
Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 43 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation worth booking?
Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation is a 4-hour experience in Medellín, Colombia, from $39 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 43 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (43)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $39 per person
Immerse yourself in the daily life of the city; live, walk, smell and taste the culture of Medellin while sharing your time with a local, discovering the fascinating urban and social transformation of what was once the most dangerous city in the world. Initially in our tour we will experience Downtown Medellin; we will recognize it's history, it's culture and it's art, we will discover what day to day is like at Downtown Medellin, where approximately 1'200.000 people move daily. We will start our trip using the public transportation, first we will take the train to the Comuna 13, then we will transfer to the cable car that will take us to some of the communities in the hills. At the Comuna 13, we will go to the famous Outdoor Escalators, a unique project in the world framed by the greatest amount of graffiti in Medellin, previously one of the most dangerous areas in the city, we will understand the incredible history and the transformation process that it's inhabitants experienced.
What you get
About this experience
Immerse yourself in the daily life of the city; live, walk, smell and taste the culture of Medellin while sharing your time with a local, discovering the fascinating urban and social transformation of what was once the most dangerous city in the world. Initially in our tour we will experience Downtown Medellin; we will recognize it's history, it's culture and it's art, we will discover what day to day is like at Downtown Medellin, where approximately 1'200.000 people move daily. We will start our trip using the public transportation, first we will take the train to the Comuna 13, then we will transfer to the cable car that will take us to some of the communities in the hills. At the Comuna 13, we will go to the famous Outdoor Escalators, a unique project in the world framed by the greatest amount of graffiti in Medellin, previously one of the most dangerous areas in the city, we will understand the incredible history and the transformation process that it's inhabitants experienced.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 43 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
43 verified traveler reviews for Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A lovely experience!
What an incredible experience! This was definitely one of our highlights during our recent visit to Medellin. Sebastian led the tour and was so good at explaining the impacts of public transportation and modernization on the city. We had three kids and my older parents with us, which meant a larger group of us walking around the city (8 in total). Sebastian answered all of our questions and we had a lovely time trying the local food and riding public transportation. Thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic overview of Medellín!
Fantastic tour with Sebastian- very informative and felt safe the whole time. Visited many key sites and got a good feel for the city. Food was good and loved seeing Comuna 13 in particular. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Incredible Tour - Highly Recommend
This experience was amazing and it's clear that Sebastian brings a lot of passion and knowledge to his tours with beautiful storytelling and communication. The tour was more than just a simple walkthrough of Communa13, as we did a quick tour of downtown and took the cable car. Sebastian walked us through some of the history of the violence/struggles in Colombia amnd developing Medellin + the public transit + lower class communas, adding some rich personal perspective in between. We were a smaller group of 4 so we were able to ask him questions and dive deeper. Even though we had already done the Real City Tours walking tour of downtown, we loved hearing the story of Medellin from a different perspective. While his tour was a little more expensive than some of the other options we saw, I highly recommend and found it well worth it. This is personally what I look for in a tour, as a simple walkthrough of Communa13 would have been a little underwhelming for me.
via Tripadvisor
Great overview of Medellin
Great tour to get acquainted with Medellin. Our guide was very knowlegeable and ensured we had a great time. Everything was as detailed and we could get a feeling of how people live in the different neighbourhoods of Medellin. Would highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you for having participated in our experience and allowing us to show you the best of our city and culture, we hope you have enjoyed every minute and come back to your country as a Colombian Ambassador.
via Tripadvisor
Medellin at its best- must do tour
Sebastian was a fantastic tour guide. My partner and I would recommend him 10 times over. His background in architecture allows him to provide so much knowledge and nuance into the layout of the city, the history and the ongoing development of Medellin. You take the metro and cable car up to Communa 13 which is super fun. You also stop for some local refreshments along the way. In Medellin I’m sure there are no tours better than this one.
Response from the operator: Thank you for having participated in our experience and allowing us to show you the best of our city and culture, we hope you have enjoyed every minute and come back to your country as a Colombian Ambassador.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Medellín.
How much does Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation cost?
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Prices start at $39 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Medellín usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Medellín is not rushed.
Is Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 43 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Medellín, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation?
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Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Medellín can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Medellín and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Medellín within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Medellín?
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On Outty we rank every Medellín experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Guatapé Tour: Piedra del Peñol with Boat Tour, Breakfast, Lunch, Half Day Bike Tour in Medellin - Local snack, Coffee or Beer, Guided Tour of Comuna 13 Medellín with Snacks Included. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Medellín?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Medellín?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What happens to Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Medellín. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Comuna 13 & Downtown: From violence to innovation?
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Across 43 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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