Comparison · Guadalajara vs Medellín · Mexico / Colombia
Guadalajara vs Medellín
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Isacdaavid, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Guadalajara for Mariachi and Tequila; choose Medellín for Eternal spring climate and Metrocable. Medellín is generally less expensive, and the two are about 3,394 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 3,394 km
- Less expensive
- Medellín
- Best time for Guadalajara
- October–March
- Best time for Medellín
- June–August and December–February
Side by side
| Guadalajara | Medellín | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Mexico | Colombia |
| Known for | Mariachi, Tequila and Orozco murals | Eternal spring climate, Metrocable and Comuna 13 |
| Best time to visit | October–March | June–August and December–February |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$170 | $80–$150 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | May, 33°C (91°F) | January, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 25°C (77°F) | October, 27°C (81°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | GDL | MDE, EOH |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Guadalajara for…
Mariachi and Tequila. Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest metropolitan area and the capital of Jalisco, is the home ground of mariachi, tequila, birria and the charreada. Its historic centre is a run of linked plazas around the twin-spired cathedral, the Teatro Degollado and the…
Choose Medellín for…
Eternal spring climate and Metrocable. Medellín fills the narrow Aburrá Valley at about 1,500 metres, which gives it mild weather all year and the nickname 'City of Eternal Spring'. Colombia's second city is known for its transformation since the 1990s: a clean metro system with cable cars…
Top sights compared
| # | Guadalajara | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guadalajara Cathedral | Plaza Botero |
| 2 | Hospicio Cabañas | Museo de Antioquia |
| 3 | Palacio de Gobierno | Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe |
| 4 | Teatro Degollado | Comuna 13 and the outdoor escalators |
| 5 | Plaza Tapatía | Metrocable ride |
Food compared
| Guadalajara | Medellín |
|---|---|
| Torta ahogada | Bandeja paisa |
| Birria | Arepa paisa |
| Carne en su jugo | Arepa de chócolo |
| Pozole rojo | Mondongo |
Which is cheaper?
Medellín is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $80–$150 per person there, against $90–$170 in Guadalajara (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Medellín on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 3,394 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 10 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Guadalajara or Medellín cheaper?
Medellín is usually less expensive: about $80–$150 a day mid-range against $90–$170 (estimates).
+Is Guadalajara or Medellín better for a first trip?
Pick Guadalajara for Mariachi and Tequila, or Medellín for Eternal spring climate and Metrocable.
+How far is Guadalajara from Medellín?
About 3,394 km in a straight line.