Bello: Medellín’s Northern Neighbor Moves Forward

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Estación Bello is one of the city's three metro stops.
Estación Bello is one of the city’s three metro stops.

Never did I think I would spend much time in Bello. I guess that’s why my good friend Paul Pass used to say, “Never is a long time man.”

It took me more than two years of living in Medellín before I made it to its northern neighbor, a suburb of just over a half million people, but I finally did.

My friend Chris convinced me.

Originally from New Zealand, he now lives there with his girlfriend and if the opportunity to hang out with him arises, I always try to be there.

The guy is hilarious. We end up making jokes about things so random, and laugh so hard, people look at us like we’re auditioning for the Dumb & Dumber sequel.

So when he said, “I’m bored here in Laureles, let’s go to Bello,” I said, “Let’s do it.”

He lives near one of the city’s best nightlife areas, something I’ll tell you more about later, and it’s also a developing area. High-rise apartments are under construction in every direction.

Like Medellín, Bello is on the road to reputation recovery.

This new development, Puerta de Madera, means Door to Madera, fitting since I took this picture through tight window while riding the Metro.
This new development, Puerta Madera, means Door to Madera, fitting since I took this picture through tight window while riding the Metro.

History

The city just celebrated its centennial a year ago, a century of change that continues today.

The first settlers actually got to the area in the early 1500s, farmers looking for a place to live off the land.

Once called Hato Viejo, or old herd, to distinguish it from the livestock of other settlers, Bello grew along with the rest of the valley as more people moved here.

Today the city is trying to shed a reputation of bloodshed, like Medellín to the south, and plans are in place and underway to make this happen.

It’s evident in the new apartment buildings sprouting throughout the city, and with a new mall and public transportation in place, we can expect more positive changes.

It was a little strange watching football in Colombia, but it's pretty cool that there is local interest in something that for them is so different.
It was a little strange watching football in Colombia, but it’s pretty cool that there is local interest in something that for them is so different.

Points of Interest

As funny as it sounds to say, there is a downtown in Bello, and like most downtowns, there is a park or plaza, in this case Parque de Bello.

There are trees everywhere so you have lots of shade to relax, and the big church at the north end of the park is really pretty, the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario.

I’d just refrain from the park at night. Drug deals gone bad have led to shootings and you don’t want to be around for that.

It’s actually better to be in Bello during the day, in general, because there are some lonely areas that come to life when the sun is out.

Just south of Estación Niquía is Estadio Tulio Ospina, where I’ve watched a football game before. And I’m talking about football, not fútbol.

But if you’re a night owl, don’t worry. I have some suggestions for you later in the post.

Food

Don’t come to Bello for the food, unless you’re fine with fast food or Colombian food, or some things they fail try to pass as Chinese.

Eat first/later in Laureles or Poblado if you want something fancy.

I enjoy listening to Trecipicio. They play some of my favorite songs as well as some good tunes of their own.
I enjoy listening to Trecipicio. They play some of my favorite songs as well as some good tunes of their own.

Nightlife

The neighborhood where Chris lives is called Barrio Obrero, and just down the hill from his apartment, there are several blocks with clusters of bars and clubs that should suffice for a fun night.

I went recently with Chris and his girlfriend, and we met up with her friends at a place called Caña Dulce. The music was so loud, I couldn’t hear a damn thing and it was hard to hear after leaving.

Yep, I’m getting old.

I liked my first stop a lot more.

My friend Steven is the guitarist and lead singer in a local band called Trecipicio, and they played that night at San Petersburgo, a bar in downtown Bello, a couple of blocks west of Parque de Bello.

I would have liked the bar better if the waitress bothered to ask me if I wanted anything instead of walking by without saying a word, but such is Colombian service sometimes. At least seeing the band made it worth it.

They’re entertaining. They cover a lot of popular rock music, everything from The Beatles to the Foo Fighters, and they mix in a little of their own music.

Near that bar are other locales that offer music from crossover to vallenato, and there are a handful of casinos near each other too.

Just make sure you stay near places that are open with people inside and outside. Keeps things safer.

Puerta del Norte, or The North Door, is the city's best shopping mall.
Puerta del Norte, or The North Door, is the city’s best shopping mall.

Shopping Malls

The Puerta del Norte is the city’s best shopping mall, by far.

It’s new, opened in 2012 in Barrio Niquía, and features an Exito supermarket as well as popular stores such as Payless and Movistar.

There’s a food court, of course, and for entertainment they have a big movie theater, as most malls do.

You won’t find anything else like it in Bello.

