Join a Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour in Medellín (2023)

FAQs

Can you do Comuna 13 without a tour? ›

Yes, that's right, you actually don't need a tour at all to visit Comuna 13. You can simply go there, walk the streets, drink in the bars, photograph the artwork and more, all by yourself. It's completely safe to do so and during the day and evening, you'll find plenty of tourists doing the same.

Get to Commune 13 by Metro

Once at the San Javier station you can take a taxi to get to the escalators or take the route 221i or 225i bus that you take at the traffic light stop on the right leaving the San Javier station, both can leave you two blocks from the escalators, where the Graffitour begins.

Recommended Comuna 13 Tours

Prices start from $25. (Also available to book here on Viator.) Option 3: Full-day city tour with cablecar and Comuna 13 walking tour – Longer walking tour (5+ hours) that shows you the best of Medellin downtown as well as Comuna 13.

While some areas of Comuna 13 are safe for visiting tourists, you should always be aware of your surroundings, be respectful of the area in which you are visiting and her residents. Many of the violent events that happened here in Comuna 13 and Medellin are in the recent past.

At the end of the Real City Walking Tour, it is customary to tip the guide. All the guides are truly excellent, so it is a pleasure to tip them for their hard work. Recommended tips are between 20,000 and 30,000 pesos.

There are several countries in the world where it is not safe to drink tap water. However, Medellin is not one of them. The water in Medellin is treated and safe to drink. This is great news for travelers since it means that you don't have to spend money on bottled water.

Thanks to the street art and its colorful murals, the locals have managed to turn it into an attractive place for visitors without forgetting its past. After 2.5 hours, we'll say goodbye and end the free tour of Comuna 13 back in the center of Medellin.

SUMMARY. 1 DayMedellín trekking

La Catedral prison trek is ideal for a half-day outing into lush jungle, yet right on Medellin's doorstep. Perched overlooking one of the most stunning views of Medellín, hike through beautiful trails in a native forest home to sloths, armadillos, birds and butterflies.

The urban area of Medellín, Colombia is divided into six zones, which in turn are divided into 16 communes. Communes are then divided into neighborhoods (Spanish: barrios) and institutional areas.

If you are visiting Medellin, then the barrio Comuna 13 has more than likely been recommended to you. This is because Comuna 13 is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, known for its vibrant street art, lively atmosphere, and friendly locals.

What is the price of the tour? ›

Maruti Swift Dzire Tour is a 5 seater sedan available in a price range of Rs. 6.51 - 7.36 Lakh^*.

Colombia is a safe travel destination as long as you stay conscious of the areas where you are visiting and walking. As a rule of thumb, do not travel to that remote paradise or jungle destination you saw online if a local tells you not to.

The notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar lived in Medellin, hence drug cartels in the region were loyal to him. The Medellín Cartel took over Comuna 13 and ruled it during the 1980's-1990's.

The 4 best neighborhoods are Laureles, Poblado, Envigado and Sabaneta. Depending on the experience you want, you'll feel safe and enjoy your time in any of these 4 neighborhoods. Remember: Avoid staying in the Center and Prado!

About.com has a Tipping Guide for travelers that further suggests that the tour guide should receive a tip of 10% to 20% of the tour cost. As a last thought, the guide still needs to earn his or her tip. Just with any other profession, the tip should match the level of service.

Most etiquette experts suggest a tip of 10-20% of the cost of a tour for outdoor guides like ours. A typical gratuity on a full-day tour is $20-$40 per person, and on a half-day trip, $15-$20 per guest.

Tipping is not generally expected in Colombia though it's always appreciated. In smaller cafes and restaurants, and for taxi journeys, it's good practice to round up to the nearest thousand pesos. In nicer restaurants, a 10-15% tip is expected and this may be automatically added to your bill.

6. Don't Flush Toilet Paper. This may sound gross, but it's a common practice in Medellin and most of Latin America. The explanation is that most of the country has septic systems instead of city sewers.

You will find that a majority of people that live in Medellin do not speak English. This can make everyday tasks, such as going to the grocery store or ordering food at a restaurant, more difficult. There are some areas where English is more commonly spoken.

Should I tip in Colombia? ›

Tipping is not generally expected in Colombia though it's always appreciated. In smaller cafes and restaurants, and for taxi journeys, it's good practice to round up to the nearest thousand pesos. In nicer restaurants, a 10-15% tip is expected and this may be automatically added to your bill.

You should plan to spend at least three to five days in Medellin, but any length of time is great! Every year Medellin is becoming more popular as a tourist destination, and it's easy to see why. The city has so much to offer, from its stunning setting in the Andes mountains to its vibrant culture and friendly people.

Medellin is a place where you could stay for months and not get bored. However, you can still see a good chunk of things if you're there for a short time. In general, we'd say you need at least three days to get a feel for the city.

Comuna 13 Tour Starting Point

If you're taking the walking and graffiti tour that I took (highly recommend), then the meeting point will be at El Poblado metro station.

U.S. citizens do not need a Colombian visa for a tourist or business stay of 90 days or less, or for cumulative stays of 180 days or less per calendar year.

Do I need to wear a face mask in Colombia? Wearing face masks is required in some public places.

