Shopping malls
Monterrey
Only 2 blocks from Poblado metro station. This mall is the place to go for anything computer or cell phone related. Many small shops selling all manner of electronic equipment and accessories. There is also a 5-screen movie theatre in this mall as well as a salon offering excellent massages store #126.
San Diego centro comercial
The first shopping mall built in Colombia over 30 years ago is still a nice place to stroll, eat and of course shop. You will find good prices for top notch merchandise.
Santa Fe centro comercial
The newest shopping mall in town opened May 2010, 5 levels of shopping, entertainment, food and more
Mayorca
Outlet Mayorca is directly connected to a Metro station and also has a movieplex. (http://www.mayorca.com.co). Metro Itagui.
Oviedo centro comercial
Large shopping area with nearby hotels and restaurants.
El Tesoro Parque Comercial
A large shopping mall located in an unusual location: in very steep mountain overriding a creek. Many upscale stores, technology shops and good restaurants. El Tesoro is bilingual; they have an Information Center where tourists can get any information in English, every day from 14:00 to 21:30. Furthermore, it is possible to access this service calling 321 10 10 ext 111-112. And just for tourists to go shopping without any problem, the mall made a brochure with all the terms and expressions they need, in English and Spanish. Ask for it at the information desks.
Handcrafts
Centro Artesanal mi viejo Pueblo. Cr 49 # 53-30. Phone +574 513 7563
Mercado de San Alejo
On the first Saturday of the month there is the Mercado de San Alejo, an open market right on Parque de BolÃvar, hours: 8.00 a.m. a 6.00 p.m. A large variety of local handcrafts sold primarily by the artisans themselves. Right in the middle of Parque Lleras from thursday to sunday you may as well find some handcraft being sold.
Stores
Underwear
For men and women, are plentiful and the variety is great. women: leonisa (http://www.leonisa.com), tania (http://www.tania.com.co). men: unico (http://www.mymundounico.com), punto blanco, gef. in all major shopping malls.
Bon-Bonite
For leather goods for women visit Bon-Bonite with 10 locations in town. Features many handbags in leather and ethnic materials, as well as shoes and accesories. (http://www.bonbonite.com). Available In most shopping malls.
Colombia is famous for its coffee and Medellin is only a few hours from the coffee growing centers of Colombia. You can find coffee flavors of everything you can imagine, from ice-cream to arequipe sweetened milk. The âStarbucksâ coffee culture is growing, with the most prominent brand being Juan Valdez coffee shops. The Juan Valdez chain is owned by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, and sells a variety of Colombian coffees.
Aguardiente Antioqueño: Schnaps with a special flavor, much like black licorice.
Ron Medellin: The local Rum, excellent! The quality of this rum was elevated to the highest standards during 2009 and the 8 and 12-year bottles are great presents.
Despite the claim of being the textile capital of Colombia, Medellin is not a shopperâs paradise for clothes for North American tourists, but prices can be attractive to visitors from other latitudes. The main malls sell a limited variety of clothes, especially menâs clothes, at only slightly discounted prices from the US, although there are always bargains to be found if you look hard enough. The style of clothes for women in Medellin is very revealing and sexy, so it perhaps more suited for gift buying than shopping for yourself. When planning your shopping for clothes bear in mind that the local weather is very mild, so the options for winter and summer clothes are limited. Near Parque Lleras you can find via Primavera, a little zone full of local young designer's shops with unique garments that you will surely won't see anywhere else.
money
The local currency is the Colombian Peso COP. Bank notes come in denominations from 1000 to 50,000 pesos. Coins are available in 20, 50,100,200,500 and 1000 pesos, although 20 coins are quite unusual outside the supermarkets. It is strongly recommended to use the exact change on taxis, because the drivers rarely have the exact amount. US dollars and Euros are rarely used, except for tourist oriented stores.
Using Credit and Debit Cards is frequent in Colombia but not prevalent as in developed countries. Often times you will need a form of ID, like your passport or government ID to pay with a card. You sometimes may be able to use a copy of your passport, but not always.
ATM limits: ATMs strictly limit withdrawals on foreign and domestic cards. You may only be able to get out 1,2 million pesos per day, so plan to visit the ATM often or hunt around for a more relaxed limit. There are 5 major international banks with local offices, if by chance you hold a card of any of these banks your rates are usually lower Citibank, HSBC, RBS, Santander and BBVA. The largest Colombian bank is Bancolombia with ATM's everywhere.
When withdrawing money from an ATM it is highly advisable to avoid any located on streets for safety purposes. It is recommended to withdraw from ATMs inside shopping centers. Be sure not to take a taxi straight after withdrawing, it is not unusual for people to be followed out and mugged soon after making a withdrawal. Keep an eye out to be sure you are not followed.