Explore Medellín's vibrant street art and ride the iconic outdoor escalators alongside a local guide. Choose from a variety of highly-rated Comuna 13 walking tours that include street food, cable car rides, and insights into the neighborhood's transformation.
Free Cancellation Explore Comuna 13’s street art, escalators, and history while tasting local snacks with a neighborhood guide.
Free Cancellation Explore Comuna 13’s street art and history while riding its famous escalators and watching live local performances.
Free Cancellation Explore Medellín’s history and transformation through its downtown plazas, local food, and the Comuna 13 street art tour.
Free Cancellation Explore the art and history of Medellín’s Comuna 13 through the stories of the locals who transformed it.
Free Cancellation Discover Comuna 13’s history through local food, art galleries, and personal stories from a neighborhood resident.
Free Cancellation Explore Comuna 13’s transformation through its street art, escalators, and stories told by local bilingual guides.
Free Cancellation Explore Comuna 13's street art and history with local snacks, live music, and views from the famous escalators.
Free Cancellation Walk through Comuna 13 with a local to see its street art, ride the escalators, and sample award-winning street food.
Free Cancellation Walk through the murals of Comuna 13 and ride the Metrocable for a bird's-eye view of Medellín’s transformation.
Free Cancellation Explore the history and street art of Comuna 13, a neighborhood known by locals as the city’s best balcony.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Comuna 13 — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Visiting Comuna 13 is a powerful journey through one of Medellín's most resilient and vibrant neighborhoods. Once notorious for its violent past, the area has completely transformed into an open-air gallery where local guides share firsthand stories of survival, community, and artistic expression.
Ride the famous escaleras eléctricas, a series of six outdoor escalators spanning 384 meters. They replaced a grueling 28-story climb and offer fantastic views of the hillside.
Walk through narrow alleys covered in massive, colorful murals. Each piece tells a story of the community's history, hope, and memory, painted by local artists.
Experience the energetic youth culture with live hip-hop and breakdancing shows taking place right in the streets under corrugated iron canopies.
Reach this high-altitude viewpoint to snap photos with the oversized 'Comuna 13' sign while taking in spectacular panoramic views of the Aburrá Valley.
Taste authentic neighborhood snacks along the way, like fresh empanadas or the famous crema de mango biche—a frozen green mango popsicle with lime and salt.
Step into a unique interactive art gallery tucked away in the alleys. You'll get 3D glasses to view stunning ultraviolet paintings that glow under blacklight.
Planning your trip to Comuna 13 is straightforward, but knowing your tour options and the physical demands of the neighborhood will help you get the most out of your visit.
You can choose from budget-friendly group walking tours, private tours that include hotel pickup, or full-day combo tours that also cover downtown Medellín.
Entering Comuna 13 and riding the escalators is completely free. However, paying for a guided tour (usually $14 to $30 for groups) is highly recommended to understand the complex history and support the local economy.
With up to 90,000 visitors a month, tours can fill up quickly. Booking in advance secures your spot, especially for the highly sought-after morning time slots.
Many tours include a ride on the San Javier Metrocable. This is a great way to see the sprawling hillside neighborhoods from above before starting your walking tour.
Despite the escalators, the neighborhood is built on extremely steep hills with uneven stairs and narrow alleys. It is not wheelchair accessible and can be physically demanding for older adults.
Temperatures can reach 32°C with high humidity. Wear breathable clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and most importantly, comfortable walking shoes with good grip for the slippery concrete paths.
Never wear or bring Pablo Escobar-themed clothing, as it is deeply offensive to the residents. Also, avoid handing out cash to local children to discourage school truancy.
Most tour operators offer flexible booking, allowing you to cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure time.
| Standard Group Walking Tour | Private Tour with Transport | Metrocable & Graffiti Combo | Full-Day City Combo Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5 to 3 hours | 3 to 4 hours | 4 hours | 5 to 8 hours |
| Best for | Budget travelers & solo backpackers | Families & couples wanting convenience | Transit lovers & photography enthusiasts | Visitors short on time wanting to see everything |
| Includes | Local guide, street food snacks, escalator visit | Private guide, hotel pickup/drop-off, snacks | Metro/cable car tickets, walking tour, local guide | Downtown walking tour, Comuna 13, transport, lunch |
| Price from | $14 USD | $55 USD | $19 USD | $51 USD |
The public streets and outdoor escalators of Comuna 13 do not have official gates or closing hours, but visits are strictly recommended during daylight hours.
