here are the 11 most popular articles in 2021 on the Medellin Guru website. And each of these articles received over 15,000 page-views so far in 2021. Also, you can click on the heading for each article to see the article.
Coronavirus in Colombia: Myth vs Reality – Current Status
1. Coronavirus in Colombia: Myth vs Reality – Current Status
Coronavirus in Colombia: We look at current Coronavirus statistics in Colombia and the measures taken by Colombia to minimize the threat of COVID-19.
This popular article is updated daily and is our most popular article in 2021 with over 57,000 views in 2021.
Curfew and Dry Law in Medellín and Antioquia from March 25 to June 9
2. Curfew and Dry Law in Medellín and Antioquia from March 25 to June 9
A curfew and dry law in Medellín and Antioquia was during Semana Santa and is extended to June 9 with nightly curfews due to an increase in ICU occupancy in Medellín and Antioquia.
However the restrictions in Antioquia ended on June 9 at 5 am according to Conexión Sur.
PCR Test: How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Medellín
3. PCR Test: How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Medellín
PCR Test: looking to get a COVID-19 test in Medellín? We provide advice and information on places and prices for COVID-19 tests in Medellín.
Coronavirus show no signs of going away in Colombia. Many Medellin Guru readers have asked about COVID-19 tests and particularly about PCR tests needed for international travel.
Note the U.S. will start requiring a COVID-19 test for travelers to the U.S. starting on January 26, either a PCR test or an antigen test.
Whether you need a PCR test for travel, arrived in Colombia without a PCR test and need a PCR test, have symptoms or have been in contact with someone infected, we provide information about obtaining COVID-19 tests in Medellín.
We also have articles about where to get a COVID-test in Bogotá and how to get a COVID-19 test in Cartagena.
How to Obtain a Colombia Resident Visa
4. How to Obtain a Colombia Resident Visa – 2021 Update
The Colombia resident visa is intended for foreigners who wish to live full-time in Colombia. We provide 2021 updates to the Colombia resident visa rules
Colombia changed its Colombian visa rules in late 2017, which went into effect on December 15, 2017. So, the previous resident (RE) visa in Colombia became an R visa in late 2017.
The visa agency we partnered with has helped 31 Medellin Guru readers obtain resident visas.
16 Traditional Colombian Food Dishes You Must Try in Colombia
5. 16 Traditional Colombian Food Dishes You Must Try in Colombia
Colombia isn’t well known around the world for its cuisine and Colombian food. But there are a number of delicious traditional Colombian dishes that are worth trying.
Some countries are well-known for their cuisine. So, you can find Italian, Chinese, French and Indian restaurants in cities throughout the world. But you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant specializing in Colombian food in many cities around the world outside of Colombia.
Some foreigners in Colombia or visiting will tell you that traditional Colombian dishes are generally bland, overly fried, too salty and meat-heavy. However, some of the dishes in Colombia are actually packed full of flavor and not everything is meat-heavy.
Colombian cuisine varies regionally and is influenced by Spanish, African, Arab and some Asian cuisines.
We previously looked at 30 exotic tropical fruits of Colombia and 16 Colombian street food options you should try. And in this article we look at 16 traditional Colombian food dishes worth trying.
Does Colombia Require a COVID-19 Test for International Travelers?
6. Does Colombia Require a COVID-19 Test for International Travelers?
In January, a COVID-19 test (PCR) was required to enter Colombia for international travelers. But in June 2021, a PCR test is no longer required to travel to Colombia.
According to El Tiempo, the Minister of Health, Fernando Ruiz, explained on Wednesday the guidelines of resolution 777 of 2021, which sets the criteria for the economic and social reactivation of the country.
In an interview with Caracol Noticias, Ruiz revealed that Colombia will no longer request the requirement of the PCR test from travelers, both Colombian and foreign, who enter the country. Also, the CoronApp requirement will be removed.
The bottom line is it will no longer be necessary for travelers to present a negative PCR test upon arrival in the country. This measure began to take effect on June 1, 2021, as confirmed by the Minister of Health, Fernando Ruiz.
COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Realty About Coronavirus Testing
7. COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Reality About Coronavirus Testing
We look at the reality of COVID-19 testing in Colombia in this article updated daily: how many COVID-19 tests are being done and compare to testing in other countries. On June 23, 2021, Colombia reported a record 127,955 COVID-19 tests were completed in one day.
Many Medellin Guru readers have asked about COVID-19 testing in Colombia. Also, we have seen many inaccurate posts about COVID-19 testing in Medellín and Colombia on the Internet including in several Facebook groups.
In this article, we look at the facts of COVID-19 testing in Colombia including the number of tests Colombia has actually completed and compare to other countries, We also look at how many labs in Colombia are currently doing tests and how many daily tests.
How to Obtain a Colombian Visa
8. How to Obtain a Colombian Visa – With Up-to-Date 2021 Info
Colombia offers many different categories of visas, which enable you to stay in the country for a year or more. We provide updated for Colombia’s visa rules for 2021.
In addition, Colombia changed its visa rules in late 2017. The new visa rules went into effect on December 15, 2017. So, it’s important to understand the new visa rules before applying for a Colombian visa.
The visa agency we partnered with has helped 525 Medellin Guru readers obtain Colombian visas, renew U.S. passports and obtain tourist visa extensions.
Scopolia plant, from which scopolamine is made, photo by Jorge Láscar
9. Scopolamine: The Realities of Devil’s Breath in Colombia
Scopolamine, also known as Devil’s Breath, is a drug used in Colombia for the purpose of robbery. But there are a number of urban myths circulating about Scopolamine.
The bottom line is that there are some urban myths circulating about scopolamine and it’s been sensationalized. But the use of drugs like scopolamine to incapacitate and rob victims in Colombia can and does happen.
Also, most of the scopolamine incidents happen to people at night at bars and nightclubs. So, take care and don’t leave drinks or food unattended or accept drinks or food from strangers.
Exotic Tropic Fruits of Colombia
10. 30 Exotic Tropical Fruits of Colombia a Fruit Lovers Paradise
Colombia is a fruit lover’s paradise with many delicious and exotic tropical fruits that can be difficult to find in North America or Europe.
In Colombia, you can find the typical fruits that are easy to find in North America and Europe like apples, bananas, pineapples and strawberries. But one of the benefits of living in Colombia is the tropical fruits, which are delicious, inexpensive and plentiful.
Colombia is the second most bio-diverse country in the world after Brazil. The country benefits from its geographic diversity with two coasts, mountain chains, open savannas and tropical rainforests. So, the country is reportedly home to nearly 10 percent of the world’s species. The country has over 56,000 plant species registered. There are more birds and more orchids found in Colombia than are found in any other country.
So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Colombia has a tremendous number of tropical fruits available. During my over eight years living in Medellín, I have been able to try many exotic tropical fruits that I never found while living in the U.S.
How to obtain a Colombia retirement visa
11. How to Obtain a Colombia Retirement Visa – 2021 Update
Colombia’s retirement visa is intended for retired persons receiving a retirement income. This retirement visa is relatively easy to get with a low-income requirement and only a few documents needed. Medellín in particular in Colombia is gaining a reputation as a top foreign retirement location.
The Colombia retirement (pensionado) visa was previously known as the TP-7 visa in 2017. This TP-7 visa was valid for only one year and needed to be renewed each year. However, Colombia changed its Colombian visa rules, which went into effect on December 15, 2017.
The visa agency we partnered with has helped 154 Medellin Guru readers obtain retirement visas.
Note the most popular articles on Medellin Guru have changed dramatically from pre-pandemic times in 2019.
Patreon: Medellin Guru Needs Your Help to Remain Ad Free
Medellin Guru’s Premium Content on Patreon
Medellin Guru has moved to a partial subscription model. Our best content is now premium content that requires a low-cost subscription to view.
Medellin Guru needs the help of readers to remain ad free. For over 4 years, the Medellin Guru website has been ad free with no sponsors or advertisements. Since January 2020, Medellin Guru has started using Patreon, which permits a partial subscription model to help support the site.
Medellin Guru has been a labor of love since it was launched in July 2017. But as the Medellin Guru site has become more and more time-consuming and popular, we are asking for a little help from all our friends and readers to keep Medellin Guru going.
Readers please help support Medellin Guru for as little as $3 per month and get access to our premium content. Support us at the level you can!
