• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Take a walk off the beaten track, away from the tourist crowds, and see the real side of Medellin. On this private tour, go beyond the classic route and explore Comuna 13 where you’ll experience a different Medellin, like a local with a local by your side!

Destination

Medellin, Colombia

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Español

Included

• Private Guide
• Taxi Transport
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to Attractions

What you can expect

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at Entrance of Cosechas San Javier - Medellin to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Off the Beaten Track

   Done with the main highlights of Medellin? Check out Comuna 13. Explore a lesser-known part of the city that will give you a more authentic feel of Medellin. Check out the electric staircase, street art and more!

4. The Real Deal

   Let a local expert in the area you’ll visit show you their Medellin from a different perspective - away from the tourist traps. See street art, cultural hot spots, local vendors, hangout spots, and historical gems, and embrace the vibe!

5. Personalized Recommendations

   Want to explore more of the area after the tour? Your host is happy to recommend their favorite eateries and where to take a break while wandering in this vibrant area

6. Unique Plan

   Depending on your host, this tour will be experienced based on their knowledge, passion, and expertise. Pick a host that matches your interests and see their city through their eyes!

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

92g6kj5xhm

(About local Jhoan )

8 March 2025

Jhoan provided an incredible and efficient experience. Getting so much ground covered in 3 hours was amazing. 40+ years of history and stories all while seeing a beautiful unique part medellin. I would recommend Jhoan for any of his tours. He brings a passionate knowledge but makes it accessible to outsiders. Knowledge and passion

Andreas🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Jhoan )

8 March 2025

Jhoan is a very friendly and super knowledgeable person. He brought to life the history of Medellin and Colombia from past and present in an educational and interesting way. He was early to pick us up, very personable, and adjusted the itinerary to do exactly what we wanted. We can highly recommend him for a great and authentic experience in Medellin. Thank you very much again.Amazing guide

Tori

(About local Jhoan )

7 March 2025

I had a tour with Jhoan through communa 13 and it was fantastic!! He was so friendly and very knowledgeable about the area and the country. He catered the tour to what I was interested in and it did not disappoint. Additionally, we had a lovely conversation throughout the morning as well. Even after the tour he gave me recommendations for the rest of the day knowing what kind of activities I was interested in and again, this did not disappoint! I highly recommend this tour! Great morning in communa 13

Renee

(About local Jhoan )

25 February 2025

It's a pleasure to write a review for Jhoan. We toured Communa 13 with him. My husband and I told Jhoan that we love history, and he gave us a ton about the place. It was fascinating. The tour itself was perfect. Jhoan tailored it to us, given our advanced age and my issues with walking up steps and uphill. He was patient and kind and always helpful in any way he could be. He is the perfect guide. Jhoan is An Outstanding Guide

Aida

(About local Jhoan )

11 February 2025

This was an incredible experience with a local guide . Jhoan was factual , knowledgeable, kind , patient … The tour was emotional, touching, inspiring, fun. We felt welcomed by the locals and could experience their entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, resilience and determination. The murals were out of this world! Jhoan’s historical perspective was helpful and heart felt. We will never forget this experience . Thank you , thank you!!! Highly recomend Jhoan and the tour!

Margaret

(About local Jhoan )

29 January 2025

We throughly enjoyed our tour of Como 13 with Jhoan. Clearly his knowledge of this area’s history and mural art is extensive. He gives a well thought out tour and on top of that he is very friendly and helpful. We wholeheartedly recommend Jhoan.Worthwhile tour

Mattias🇧🇪 Belgium

(About local Jhoan )

18 January 2025

We did the Comuna 13 tour with Jhoan and it was a wonderful experience. All communication with Jhoan was super fast and accurate. The day before the tour he already contacted us to check if everything was ok. He knows the area very well and gives lots of interesting information about the history of the comuna 13. He also explains the meaning behind all of the graffiti, which was a real plus. You don’t have to do any more research, just book with Jhoan and you will not be disappointed! A must do!