It is highly advised to finish your exploration and head back to the metro station or catch an Uber before sunset, as the area is not recommended for tourists after dark.
Getting to Comuna 13 from central tourist areas like El Poblado is easy and affordable using Medellín's public transit network or ride-sharing apps.
The absolute best time to visit Comuna 13 is on a weekday morning, ideally starting your tour around 9:00 AM.
Morning visits allow you to beat the massive afternoon crowds that overwhelm the narrow alleys and escalators. You will also avoid the peak mid-afternoon heat, which can reach up to 32°C on the exposed hillsides. Furthermore, morning skies are generally clearer, offering better panoramic views of the Aburrá Valley before the city's low clouds and high humidity roll in.
Times to avoid: Weekends and public holidays are notoriously crowded, seeing a large chunk of the 90,000 monthly visitors. Rainy days should also be avoided as the steep concrete steps become very slippery and dangerous.
Despite the installation of the electric escalators, Comuna 13 is not considered wheelchair accessible. While some tour listings may mistakenly claim wheelchair access, the reality of the neighborhood's geography makes it incredibly difficult for those with mobility issues.
Comuna 13 has evolved to cater to its booming tourist economy, meaning you will find plenty of basic amenities along the main escalator route.
Visiting Comuna 13 requires respect for the local residents who actually live in these homes. Follow these guidelines to ensure an ethical visit:
Yes, Comuna 13 is generally very safe for tourists during daylight hours, especially when you stick to the main paths around the escalators. It is highly recommended to go with a local guide, avoid flashing expensive jewelry, and leave the area before sunset.
Entering the neighborhood and riding the outdoor escalators is completely free. However, booking a guided tour usually costs between $14 and $30 USD, which is well worth it for the historical context and directly supports the local community.
Built in 2011, the escaleras eléctricas are a series of six outdoor moving walkways spanning 384 meters up the steep hillside. They replaced over 350 concrete steps, turning a grueling 30-minute climb into a smooth six-minute ride.
Yes, you can visit independently by taking the metro to San Javier and walking up. However, going without a guide means you'll miss out on the deep historical context, the stories behind the murals, and the chance to directly support local residents.
Operation Orion was a massive and controversial military assault in October 2002 involving over 1,500 government troops. It was aimed at removing urban militias but resulted in tragic civilian casualties and forced disappearances, a history heavily depicted in the local street art.
The best time to visit is on a weekday morning around 9:00 AM. This helps you avoid the massive afternoon crowds, beat the intense 32°C heat, and enjoy clearer views before the afternoon humidity and clouds roll in.
Take Metro Line A from Poblado station to San Antonio, then transfer to Line B and ride to the San Javier station (cost is 2,100 COP). From there, you can walk 20 minutes uphill or take a short taxi ride to the escalators. An Uber from Poblado costs about 13,000 COP.
No. Despite the electric escalators, the neighborhood is built on extremely steep hills with uneven steps and narrow alleys. Visitors still need to navigate the equivalent of 15 flights of stairs, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs.
In the late 1980s, the neighborhood's high elevation and maze-like layout made it a strategic route for moving weapons and drugs. Escobar's cartel heavily influenced the area, which led to decades of gang violence before the community's recent transformation.
Wear lightweight, breathable clothing to handle the heat, along with a hat and sunscreen. Most importantly, wear comfortable walking shoes with excellent grip, as the steep concrete paths can be uneven and slippery.