We already have over 910 subscribers (patrons). Thanks everyone!
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Patreon Premium Medellin Guru 2021 Content
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Popular Premium Articles About Visiting and Moving to Colombia
- How to be an Expat in Colombia? 12 Tips to be a Successful Expat
- 8 Reasons Why Expats Leave Colombia: Colombia is Not for Everyone
- 14 Top Mistakes Tourists Make When Visiting Colombia
- Guide to Saving Money in Medellín: 17 Tips to Save Money
- 12 Downsides of Owning a Car in Medellín: Why Expats Don’t Have Cars
- Tourism Impact of Coronavirus: Colombia Starts to Reactivate Tourism
- Tourism is Permitted in Colombia – What are the Rules?
- 8 Reasons Why Colombia is Unlikely to Return to a Quarantine
- Will the Quarantine Return to Colombia? What if Cases Increase?
- Protests in Colombia: Current Status and What Happens Next?
- Colombia Needs to Ramp up COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Is it Safe to Travel to Colombia During Protests?
Renting Unfurnished Apartments and Casas (Houses)
- Apartment Rental Guide: Renting Unfurnished Apartments in Medellín
- Guide to Finding Unfurnished Apartments and Casas in Medellín
- Apartment vs Case (Houses) in Medellín: Pros and Cons
- Rent vs Buy: Downsides of Renting and Buying Property in Medellín
- Guide to Overcoming the Fiador Requirement in Colombia
Buying, Selling and Investing in Real Estate
- Medellín Real Estate: 2021 Property Buyer’s Guide for Foreigners
- Mistakes Foreigners Make When Buying Real Estate in Colombia
- 13 Things Real Estate Agents in Colombia May Not Tell You
- New Apartment Prices in Medellín: Costs to Buy – 2021 Update
- Investing: Risks of Investing in Real Estate in Colombia
- Selling Real Estate in Colombia: A Guide to Selling for Foreigners
- 9 Risks of Investing in Short-Term Rental Real Estate in Colombia
- Rent vs Buy: Downsides of Renting and Buying Property in Medellín
Choosing a Neighborhood in Medellín
- 5 Best Neighborhoods in Medellín: A Guide to Choosing a Neighborhood
- Why Sabaneta is the Second Most Popular Neighborhood in Medellín for Expats
- What are the Safest Neighborhoods in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley?
- 8 Downsides of El Poblado: Living in Medellín’s Expensive Neighborhood
- Pros and Cons of El Poblado: A Popular Neighborhood for Expats in Medellín
- Pros and Cons of Envigado: A Popular Neighborhood for Expats Near Medellín
- Pros and Cons of Laureles: A Popular Neighborhood for Expats in Medellín
- Pros and Cons of Sabaneta: A Popular Town for Expats Near Medellín
- Pros and Cons of Belén: A Medellín Neighborhood Becoming Increasing Popular
- Pros and Cons of El Centro: A Medellín Neighborhood Discovered by Some Expats
- Pros and Cons of Buenos Aires: A Hidden Gem Neighborhood in Medellín
- El Poblado vs Laureles: Which is the Better Neighborhood to Live in?
- El Poblado vs Envigado: Which is the Better Neighborhood to Live in?
- El Poblado vs Sabaneta: Which is the Better Neighborhood to Live in?
- El Poblado vs Belén: Which is the Better Neighborhood to Live in?
- The Ultimate Guide to El Poblado for Expats Living in El Poblado
- The Ultimate Guide to Laureles for Expats Living in Laureles
- The Ultimate Guide to Envigado for Expats Living in Envigado
- The Ultimate Guide to Sabaneta for Expats Living in Sabaneta
- The Ultimate Guide to Belén for Expats Living in Belén in Medellín
Choosing a City in Colombia to Live in
- Guide to Choosing a City in Colombia to Live in Colombia
- Medellin vs Pereira vs Bucaramanga: 3 Cities of Eternal Spring
- 12 Downsides to Living in Bogotá: An Expat Perspective – 2021 Update
- 11 Downsides to Living in Medellín: An Expat Perspective – 2021 Update
- 11 Downsides to Living in Cartagena: An Expat Perspective – 2021 Update
- 11 Downsides to Living in Cali, Colombia: Expat Perspective – 2021 Update
- 12 Downsides to Living in Santa Marta: Expat Perspective – 2021 Update
- 13 Downsides to Living in Manizales: An Expat Perspective – 2021 Update
- Pereira vs Manizales vs Armenia: 3 Cities in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle
- Medellín vs Bogotá: Which is the Better City to Live in?
