Medellin Guru 2020 – as the year has come to an end and we start 2021, it’s time to revisit the most popular and most discussed articles of 2020 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 42 months, Medellin Guru published a total of 594 articles with well over 6,900 photos.
In addition, we are working hard to keep all this content up-to-date. In the past 100 weeks up to December 31, we updated a total of 1,316 articles. Some articles were updated multiple times, as things change constantly in Colombia due to coronavirus.
In 2020, the Medellin Guru website had over 2.2 million page-views during the year, which was essentially the same as in 2019, despite the coronavirus pandemic. However, our viewership has changed with about 50 percent of traffic now coming from the U.S.
Also in 2020, we reached over 16,850 followers on Facebook, which makes Medellin Guru the most popular Colombia blog in English about Colombia in less than four years.
Medellin Guru 2020 – Our 10 Most Popular New Articles
Here are the 10 most popular new articles published in 2020 on the Medellin Guru website. 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
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 in 2020 with over 120,000 views in 2020.
International Flights Return to Colombia Starting in September
2. International Flights Return to Colombia Starting in September
Colombia resumed international flights to Colombia starting in September with flights planed to resume over a period of three months starting with a pilot in September and a return to “normalization” with tourists in November.
According to Migracion, 15,000 passengers arrived in the first 11 days of international flights resuming to Colombia. And 34 percent (5,100 passengers) came to Colombia for tourism.
Colombia Quarantine: Nationwide Quarantine Extended to September 1
3. Colombia Quarantine: Nationwide Quarantine Extended to September 1
On March 20, President Iván Duque ordered a mandatory preventive quarantine throughout Colombia, which is the most drastic measure, to try to stop the spread of coronavirus. We provide a guide to the nationwide quarantine in Colombia starting on March 24 that was extended for eight times to September 1 to contain the spread of coronavirus.
On August 24, President Duque announced that the national quarantine in Colombia ends on September 1. On September 1, a new phase begins where the concept of mandatory preventive isolation changes to a concept of selective isolation of physical distancing and individual responsibility.
Mercado De La Playa: A New Gastronomic Market in Medellín
4. Mercado De La Playa: A New Gastronomic Market in Medellín
Mercado De La Playa is the newest gastronomic market in Medellín that opened in December 2019 in El Centro with over 25 restaurants and bars.
This food market opened in mid-December 2019 and it has several small format restaurants with a variety of cuisines available. At Mercado De La Playa, food is purchased at the small format restaurants.
Humanitarian Flights from Colombia to the U.S. and Other Countries
5. Humanitarian Flights from Colombia to the U.S. and Other Countries
We looked at humanitarian flights from Colombia to the U.S. and other countries. With international flights banned during the quarantine, humanitarian flights from and to Colombia were still permitted.
However, once normal international flights resumed in September 2020, humanitarian flights stopped.
Pico y Cedula: Grocery Shopping Restrictions During Quarantine
6. Pico y Cedula: Grocery Shopping Restrictions During Quarantine
Medellín and the Aburrá Valley have Pico y Cedula, which restricts shopping days based on the last digit of your ID with a new schedule starting on December 22.
The Pico y Cedula restriction applies for going to grocery shops, malls, small tiendas, pharmacies and also includes banking and notary services.
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: 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.
Colombian Visa Process Changes: Due to Quarantine and Coronavirus
8. Colombian Visa Process Changes: Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
Colombian visa process changes – due to the coronavirus pandemic in Colombia and cancelled flights, Colombia made changes to its visa process for tourist visas and normal Colombian visas.
We provide a guide to all the Colombia visa process changes due to the coronavirus crisis.
Colombia Coronavirus Death Rate: What are the Chances of Dying?
9. Colombia Coronavirus Death Rate: What are the Chances of Dying?
We look at the Coronavirus death rate in Colombia for different ages. We also look at the Coronavirus recovery rate and hospitalization rate in Colombia.
