A kit for working away from home in Medellín: safe charging, less waste

Working away from home goes better when your bag solves the basics before you arrive: focus, power, an unexpected call and the trip back. This work-away-from-home kit is for a day in Ciudad del Río without overpacking or relying on last-minute purchases. Prepare everything the night before if you will arrive early.

The checklist differs for someone writing quietly, someone moving between meetings, or a team setting up for a few hours. Start with the kind of workday: it determines what equipment is essential and what can stay at home. A trial workday also lets you refine the list around what you actually used.

If you need somewhere to focus today, pair the kit with a day pass workspace in Ciudad del Río. NOI offers high-speed internet, soundproof call booths, coffee, ergonomic furniture, 24/7 operation and secure access; bring only what you will actually use.

What should you pack for the kind of work you will do?

The simplest way to pack is to picture each part of the day: individual work, a video call, lunch, a meeting and the journey home. A charged laptop and its charger cover the foundation; everything else should serve a specific task, not the worry of carrying everything.

• For focused work: laptop, charger, notebook and headphones.
• For calls: headphones with a microphone, plus the meeting link or documents downloaded in advance.
• For collaborative work: a video adapter only if you need one, and an agenda with the agreements to review.
• For a long day: a reusable bottle, a food container and a light layer for temperature changes.

Check the weight too. A second computer, a large notebook or duplicate accessories may make sense for a specific production, but not for every visit. A bag that is comfortable for the journey helps more than a very complete kit that ends up staying in the car or at home.

Cyclist with a compact backpack parking a bicycle before a workday. Illustrative image generated with artificial intelligence.

Before closing the bag, make sure you can access the files and accounts you will use. Downloading a presentation, confirming a password or saving a contact takes little time at home and keeps a simple task from depending on a connection or another device. If you share materials with others, bring a local version and note which is the latest one. Digital preparation is part of the kit too: it reduces interruptions and helps you make better use of the time you booked.

How do you avoid running out of battery or damaging your gear?

Charge your laptop and phone before leaving, and bring a cable in good condition. For extension cords, adapters or equipment that forms part of an installation, applicable conformity depends on the product and its use; not every personal accessory has the same electrical scope.

• Before leaving: check the battery, cable and connector; do not pack frayed or overheating cables.
• When buying for a team: ask the supplier for current conformity evidence when the product falls within RETIE's applicable scope.
• At the desk: use available outlets without overloading them or daisy-chaining extension cords.

RETIE is Colombia's technical regulation for electrical installations and certain products used in them. Its current framework was updated in 2026; if a purchase concerns an installation or covered product, review its scope and documentation with the supplier. Read the electrical installations technical regulation.

For electronic accessories a company buys in volume, add one more question to the quotation: what is the end-of-life take-back route? Electronic-waste handling depends on the supplier and the product; asking at the time of purchase makes a more orderly later decision possible. The regulation on selective collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment took effect in 2026. Read Colombia's post-consumer regulations.

Work desk with laptop, charging cable, headphones and a reusable water bottle. Illustrative image generated with artificial intelligence.

What changes in the kit if you arrive by bicycle?

Anyone arriving by bicycle needs protected equipment and a bag that does not throw off the ride. NOI has bicycle parking. Medellín has maintained and installed cycling infrastructure in different parts of the city, but the route and conditions vary by starting point and time.

• By bicycle: laptop sleeve, rain protection and checked lights if you will return after dark.
• By light electric vehicle: confirm your route and bring a helmet; between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., white front light, red rear light and reflective clothing are required, according to the City administration's information.
• On arrival: put away your equipment before parking the bicycle or vehicle; do not leave cables or loose objects exposed during the trip.

Medellín's City administration reported maintenance of more than nine kilometres of cycling infrastructure and 138 bicycle-parking installations at 30 locations during 2025. That does not replace checking your route, but it provides context for planning a light trip. See Medellín's bicycle-mobility information.

Finally, bring a bottle and, if you will eat out, a reusable container. They are not required to come in and work, but they can reduce single-use items during the day. Choosing reusable items is a practical decision, consistent with Colombia's gradual phaseout of several single-use plastics. If you forget something, do not turn the checklist into a rigid rule: prioritise your work equipment, charging and a safe journey. Read the Ministry of Environment information.