MetroCable Santo Domingo

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 iconic sculptures by Fernando Botero along the Botero Plaza and take a walk in the Parques del Rio.

Start with a pickup at your accommodations in Medellín, where you’ll meet a private guide with a new, comfortable vehicle. The first stop of the day is El Centro in Medellín: visit Botero Plaza to see a series of 23 sculptures by the local artist Fernando Botero, and tour the historic center on foot. Take in Medellín’s gracious plazas, colonial-era churches that were built in the 1600's, and architectural highlights. Jump on board on an aerial cable car that hovers over the neighborhood and see one of a kind panoramic views from the top. Next you get to experience the most magnificent street art that Medellín has to offer at the Comuna 13 barrio on the far west side of town. Check out the colorful graffiti and landmark outdoor escalators. Guests will have fun and be safe, as we know the residents, artists, and neighborhood well. Last guests will be dropped of at their hotel in Medellin.

See the evolution of Medellin as a global city. First, meet your guide and take the metro downtown to Botero Plaza to see the famous 23 statues by Fernando Botero. Take some pictures before continuing to the botanical gardens, where you'll discover a variety of local flowers, birds and butterflies. Continue to botanic garden to appreciate the beauty of nature as you ride the metro. Get back on the metro and continue to the library of Santo Domingo Savio, a donation from the Kings of Spain to improve the local quality of life.

Following your pick-up at your hotel at 9:00 am go to the metro station to take a smooth ride with pleasant views of the city, river and surrounding Andes Mountains and valley. Head to downtown Medellín to marvel at the magnificent sculptures by Fernando Botero. Take souvenir photos with the help of your guide. Then, continue on foot to experience the true vibe of the city and learn its rich history from your native English-speaking guide. Get information about the old colonial churches, city plazas and the Palace of Culture. Next, board the Metrocable for an aerial ride to Spain Library Park in Santo Domingo Savio. Donated by the King of Spain, the modern edifice provides breathtaking panoramas of the city. Continue to the picturesque town of Pueblito Paisa to discover what Medellín looked like in the past at a replica of an Antioquian settlement. Get more captivating views of the city from the top of Cerro Nutibara. Admire Pueblito Paisa's lovely church, charming museum, cute shops, and handicraft items for sale. Taste the succulent cuisines of Colombia during your lunch break, and sample savory dishes from the Paisa region in one of the many restaurants. End your Medellín experience by exploring the life and times of Pablo Escobar. Hear about real-life events involving the notorious drug lord, who went from being a common car thief to the second richest man during his lifetime (after the Sultan of Brunei). Revered by many as the "Colombian Robin Hood" for building hospitals, schools, churches, soccer fields and a barrio (neighborhood) for the underprivileged, he was equally hated by rivals such as the Cali cartel and "Los Pepes" ("Persecuted by Pablo Escobar"). Investigate the facts behind the myths and mixed messages from expert guides who will provide true information and some stories that you won't hear anywhere else. Learn the story in a non-biased manner so that you can formulate your own opinion. Then, benefit from a drop off at your hotel or accommodation at the end of the day.

One of our vehicles will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel at the indicated time. The tour will begin in the center of Medellín, where we will investigate the history of the city in Parque Berrio, the exact point where it was born, we will explore the streets of the city center identifying the oldest and most iconic buildings of the city, at the same time time to delight in local art and culture in Plaza Botero. We will move to the west of the city to appreciate the incredible views of the Antioquia suburbs from above from the Cable Car. Finally, we will delve into the history of resilience of what was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Latin America, exploring its culture through graffiti, hip hop, break dance and freestyle and tasting local flavors. Learn about the wonder that turned Medellín into the most innovative city in the world using the only community elecric escalators within a neighborhood. Your guide will accompany you back to the lobby of your hotel.

Your licensed and fluent tour guide will pick you up at your hotel or apartment in a new comfortable vehicle. You will be transported to the metro station where you will enjoy a smooth ride along with pleasant views of the city, the river, and of the Andes mountains that surround the valley. The first stop is downtown Medellin, where you will be mesmerized by the magnificent sculptures of maestro Fernando Botero, one of the world's most renowned sculptors. There is no cost to view these stunning statues. Bring a decent camera and your guides will be delighted to take postcard perfect images of you embracing these larger than life sculptures for your memories. From here continue on foot to really feel the vibe of the downtown area and experience old colonial churches, plazas, the stunning cultural palace, and much more. Next, jump on board the Metro cable (aerial cable car) which was constructed for the purpose of alleviating traffic, improving overall city transport and accommodating citizens, enabling them to enjoy connectivity from their respective barrios to the metro, and other means of transport. This sturdy and well maintained cable car will take you to your next destination, the Santo Domingo Savio library, a modern edifice partially donated by the King of Spain. You have the option of getting off here for a walk to see the real life in a comuna or barrio with your guide who knows the people and the neighborhood well. Last, guests will be dropped off at their hotel or place of stay in the same comfortable vehicle.

In a city known for its troubled past, the neighborhoods of Moravia Barrio and Comuna 13 are some of the most notorious. Discover how the people living in these areas have worked towards overcoming difficult circumstances over the years and see evidence of their incredible resiliency. Learn about the history of Medellin from the perspective of the communities that have traditionally been its most disadvantaged. Start by visiting Moravia Barrio, a neighborhood that was built on a mountain of trash. The most densely populated community in Colombia, Moravia is a maze of zigzagging streets that are easy to get lost in and packed with stacked houses. Learn how the inhabitants of this barrio survived by making use of recycled materials, seeing the promise in their situation rather than the difficulty. After visiting Moravia Barrio, hop on the San Javier cable car which offers stunning views of the city spread across the valley and head to Comuna 13. Known to be the most dangerous neighborhood in Colombia, Comuna 13 was controlled by gangs loyal to drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 80s and 90s. See firsthand how this over-populated and under-privileged part of the city has begun to transform itself through music and art. Discuss the many examples of urban graffiti you come across with your knowledgeable guide and hear stories about life in this community in the past and present. Benefit from the intimacy of a private, guided bilingual tour that includes pickup and drop off at your hotel. Enjoy free time to buy souvenirs, grab a snack, or take breathtaking pictures of the cityscape below. By taking part in this tour, you contribute to the improvement of these neighborhoods as part of the proceeds are dedicated to urban renewal projects. 

One of our vehicles will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel at the indicated time. The tour will begin in the center of Medellín, where we will investigate the history of the city in Parque Berrio, the exact point where it was born, we will explore the streets of the center identifying the oldest and most emblematic buildings of the city, while we will delight in the local art and culture in Plaza Botero. We will move to the west of the city to appreciate the incredible views of the Antioquian suburbs from above from the Cable Car. Finally, we will delve into the history of resilience of what was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Latin America, exploring its culture through graffiti, hip hop, break dance and freestyle and tasting the local flavors. Learn about the wonder that turned Medellín into the most innovative city in the world using the only community escalators within a neighborhood. Your guide will escort you back to your hotel lobby.