How to Rent an Apartment in Medellín Without Airbnb Fees (2026 Guide)

Finding a furnished apartment in Medellín without paying high Airbnb service fees can feel frustrating especially if you're planning to stay for a month or longer.

It can be confusing knowing where to look when searching for long-term rentals in Medellín.

While Airbnb is convenient for short stays, many digital nomads and remote workers quickly discover that monthly rentals come with added costs: service fees, cleaning fees, currency conversion charges, and inflated long-stay pricing.

If you're searching for:

• How to rent an apartment in Medellín

• Alternatives to Airbnb in Medellín

• Renting in Medellín without a fiador

• Furnished apartments for digital nomads

This guide will walk you through all your options.

We’ll compare Airbnb, Facebook groups, local Colombian rental websites, estate agents, and other alternatives. Including the pros, cons, real costs, and common challenges foreigners face.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to rent in Medellín without overpaying.

Why Airbnb Is Expensive for Monthly Rentals in Medellín

Airbnb works well for short vacations. But if you're staying in Medellín for 30, 60, or 90 days, the total cost can increase significantly due to service fees and additional charges.

If you're planning a long-term stay, it's important to understand exactly where your money is going.

1. How Much Are Airbnb Service Fees In Medellín?

Airbnb have fees for hosts and guests and typically charges guests a service fee that is usually between 14% and 17% of the booking subtotal.

For example:

Listed monthly rent: $1,500 USD

Airbnb service fee (15%): $225

Subtotal before taxes: $1,725 USD

That means you're paying $225 purely in platform fees for a one-month stay.

If you stay for three months, that could mean $675 or more in service fees alone.

Do Airbnb Guests Always Pay Service Fees?

Not always.

Some listings use Airbnb’s host-only fee model. In this case, the host pays the service fee directly to Airbnb.

However, many hosts increase their nightly or monthly price to offset this cost — meaning the fee is indirectly built into the rent.

For long-term stays, this can still increase total costs compared to local rental options.

2. Cleaning Fees

Most Airbnb listings in Medellín charge a separate cleaning fee.

Typical cleaning fees range from:

$40–$100 USD per stay

Even if you stay for 30 days, you still pay the full cleaning fee upfront.

3. Long-Stay Pricing Inflation

While some hosts offer monthly discounts, many listings in popular neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles are priced primarily for short-term tourists.

This can result in:

• Higher nightly rates

• Limited negotiation flexibility

• Tourist-inflated pricing

In many cases, the same apartment rented through local channels can cost 20–40% less than its Airbnb equivalent.

4. Currency Conversion & Foreign Transaction Fees

If you're paying with a foreign credit card, you may also encounter:

• Currency exchange markups

• International transaction fees

• Bank FX spreads

These additional charges may seem small individually, but they can increase your total rental cost over time.

5. You're Paying for Platform Convenience

Airbnb pricing includes:

• Secure payment processing

• Customer support

• Review systems

• Booking protection

For a short vacation, this added convenience makes sense.

But for a stay longer than 30 days in Medellín, many renters prefer to avoid paying recurring platform premiums when alternative options are available.

Estimated difference: $585+ in one month

Over three months, that difference could exceed $1,500 in savings.

For digital nomads and remote workers staying longer than 30 days, understanding Airbnb fees in Medellín is the first step toward finding a more cost-effective way to rent.

Best Alternatives to Airbnb in Medellín

If you're trying to avoid Airbnb fees in Medellín, you’re not alone. Many digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travelers eventually look for cheaper ways to rent furnished apartments in the city.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives to Airbnb in Medellín — each with its own pros and cons.

Below are the six most common ways foreigners find long-term rentals.

Comparison of Rental Options in Medellín (Including Airbnb Alternatives)

Now let’s break down each option in more detail.

1. Facebook Groups in Medellín

Many neighborhoods in Medellín, especially the most popular like El Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado have active Facebook groups where apartments are posted daily.

Searching for terms like:

• “Medellín apartments for rent”

• “Digital nomads Medellín housing”

• “Furnished apartment Medellín”

Will usually bring up several groups.

Pros:

• Potentially lower prices

• Direct contact with owners

• No platform service fees

Cons:

• No filtering by price or features

• High time investment

• Many off-topic posts

• Most posts are in Spanish

Facebook groups can work well if you already speak Spanish or have local contacts, but they require daily monitoring and patience.

Tip: Search "amoblado" (furnished) to find posts not just targeted at foreigners

FAQs

Is it safe to rent through Facebook groups in Medellín?

Yes. Facebook groups are frequently used by both property owners and estate agents to advertise their properties available to rent.

How do I avoid scams?

• Search the advertisers name on Facebook if they have scammed others someone will have posted about it

• Never pay anything up front

• Always go do a viewing of the property before agreeing to rent it

2. WhatsApp Groups in Medellín

WhatsApp groups have become an increasingly popular way to find furnished apartments in Medellín, particularly among the expat and digital nomad community.

