How to Visit Comuna 13 in Medellin, Colombia

Once one of the most violent districts in Medellin, today Comuna 13 is one of the most popular areas to visit in the city. In this short guide you can read about how to get to Comuna 13 and all the different ways you can visit, including with or without a tour.

Whilst Comuna 13 has had a troubled past, today the neighborhood is known for its vibrant murals, artwork, street performances, and lively atmosphere that really highlight its resilience. For this reason, a visit to Comuna 13 should be on everyone’s Medellin itinerary.

If you’d like to see our visit to Comuna 13, then make sure to watch our dedicated Medellin video on our YouTube channel. For more Colombia videos check out our Colombia Series.

Brief History of Comuna 13 in Medellin

You may already know that Comuna 13 has a violent history. Once occupied by large farms, the area was turned into illegal settlements in the 60’s and 70’s. As a result of the Colombian conflict, people from the countryside moved here in the hope of finding a better life. However, with no proper urban planning in place, the opportunities to find jobs in the city and commute were very low.

In the 80’s and 90’s Comuna 13 was run by drug trafficking organisations, paramilitaries and guerilla groups. They used this area as their transit hub in and out of Medellin. It wasn’t long before the situation became a national problem, resulting in the comuna becoming one of the most dangerous places in the world.

What is a comuna? You might be thinking that comuna is just another name for a slum. In fact, Medellin is split into 16 different comunas. For example, the upscale El Poblado district is technically Comuna 14 and the Historic Centre is Comuna 10.

In 2002 the government decided to intervene and implemented multiple military operations. Two of the most important ones were Mariscal and Orión. Although the Orión operation brought about the end of the guerrilla groups, paramilitaries and youth gangs then took control of the comuna. Over the next few years, innocent people continued to be killed or put on trial for supposedly helping the guerrillas.

The Transformation of Comuna 13

In 2006, the mayor invested a lot of money towards making positive changes for the people of Comuna 13. One of these investments was the construction of a new cable car line. Later, a series of escalators were built into the side of the hill too. This new infrastructure improved residents’ access to jobs and education.

As part of the transformation, public spaces and recreational facilities were also added to help improve the quality of life. A huge focus was also put on culture and art. You’ll quickly notice that the streets of Comuna 13 are now filled with meaningful murals, street art and performers.

This transformation wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows though. It involved the destruction of homes, businesses and the relocation of some residents. Although the comuna is a much safer and liveable place today, there are still issues to address.

Even with all the current challenges, Comuna 13 is a great example of how urban design can improve accessibility and create a positive change for residents.

How to Visit Comuna 13 in Medellin

1. ‘Free’ Walking Tour of Comuna 13 in Medellin

The best way to visit Comuna 13 is to take a ‘free’ walking tour. We went with Zippy Tours, which is run by local guides who have always lived in Comuna 13. The guides are fantastic at conveying the history of this part of Medellin. They include their own experiences from living there, as well as explaining about the ongoing positive changes being made.

Taking this tour is a great way to understand the troubled past of Comuna 13, whilst also being able to focus on all the positive changes that have been happening in recent years.

You can book your spot through their website. They run the tours 3 times a day at 10AM, 2PM and 4PM between Monday and Saturday. On Sundays you can join a tour at either 10AM or 2PM. Tours are available in both English and Spanish, so make sure to book the language you want to take the tour in. The tours normally last around 2.5-3 hours.

Top Tip. Although this walking tour is ‘free’, it’s suggested to tip $10 USD per person at the end. We recommend leaving a generous tip, especially if you’ve enjoyed the experience, which we’re sure you will. Your contribution is being directly invested back into the community by supporting local artists and children.

2. Visiting Comuna 13 in Medellin Independently

Thanks to the positive transformation Comuna 13 has undergone over the years, you can now visit this part of Medellin on your own. We’ll discuss how you can get to Comuna 13 using public transportation in the next section. Once you’re there, you’re free to walk around, admire the street art and murals, watch some street performers, chat with some locals and check out some of the art shops, local cafes and restaurants.

However, visiting on your own will never give you that personal knowledge that the local guides can provide you with. Unless you come prepared with some background knowledge, you won’t be able to fully understand the transformation and may not have as meaningful an experience. This is not to say that you can’t have a great time going without a tour. Just bear in mind that the streets can be confusing at times, so be mindful of your surroundings and try not to get lost or accidentally end up in someone’s private property.

