Things to do in

Medellín

Spend a day visiting the municipality of Guatapé, the city of many names: known variously as the interior sea of Antioquia, the Acapulco of Colombia, the interior Cartagena, Paraíso Paisa (paradise country), Remanso de Paz (haven of peace) and the heart of Antioquia's East, the city was actually named in honor of Cacique Guatapé, an inhabitant of this territory in the pre-Hispanic period. Spend a day visiting this growing and colorful city, made unique by the decorative tiles adorning the lower facade of the houses. For the third part of the day, enjoy a 1-hour boat tour through the reservoir with crossover music. See panoramic views of Casa Museo, La Cruz, Piedras del Marial, Piedra del Peñol and the ruins of the Pablo Escobar's vacation home. Throughout the whole day, you'll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. Please note that the order of the itinerary may vary.

Meet your guide in the metro station to begin the tour and experience Medellín like a local. Learn all about the stations and key points in the city as well as how the metro system helped shape the new Medellin. When arriving at the connecting station, hop on a cable car up the hill. As you go, admire the panoramic views of the city and find out about its evolving history and troubled past. At the top, stop to sample local snacks and take a short ride on the bus toward the Comuna 13 district. At the Comuna 13, the real fun begins. An enthusiastic guide will explain all the positive changes made to transform what was once one of the most dangerous communities in South America into a symbol of the new Medellín. You will have time to take in all the amazing street art and ride the electric outdoor escalators to the top observation deck, which offers incredible views. Listen to insights about Medellín, interesting stories from the guides, meet locals and learn about the library that works as a community center before returning to Poblado metro station.

Depart Medellin early in the morning. Enjoy a scenic drive to the Piedra del Peñol. You’ll have 1.5 hours to climb the 742 steps to the top of the historic rock and return to the base.  If you do not want to climb to the top, there is plenty to do at the base, with many shops selling local artisanal goods and many cafés as well. Enjoy a traditional lunch at the Piedra del Peñol or along the boardwalk in Guatapé. Take a guided tour of Guatapé, and then board a boat for a cruise on the Guatapé Reservoir. You will then start the return journey back to Medellin.

Learn all about Pablo Escobar's life on a 4-hour guided, private tour in Medellín including three main stops: Inflexion Memorial Park, La Catedral jail, and a cable car ride to enjoy a panoramic view of the West side of the city for unforgettable photo opportunities. Hear interesting anecdotes as a knowledgeable guide presents Pablo Escobar's history on a sightseeing tour of the most famous locations linked to the drug lord, and how he affected Medellín and Colombia as a whole. Start your tour by visiting the Inflexion Memorial Park, built in 2019 on top of the lot of the old Monaco Building, a former property of the drug lord, to commemorate the 46,612 victims who were killed during his rule. Take a moment to walk through the moving space while your guide tells you facts of that time. Next, make your way to La Catedral, a personal prison Pablo Escobar built for himself — and where he spent five years — on top of a hill overlooking the city. It is said that he could choose who guarded him, and that the prison was built more to keep his enemies out than to keep him in. Drive on to visit the cemetery where Pablo Escobar is buried, as well as the neighborhood in which he spent his teenage years, and the house where he died. End your tour with a spectacular panoramic view of the West side of the city on a cable car ride before being dropped back off at your hotel.

After pickup from your hotel in Medellín or the meeting point, depending on the option chosen, begin your 4-hour tour by visiting the site of Escobar’s former home, where he hid his family and had enemies plant bombs to kill him. Learn about the transformation of this site into a memorial park for victims of Colombia's drug war. Next, head to “la cathedral”, a jail Escobar built for himself in an agreement with the government, from which he later escaped. Afterwards, visit the soccer field Escobar built, known for its visionary design, where he gave speeches in an attempt to make a foray into Colombian politics. To cap things off, make your way to the cemetery, where Escobar is buried along with his family and other members of his gang, including Griselda Blanco. By the end of the day, leave the tour with a better understanding of the negative impact that Escobar had on the country and the lives of the Colombian people.

