Each year, thousands of business visitors arrive in Medellín for conferences, client meetings, and corporate visits. They usually touch down at José María Córdova International Airport, check into hotels around El Poblado, rush through meetings and catch the next flight out.
But extending your trip by just 24 hours can reveal a different side of Medellín — a city that offers practical lessons in urban renewal as well as promising business opportunities.
A dramatic transformation
Medellín’s reputation in the early 1990s was defined by violence and the drug trade. Since then, the city has undergone a profound recovery that makes it one of Latin America’s most discussed urban success stories.
Coordinated public and private investments have revitalized the local economy, upgraded infrastructure, and prioritized inclusive projects. The result is a city increasingly attractive to international companies and skilled professionals.
Innovation at the core
Ruta N, located in Medellín’s innovation district, is a visible sign of this shift. The hub has drawn more than 400 firms from over 30 countries, spanning clean energy, mobility, health tech and...