Commune 13 Medellin

November 6, 2023

Today we booked a tour to Comuna 13.

Just 20 years ago, Comuna 13 was the most dangerous place in Medellin , if not in all of Colombia . There were daily murders and residents could not be sure of their lives. Today Comuna 13 is one of the safest places in Medellin.

After breakfast we head to the El Poblado metro station to meet the guide.

There are 6 people in the group, a woman from LA with Colombian roots, a woman from Paris with Moroccan roots and 2 girls from the Dominican Republic as well as our guide Fer.

We take the metro, which is the only one in Colombia, to San Javier. The metro is 28 years old but looks like new because all Colombians treat it very appreciatively.

After changing to another line, we take the cable car to La Aurora where we have a first view of Comuna 13.

After we drive down again, we continue by bus towards Comuna 13. Loud salsa music accompanies the journey.

Comuna 13 is built on a steep hill and to get from the lower point to the upper one you can use the newly built escalator.

But first we take a look at a breakdance troupe that is really good and performs for a few pesos from the audience.

Even though it's supposed to be so safe here, we almost get into a fight and our guide intervenes to protect us and unfortunately gets something. Unfortunately, a somewhat uneasy feeling.

Ice cream is included in the tour and it tastes surprisingly good.

If we had been alone, we certainly wouldn't have bought ice cream.

We continue past the numerous graffiti, the background of which is explained to us.

Today is a public holiday in Colombia and that's why all hell is breaking loose in Comuna 13. It's like an entertainment district. Loud music everywhere, everyone singing along and having fun.

After a break at the top, there is a beer here, which is also included in the price,

we go back downhill to the bus and the return journey on the metro.

What a day, what impressions. We say goodbye to Fer and take the taxi past the supermarket. We're still relaxing at the pool where macaws 🦜 are flying over our heads today.

We really learned a lot about Medellin today and are glad we did the tour.