Travel Tips

Welcome! You’re in the right place for all the details about our special day. Here, you’ll find everything from travel tips to event schedules, ensuring you have a delightful experience as we celebrate together!

IMPORTANT This is a friendly reminder to CHECK YOUR PASSPORT'S EXPIRATION DATE! You cannot travel internationally if your passport is expired or going to expire WITHIN 6 MONTHS of your return date. To apply for or renew your U.S. Passport, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html

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Flights

Flight Booking Tips for Our Wedding Guests

We’re excited to celebrate with you in Medellín, Colombia! To make your travel planning easier, here are some practical tips and tricks for booking flights. Everyone should aim to fly directly into Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport (airport code: MDE), as it’s the most convenient option for reaching the wedding venue. Avoid connecting through other Colombian cities if possible to minimize travel time and hassle.

1. Choose the Right Destination Airport

Fly directly into Medellín (MDE). This is the primary international airport serving the city, located about 45 minutes from downtown Medellín by car or shuttle.
If your search shows options for Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), skip it—it’s mainly for domestic flights and not ideal for international arrivals.
Pro tip: When searching, specify “Medellín, Colombia” to ensure you’re routed to MDE. Direct flights are available from major hubs like Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), or Madrid (MAD), depending on your departure city.

2. Use Google Flights for Easy Searching

Google Flights (flights.google.com) is a free, user-friendly tool that’s great for comparing options across airlines without bias.
How to use it:
- Enter your departure city and “Medellín, Colombia (MDE)” as the destination.
- Use the calendar view to find the cheapest dates—flexible travel dates can save you 20-50% on fares.
- Filter by “Nonstop” to prioritize direct flights, which are often shorter and less stressful (e.g., 4-6 hours from the US East Coast).
Trick: Check the “Explore” map feature if you’re open to nearby departure airports for better deals.

3. Track Prices and Set Up Alerts

Airfares to Medellín can fluctuate based on demand, so monitoring is key—prices often drop mid-week or during sales.
On Google Flights, after searching, click “Track prices” to get email alerts for price changes. Set it up for your specific dates or a flexible range (e.g., “any dates in [month]”).
Aim to book 2-3 months in advance for international flights to lock in lower rates, but track earlier if traveling during peak seasons (like December or summer).
Bonus trick: Use incognito mode in your browser when searching to avoid dynamic pricing hikes based on your search history. Clear cookies or try a VPN for even better results.

4. Additional Booking Hacks

Book on Tuesdays or Wednesdays: Studies show airlines often release deals mid-week, so check then for the best prices.
Consider budget airlines: Carriers like Spirit, JetBlue, or Avianca often have affordable direct routes to MDE, but watch for add-on fees (e.g., baggage).
Multi-city searches: If you’re planning side trips in Colombia, use Google Flights’ multi-city option to bundle flights efficiently.
Credit card perks: If you have travel rewards cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire or Amex), redeem points for flights to MDE—many programs cover routes to Colombia.
Avoid peak times: Steer clear of booking around major holidays; off-peak months like September-November often have cheaper fares and fewer crowds.

If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to reach out to us. Safe travels, and we can’t wait to see you in Medellín!

Phoenix, Arizona Travelers

There are no nonstop flights from Arizona to Medellín. Most routes connect through:

Miami (MIA) – American Airlines
Houston (IAH) – United Airlines
Atlanta (ATL) – Delta Air Lines

Most travelers fly out of Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX).

Dallas, Texas Travelers

There are no nonstop flights from Dallas to Medellín. Most routes connect through:

United Airlines via Houston
American Airlines via Houston (IAH)

Expect one connection on most itineraries.

Miami, Florida Travelers

This is one of the easiest departure points.

American Airlines frequently flies direct or one-stop to Medellín.
Flights are typically short (around 3 hours).

Indianapolis, Indiana Travelers

Indiana

Travelers from Indiana (Indianapolis) will usually connect in one of these hubs:

Atlanta (ATL) on Delta
Miami (MIA) or Dallas (DFW) on American
Houston (IAH) on United

Expect one connection and a total travel time of 7–9 hours.

