Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Unlike the José María Córdova, the Olaya Herrera is inside Medellín, in Comuna 15 (Guayabal), a few minutes from El Poblado and downtown: this is where the shortest domestic flights land, on smaller planes, not the international ones. So it isn't the airport to fly abroad from — for that you need the José María Córdova, in Rionegro, 45-60 minutes further away — but for those flying from and to this one, staying in El Poblado or right near the terminal almost always makes sense. The Provenza and Parque Lleras area remains the most convenient base for evenings out, with nearly all of the city's international chains a short taxi ride away.

Guayabal

Airport area · A few minutes by car or taxi, within the same comuna as the airport.

Best for: Short layovers and those who want to stay minutes from the terminal, without counting on the city's nightlife.

Pros

It's the area closest to the terminal of all, useful for early morning flights
A residential and industrial neighbourhood with lower prices than El Poblado

Cons

Very little evening life outside the accommodation itself: restaurants and venues stay in El Poblado or downtown
The supply is almost only private apartments, with no chain hotels

Recommended hotels in this area

Amplio apartamento Guayabal cerca aeropuerto Olaya Herrera: Spacious apartment in the Guayabal neighbourhood, minutes from the Olaya Herrera terminal; built for early morning flyers who don't want to fight traffic towards El Poblado.
Apartamento cerca al aeropuerto Olaya herrera: A second apartment in the same Guayabal area, a direct alternative to the previous one for those looking only for proximity to the terminal.

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El Poblado

Neighbourhood · 10-15 minutes by car from the terminal depending on traffic, without facing the drive to Rionegro.

Best for: Those who want Parque Lleras, Provenza and the Milla de Oro a short taxi ride from the terminal.

Pros

It's the area with the most chain hotels, restaurants and venues in all of Medellín, minutes from the Olaya Herrera
Connected to the Metro and Metrocable network to get around the rest of the city

Cons

Prices higher than the Medellín average, especially near Parque Lleras on weekends
In the streets of the zona rosa, evening noise from the venues lasts well into the night

Recommended hotels in this area

Four Points by Sheraton Medellín: A few steps from the Oviedo shopping mall and a few minutes on foot from Río Sur; among the most liked chain hotels in the area.
York Medellín, Curio Collection by Hilton: 111 kitchen suites, a rooftop infinity pool on the 23rd floor and a spa on the 22nd; Hilton's first Curio Collection hotel in Colombia, recently opened in the Milla de Oro.
Hampton by Hilton Medellín: Near the Universidad EAFIT, in the heart of the Milla de Oro; free hot breakfast and outdoor pool, a more affordable price bracket than the area's other chains.
GHL Hotel Portón Medellín: Across from the Santa Fe shopping mall and 800 metres from the Aguacatala metro station, handy for those who want to get around without a taxi too.

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San Diego / Centro

Neighbourhood · 15-20 minutes from the terminal depending on traffic.

Best for: Those who want the historic centre, Plaza Botero and the metro within easy reach, spending less than in El Poblado.

Pros

San Diego neighbourhood well connected to the metro and minutes from the historic centre and Plaza Botero
Lower prices than El Poblado for a similar hotel standard

Cons

Downtown Medellín is less well kept and busier than El Poblado, especially in the evening
Fewer restaurants and venues within walking distance compared to the zona rosa

Recommended hotels in this area

Best Western Plus Hotel San Diego: In the San Diego neighbourhood, on Avenida El Poblado near a metro station; handy for visiting Plaza Cisneros and downtown without zona rosa prices.

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