Many property owners and estate agents post available rentals directly in WhatsApp groups, sometimes before advertising elsewhere.

Pros:

• Real-time notifications for new listings

• Direct contact with owners or agents

• No platform fees

• Listings often posted in English for international tenants

Cons:

• No search filters

• Listings move fast and are easy to miss

• Groups can be noisy with off-topic messages

• Hard to find the right groups without existing connections

WhatsApp groups can work well if you get added to active groups before arriving in Medellín, but they require constant attention to avoid missing listings.

Tip: Ask in digital nomad Facebook groups or forums for invite links to active Medellín WhatsApp rental groups

FAQs

Is it safe to rent through WhatsApp groups in Medellín?

Yes. Much like Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups are frequently used by both property owners and estate agents to advertise their properties available to rent.

How do I avoid scams?

• Never pay anything up front

• Always go do a viewing of the property before agreeing to rent it

• Only join WhatsApp groups which other digital nomads have recommended

3. Local Rental Websites in Colombia

Popular Colombian property websites include:

• FincaRaiz

• Metrocuadrado

• Mercado Libre

These platforms list thousands of apartments across Medellín.

Pros:

• Clear pricing

• Search filters

• Large inventory

Cons:

• Most listings are unfurnished

• Spanish-only interfaces

• Many require a fiador (local guarantor)

• Often aimed at 12-month contracts

These websites are ideal for locals but can be difficult for foreigners looking for short-term furnished rentals.

4. Searching for “Arriendo” (For Rent) Signs

Walking around neighborhoods and looking for “Arriendo” signs is one of the oldest ways to rent in Medellín.

Sometimes these listings are posted directly by property owners, which can mean lower prices.

Pros:

• Potentially the lowest rent

• Direct negotiation

• No platform fees

Cons:

• Extremely time-consuming

• No online photos

• No price transparency upfront

• High likelihood of Spanish-only communication

This method can work well if you're already in Medellín and have flexible time, but it's not efficient for planning your stay in advance.

5. Working With Local Estate Agents

Some renters choose to work with real estate agents in Medellín to help navigate the local market.

Pros:

• Guided support

• Access to private listings

• Help navigating contracts

Cons:

• Commissions may increase total cost

• Quality varies significantly

• Not all agents speak English

• Budget restrictions may limit agent interest

Estate agents can be helpful for higher budgets or longer contracts, but they are not always the most cost-effective solution.

6. Caza de Casa

Caza de Casa is designed for monthly furnished rentals in Medellín without Airbnb service fees or fiador requirements.

The platform helps digital nomads, remote workers, and international tenants secure furnished apartments for 1 month or longer — without local guarantors or hidden platform fees.

What Makes Caza de Casa Different?

Here’s how it compares to Airbnb and traditional local rental options:

• No guest service fees

• No fiador required

• Furnished apartments only

• English-friendly listings

• Direct communication with hosts

• Designed for 30+ day stays

For renters staying one month or longer in Medellín, removing service fees alone can reduce total housing costs by hundreds of dollars.

Who Is It Best For?

Caza de Casa is particularly suited for:

• Anyone planning to stay in Medellín for 30 days or longer

• Remote workers relocating temporarily

• Foreigners without a Colombian guarantor

• Travelers who prefer transparent monthly pricing

It is not designed for 2–3 night vacation stays, which are typically better suited for short-term booking platforms.

Neighborhood Coverage

Listings typically include furnished apartments in areas popular with foreigners and remote workers, including:

• El Poblado

• Laureles

• Envigado

• Belén

• Sabaneta

This makes it easier to compare long-term rental options without browsing multiple Facebook groups or Spanish-only property portals.

When Does It Make Sense to Use?

Caza de Casa makes the most sense if:

• You are staying in Medellín for 30 days or more

• You want to avoid Airbnb guest fees

• You do not have a fiador

• You prefer an English-friendly rental experience

For shorter stays under one week, Airbnb may still be the more convenient option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Caza de Casa charge service fees?

No, the platform does not charge guest service fees.

Do you need a fiador to rent through Caza de Casa?

No, listings do not require a Colombian guarantor.

Is Caza de Casa available outside Medellín?

Caza de Casa primarily focuses on furnished apartments in Medellín. A limited number of listings may also be available in Bogotá and surrounding areas.

Final Thoughts: Renting in Medellín Without Airbnb Fees

Renting an apartment in Medellín without Airbnb fees is entirely possible — especially for monthly furnished rentals.

While Facebook groups and local Colombian websites can work, they require time, Spanish fluency, and often a fiador.

For renters staying 30 days or longer, platforms designed specifically for long-term furnished rentals can provide a simpler and more transparent experience.

Want to browse the available monthly furnished apartments in Medellín on Caza de Casa? Join the waitlist.