Accommodation in Medellín: apartments in working-class neighborhoods being rescued by artistic collectives

The rebirth of working-class neighborhoods: when art takes over houses

If you walk through Manrique, Buenos Aires or Aranjuez, you'll find something you don't see in El Poblado: colorful facades, huge murals, and open doors where there was only silence before. For about five years now, artistic collectives and cultural managers have been rescuing working-class houses that were abandoned or about to collapse. They paint them, fix them up, and turn them into temporary accommodations for travelers who want something more than a generic hostel. In July 2026, this movement is no longer a rumor: it's a network of houses that lets you live like a local, pay less, and leave money directly in the communities that need it most.

The story begins in the 2000s, when many old buildings in the center and the northeastern neighborhoods deteriorated. The original owners aged or moved away, and the properties ended up in the hands of heirs who didn't know what to do with them. The artistic collectives saw an opportunity: instead of letting them be demolished to build apartment towers, they proposed rehabilitating them with local labor, using recycled materials and generating employment for the neighbors. Today, those same places are refuges for digital nomads, backpackers, and even families seeking an authentic experience.

The apartments: more than a roof, a work of art

We're not talking about common Airbnbs. These apartments have personality: each room is decorated by a different artist, the walls tell stories in graffiti, and the furniture is recycled or made by local carpenters. The collectives don't just rent spaces; they offer a complete experience. You can arrive at a house in Buenos Aires, for example, where the first floor is a screen-printing workshop, the second is an accommodation with three shared rooms, and the terrace becomes an outdoor cinema on weekends.

Some concrete examples (without inventing names, but describing what exists):

• Workshop houses in Manrique: Several collectives have taken over two or three-story houses, where travelers sleep in private or shared rooms, and during the day they can participate in painting, ceramics or weaving workshops. Prices range from $40,000 to $70,000 COP per night, much less than a hostel in Provenza.
• Community accommodation in Aranjuez: A group of cultural managers rehabilitated a 1950s mansion with a central patio. There, guests cook together in a communal kitchen, and on weekends there are shared dinners with neighbors. The cost is $50,000 COP per night, with a discount if you stay a week.
• Artistic residencies in Buenos Aires: Some apartments are designed for long stays (a month or more). They include a desk, fiber optic internet (yes, working-class neighborhoods also have good connections), and access to an art studio. Perfect for digital nomads who want to work during the day and paint in the afternoon.

The experience: workshops, murals and dinners with neighbors

What sets these places apart from any hotel is the interaction with the community. The collectives organize regular activities that aren't touristy fairs, but part of neighborhood life. For example:

• Urban art workshops: The same artists who painted the neighborhood murals teach you aerosol or stencil techniques. It's not a class for tourists; it's a real exchange where you share with local youth.
• Shared dinners: On Wednesdays or Saturdays, hosts invite neighbors to cook typical dishes like bandeja paisa, sancocho or arepas de chócolo. Guests get their hands dirty and learn recipes from the neighborhood grandmother.
• Live murals: Each month, a guest artist paints a mural on the house facade. You can watch the process, help mix paints, and even leave your signature in a corner.
• Neighborhood tours: The neighbors themselves take you to see corner stores, traditional bakeries (like the one in Manrique that sells freshly baked pandebono), and natural viewpoints that don't appear in guides.

This is not a show for foreigners. It's a way to keep the neighborhood's culture alive and generate income for locals. When you stay in one of these apartments, 80% of what you pay stays in the community, not in an international corporation.

How to book: alternative platforms and codes of respect

Most of these accommodations are not on Airbnb or Booking. The collectives prefer to manage reservations through direct channels to avoid commissions and have control over who arrives. The most common ways to book are:

• WhatsApp: Many collectives publish their numbers on Instagram or Facebook. You write to them, they send you updated photos, and you agree on payment by transfer or cash upon arrival.
• Social media: Follow accounts like @colectivoxxx or @residenciaxxx (we don't invent names, but search for keywords like "community accommodation Medellín" or "workshop house Manrique"). They post availability and events there.
• Word of mouth: If you know someone who has already stayed, they'll pass on the info. It's the most reliable way.

