One of the best activities we did while visiting Medellin, besides eating out of course, was a tour of Comuna 13 with kids. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Comuna 13 was the most dangerous area in Medellin and really the world. Now it is a hip neighborhood where many tourists visit and can learn about its history and transformation.
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Is It Safe To Visit Comuna 13 With Kids?
If you are worried about taking your kids to this community because it might be unsafe, rest assured. It is now one of the safest neighborhoods in all of Medellin. We took our kids and they had a blast. We felt very safe there.
Our Airbnb Experience To Comuna 13 With Kids
We booked our visit through an Airbnb experience. We have really enjoyed using Airbnb experiences for our city tours. All of them that we have booked have been led by locals that know so much about their city. This tour was no exception. Our tour guide, Yeison, was incredible!
Another amazing part of this experience is that 100% of the fee (which is only about $20 per person) goes to the Insiders Foundation. This non-profit in Medellin brings cultural and social programs to youth in Comuna 13. This is an incredible way to support the youth in Colombia!
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First Stop: Metro Cable Car
The tour starts near the metro station. You begin by taking a metro cable car up the hill to view Comuna 13 from afar. Our tour guide started speaking about the history of the neighborhood here. Additionally this is a great spot for a spectacular view of the city.
After the metro cable ride, we headed back down to catch a bus to Comuna 13. This short ride affords you a brief glimpse into how locals navigate the nuances of public transportation in Medellin. Once we got to Comuna 13 the vibe was instantly different. Comuna 13 is known for it’s hip hop culture, and you can witness it through the music played, the break dancing in the street and the beautiful graffitied walls.
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Next Stop: Comuna 13 Neighborhood
Hidden Areas Of Comuna 13
An added bonus to this tour is that the guides are all locals that truly care about their community. They don’t just bring you to the most common areas of Comuna 13, but also through the core of the neighborhood. While you explore the alleyways and staircases of the area, you see the folks that live there and not only the visiting tourists.
Popular Attractions In Comuna 13
But don’t worry, you will also see the notable instagram-worthy spots on your tour of Comuna 13.
We explored the escalator that famously was built to help the people have easier access to the roads that are down the hill.
Our guide taught us about the graffiti murals sprayed on the walls that tell the complex history of Comuna 13.
On top of that, we watched break dancers perform in the streets.
In addition to walking around the community and listening to our tour guide speak, but we also ate some delicious popsicles that we dipped in lime juice and tajin spices, drank some traditional Colombian coffee and even tagged a wall with our names! Our kids are now graffiti artists! 🤪
The tour ends right in Comuna 13, so you can spend the evening enjoying the entertainment in the streets. The positive vibe is palpable throughout the whole neighborhood. I would recommend leaving your evening open for some fun!
Are you ready to book your tour to Comuna 13 with your kids?
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