Laureles
Flat, walkable, authentically Colombian — and named one of the world's coolest neighborhoods by Time Out
Available rentals in Laureles
Live inventory across Booking.com, Airbnb, Vrbo, and partner hotels — updated continuously.
The Laureles overview
Laureles is what happens when a neighborhood designed for actual residents becomes desirable to outsiders. Built on a flat grid in the mid-20th century, it has the tree-lined sidewalks, neighborhood panaderías, and walking-distance everything that El Poblado gave up to high-rises decades ago. Time Out named it one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, which sent rents climbing — but it remains meaningfully cheaper than El Poblado while feeling more like a real Colombian neighborhood.
The vibe: Tree-lined streets, mid-rise apartments, strong local restaurant scene, distinctly Paisa identity.
Rent in Laureles: what you'll actually pay
Laureles rents have risen sharply since 2022 but still trail El Poblado. Furnished one-bedrooms start around $810/month in the quieter blocks near Estadio and run to $1,200+ in the more popular First-and-Second-Park zone. Two-bedroom furnished units typically land at $1,200–$1,490. The Bolivariana subzone (south of Avenida Nutibara) tends to run 10–15% cheaper than central Laureles. Long-term unfurnished leases run roughly 35% below furnished short-term rates.
Laureles subzones — where to focus your search
First Park / Second Park
The walkable heart of Laureles. Cafés, restaurants, highest rents.
Estadio
Around the football stadium and metro stop. More transit-oriented, slightly cheaper.
Bolivariana
South of Nutibara. Quieter, cheaper, university-adjacent.
Las Acacias
Western edge bordering La América. Best value in the broader Laureles zone.
Daily life in Laureles
Laureles is the neighborhood where you actually walk to dinner. Coffee shops, bakeries, butchers, salons, gyms, and restaurants are distributed across the grid in a way that makes a car genuinely unnecessary. The Estadio and Floresta metro stations on Línea B connect you to the rest of the city. Carulla and Éxito anchor the grocery scene; the Plaza Minorista is a short metro ride away for fresh produce at half the supermarket price.
Safety realities
Laureles is safe by Medellín standards, with the usual urban precautions around phones and bags at night. The First and Second Park areas have visible police presence due to nightlife. Bolivariana and the residential interior streets are notably quiet.
The honest trade-offs
What works
- Genuinely flat and walkable — rare in Medellín
- Authentic local restaurant and café scene
- Two metro stations on Línea B
- Mid-rise scale keeps the neighborhood feeling human
- Strong long-term expat community without El Poblado's tourist density
What to know going in
- Rents rising fast — gap with El Poblado has narrowed
- Less English than El Poblado
- First Park area can be noisy on weekend nights
- Limited new-construction inventory; most buildings are 1990s–2010s
Who Laureles is right for
Walkability-first renters who want a real neighborhood feel, intermediate-or-better Spanish, and a local-leaning daily life. Especially strong for remote workers, couples, and anyone who wants to live without a car.
How Laureles compares
vs. El Poblado: cheaper, flatter, more local, less English. vs. Envigado: similar price, more walkable, more nightlife, less suburban. vs. Belén: pricier, more developed expat infrastructure. vs. Sabaneta: pricier, more central, more amenities.
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More on Laureles from our sister sites
Laureles on RentMedellin.co → Laureles en MedellínArriendos.co (español) →Frequently asked questions
It was built on a flat grid in the mid-20th century when Medellín planners borrowed from Spanish urban design. The blocks are short, the sidewalks are tree-lined, and most daily errands sit within a 10-minute walk.
Yes — typically 15–25% cheaper for comparable furnished apartments, though the gap has narrowed since 2022. Bolivariana and the western edge of Laureles are the best value zones.
Generally safe in the residential interior. The First Park nightlife zone has more activity and more police presence; standard urban awareness applies. It's noticeably calmer than Parque Lleras in El Poblado.
No. Laureles is one of the few Medellín neighborhoods where a car is genuinely unnecessary. Two metro stations, walkable amenities, and easy Uber access cover most needs.
Laureles offers lower rents, more authentic neighborhood feel, and adequate (not dominant) coworking infrastructure. El Poblado has more coworking and English coverage. Many long-term nomads prefer Laureles after their first few months.
Around $810/month furnished in Bolivariana or near Estadio metro. Add $200–400 for the prime First/Second Park blocks.