Drinking in Public

You are unlikely to be arrested or serve any jail time if the police choose to make an example of you, but public drinking can carry a hefty fine, so it's advisable to err on the side of caution and not take any chances.

Medellin's crime rates are low

Yes, Medellin was once infamously dangerous — it was even once known as the most dangerous city in the world! But the Medellin of today is completely different. In fact, Medellin's 82% decline in violent crime means that the city is now safer than New Orleans.

El Poblado

The largest commune in Medellín is also home to the largest percentage of expats. Most of Poblado is categorized as estratos 5 and 6, so it's also the most expensive commune in the city.

Those from Medellin and surrounding valleys are called Paisas. People hailing from the coast are referred to as Costeños.

What is the drinking age in Medellin Colombia? ›

Liquor Laws -- The legal drinking age in Colombia is 18, though laws are lenient. In urban areas such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Cali, you may be asked to show ID to get into upscale bars and clubs.

Tourists who visit Medellín will be pleased to find a vibrant cityscape that is used to warm weather, good coffee, vibrant nightlife, and unique cultural celebration through art, music, and food.

While Medellin is not a city with an old center or even that many typical “tourist sites”, it offers a great window into Colombian culture and it's one of the best places to learn about its more recent history. Many also regard it as a safer city than the capital Bogota.

A. A domestic tour package usually includes your breakfast, transport, hotels, flights, sightseeing, monument entry, etc. However, if you want to pursue an activity on your own of your choice, which is not included in your travel itinerary, then the cost is on you.

Package tours are generally classified on the basis of their operation and types of services included. These are basically classified into independent tour, escorted tour, incentive tour, hosted tour and freedom tour.

A travel package includes at least two of the following services as part of the same trip or holiday, for which you pay an inclusive or total price: transport: flight, bus, train, ship. accommodation. car or scooter rental.

If you're looking for something casual at first and aren't motivated to begin a serious relationship, Tinder is your best bet for matching Colombians with similar intentions. Bumble is used by many Colombians to find long-lasting love.

Locals Are Very Friendly And Welcoming

Colombians are some of the friendliest of the Latin American countries we visited! Everyone is so kind and friendly – it's so much better when you feel welcomed in a country. And you'll definitely feel it while living in Medellin!

The only place I wouldn't recommend taking Uber or Taxis from in Medellin is at the airport. Ubers are generally safe in Colombia, but they're also technically illegal, and there's been a crackdown in recent years on people using ride-hailing services from airports.

Is it safe to walk around Medellin at night? ›

Is Medellin Safe for Travelers at Night? If you're planning to explore Medellin at night, you shouldn't have any major safety issues if you watch where you hang out. While it's true some parts of the city can get a bit seedy in the late hours of the day, there are some other areas that come alive with bars and clubs.

Comuna Manrique. Medellín is home to several different comunas, such as the famous Comuna 13 where you can take in beautiful murals. Comuna Manrique is another Narcos film location that you should check out.

El Poblado is one of the comunas in Medellin's metropolitan area. It has more than 95,000 residents with a land area reaching almost 1500 square kilometers. El Poblado currently has 24 barrios. Today, = Poblado serves as the wealthiest neighborhood in Medellin, Colombia.

In Medellin, the average temperature of the coldest month (November) is of 22.2 °C (72.0 °F), that of the warmest month (March) is of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F).

The most popular area to stay in Medellín is El Poblado. This is the main tourist district and features plenty of great cafes, nightclubs, restaurants, and activities.

Visa. You do not need a visa to visit Colombia. Upon arrival in Colombia you will receive a permit that allows you to stay in the country for 90 days. For this you need a valid passport, at least 1 empty visa page and an exit ticket.

In recent years, Comuna 13 has become famous for its powerful graffiti murals which depict the conflict experienced by the barrio, corruption and the impact of state intervention, and the strength and importance of community action which helped bring an end to the violence.

How do I meet new people in Medellin? ›

With low income and a lack of resources, residents of Comuna 13 turned to crime and violence to get by. In the 1980s and 1990s, Comuna 13 became known as one of the most dangerous places in Medellin due to drug trafficking, extortion, murder, and kidnapping.

Comuna 13 is a low socioeconomic neighbourhood perched above Medellín, its seemingly infinite swathe of polychromatic brick homes packed tightly onto the steep western hills. Although it's (nearly) accessible from the Metro line, it's still a world away from the rest of the city in many ways.

All U.S. citizens who do not also hold Colombian citizenship must present a valid U.S. passport to enter and leave Colombia. U.S. citizens do not need a Colombian visa for a tourist or business stay of 90 days or less, or for cumulative stays of 180 days or less per calendar year.

Are COVID-19 tests required to travel to Colombia? There is no requirement for a test when entering Colombia for fully vaccinated arrivals. Those with at least one vaccination can enter if they have a PCR test with a negative result taken within 72 hours or antigen test no older than 48 hours.

You're not allowed to enter the countries in South America on a one way ticket. Why? The problem is really due to the airlines. Most countries in South America “officially” have a rule in the books stating that if you have a one way ticket to South America, you also need to show a return ticket out of the country.