Miriam

(About local Jhoan )

13 January 2025

Our tour of Comuna 13 was an unforgettable experience, thanks to our incredible guide, Jhoan . From start to finish, he brought the history, culture, and soul of the neighborhood to life in a way that was deeply personal and profoundly moving. What set this tour apart was Jhoan's authentic connection to the area. He shared not just the historical and social context of Comuna 13 but also his own personal stories, making the experience far more meaningful than a standard tour. His narrative gave us insight into the community's resilience, creativity, and transformation. One of the best parts of the tour was Jhoan's commitment to taking us beyond the typical tourist hotspots. While we did see some of the iconic landmarks, murals, and vibrant street art that Comuna 13 is famous for, Johan guided us to lesser-known corners of the area. These quieter, off-the-beaten-path spots offered a more intimate look at the community and allowed us to engage with locals in a way that felt respectful and genuine. Jhoan patiently answered our questions, made sure everyone in the group felt included, and provided us with a safe and engaging environment to explore and learn. This tour was so much more than a walk through colorful streets—it was an opportunity to connect with a community’s history and spirit.Amazing Experience

Jeff

(About local Jhoan )

12 January 2025

Our family of 4, including two teens (boy 16, girl 17) thoroughly enjoyed our Comuna 13 graffiti tour. It was one of the highlights of our 10 day vacation in beautiful Colombia. Jhoan provided an enjoyable walking dialogue on the complex history of the neighborhood and the country of Colombia. He made it feel more authentic by including small stories or examples from his life growing up in the area. We enjoyed street food, street art, and some fantastic views over the city. Thank you Jhoan for a wonderful afternoon. We wish you much success and happiness in 2025.Exceeded Expectations

David

(About local Jhoan )

6 January 2025

Jhoan was extremely professional and engaging from the moment we first made contact with him. He was communicative and kept us informed of the plans before arrival. Our trip was customized as per our request and everything went according to the plan. Jhoan is very knowledgeable about the history, culture and the flora and fauna of Medellin. Being a native of the city and having had diverse throughout his life, he brings an insightful perspective that he eagerly shared during our tour. He has a passion for his work and his city, and that reflected on our excellent experience during our tour. We enthusiastically recommend Jhoan for anyone wanting to get to know Medellin. Awesome Tour Guide in Medellin

pznfmdk4kf

(About local Jhoan )

4 January 2025

Sara

(About local Jhoan )

31 December 2024

Jhoan was a very knowledgeable tour guide and could explain topics with ease. Along with showing us the area, he introduced us to some new food and drinks that hadn't tried yet in Colombia. Definitely worth doing!A great afternoon experience!

Pam🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

28 December 2024

Jhoan was very patient, customer oriented, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. He made the tour so relaxed and enjoyable. We would highly recommend his tour. Extremely Friendly and Knowledgeable

Lorena🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Jhoan )

28 December 2024

Excelente! Una joya

Emma🇮🇪 Ireland

(About local Jhoan )

16 December 2024

We visited Medellin in December 2024, and booked a custom tour with Jhoan to include both the city centre and Communa 13. From the very first encounter Jhoan was warm, welcoming and friendly, which really set the tone for our walking tour. This was one of the most in depth and interesting tours we have ever done. Jhoan was incredibly knowledgable about Colombian history and could tell the story in a very thoughtful and clear way. Considering a lot of this history is so recent, Jhoan also gives a very unique perspective of someone having first hand lived through it. All in all, Jhoan was a really lovely person, super knowledgable and I couldn't recommend this tour, or Jhoan more!An incredible depth of knowledge!

yangon

(About local Jhoan )

16 December 2024

Wir hatten einen tollen Tag mit Johann. Johann kennt alles und jeden in der Comuna, hat uns auch Dinge gezeigt, die etwas abseits der anderen Touris waren. Besonders beeindruckt haben mich die Infos, die Johann jederzeit parat hatte bzgl. der Vergangenheit der Comuna 13 und Kolumbiens. Auch das jedes Graffiti eine sehr tiefgehende Bedeutung hat, wusste ich nicht. Johann ist komplett tiefenenstpannt, keine Hektik, baut eine Wohlfühlathomsphäre auf. Sehr gutes Englisch und etwas deutsch, machen ihm zum perfekten TourGuide.Off the beaten Track - Best Guide

