The Hacker Ecosystem of Medellín (Beyond Ruta N)
When tourists arrive in Medellín and hear "technology," the first thing they think of is Ruta N, the glass buildings in El Poblado, or innovation tours. But there is a deeper, noisier, and less visible layer. For about five years now, the city has become a meeting point for hackers, cryptographers, and information security enthusiasts who are not satisfied with corporate LinkedIn talks.
In April 2026, this ecosystem is more active than ever. What started as meetings of five people in cafés in Laureles are now events that attract professionals from 10 countries. The difference from other places in the world is that here the atmosphere is more relaxed, the food is cheaper, and the community is surprisingly accessible… if you know where to look.
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The biggest event of the year remains the Hacker Congress in Medellín (organized by DragonJar), which in September 2025 brought together experts from all over Latin America. But not everything is formal: there is a circuit of meetups that operate almost in secret, with invitations passed from hand to hand in Telegram and Discord groups.
Event Details (Lineup, Program, Dates)
The Big Event: Hacker Congress in Medellín (DragonJarCon)
This is the flagship event. It takes place in September (exact dates for 2026 are not yet confirmed, but historically it is the second weekend of the month). The main venue is the Centro de Convenciones de Medellín, although some parallel activities occur in smaller spaces in El Poblado and Laureles.
- Secure development workshops: how to write code that cannot be easily exploited.
- IoT Security: hacking smart devices (cameras, routers, light bulbs).
- Red team vs blue team: live attack simulations.
- Talk on post-quantum cryptography: the future of encryption when quantum computers arrive.
- Roundtable on regulation in Colombia: with lawyers specialized in cybercrimes.
What sets this congress apart from others is that all content is in Spanish. There is no simultaneous translation or need for technical English. For digital nomads who have been in Medellín for months, it is an opportunity to connect with the local community without language barriers.
Clandestine Meetups: Password-Protected Cafés
Outside the big congress, there are smaller events that happen every month. The best known is the Medellín Crypto & Hacking Meetup, which meets in cafés in Laureles like Café de la 70 or Pergamino (depending on availability). The password to enter changes every month and is only published in a private Telegram channel that cannot be accessed without being referred by a current member.
- A short talk (20 minutes) on a technical topic.
- An hour of real networking, without nametags or formal introductions.
- A "test" or hacking challenge that attendees solve in groups.
- Craft beer and arepas de chócolo (courtesy of the organizers).
A curious fact: at one of these meetups in 2025, an attendee managed to breach the reservation system of a nearby restaurant in less than 15 minutes. The organizers reported it to the restaurant, who thanked them with a free dinner for the whole group.
Ethical Hacking Competitions: Local CTFs
Capture The Flag (CTF) tournaments are competitions where teams vie to find vulnerabilities in simulated systems. In Medellín, two stand out:
- CTF Medallo: organized by Universidad EAFIT, open to the public but limited to 50 people. It takes place every two months on the El Poblado campus.
- Hackers Arena: a more underground tournament held in bars in Provenza. Entry costs $20,000 COP and includes one drink. The winner gets a 1TB SSD donated by a local startup.
The competitions are not just for experts. There are beginner categories where the challenges are simpler: finding a hidden password in a text file, deciphering a simple code, or exploiting a basic vulnerability in a test web page.
Prices and How to Get Tickets
Here is what confuses newcomers the most: access to these events does not depend only on money. Most have an invitation system that combines cost with reputation.
Hacker Congress in Medellín
- General admission: $150,000 COP (approximately $38 USD in April 2026). Includes access to all talks and workshops on the main day.
- VIP admission: $350,000 COP. Includes access to hands-on workshops (limited capacity), a kit with a t-shirt and stickers, and entry to the closing party.
- Group discount: if you go with 3 or more people, each ticket costs $120,000 COP.
Tickets are purchased on the official DragonJarCon website. It is recommended to do so at least one month in advance because the hands-on workshops sell out in days.
Clandestine Meetups
- Cost: $0. Yes, they are free. But the invitation is worth more than money.
- How to get an invitation: the only way is for a current member to add you to the Telegram channel. Some organizers also accept requests if you demonstrate experience in cybersecurity (for example, if you have a GitHub profile with relevant projects or if you have participated in international CTFs).
- Unwritten rule: do not share the exact location on social media. The organizers are strict about this because they have had problems with people who arrived without an invitation and caused trouble.
Local CTFs
- CTF Medallo: $30,000 COP per person. Registrations open one week in advance on the Universidad EAFIT website.
- Hackers Arena: $20,000 COP at the door. No presale. Arrive early because capacity is only 40 people.
How to Get There
The locations vary by event, but there are recurring patterns.
Hacker Congress in Medellín
It takes place at the Centro de Convenciones de Medellín, at Calle 41 # 55-80, in the La Candelaria neighborhood (downtown).
- By metro: get off at San Antonio station (line A) and walk 5 minutes north.
- By taxi or Uber: from El Poblado it costs about $15,000 COP (10 minutes in no-traffic hours).
- By bus: routes that go along Avenida Oriental drop you off two blocks away.
Clandestine Meetups
Most occur in Laureles or Envigado. If you are new, the initial meeting point is usually Parque de Laureles (Carrera 73 with Calle 38). From there, the organizers guide you to the exact café. Do not try to go directly because the address changes every month.
CTF Medallo
It is held at Universidad EAFIT, in Bloque 38 (engineering auditorium). The address is Carrera 49 # 7 Sur-50, in El Poblado. You can get there by metro to Poblado station and then take a taxi or walk 15 minutes uphill.
Tips for Attendees
Based on the experience of those who have already attended these events, here are some practical tips:
- Bring your own equipment: although some workshops lend laptops, it is better to bring your own with a preconfigured hacking environment (Kali Linux, Parrot OS, or a virtual machine with basic tools). Do not expect fast WiFi to download things.
- Do not arrive with a tourist attitude: the hacker community values authenticity. If you only want to take photos for Instagram, it is better not to go. People are there to learn and share knowledge, not to be the center of attention.
- Prepare to speak technical Spanish: although many attendees speak English, the talks and discussions are in Spanish. If your level is basic, study technical vocabulary beforehand: "vulnerabilidad", "explotar", "payload", "firewall", "encriptación".
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What It Is and Context
In Medellín, the technological culture has flourished in recent years, thanks to the growing community of hackers and entrepreneurs seeking to innovate in the digital sector. Although Ruta N is the epicenter of innovation, there is a variety of events that stand out for their exclusivity and focus on ethical hacking, information security, and software development.
The city has been a pioneer in creating spaces where technology enthusiasts can share ideas and projects. Events like the Medellín Hackathon and talks at Hacker House have gained popularity, offering not only competition but also a platform to learn and connect with industry experts.
The local hacker community is characterized by its collaborative spirit, which has led to the creation of networks that transcend events, fostering an ecosystem where knowledge and skills are shared.