The secret is slowly getting out: Colombia is becoming one of the best countries for remote professionals and digital nomads to work from.
At the heart of it all is Medellin, a beautiful, sprawling metropolis of roughly 4 million people. Perfect weather, luscious green spaces, trendy cafes, world-class food, and a vibrant culture make this city a haven for remote workers – and the demand for workspace is growing every day.
Coworking spaces are growing in popularity in Medellin, with many quality workplaces now open in El Poblado and Laureles, among other areas. Scores of people still flock to the aromatic coffee shops to please their taste buds while securing reliable internet. But coworking spaces are on the rise, especially for longer-term nomads and remote professionals.
Here’s a look at 7 of the best coworking spaces that Medellin has to offer as we head into the third decade of the new millennium.
1. Selina Cowork
Location: Poblado
Selina is the go-to spot for coworking in Poblado, and, by extension, Medellin. The well-known Selina brand is actually a fleet of hostels across Latin America, renowned for their facilities, affordable yet stylish interiors, and their coworking spaces (which are offered at most locations). Selina Cowork Medellin – which is clearly separated from the rest of the campus for easy digital nomad access – is a large, welcoming, and aesthetically functioning coworking space that’s incredibly popular with the city’s remote workers.
Printing stations, rooms for taking calls, and a beautiful open floor plan with treed views are all part of the main draw. But what really keeps the nomads coming is the wellness area that offers yoga and mindfulness classes, the learning area which offers Spanish lessons, and the resto-bar area which offers 13,000 COP (~$4 USD) menu del dia lunches – which some WiFi Tribe members never missed over the course of an entire month-long Chapter!
Hours: 24/7 Access
Features
- Large open space
- Rooms to take calls
- On-site cafe, bar, and restaurant
- Printing services
- Internet speeds consistently above 30mbps
- Yoga, fitness, and meditation
- On-site Spanish lessons
- 24/7 access regardless of membership type
Pricing
- Day Pass: 30,000 COP (~$10 USD)
- Monthly Flex Desk Pass: 225,000 COP (~$80 USD)
- Monthly Dedicated Desk Pass: 480,000 COP (~$170 USD)
2. Global Express Center
Location: Poblado
Located on Calle 10 near picturesque Parque Lleras, Global Express Center is situated in a prime area for digital nomads in Poblado. GEC provides more power outlets than most other coworking spaces, and the chairs are also more comfortable than most other spaces, which some people really love. There’s also a solid offering of meeting rooms and private offices available for calls or groups – as well as cozy chill-out areas that are perfect for recharging and recouping.
For remote professionals who only need to utilize office space a few times a month, or for those only in town for a short period of time, Global Express is the way to go. With daily passes on sale for only 17,850 COP (~$6 USD) for a flex desk, it’s the best spot in town to pay by the day. Monthly passes are more comparable in price to other coworking spaces, but some people still prefer to use this space because of its ideal location and focused atmosphere.
Hours: 8 am – 6 pm Monday to Friday; 9 am – 1 pm Saturday
Features
- Great location
- Several meeting rooms and call-friendly spaces
- Printer and scanner
- Ergonomic (and comfortable) chairs
- Chill-out areas
- High-speed internet connection
- Cheapest day pass in town
Pricing
- Day Pass: 17,850 COP (~$6 USD)
- Monthly Pass: 490,000 COP (~$170 USD)
3. Tinkko
Location: Poblado
Right on the edge of Poblado, in the business district of Medellin, you’ll find an upscale coworking space on the 15th floor of a commercial building. It’s quite the place to get some work done!
Tinkko is different than the other coworking spaces on this list. Instead of daily or monthly passes, access is offered in hourly rates. Time is charged in advance and can be used throughout the day, week, or month – basically whenever you feel like it. This pricing system is great for people who only need the office for a few hours per day or week.
Along with the unparalleled views from the 15th floor, you can choose to work from a traditional desk, a spot at the coffee bar, or nestle into some cozy bean bags for more informal working. This space is noticeably more expensive than the others listed here, but for many people, the flexibility, views, and beautiful work environment make it worth every peso.
Hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily; 24/7 and night packages available on request
Features
- Views
- Hourly plans
- High-speed internet
- Open-plan workspace
- Private office rooms
- Bean bag chairs
- Coffee bar
- Upscale environment
Pricing
- 25 Hour Pass: 208,700 COP (~$75 USD)
- 50 Hour Pass: 358,500 COP (~$125 USD)
- 100 Hour Pass: 449,400 COP (~$160 USD)
4. Ofizen Siembra Coworking
Location: Poblado
Called either Ofizen or Siembra – or both together – this beautiful coworking space is another great option with a desirable location in Poblado. The building is relatively small compared to the others on this list, but what the space provides is worth the visit. Ofizen is comfortable, cozy, and conducive to doing good work.