- Medellín vs Cartagena: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellín vs Cali: Which is the Better City to Live in?
- Medellín vs Barranquilla: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellín vs Santa Marta: Which is the Better City to Live?
- Medellín vs Manizales: Which is the Better City to Live in?
- Medellín vs Pereira? Which is the Better City to Live in?
- Cartagena vs Santa Marta: Which is the Better City to Live in?
- Medellín vs Armenia: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellín vs Popayán: Which is the Better City to Live in?
Choosing a Foreign Retirement Location and Comparing Cities
- Why Expats Move to Medellín From Other Countries in Latin America
- 12 Reasons Why Medellín is a Top Foreign Retirement Location
- Why the Retirement Publications Get Medellín and Colombia Wrong
- Medellín vs Cuenca: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellin vs Panama City, Which is the Better City to Live in?
- Medellin vs Costa Rica, Which is the Better Place to Live?
- Medellin vs Belize, Which is the Better Place to Live?
- Medellín vs Algarve: Which is the Better Place to Live?
- Medellín vs Chiang Mai, Thailand: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellín vs Lima Peru: Which is the Better City to Live in?
- Medellín vs Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Which is the Better Place to Live?
- Medellín vs Mexico City: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellin vs Mazatlán, Mexico: Which is the Better Place to Live?
- Medellín vs Rio de Janeiro: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellín vs Fortaleza, Brazil: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellín vs Buenos Aires, Argentina: Which is the Better Place to Live?
- Medellín vs Santiago, Chile: Which is the Better City to Live In?
- Medellín vs Valletta, Malta: Which is the Better Place to Live in?
If you are a Medellin Guru patron subscriber, you can access these articles in full on Patreon without going to the Medellin Guru website.
Update on Medellin Guru Services for Expats in Colombia
Medellin Guru 2021 Services for Expats
Moving to a city in a foreign country is complicated. Medellin Guru offers services for expats in Colombia. In 29 months we helped over 1,000 clients.
Medellin Guru starting offering services in March 2019. Since that time with our partners we have helped over 1,000 clients with visas, insurance, expat consultations, real estate services and Spanish classes.
We helped over 115 new clients in December, January and February! In March, April and May 2021 we helped over 110 new clients. And since March 2019, we helped over 1,000 Clients in 29 months.
Many Medellin Guru readers have been asking for services to help with relocation. So, we offer a number of services.
Also, our services can be used not only in Medellin but throughout Colombia.
We partnered to offer visa, health insurance, real estate and Spanish school services to foreigners to help with relocation:
- Visa services with Expatgroup.co
- Insurance services with Insurance Agent – including health, homeowners, car and life insurance as well as travel insurance
- Sign up for SURA EPS insurance – a new service from Insurance agent to help with signing up for SURA EPS
- Real estate services with Real Estate by expatgroup.co
When I moved to Medellín over eight years ago there was little help available for foreigners. And our goal with our relocation services is to make it easier for foreigners to move to Medellín.
In 29 months, we already helped over 1,000 clients with our visa services, insurance services, real estate services, apartment rentals and expat consultations.
We want to thank our partners and clients and subscribers! We now have a total of over 1,900 clients and paying subscribers.
The Bottom Line: Medellin Guru 2021 – Our Most Popular Articles in 2021
We are celebrating our four year anniversary of Medellin Guru.
We want to thank to everyone who read Medellin Guru in the past four years, which helped us become the most popular blog in Colombia. Also, we thank our over 17,000 followers on Facebook, our thousands of email newsletter subscribers and our Patreon subscriber and our clients.
We have many new and interesting articles planned for our fifth year. Also, we look forward to continuing to keep our readers informed and bringing you many more popular articles.
In addition, we are always looking for feedback and suggestions. Are there any topics you would like us to cover? Please share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below. Or you can always contact us via our contact form.
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