New York, New York Travelers

New York

From NYC airports (JFK, LGA, EWR), guests can expect smooth connections:

American Airlines through Miami (MIA)
Delta Air Lines through Atlanta (ATL)
United Airlines through Houston (IAH)

Some airlines also offer seasonal or occasional nonstop flights, depending on the time of year.

South Carolina Travelers

South Carolina

Whether flying from Charleston, Greenville, or Columbia, most travelers will connect through:

Atlanta (ATL) with Delta
Miami (MIA) with American
Charlotte (CLT) with American (then onward to Medellín)

Seattle, Washington Travelers

Travelers from Seattle will typically fly with:

Delta Air Lines via Atlanta (ATL)
American Airlines via Houston (IAH) or Phoenix (PHX)
United Airlines via Houston (IAH)

Expect one connection on most itineraries.

French Travelers

France

From Paris, travelers usually fly with:

Air France or KLM to Bogotá (BOG), then connect to Medellín (MDE) on Avianca or LATAM
Iberia via Madrid (MAD)
Some travelers also connect through major U.S. hubs (Miami, Atlanta, Houston)

Spanish Travelers

Spain

From Spain, especially from Madrid (MAD) or Barcelona (BCN):

Iberia and Air Europa offer flights to Bogotá, with easy connections to Medellín
There are also occasional direct flights from Madrid to Medellín depending on the season

This is typically the most direct route for European guests.

Getting Around Medellin, Colombia

Transportation in Medellín is safe, easy, and very visitor-friendly, especially if you’re familiar with using rideshare apps in the U.S.

Uber (Our Top Recommendation)

Uber works very well in Medellín and is the easiest option for most guests.

The app works exactly the same as back home
Prices are affordable and clear
Cars arrive quickly in most areas
No language barrier — your destination is typed in the app

We recommend that guests use Uber for airport pickups, hotel transfers, and getting to events.

Airport Tips

When you land at MDE airport:

You can call an Uber directly from the arrivals area
Or you can use your hotel or Airbnb host’s arranged pickup
You’ll also see a line of official taxis — they are safe and regulated, but Uber is usually easier for English speakers

Most of the wedding-related locations are within 10-20 minutes of the Poblado.

Hotel & Airbnb Assistance

Whether you’re staying in a hotel or an Airbnb:

Hosts are very used to helping international guests
They can easily arrange trustworthy transportation or airport pickup
They can also help you call a driver if you prefer not to use apps

If you’re unsure about anything, just ask your host — Colombians are extremely welcoming and happy to help.

General Safety & Comfort Tips

Stick with Uber or transportation arranged by your hotel/Airbnb
Avoid accepting random rides or unofficial taxis
Keep using the same apps you use at home — Uber, Google Maps, WhatsApp
English is spoken in most tourist areas, and apps make communication easy even if not

Travelers consistently say Medellín is one of the easiest cities in Latin America to navigate.

Currency in Colombia

Traveling in Medellín is very straightforward when it comes to payments. Most places accept major U.S. credit cards, and the city is extremely accustomed to international visitors.

Credit Cards Are Widely Accepted

You can use credit cards almost everywhere, including:

Restaurants
Bars and cafés
Hotels and Airbnbs
Shops, malls, and grocery stores
Uber and most tour companies

Visa, Mastercard, and American Express all work well.

Many guests find they can go their entire trip using only cards.

A Little Cash Is Still Helpful

While cards work almost everywhere, we recommend having a small amount of local currency (Colombian Pesos / COP) on hand for things like:

Small cafés or bakeries
Street vendors
Tips
Markets or local shops
Emergency situations where a card reader might be down

You don’t need much — even $20–$40 USD worth of pesos will cover most small purchases.

Where to Get Pesos

The easiest options:

Withdraw cash from an ATM at the airport or near your hotel
Exchange a small amount before you leave the U.S.
Ask your bank if they can provide Colombian Pesos (some require advance notice)

ATMs typically give you the best exchange rate.

General Tips

Let your bank know you’re traveling to Colombia so your card isn’t flagged.
Most places ask if you want to be charged in USD or COP — choose COP for the best rate.
Keep a small amount of cash separate from your wallet, just in case.