Head out to San Sebastián de Palmitas, just 45 minutes from Medellín, to begin your unique coffee tour. After hotel pick-up, set off for a coffee-making farm and enjoy listening to a brief history about the origin of the coffee and how it was first brought to Colombia. Take the chance to dress in the typical costume of the paisa muleteer, including hat, poncho, paruma, and the tail of a rooster. Later, move on to a coffee plantation to carry out the coffee harvest, reducing the mixture to a pulp and finally, drying it. After these activities, sit down for a refreshing drink of musilago (coffee juice) and a tea made from the coffee pulp. Savor a typical dish from the region made of banana with honey and cheese. Hear your guide explain some techniques on how to prepare and drink coffee and have a short tasting of different coffees and servings. Later, try a typical dish of the paisa muleteer consisting of rice, yuca, ground beef, boiled egg, sausage, and banana. Try preparing your coffee to your own taste with the information you have just learned from your guide. Finally, receive a pack of coffee as a gift and have the chance to buy farm products at the shop. If the option is chosen, also experience a 2 hour horseback ride through the farm to some viewpoints. All instructions will be given to inexperienced riders.

Start with pickup from your hotel located in the El Poblado neighborhood or the meeting point in Parque Lleras. Drive 45 minutes to arrive at the launching pad where you will have a great view over the Medellín region. Rely on high-quality gear and instructions from professional and reputable staff. Receive an introductory lesson, and then fly out over the Aburra Valley over the beautiful scenery. See spots such as the Medellin River, the El Quitasol hill, the Garcia barrage, and the Picacho hill, with the spectacular backdrop of the mountains. After your flight, return to the city of Medellín.

Enjoy Pablo Escobar's former farm that has been transformed into a theme park to be enjoyed by everyone from kids to adults. When entering Hacienda Nápoles, you will encounter a world of fun with pools for the family, lazy river, Safari with wild animals, Dinosaur replicas, bird world, African museum, and much more. You will also be shown Escobar's main house, known as La Mayoría. Visit the Memorial Museum, where you will learn about the life of the drug lord and see the first airplane he used to send drugs abroad. Explore different wildlife habitats and be amazed as you encounter tigers, elephants and other creatures from the wild. The tour will last throughout the whole day as it is a long way from Medellin, but expect lots of fun! There will be breakfast included and plenty of places to eat lunch at the park.

This four-hour bike tour grants visitors the chance to see the best sights of Medellin in a fun and relaxed way. Ride through the city in the company of a local guide, who will shed light on the history, legends, art, and gastronomy of the area. Choose a regular bike for a classic ride or an electric bike for an even more relaxing time.  Get acquainted with Medellin's most popular destinations, including the city center, local parks, and historic squares. Enjoy several stops along the way to hear more about the locations and to snack on regional food and tasty coffee to keep your energy high.  Pass through colorful neighborhoods, experiencing the city as local people do, feeling its energy and marveling at spectacular views. Conclude the tour with a visit to Pueblito Paisa, the best viewpoint in Medellin, where you can enjoy a local beer and snap some great pictures.

Get an insight into Colombia's troubled past on a private guided tour of the formerly dangerous district of Comuna 13 in Medellín.   Discover a replica of an old village at Pueblito Paisa on Nutibara Hill, and get stunning views over the rooftops from one of the city's few conserved ecosystems. Make your way to Comuna 13 to learn how the most notorious neighborhood in the country has reinvented itself. See stunning examples of street art and graffiti that puts the political and socio-economic story of the area into context. Once the center of the gang wars and guerilla activity, the area has been transformed by the local community with the help of government projects such as a giant escalator that runs up the hill. Visit the Botanical Garden and other sustainable city projects such as the charismatic Park of Desires, and the iconic sculptures by Fernando Botero on Botero Plaza.