Comuna 13 Medellin – What You Should Know Before You Visit
IIf you’ve spent more than five minutes researching Medellin, chances are you’ve seen photos of colorful murals, open-air escalators, and dancers flipping in the street. That’s Comuna 13. But while the visuals are striking, they don’t tell the whole story – and they’re definitely not the reason we keep coming back.
Comuna 13 isn’t just one of the most famous neighborhoods in Medellin – it’s where one of the city’s most important stories took place. A story of violence, survival, transformation, and community power. And if you visit without context, it’s easy to walk through the area without realizing what you’re actually seeing.
We’ve been to Comuna 13 more than a dozen times – on foot, with local friends, on group tours, and private ones. While the area is now safe to explore on your own, we strongly recommend going with a local guide. Not just for logistics, but because without one, you’re likely to miss everything that makes this place meaningful. You’ll get cool photos – but not the full picture.
This blog article is our way of helping you prepare. We’ll share what to expect, when to go, how to stay safe, and why the real value of Comuna 13 isn’t just in the murals, but in the stories behind them.
What to Expect When You Visit Comuna 13 Medellin in 2025
Today, Comuna 13 feels like part street art gallery, part cultural amusement park. It’s Medellín’s most visited attraction, and you’ll notice that instantly – the crowds, the energy, the performances, the endless photo ops.
The murals are powerful, telling stories of resistance and rebirth. You’ll pass dancers, rappers, street vendors, and shops tucked into narrow stairways. There are breathtaking viewpoints over the city – perfect moments to pause and take it all in.
But let’s be real: it gets busy, especially mid-day. Some areas feel curated, with shows timed for passing tour groups. That’s why we strongly recommend visiting with a local guide. Without one, it’s easy to miss the meaning. A good guide helps you connect the dots – and turns a tourist attraction into something much deeper.
✨ We put together a full list of real recommendations for Medellin.
Explore Medellin Like a Local – With Our Interactive Travel Guide
Our Medellin Insider Travel Guide is a digital companion built from years of exploring, living, and working in this city. It’s web-based, works offline, and gives you direct access to the places, stories, and insights that actually matter. You won’t just find restaurants and sights – you’ll get local context, cultural tips, seasonal fruits to try, hidden cafés, and much more.
It’s updated regularly, filled with real photos, maps, and trusted recommendations – ideal for solo travelers, digital nomads, families or anyone who wants to explore Medellin with depth and confidence.
What’s the Story Behind Comuna 13 Medellin?
Comuna 13, officially known as San Javier, was once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world. Today, it’s a symbol of Medellín’s transformation – but to appreciate it fully, you need to understand its past.
The area began in the 1960s and 70s as an informal settlement. Families fleeing violence in Colombia’s countryside built homes along these steep hills, creating a dense, unplanned neighborhood on the edge of the city. Its location, with direct access to the San Juan Highway, made it a key route for drugs, weapons, and money – drawing the attention of guerrilla groups like FARC and ELN.
In the 1980s and 90s, Comuna 13 Medellin became a conflict zone, caught between guerrillas, paramilitaries, and the Colombian state. The most infamous event came in October 2002 with Operation Orion, a massive military offensive. While it removed guerrilla presence, it also led to civilian deaths and hundreds of forced disappearances – many of which remain unresolved.
What followed was not silence, but a powerful response from the community. Locals turned to art, hip-hop, and education to rebuild. The now-iconic escalators improved access and became a symbol of progress. Projects like Casa Kolacho helped reclaim public space, empowering young people through graffiti, music, and storytelling.
Today, the murals are more than decoration – they’re history lessons, painted by those who lived it. Visiting Comuna 13 isn’t just about seeing color. It’s about witnessing resilience and understanding how a community used creativity to transform pain into pride.
How to Get to Comuna 13 Medellin
Getting to Comuna 13 is easy, and the journey is part of the experience. The most common option is by metro – take the A line to San Javier (the final stop), then walk uphill for about 15–20 minutes through residential streets. It’s generally safe during the day, but not always straightforward for first-timers.
Another option: take an Uber or taxi, which costs around 3–6 USD depending on where you start. Just make sure to enter “Graffitour 13” in Google Maps – not “Escaleras Eléctricas.” The latter may take you through less ideal areas and drop you off at the top instead of the entrance.
There are also free walking tours that start at San Javier in the morning – a good fit for experienced travelers.
If you prefer more structure, we offer two tour formats:
Private tours with hotel pickup, certified guide and driver
Group tours with meeting points in El Poblado and Laureles
Whatever your style or budget, there’s a good way to get there.
Is Comuna 13 Safe to Visit? Here’s Our Honest Experience
In short: yes – Comuna 13 is absolutely safe to visit, and that’s based on many visits we’ve done ourselves. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, in a group, or even with kids – this is a place where everyone can feel welcome and secure.
The main tourist zone is well-organized and monitored, with a constant presence of locals, artists, guides, and other visitors. We’ve walked around with cameras, phones, and even filming gear – and never felt uncomfortable. Many solo female travelers and families visit daily, and we’ve heard nothing but positive feedback.
That said, it’s still a working-class barrio, and safety comes down to staying on the main paths. As long as you stick to the escalator route and don’t wander too far uphill or downhill on your own, you’ll be fine (except main route down to the metro). If you’re with a guide or someone local, you can explore a bit more freely and discover some hidden corners that are less touristy but still safe.