The rest of the shopping is left to small businesses, which I actually prefer. Malls are not my thing, even though Colombians seem to love them.

Safety

Bello has a bad reputation but it’s not nearly as bad as a lot of people think.

You’ve already read about its best areas and they are worth seeing.

That said, you should not walk around at night by yourself. The area still has its problems.

Just use common sense and you’ll enjoy it like my friend Chris does.

Cost of Living

The cost of living is the biggest perk of Bello.

Chris lives in a two-bedroom place in a good neighborhood and pays only 400,000 pesos a month (about $210).

It’s about a 10-minute walk to Estación Madera, one of three metro stations in the city, along with Bello and Niquía.

Once you get to the metro, though, you’re still quite far from the most popular areas in the valley. You’re six stops from downtown, and that’s just the northern edge of it; you’re 11 stops from Laureles; and you’re 12 stops from Poblado.

Not that that’s a bad thing. A lot of people want to stay farther away from the trendy places.

Bello even looks like it’s on the way to becoming one itself.

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12 COMMENTS

  1. Great read Ryan-I always enjoy learning more the different parts of Medellin. Whatparts of the city are being actively gentrified? I am thinking about older parts of the city that are getting better and have some houses that are good DIY projects for ambitious gringos. 🙂

  2. thanks jason. there’s a lot of that in all parts of the city. even in the nice areas, there are old houses that could use some work. but you’ll definitely get a better deal in places like bello. best of luck!!

  3. Nice article Ryan! I’ve been living in Laureles for more than 14 years and I just love it, perhaps even more than Poblado as here is easy to walk around or taking an evening stroll ( poblado is too hilly to do it as often as I wished ).
    Bello and Niquia are as you said recovering from a violence past and I strongly believed they are in the right way to achieve this goal. Right now this area is becoming fast on one the most developed ones in the valley, with some luck and hard work they will get over their problems and become another hotspot for locals and foreigners.

  4. One of the most interesting things about Bello, you could add, is “the small community in Bello [that] joined a world-wide movement in which descendants of Jews forced from Spain more than 500 years ago are discovering and embracing their Jewish heritage.” So reports a Washington Post article by Juan Farero on 24 November 2012.

    A study by the University of Antioquia found that 14 percent of men in the Department are genetically related to the Kohanim, a priestly cast tracing back 3 millennia to Moses’ brother, Aaron.

    The community boasts its own Torah, synagogue, kosher bakery, butcher and a Hebrew pre-school. Their return to Judaism is being assisted by clerics in Miami and Jerusalem.

  5. Hi Ryan:

    It’s amazing how I keep coming back the main article and map on the front page of MedellinLiving.com. That article was and still is my basic reference point for remembering the general character of the various areas of Medellin.

    I’m getting married soon and me and my fiance are looking for an appartment. I don’t know how she feels about Bello but I know her family lives there. I was intrigued by your mention of your friend who got the good deal on an apartment there.

    Me and my girl are looking for an apartment (2 Bedrooms would be just fine). Do know know anybody (including possibly your friend) I could contact about looking for a good value in Bello? Hopefully, we can find someplace that doesn’t require a guarantor either (that’s “fiador”, right?).

    Best regards,
    Art Williams
    310 842 8032 (English)
    312 895 8146 (Spanish)

  6. Great read about Bello! Don’t trust that Chris guy though, he’s trouble! haha. And he’s my brother. I’m currently in Medellin for 5 weeks after Chris spent years convincing me to come and spend some time here. After reading this, I need to spend a few days in Bello while I’m here. Cheers!

  7. You guys need to do another write-up on Bello. It’s changing, and there are some decent restaurants there now. A new Argentinean steak house, Noches En Palermo, is opening next month, and there are some other new restaurants that draw crowds every night. You can definitely go there to eat, and for the night life.

  8. Thank you for another great informative post. Laureles apts have gone ridiculous from just a couple years ago and I see about double the amount of tourists as the last time. SudAmerica has appeal, but if there is a Metro line right into Bello, well, I am retired and have all the time in the world.

    Thanks Ryan!

    • Be careful risk of SERIOUS crime etc. kidnapping in Bello is WAY higher, not recommended for foreigners. Bello is where they bring people they’ve kidnapped, and theres a killing almost everyday in Niquia. You can come but have lots of caution.
      Source: Live in Bello

  9. always interesting to read about Columbia, they are working so hard for a better place, drugs and violence are long past this era, time for peace….have a great day! I will be visiting Medellin and Cali at New Year…..Dyane from Canada