Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour Medellin

Join a Tour Comuna 13: Art, history and transformation

Tour one of the most amazing places in Medellín in comuna 13. What was once a dangerous area is now a marvel of art, hope and resilience.

What will you experience?

Graffiti.

Each mural tells a story. Walking through art-filled alleys created by artists who lived through change.

Walking tour by locals

No generic tours here. Learn history firsthand from those who lived it and now proudly narrate it.

Live music, breakdancing and culture.

The spirit of Medellín comes alive with local talent performing in the streets and an indescribable energy in the air.

A community that evokes excitement

You are welcomed with open arms in Comuna 13. From joyful children to proud neighbors who are happy to show off their home.

Private transportation

Enhance your experience: we pick you up and take you back to your accommodation hassle-free.

Why book with Medellín VIP?

Small or private groups

Bilingual and certified guides

100% safe and authentic experience

Personalized attention at every click

Book your Comuna 13 Tour now!

Live the past, celebrate the present and witness a future full of hope. Remember that in Medellin VIP, we are luxury travel expert, specialists in luxury travel.

Comuna 13 Medellin History

Comuna 13 (San Javier) was a neighborhood that began as a shantytown. Home to hundreds of displaced families. These families were victims of FARC and other paramilitary groups and moved here in the 1970s and 1980s to escape the violence.

Much to their dismay, the violence didn’t stop. These same groups that victimized them in small towns, began to also squat in San Javier.

For years the government looked the other way and ignored San Javier. Until Operation Orion.

On October 16th, 2002, Colombia’s then-president, Alvaro Uribe Velez ordered a military operation with the help of the National Police and Colombian Air Force.

This operation saw the fall of paramilitary groups in Comuna 13 and claimed the neighborhood back.

It was the first time in Colombian history that the government used black hawks in the presence of civilians. The questionable decision caused uproar and death. More than 75 civilian casualties and over 100 disappearances.

Comuna 13 San Javier after Orion

Once the dust settled and families accepted many loved ones would not return. They coped with their losses but sadly, it wasn’t over.

Small-time gangs started to form and tried to recruit the neighborhood’s youth. The city instantly acted. This time, not through violence but through social projects.

Social projects all across the city aimed to give back to the community by building libraries and parks in the most impoverished areas.

Yet, this wasn’t enough.

The residents of Comuna 13 had been through enough. It was time to help them get back on their feet and improve their daily lives.

In 2011, after years of trial and error and many detractors saying it wasn’t possible, Medellin inaugurated the giant electric escalators in Comuna 13.

That’s right, this neighborhood perched on a hill, home to 12,000 people and with streets too narrow for public transportation, was awarded the gift of time.

For years, its residents had to hike the equal of 28 stories to get to work. Taking them up to 40 minutes. Today, thanks to the 2011 project, the commune boasts a state-of-the-art system that cuts that travel time down to a mere 6-minutes.

Comuna 13 graffiti tour Medellin

San Javier is not only a neighborhood with electric escalators. Comuna 13 is a place of progress. A place of art and a place where youth come together to paint and dance to express their history.

In fact, one of our most popular daytime excursions is a tour of Comuna 13. Learn about its history and why it was an important factor in Medellín’s ‘Most Innovative City’ in 2013 accolade.

See the neighborhood, meet people that lived through it all and decipher what some of these graffitis mean to locals.

The wait was long but the years of violence have come to an end in San Javier and its residents can now say they live in peace.

If you wish to learn more about Comuna 13 or any of our other tours, contact us today.

Discover the colorful history and culture of
Comuna 13 Medellin

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Why Choose Us

With almost a decade of experience in the Medellin tourism scene, we know a thing or two about Medellin’s secrets. We’ve also built a network of landlords and tour operators to ensure your next trip to Medellin will be your best trip.

Let's Plan Your Trip

Chat with one of our agents and get ready to explore the vibrant city of Medellin like never before.

Our Phone
+1 (877) 562-4913

Our Email
info@medellinvip.net

Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour Medellin