Top Tip. If you want to visit Comuna 13 independently, then we highly recommend visiting Museo de la Casa Memoria (Memory House Museum) in Medellin first. It’ll give you a good background knowledge on the history of Medellin and Comuna 13.

3. Visiting Comuna 13 with an Organised Tour

The increased popularity of Comuna 13 also means there is an increased number of tours available to tourists. You can now join dedicated graffiti tours, street food tours, or even go on a private tour. Below are a few tours you could consider booking:

Comuna 13 History and Graffiti Tour: This 4-hour tour includes the history and transformation of Comuna 13 with street art as the main focus. You’ll get the chance to ride the metro and the metrocable, whilst learning about the transport system and enjoying the views. The tour price also includes some snacks. You can book this tour here.

Comuna 13 Street Art and Food Tour: If you’re a big foodie, then you can join this tour that combines learning about the street art with trying out the local cuisine. You can book this tour here.

Epic Tours Medellin: If you prefer private tours then this company offers one of Comuna 13. It also includes a hotel pick up, so you don’t need to worry about your transportation. This tour starts with a street art tour of El Poblado and a tour of the historic centre of Medellin. You can book this tour here.

Top Tip. We recommend picking a guided tour that uses local guides.

How to Get to Comuna 13 in Medellin

The best way to reach Comuna 13 is to take Metro Line B to San Javier, which is the last stop. You can hop onto Line B at San Antonio station in El Centro / La Candelaria. Alternatively, you can also use Metro Line A first and change at San Antonio station. You can check out Medellin’s Metro Map to see which station is closest to you.

To use the metro you’ll need to purchase a travel card, called Cívica Eventual, which costs 10,000 COP / $2.50 USD. Then you can top that up with however much credit you need for your rides across the city. A one-way journey is normally 3,210 COP ($0.80 USD). 

If you’re visiting with a tour, San Javier station is normally the meeting point. From there, you’ll be walking to the main areas of Comuna 13 with your tour group. If you’re not on a tour, then from the station you can either walk to the escalators or take the bus.

The bus stop is just on the other side of the road from the station. Lots of people will be waiting there, so you can’t miss it. Plus, they’ll be a sign saying escalaras electrica. A one way ride costs around 1,500 COP. 

Tips for Visiting Comuna 13 in Medellin

Here are a few of our tips and things you should know before your visit to Comuna 13.

• Safety has improved massively, and we never once felt unsafe walking around Comuna 13. As always, we still recommend staying vigilant. Whilst residents want you to have a safe visit, there’s no guarantee that you won’t get pickpocketed like in any crowded place in the world. Just follow the ‘no dar papaya’ rule, which means don’t make yourself a target for crime.
• Comuna 13 isn’t just one barrio. There are still areas that aren’t safe for tourists. Make sure to stick to the streets where you see the most visitors, such as Las Independencias and the 20 de Julio area.
• It’s going to be touristy. Visiting Comuna 13 is one of the top things to do in Medellin, so don’t expect it to be any less touristy than other popular places in the world.
• Don’t mention Pablo Escobar’s name. Whilst Colombians are open about their past, they also don’t like to be reminded of the person who caused them a lot of pain, so please respect that. Local tour guides will tell you all you need to know about the history that matters, and why the focus should be on the positive transformation currently taking place.
• We were advised not to give money to children. This is because you don’t know what they’re going to spend that money on, and you don’t want to unintentionally support them in buying something that they shouldn’t.
• Be careful of stray dogs. We saw and petted plenty of friendly dogs in South America, but you always have to be mindful because not all of them are nice!
• Wear comfortable shoes. If you’re on a walking tour, you’ll be doing a fair bit of walking. Despite the escalators, Comuna 13 is still pretty hilly, so you want to wear something suitable for your visit.

Final Thoughts on How to Visit Comuna 13 in Medellin

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Comuna 13. Joining the walking tour organised by locals was definitely the best way to learn about the history and transformation that this part of Medellin has gone through. We gained some valuable insight into what the daily life was like not that long ago and how the people’s resilience and hope has helped turn Comuna 13 into a lively and welcoming district which is focused on moving forward.

Have you ever been to Comuna 13 in Medellin? If so, how did you visit Comuna 13? What was your experience? If not, would you visit Comuna 13 on your own or with a tour? Let us know in the comments below.