Taxis are relatively inexpensive and can be commonly found in most parts of Medellin. The minimum fare for a taxi is 4,600 COP (about 2.50 USD). The meter should always be on and will start at about 2,700 COP. The only exception to the meter possibly not running is on the fixed cost taxi departing from the airport. Tipping is not required but most people round up the fare to the nearest 1,000 COP.

When you enter or depart from a taxi, please don't slam the door or you risk the taxi driver glaring at you. The doors on the small cars are deceptively light. You can sit in the front seat or the back - there is no difference. If you have large bags, the driver will usually get out and help you with them. Avoid giving the driver 20,000 COP or 50,000 COP notes. Each taxi company has its own number to call, so you may want to ask which local company best serves your area.

If you don’t speak Spanish, there are several taxi apps which work considerably well. The top two apps are Easy Taxi and Tappsi, but more recently Uber has been gaining popularity in Medellin.

Safety Note: Taxis in Medellin are generally safe although there are always exceptions. Where possible, call or use an App to get a taxi. If you hail a random taxi on the street, make sure you check for a legit taxi company logo and the correct licence plate number is listed on the sticker on the front windscreen. Always check that the driver has reset the meter when you get in. Take precaution that the driver does not try to switch your 50,000 bill with a fake one, it is always best to pay with small notes.