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Join a local guide to walk through Comuna 13, Medellín’s most famous neighborhood for street art and transformation. You’ll ride the district's iconic outdoor escalators and visit the graffiti-filled streets of Independencia 2. Along the way, we’ll stop at a local art gallery and watch live street performances, eventually reaching a viewpoint with a clear look over the entire city. The tour includes several local snacks: church empanadas, patacon with hogao, sausages, and mango ice cream with salt and lemon. As we walk, your guide will explain the meaning behind the murals and share the area's difficult history, including the story of the La Escombrera mass grave. It’s a direct look at how the community has changed through art and social projects.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Explore the streets of Medellín’s Comuna 13, a neighborhood defined by its history of social change and artistic expression. You will ride the longest outdoor escalators in Latin America while viewing hundreds of murals and graffiti pieces that document the community's past and its shift toward a creative future. The tour includes live demonstrations of local culture, featuring breakdance and improvisation shows by neighborhood artists. Along the way, you can enjoy a traditional biche mango cream, a local specialty made from green mangoes.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour covers the essential landmarks of Medellín, starting in the historic city center. You will walk through the main plazas to see the local architecture and learn about the daily life of the city’s residents. The route highlights the area's commercial history and includes opportunities to sample traditional food from the Antioquia region. The second part of the experience moves into the mountains for a guided GraffiTour. You will visit the neighborhoods that have undergone significant social changes, using the public electric escalators to reach the higher points of the district. The tour focuses on how street art and urban innovation have reshaped these communities, providing a direct look at the local Paisa culture and the city's recent history.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This walking tour of Comuna 13 takes you through one of Medellín’s most famous neighborhoods to see how it transitioned from a difficult past into a center for street art and community culture. Led by local guides, you will visit the iconic outdoor escalators and vibrant murals while learning about the specific social projects that drove this urban change. Instead of just viewing the neighborhood as a tourist site, you will hear firsthand accounts from residents who lived through the city's transformation. The tour highlights how music, dance, and graffiti have become tools for expression and peace. You’ll get a clear look at daily life in the community and understand how Comuna 13 became a global example of innovation and resilience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Walk through Comuna 13 with a guide who lived through its transition from one of Colombia's most dangerous areas to a center of culture. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of how the neighborhood changed while visiting the escalators and key landmarks that define its history. The tour includes stops at two of the area’s most prominent art galleries and several viewpoints overlooking Medellín. Along the way, you can try local street food like handmade empanadas, sausages, and the neighborhood's signature mango and passion fruit ice cream. To provide a deeper look into daily life, the route also includes a visit to the guide’s family home for a personal perspective on the community.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Once a neighborhood defined by its isolation and conflict, Comuna 13 has become Medellín’s most significant example of social change. This tour takes you through the hillside streets to see how public art and urban projects have reshaped the area. You will walk the famous outdoor escalators and learn the history of the neighborhood directly from those who live there. Our local guides lead the graffiti tour in both English and Spanish, focusing on the meaning behind the murals and the community's move toward art and culture. It is an informative look at the daily life, music, and resilience that define this part of the city today.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Spanish
This tour takes you through the streets of Comuna 13 to see the murals and urban art that define the neighborhood's history. You will ride the outdoor electric escalators and visit several viewpoints overlooking Medellín while learning about the community's transformation. The route is designed to show the local culture through its public spaces and community-led projects. The walk includes stops for local snacks, specifically fresh fruit popsicles and empanadas. Along the way, you will visit neighborhood art galleries and watch live music and dance performances. The experience focuses on providing a clear look at the area's daily life and the creative energy that has shaped its recent history.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour takes you through Comuna 13 using Medellin’s public transit system, including the subway, cable car, and the district’s famous outdoor escalators. Led by guides who live in the area, you’ll navigate the hillsides while learning about the neighborhood’s history and the social changes that have shaped the district over the last two decades. You will spend time viewing the large-scale murals and graffiti that line the streets while hearing about the local art and music scenes. The tour also includes a stop at an award-winning local venue for a street food tasting, offering a direct look at the community's culture and daily life.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This tour starts in Comuna 13, a neighborhood built into the steep hillsides of western Medellín. You will walk through the streets to see the large-scale murals and graffiti that define the area, learning about the neighborhood's transition from a high-conflict zone to a center for art and music. A local guide will explain the history behind the street art and show you how the outdoor escalator system has changed daily life for the residents. After exploring the streets on foot, you will board the Metrocable. This cable car system was designed to connect isolated hillside communities with the rest of the city. As you ride above the rooftops, you will get a clear view of the urban landscape and the surrounding mountains. The experience provides a practical look at the city's social infrastructure while offering a wide-angle perspective of the Aburrá Valley.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour takes you through the streets of Comuna 13 to explore its history and social transformation. You will walk through the neighborhoods to see how the area has changed over the decades, moving from a period of conflict to becoming a center for community expression. A central part of the experience is the street art found on nearly every wall. These murals serve as a gallery of local memory, where graffiti artists have captured the stories and messages of the people who live here. Your guide will explain the meaning behind the specific pieces of art and how they reflect the area's past. Known by its inhabitants as "the best balcony in the city," the tour also highlights the unique geography of the commune. As you navigate the hillside streets, you will have clear views across the city, illustrating why the locals take such pride in their home's perspective.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish