Medellín

Officially it is not legal to work in Colombia without a proper working visa. Visas can be obtained by employers on your behalf.

There is a significant market for English and other language teachers.

Medellín houses many important universities and learning institutes. Almost 100% of the courses are in Spanish.

Universidad de Antioquia

With over 200 years is the largest and more important academic institution in town nd the second one in the whole country. its old campus downtown has beautiful republican architecture while the newer campus 1960's i a great example of modern architecture (http://www.udea.edu.co).

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Has 2 campuses, good education in engineering (http://www.unalmed.edu.co).

CES

A health sciences university (http://www.ces.edu.co).

Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín

The city sits to classical music orchestras: Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín (http://filarmed.com) and Orquesta de EAFIT. (http://www.eafit.edu.co/E...)

active cultural life

Medellin has a very active cultural life. There are four major theatres in town: Metropolitan Theatre (http://www.elcolombiano.c...), Pablo Tobon Uribe (http://www.teatropablotob...), Teatro de la Universidad de Medellín (http://www.udem.edu.co/UD...) and Teatro EAFIT (http://www.eafit.edu.co/e...). They offer a variety of Music concerts, Opera, Theater, Ballet and other events with international and local performers.

Commercial movies are available at most shopping malls:Cine Colombia (http://www.cinecolombia.com.co), Royal Films (http://www.royal-films.com) or Cinemark (http://www.cinemark.com.c...). Price is around 10,000 pesos 4-5 USD.

The Arepa : Medellin's English Magazine is a resource guide while in the city. They also have a weekly radio show talking about the events in the city.

Envigado

The neighboring town of Envigado also has a professional football team (http://www.envigadofutbol...). Metro station Envigado.

Skateboarding

Try the new Skateboarding track at Parque Ciudad del Rio. Opened July 2009, this colorful bowl-like ramps allow lots of fun for skaters and spectators. Metro station: Industriales.

Medellín is one of a few cities in the world to have all sport venues located at the same place. At Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot (http://www.inder.gov.co/u...) you will find football, track & field, swimming, diving, baseball, volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, velodrome, ping-pong, karts, boxing, hapkido, judo, karate do, gymnastics, taekwondo, weightlifting, chess, roller skating and many more stadiums in one convenient location. The Unidad Deportiva was recently renewed for the South American games held in March 2010. Metrostation Estadio.

Juvenile Football World Cup

The Juvenile Football World Cup will be held in Colombia during July - August 2011 Also called Under-20 by FIFA with Medellín as one of its venues. (http://www.colombia2011.com)

Watch a football game

At one of the two teams based in medellin, atlã©tico nacional (http://www.atlnacional.com.co) and independiente medellã­n (http://www.dim.com.co). attending a home game at the atanasio girardot stadium is recommended for any football - soccer fans, or those wanting to experience the famed south american passion for futbol! games generally take place on wednesdays and either saturday or sunday. tickets can be purchased at the stadium. metro station estadio.

Poetry Festivals

Medellin has one of the most important Poetry Festivals (http://www.festivaldepoes...) in the World. Every year , usually in July, poets from all around the world including Nobel Prices come to this amazing event.

"Feria de las flores" (Flowers festival)

Visit the city during the first days of August for the local festival "Feria de las flores" Flowers festival (http://www.feriadelasflor...). There are all kind of events during one week including the "Desfile de Silleteros" Parade of flower carriers.

Full moon night

Do a Full moon night visit to an old Cemetery (http://www.cementeriosanp...) Cementerio de San Pedro where former presidents and beautiful sculpted graveyards are found. Metro stations Hospital or Universidad.

Tangovia

Is a monthly street fair in the neighborhood of manrique, with great tango performers singers, groups, dancers and more. calle 45 x carrera 73.

International Tango Festival

The Fourth International Tango Festival will convene with world renown artists. Free admission to all events. Every year in June. (http://www.medellincultur...)

After Buenos Aires, Medellín is the best place to learn how to tango -dance, sing-.

A dance academy with good turnout. Call to book your place. Email: [email protected]

INSARC

This culinary school has occasional courses on Colombian Cuisine. INSARC Cra 40 A # 11B - 15. El Poblado, Lalinde. Phone: +57 4 4444 850. (http://insarc.com)

La Colegiatura

Is a small college with full degrees in culinary sciences and also shorter courses in basic and colombian cooking. (http://www.colegiatura.edu.co)

Medellin Speaks Spanish

(http://www.medellinspanish.com) a colombian teacher and writer offers spanish courses tailored for individuals or small groups. his blog is also a resource for medellin and the spanish language. great prices and flexibility. all levels.

Medellin Spanish School

(http://spanishinmedellin.com) like most of the schools in town, this one offers the best flexibility and quality at a price that does not aim to rip off the "rich foreigner".

At a variety of second language schools:

Learn Spanish with the Language Institute Medellín, +57 316 4039 305. They offer cheap courses with great accommodations! (http://www.medellinlangua...)

Loquella

Learn Spanish at Loquella (http://www.loquella.co.uk). All levels of students are welcome, overseas students can also find accommodation at different levels from cheap hotels to apartments. They also offer cultural learning and courses online.

Español para Extranjeros

(http://studyspanishmedell...) offers individually tailored lessons for beginners to advanced students, either one-on-one or in groups. lists prices and contact details on their website, and comes highly recommended.

Turibus (http://www.medellininfo.c...) is a good option to get a general overview of the city. You can take it to many of the main tourist attractions for 17,000 COP. The tour lasts four hours and allows 20-30 minutes per stop for sight-seeing and photos. Turibus departs from the south side of Parque Poblado at 9AM and 1PM. You must return to the same bus after each stop, it is not a hop-on/hop-off service. Spanish is the only advertised language, however many times at least one guide speaks English and is happy to translate (http://www.yoquieroir.com...).

Another operator is Zorba, with interesting bilingual tours. (http://www.zorba.com.co)

Metrocables

(http://www.urbanrail.net/...) there are two cable car extensions of the metro: for the line k take the a metro train to acevedo station and from there take the metrocable up to santo domingo for a nice view over the city. the cablecar is included in your metroticket. go during the day and walk around to see what working class people live like. the area at the top sees tourists so there are little stands set up and people selling empanadas and other things. you can stop at a little bar and have a beer. don't stray too far or off the beaten path in this neighborhood, though. for those so inclined, there are young people that give tours waiting at the top wearing t-shirts that said "guia" guide. also recommended is taking the metrocable located at san javier up to la aurora j line. although there is nothing special to see or do at the top of the cable car route, the trip itself is longer and more interesting than the cable car that goes to santo domingo.