Like the Laureles coworking spaces on this list, the community is at the heart of Siembra, making it the most community-focused coworking space in Poblado. Some events and activities that are offered to help bring coworkers together are pub quizzes, rooftop movie nights and Sunday chillouts, great for networking opportunities or to just get to know more people in the Poblado area.
Hours: 8 am – 7 pm Monday to Friday; 8 am – 12 pm Saturday
Features
- Located in Poblado
- Strong community focus
- High-speed internet connection
- “Speed Networking” events to meet other coworkers
- Affordable pricing plans
Pricing
- Day Pass: 30,000 COP (~$10 USD)
- Weekly Pass: 140,000 COP (~$50 USD)
- Monthly Pass: 430,000 COP (~$150 USD)
- Monthly Pass (> three months): 350,000 COP (~$125 USD) per month
5. La Casa Redonda
Location: Laureles
A fairly new coworking space, La Casa Redonda was founded with the goal of building a community of creative entrepreneurs. And it seems to be doing quite well in its mission. On top of coworking with other remote workers, there are many events at La Casa, with barbeques, potlucks, yoga classes, workshops, and other gatherings. Nomads who are new to Laureles should find this place particularly inviting as its not only a good place to stay focused on work, its a great place to make new friends and join a community of other remote professionals.
La Casa also offers flexible passes at an affordable price, great for nomads on a budget or those that don’t need to use a coworking space daily.
Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Monday to Friday; 12 pm – 8 pm Saturday.
Features
- Located in Laureles
- Lots of community events
- Flexible passes
- High-speed internet
- Home-like atmosphere
- Welcoming environment
Pricing
- Day Pass Flex Desk: 30,000 COP (~$10 USD)
- 8-Day Pass: 200,000 COP (~$70 USD)
- Monthly Pass: 476,000 COP (~$170 USD)
6. FrendaColectivo
Location: Laureles
Even cozier than its Laureles neighbor mentioned above, FrendaColectivo is the most unique coworking space on this list. This hybrid homestay/coworking area offers private bedrooms and a fully stocked kitchen for guests – and coworkers are also given their own space in the kitchen for food and beverage storage.
FrendaColectivo’s style creates a very welcoming atmosphere which members and guests equally love. There is a huge emphasis on community, and a real effort is made to connect remote workers with one another to create a collaborative workspace. Definitely worth checking out for anybody staying in Laureles.
Hours: 8 am – 7 pm Monday to Friday for coworkers; 24/7 access for guests staying on the property
Features
- Located in Laureles
- Home-like atmosphere
- Rooms available for 24/7 cowork access
- Strong community value
- High-speed internet connection
- Kitchen access for everybody
- Affordable pricing plans
Pricing
- Day Pass: 20,000 COP (~$7 USD).
- Weekly Pass: 80,000 COP (~$28 USD)
- Monthly Pass: 320,000 COP (~$110 USD)
7. NODO
Location: Envigado
NODO is the best coworking space in Envigado, perfect for the nomads and remote professionals that have set up shop in the area. There are also NODO locations in Poblado and Laureles, but the Envigado one is the best out of the three – and the best overall in the third largest expat community in Medellin.
A warm, welcoming place, with authentic Colombian coffee and vibes, NODO is a must for those staying in Envigado that want a great coworking experience without trekking up into the heart of the city. It is also one of the least expensive places for a “hot desk,” though having your own desk will set you back a more typical amount.
Hours: 8 am – 6 pm weekly; 24/7 access for private offices
Features
- Located in Envigado
- Lowest prices out of anywhere on this list
- Free day pass for first-timers
- Beautiful looking space
- Most reliable internet in Envigado
- All three locations are available to use with a monthly pass
Pricing
- Monthly Flex Desk Pass: 145,000 COP (~$50 USD)
- Monthly Fixed Desk Pass: 480,000 COP (~$170 USD)
- Monthly Private Office: 850,000 COP (~$300 USD)
Coworking & Coliving in Medellin
Curious about Colombia yet? It really is one of the best places to find that coveted work-life-balance for remote workers – and one of WiFi Tribe’s favorite chapter locations. Which is why we’re here from January to April 2020.
Find out more about these amazing chapters – and come co-work and co-live with us in Medellin!