Several Medellin Guru readers have asked about the coronavirus death rate in Colombia by age if they happen to get infected. And we haven’t seen this published anywhere in English, so we researched this.
We update this popular article weekly.
Top Mistakes Tourists Make When Visiting Colombia
10. 14 Top Mistakes Tourists Make When Visiting Colombia
Colombia is an up-and coming travel destination in the world with tourism increasing each year until the coronavirus pandemic hit. We look at 14 top mistakes tourists make when visiting Colombia.
If you are planning a trip to Colombia, congratulations, Colombia is travel destination growing in popularity for a very good reason with an amazing diversity of beaches on two coasts, mountains, the Amazon and much more.
In this article, we look at 14 top mistakes tourist make when visiting Colombia. Note, my Colombian wife helped create this list from what she and her friends have seen.
Carnaval de Barranquilla: Second Largest Carnival in the World is cancelled in 2021 – one of our most popular articles in 2020
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
- Coronavirus in Colombia: Myth vs Reality – Current Status
- International Flights Return to Colombia Starting in September
- Colombia Quarantine: Nationwide Quarantine Extended to September 1
- Carnaval de Barranquilla 2021: Second Largest Carnival is Cancelled
- How to Obtain a Colombian Visa – With Up-to-Date 2020 Info
- 30 Exotic Tropical Fruits of Colombia a Fruit Lovers Paradise
- Mercado De La Playa: A New Gastronomic Market in Medellín
- Humanitarian Flights from Colombia to the U.S. and Other Countries
- How to Obtain a Colombia Resident Visa – 2020 Update0
- How to Obtain a Colombia Retirement Visa – 2021 Update
- Tourist Visas: How to Extend a Tourist Visa in Medellín – 2020 Update
- Cuts of Beef: A Comprehensive Guide to Cuts of Beef in Colombia
- How to Get to Medellín from the Airport – 2020 Update
- Scopolamine: The Realities of Devil’s Breath in Colombia
- Pico y Cedula: Grocery Shopping Restrictions During Quarantine
- How to Obtain a Colombia Marriage Visa – 2020 Update
- Is Medellín Safe? Security in Medellín and Safety Tips – 2019 Update
- 11 Downsides to Living in Medellín: An Expat Perspective
- COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Reality About Coronavirus Testing
- Colombia Holidays: A Guide to the Many Festivos in Colombia
In 2019, the two most popular articles on the Medellin Guru website were
- Is Medellín Safe? Security in Medellín and Safety Tips – 2019 Update
- How to Get to Medellín from the Airport – 2020 Update
These two articles have moved down the list and have been replaced at the top by articles related on coronavirus.
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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 3 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!
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We already have over 650 subscribers (patrons). Thanks everyone!
In 2020, we already published 54 premium content articles on Patreon in FULL.
Popular Premium Articles About Visiting and Moving to Colombia
- How to be an Expat in Colombia? 12 Tips to be a Successful Expat
- 14 Top Mistakes Tourists Make When Visiting Colombia
- Guide to Saving Money in Medellín: 17 Tips to Save Money
- 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?
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
- 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
- What are the Safest Neighborhoods in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley?
- 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?
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
- 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
- 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?
- 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.
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We now plan to publish any new premium locked articles and updated locked articles in full on the Patreon website. So, you can now think of Patreon as the new home for Medellin Guru’s premium content.
Medellín Guru’s relocation services
Medellin Guru 2020: 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 640 clients.
Medellin Guru starting offering services in March 2019. Since that time with our partners we have helped over 640 clients with visas, insurance, expat consultations, apartment rentals, real estate services and Spanish classes. We helped over 35 new clients in December 2020!
We have partnered to offer visa, health insurance, real estate, furnished rentals 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
- Real estate services with RE/MAX Coffee Realty
- Spanish Classes from OLSA International
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 2020 Year in Review
Thanks to everyone who read Medellin Guru in 2020. We have many new and interesting articles in work for 2021. 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 2019 Medellin Guru year in review where we looked at our most popular articles and accomplishments in 2019.
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