We always recommend: go during daylight hours, respect the space, and enjoy the experience with an open mind. Comuna 13 has become a welcoming place full of stories, smiles, and photo opportunities – so bring your camera, take it all in, and leave with beautiful memories.
📸 You’ve seen Comuna 13. Now let’s head out to El Peñol & Guatape.
Best Time to Visit Comuna 13 (And When to Avoid It)
If you want to experience Comuna 13 Medellin with fewer crowds, go early – ideally before 10 a.m. The streets are calmer, the murals easier to enjoy, and you might even catch artists working on new pieces. The light is beautiful, and the whole neighborhood feels more relaxed.
That said, Comuna 13 is now one of Medellín’s most visited places – and it’s almost always busy. On Sundays and public holidays, it gets extremely crowded. If you can, try to plan your visit for a weekday – you’ll avoid long lines, heavy traffic, and large tour groups.
Late afternoons (after 4 p.m.) can also be a great time to visit – the temperature drops, the golden light hits the murals just right, and the vibe is more mellow. But once it gets dark, we don’t recommend staying too long without a guide or local contact. The area around Comuna 13 isn’t the safest are in town, and it’s still part of a lower working-class district where wandering alone at night isn’t ideal.
If you’re still there after sunset, just play it safe: stick to the main paths and take an Uber home. Locals and experienced travelers may feel comfortable staying longer, but if you’re new to Medellín, it’s best to keep things simple and stress-free.
The Best Medellin Tours for Every Travel Style
We work with handpicked, trusted local agencies to offer both private and shared tours in Medellin and its surroundings. Whether you prefer exploring with a small group or want the comfort of a private guide and driver, we’ve got options for every travel style and budget – without compromising on quality or safety.
Our partners are certified, experienced, and truly connected to the communities they represent. You can also book a dedicated guide or private driver for the day, arrange transfers, or explore the city on your own terms – with someone who knows it well by your side. Guides are available in Spanish, English, and other languages upon request.
No generic packages, no tourist traps – just honest, well-organized experiences by locals who care.
Should You Book a Comuna 13 Tour or Go Alone?
Visiting Comuna 13 on your own is absolutely safe – and many travelers do it without any issues. But if you ask us, we’ll always recommend going with a guide, especially if it’s your first time.
Whether you choose a group tour or a private guide is up to you – both options work well depending on your travel style and budget. What matters is the experience: Comuna 13 Medellin isn’t just about murals and viewpoints. It’s a place with one of Medellín’s most powerful stories, and without someone to explain that history, much of the meaning gets lost.
A good guide will show you the hidden details, connect the dots, and give you context that you simply won’t get on your own. Otherwise, it’s easy to leave with great photos – but without truly understanding why this neighborhood matters so much in Medellín’s transformation.
We work with local partners who are part of the community and know this place inside out – and every time we return, even we still learn something new.
🌈 We joined this walking tour and it felt like seeing Medellín through the eyes of someone who grew up there.
🚡 If you want to explore at your own pace, this private Comuna 13 tour adds more time, more views and more stories.
Is It Worth Visiting Comuna 13 at Night?
There are guided night tours of Comuna 13 – and they can be a great way to experience live music, local food, and views over the city, especially when done with a trusted local guide. The atmosphere is different after dark: more local, less touristy, and often more relaxed.
But let’s be clear – once the sun sets, you’re not in a tourist zone anymore. San Javier is a working-class barrio, and walking around alone at night is not recommended. It’s not about danger in every corner – it’s about understanding the context. Without a guide, you’re in areas where tourists typically wouldn’t go after dark.
So unless you’re with someone local or on an organized tour, we suggest playing it safe. Don’t wander off, don’t try to explore side streets at night, and definitely don’t “dar papaya” – don’t make yourself an easy target. If you stay late, take an Uber straight from the main area and avoid unnecessary risks.
🗺️ Looking for more ideas? Here’s our 2026 Top 10 Colombia list.
Final Thoughts – Our Honest Recommendation
Comuna 13 is vibrant, intense, and full of contrast. It’s not just a place with murals and escalators – it’s a neighborhood with a story that still matters. A story of violence, resistance, and ultimately, transformation through the strength of the people who live there.
Yes, it’s touristy. And yes, you’ll probably walk past dancers and food stalls alongside dozens of other visitors. But if you go with the right mindset – with curiosity, respect, and a bit of humility – you’ll leave with much more than just good photos.
We’ve been here many times. And each visit reminds us why this place is worth sharing: because it offers something rare – a real, living example of how communities can take ownership of their past and shape something hopeful from it.
We truly recommend visiting Comuna 13 Medellin not just for the views or the art, but because it’s one of those rare places where you can learn something meaningful, meet people with powerful stories, and still have a genuinely great time doing it.
About Medellín Insider
We’re Tati & Goran – a Colombian-Croatian couple who have called Medellin home for over seven years. This city is where our paths came together, and over time, it became so much more than just a place we live – it’s where we’ve built a life, created memories, and found inspiration every single day.
We started Medellin Insider because we believe this city deserves more than clichés and quick travel reels. Medellin is full of energy, color, resilience, kindness – and a lot more than what you see on social media. Through this digital platform, we want to share the city we fell in love with – honestly, deeply, and with the kind of real-world tips you only get from living here.
If you’re curious to experience Medellin beyond the headlines, we’re here to help.
