--- import BaseLayout from "../layouts/BaseLayout.astro"; import Breadcrumbs from "../components/Breadcrumbs.astro"; import { SITE } from "../lib/blog-data.js"; // Plain-text answers so the visible content exactly matches the FAQPage schema. const faqs = [ { q: "Is the tap water safe to drink in Medellín?", a: "Yes. Medellín's utility, EPM, treats the city's water to a potable standard, and most residents drink it straight from the tap. This is unusual for Latin America and is one reason street food and ice here are lower-risk than in many nearby destinations.", }, { q: "Is street food safe to eat in Medellín?", a: "Generally yes, with a few habits: follow the queues (high turnover means fresher food), order things cooked to order and served hot, and be a little cautious with raw preparations in your first days while your stomach adjusts.", }, { q: "Do I need to tip at restaurants in Medellín?", a: "Most sit-down restaurants add a voluntary 10% service charge (propina voluntaria) to the bill. You'll usually be asked if you want to include it; you can accept, decline, or adjust it. Tipping beyond that is appreciated but not expected.", }, { q: "Do restaurants in Medellín have English menus?", a: "In the tourist- and expat-heavy areas — El Poblado, Provenza, and parts of Laureles — many places have English menus or English-speaking staff. In more local neighborhoods, expect Spanish-only menus, so a translation app helps.", }, { q: "Can I pay by card, or do I need cash?", a: "Cards are widely accepted at sit-down restaurants and cafés in El Poblado, Provenza, and Laureles. Carry some cash (Colombian pesos) for street food, market stalls, small family-run spots, and tips.", }, { q: "Which neighborhoods are best for eating out?", a: "El Poblado and Provenza for upscale and international dining, Laureles for a more local, better-value scene, and Envigado and Sabaneta for traditional Paisa food. Each has a distinct character worth exploring.", }, { q: "What are typical restaurant hours?", a: "Lunch runs roughly 12–3pm, when many places serve an affordable set menu (menú del día). Dinner is usually 7–10pm. Some kitchens close between services, and a number of restaurants close on Sundays or Mondays, so it's worth checking ahead.", }, { q: "Do I need a reservation?", a: "For the city's top and fine-dining restaurants, yes — especially on weekends. For cafés, casual spots, and most neighborhood restaurants, you can simply walk in.", }, ]; const jsonLd = { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": `${SITE.url}/faq#faq`, mainEntity: faqs.map((f) => ({ "@type": "Question", name: f.q, acceptedAnswer: { "@type": "Answer", text: f.a }, })), }; ---
FAQ

Dining in Medellín: FAQ

Quick, practical answers to the questions English-speaking visitors ask most about eating out in Medellín.

{ faqs.map((f) => (
{f.q} +

{f.a}

)) }