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Medellin Guru 2021 – as the year is coming to an end and we start 2022, 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 54 months, Medellin Guru published a total of 692 articles with well over 7,000 photos.

In addition, we are working hard to keep all this content up-to-date. In the past 154 weeks up to December 29, we updated a total of 2,221 articles. Some articles were updated multiple times, as things change constantly in Colombia due to coronavirus.

In 2021, the Medellin Guru website had over 1.8 million page-views during the year, which was nearly as many as in 2020, despite the coronavirus pandemic. However, our viewership has changed with about 55 percent of traffic now coming from the U.S.

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 less than four years.

Medellin Guru 2021 – Our 10 Most Popular Articles

Here are the 10 most popular articles on the Medellin Guru website in 2021. And each of these articles received over 10,000 page-views in 2020. Also, you can click on the heading for each article to see the article.

Coronavirus in Colombia: Myth vs Reality – Current Status

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 published with over 66,000 views in 2021.

PCR Test: How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Medellín - Medellin Guru

PCR Test: How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Medellín – Medellin Guru

2. 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.

16 Traditional Colombian Food Dishes You Must Try in Colombia - Medellin Guru

16 Traditional Colombian Food Dishes You Must Try in Colombia – Medellin Guru

3. 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.

How to Obtain a Colombia Resident Visa - Medellin Guru

How to Obtain a Colombia Resident Visa – Medellin Guru

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.

Test – How to Obtain a Colombia Retirement Visa

Test – How to Obtain a Colombia Retirement Visa

5. 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.

 
COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Realty About Coronavirus Testing

COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Realty About Coronavirus Testing

6. COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Reality About Coronavirus Testing

We look at the reality of COVID-19 testing in Colombia: how many COVID-19 tests are being done and compare to testing in other countries. On December 31, Colombia reported a record 83,539 COVID-19 tests were completed in one day.

This popular article is updated daily with current COVID-19 testing statistics in Colombia.

Scopolia plant, from which scopolamine is made, photo by Jorge Láscar - Medellin Guru

Scopolia plant, from which scopolamine is made, photo by Jorge Láscar – Medellin Guru

7. 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.

he 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.

In over eight years living in Medellín, I have only met one expat who was a victim of scopolamine poisoning. However, I have heard it’s more common in Bogotá.

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.

Colombia tourist visa stamps in a passport

Colombia tourist visa stamps in a passport

8. Tourist Visas: How to Extend a Tourist Visa in Medellín – 2021 Update

Colombia offers tourist visas to citizens of many countries good for 90 days. It is possible to extend a tourist visa by 90 days for a total of 180 days. Follow our guide to extend a tourist visa that is updated for 2021.

Colombia offers instant tourist visas to citizens of many countries that are good for 90 days. These “tourist visas” are really just a stamp in your passport and aren’t really visas. And it is quite easy to extend a Colombian tourist visa to enable staying in Colombia a maximum of 180 days in a year.

Guide to Cuts of Beef in Colombia - Medellin Guru

Guide to Cuts of Beef in Colombia – Medellin Guru

9. Cuts of Beef: A Comprehensive Guide to Cuts of Beef in Colombia

We provide a comprehensive guide to cuts of beef in Colombia. Colombian cuts of meat can be difficult for foreigners to understand so we provide a guide.

Several Medellin Guru readers asked about cuts of beef in Colombia. So, we researched and provide a comprehensive guide that matches over 40 cuts of beef in English with the Spanish equivalent in Colombia.

The butchers in Colombia typically won’t speak much English. So, you will need the Spanish names for the cuts of meat you want to order. Our guide should make it easier for foreigners buying meat in Colombia.

Guide to Buying and Using Cell Phones in Colombia - Medellin Guru

Guide to Buying and Using Cell Phones in Colombia – Medellin Guru

10. Comprehensive Guide to Buying and Using Cell Phones in Colombia

Cell phone services are relatively easy to establish in Colombia for foreigners but there are a number of regulations. So, we provide a comprehensive guide to buying and using cell phones in Colombia, updated for 2021.

Colombia has a relatively modern telecommunications infrastructure with several Colombian competitors offering mobile phone services. This is due to Colombia opening up its telecommunications industry in 1991.

Over the past decade, the mobile market has been one of the fastest growing industries in Colombia. And Colombia now has more cell phones than people.

Our 20 Most Popular Articles in 2020

The following list is the 20 most popular articles on Medellin Guru in 2020, including all of our articles that were originally published in 2020 and in 2017, 2018 and 2019

  1. Coronavirus in Colombia: Myth vs Reality – Current Status
  2. International Flights Return to Colombia Starting in September
  3. Colombia Quarantine: Nationwide Quarantine Extended to September 1
  4. Carnaval de Barranquilla 2021: Second Largest Carnival is Cancelled
  5. How to Obtain a Colombian Visa – With Up-to-Date 2020 Info
  6. 30 Exotic Tropical Fruits of Colombia a Fruit Lovers Paradise
  7. Mercado De La Playa: A New Gastronomic Market in Medellín
  8. Humanitarian Flights from Colombia to the U.S. and Other Countries
  9. How to Obtain a Colombia Resident Visa – 2020 Update0
  10. How to Obtain a Colombia Retirement Visa – 2021 Update
  11. Tourist Visas: How to Extend a Tourist Visa in Medellín – 2020 Update
  12. Cuts of Beef: A Comprehensive Guide to Cuts of Beef in Colombia
  13. How to Get to Medellín from the Airport – 2020 Update
  14. Scopolamine: The Realities of Devil’s Breath in Colombia
  15. Pico y Cedula: Grocery Shopping Restrictions During Quarantine
  16. How to Obtain a Colombia Marriage Visa – 2020 Update
  17. Is Medellín Safe? Security in Medellín and Safety Tips – 2019 Update
  18. 11 Downsides to Living in Medellín: An Expat Perspective
  19. COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Reality About Coronavirus Testing
  20. Colombia Holidays: A Guide to the Many Festivos in Colombia
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Subscribe to the Premium Content on Medellin Guru

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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!

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Popular Premium Articles About Visiting and Moving to Colombia

Renting Unfurnished Apartments and Casas (Houses)

Buying, Selling and Investing in Real Estate

Choosing a Neighborhood in Medellín

Choosing a City in Colombia to Live in

Choosing a Foreign Retirement Location and Comparing Cities

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Medellín Guru's relocation services

Medellín Guru’s relocation services

Medellin Guru 2021: Relocation Services

Moving to a city in a foreign country is complicated. Medellin Guru offers services for expats in Colombia. In less than two years we helped over 1,150 clients.

Medellin Guru starting offering services in March 2019. Since that time with our partners we have helped over 1,150 clients with visas, insurance, expat consultations, apartment rentals, real estate services and Spanish classes. 

We have partnered to offer visa, health insurance, real estate, furnished rentals and Spanish school services to foreigners to help with relocation:

Our partnerships are affiliate relationships (like the Amazon affiliate program).

If you use our partner services, Medellin Guru receives a small commission and you support the website. This is at no additional cost to you. The price remains the same, whether you use a button or affiliate link for these services on this website or not.

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.

The Bottom Line: Medellin Guru 2021 Year in Review

Thanks to everyone who read Medellin Guru in 2021. We have many new and interesting articles in work for 2022. And we look forward to continuing to keep you informed in the new year.

We are always looking for feedback and suggestions. Are there any topics you would like us to cover in 2021? Please share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.

Also, you can see our article about our 2020 Medellin Guru year in review where we looked at our most popular articles and accomplishments in 2020.

 

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