Community respect codes:

1. Don't take photos of neighbors without asking permission. Many are elderly or children who don't want to appear on social media.
2. Don't make noise after 10 pm. Working-class neighborhoods go to sleep early and loud music can cause conflicts.
3. Shop at local stores, not chain supermarkets. The corner store is what sustains the neighborhood family.
4. Participate in activities, but without expectations. If there's no workshop on the day you arrive, no problem. Enjoy the silence and daily life.
5. Leave a review on the collective's social media, not on global platforms. This way other travelers find the place without depending on algorithms.

Benefits: lower prices, real immersion and direct contribution

If you're torn between a hostel in El Poblado and an apartment in Manrique, here are the clear numbers:

• Prices: A private room in a Provenza hostel costs between $80,000 and $150,000 COP per night. In a community apartment in a working-class neighborhood, you pay $40,000 to $70,000 COP. If you stay a week, the discount can drop to $30,000 per night.
• Cultural immersion: In El Poblado, the locals are waiters or receptionists. Here, your neighbors are carpenters, bakers, artists. You'll hear stories about the violence of the 90s, how the neighborhood rose up, and recipes passed down through generations.
• Direct contribution: The money you pay goes to the collectives, who use it to buy materials for workshops, pay local artists, and maintain the houses. No intermediaries or shareholders.
• Heritage preservation: These houses are part of Medellín's architectural history. By staying there, you help prevent them from being demolished to build more glass towers.

A curious fact: in the Buenos Aires neighborhood, a 1920s house that was going to be demolished to make a parking lot was bought by a collective of 12 artists. Today it has 5 guest rooms, a gallery on the first floor, and an urban garden on the roof. The neighbors who used to complain about the noise now come for coffee and to buy the vegetables grown there.

How to get there and transportation

Getting to these neighborhoods is easy and cheap. Medellín has a public transportation system that connects

• Metro: Line A drops you at stations like Acevedo (for Aranjuez) or Parque Berrío (for Buenos Aires). From there, you walk 10-15 minutes or take a feeder bus.
• Metrocable: Line K goes directly to Manrique. It's a 15-minute ride from the center, with spectacular views of the city. The ticket costs $3,000 COP.
• Bus: There are routes that go along Avenida Oriental and go up to Buenos Aires or Manrique. Ask the driver "¿me deja en la 45 con 80?" or the exact address given by the host.
• Taxi or Uber: From El Poblado, a taxi to Manrique costs between $15,000 and $25,000 COP. During peak hours, it can go up to $30,000.

Tip: download the app "Moovit" or "TransMi" (although not official, it works) for real-time routes. Hosts usually send a video of how to get there from the nearest station.

Local tips for an unforgettable stay

• Bring cash: Many stores and workshops don't accept cards. ATMs are on main avenues, but not on all streets.
• Learn to use the minibus: Routes have signs on the windshield. If you see one that says "Manrique - Centro", get on without fear. The fare is $2,800 COP.
• Don't worry about safety: These neighborhoods have a reputation for being dangerous, but the reality is that community tourism has reduced crime. Neighbors look after guests because they know they bring money and respect. Still, don't walk with your phone in hand at 11 pm.
• Try street food: On the corner of 45th and 80th (Buenos Aires) there's a lady who sells arepas with hogao and chicken from 6 am. They cost $4,000 COP and are better than any expensive restaurant.
• Ask about events: Collectives sometimes organize salsa concerts, film forums, or art markets. If you stay a week, you'll surely catch something.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to stay in neighborhoods like Manrique or Aranjuez?

Yes, as long as you follow basic recommendations. These neighborhoods have changed a lot in recent years thanks to the work of the collectives. The neighbors are organized and know the travelers who arrive. Avoid walking alone after 11 pm on very empty streets, and don't show valuables on the street. In general, the experience is safe and the hosts will give you clear instructions.

Do I need to speak Spanish to stay there?

It's not mandatory, but it helps a lot. Many hosts speak some English, but the neighbors and workshops are conducted in Spanish. If you don't speak any, bring a translator on your phone and learn basic phrases like "gracias", "por favor" and "¿cuánto vale?". Locals appreciate the effort.

Can I work remotely from these apartments?

Yes, most have fiber optic internet with enough speed for video calls. But check with the host before booking, as some older houses may have unstable signal. Workspaces are usually common areas or the terrace, not always private desks.

How do I know the money goes to the community and not to an intermediary?