Eshal🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

18 April 2024

Jhoan was a great guide and very informative. We loved the explanation of the street art he gave us as well as the history of Comuna 13/Colombia. He is extremely knowledgeable of the area and you are in very good hands with him! Great tour of Comuna 13

Dennis🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

6 April 2024

My family toured Comuna 13 with Jhoan. Jhoan was very responsive when communicating. We had no trouble meeting. Jhoan walked us through Comuna 13. He did an amazing job providing context by explaining the history that led Comuna 13 to be what it is today. Jhoan did a great job answering our questions. I would highly recommend booking with Jhoan.Comuna 13 Tour

Mendel🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

2 April 2024

I had a fantastic afternoon with Jhoan. I learned so much about the history of the neighborhood and its context within the country itself. The hours flew by. Jhoan is an excellent guide- highly recommended!A Real Learning Experience

Diane

(About local Jhoan )

31 March 2024

We spent an afternoon with Jhoan in Comuna 13 His English was perfect, and his knowledge was amazing!! We all learned so much! He was fun, happy and super patient with some of us being older, and the day being very hot! I wish we had had another day to spend with him. I will go back to Medellin again, and will absolutely spend another day with him on a different tour! You will not be disappointed!!!! Thank you Jhoan!!!! Muchas gracias 🙏♥️🙏Take the tour ♥️

Heidi🇩🇰 Denmark

(About local Jhoan )

6 March 2024

Jhoan is a super nice guide and knows his way around Medellin plus very knowledgeable in Colombian history. I really enjoyed walking the many stairs and sidewalks in Comuna13 with Jhoan. Like walking around with your friend

Corinne🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

2 March 2024

Jhoan was simple the best! His knowledge of the history of Comuna 13 and Medellin was wonderful as first time travelers to the city. He's originally from the Comuna 13 and hearing about his first-hand experiences were incredible. We could not recommend Jhoan more!!The BEST Day in Comuna 13!!

Bekki

(About local Jhoan )

6 February 2024

Our tour with the lovely Jhoan was the best thing we’ve done during our trip to Medellín! He arrived on time and spoke perfect English and was extremely knowledgeable about the area’s history, with personal anecdotes to give you a better understanding about what Comuna 13 has been through. Because the tour is personalised, you’re able to tailor it to your own preferences, which is great. We’re so glad we opted for a private tour and Jhoan was the best tour guide possible. Don’t hesitate - just book! The best Comuna 13 tour possible!

Jordan🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

20 January 2024

Our tour with Jhoan in Comuna 13 was absolutely incredible! From the moment we met him, his passion for the community and its stories was infectious. Jhoan didn't just guide us through the streets; he shared pieces of his life, making the experience personal and heartfelt. Learning about the community through Jhoan's eyes added a unique depth to the tour. We felt genuinely blessed and thankful for the opportunity to see Comuna 13 through such a knowledgeable and warm guide. If you're looking for more than just facts and figures but a genuine connection with the community, don't hesitate to book a tour with Jhoan – you won't be disappointed!THE Best! Book the tour.

Lisa

(About local Jhoan )

20 January 2024

Jhoan hat aus eigener lebenserfahrung heraus sehr viel eigene erfahrung in der C13 gemacht.das macht die tour noch informativer und authentischer,war ein ganz toller vormittag,danke!tolle individuelle tour durch C13

Jacqueline🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Jhoan )

19 January 2024

Wat een leuke trip en wat kan Jhoan mooie verhalen vertellen over de geschiedenis van Communa 13 waar hij als kleine jongen heeft gewoond en alles heeft meegemaakt.en hoe trots hij is hoe het nu is. Zeker doen deze tripWow

Ramona

(About local Jhoan )

13 January 2024

We had a great time with Yhoan - you shouldn’t visit Comuna 13 without a personal guide or even without Yhoan. He explained the whole history of the place which is super complex but he did it in a way you can understand! He shared so much of his personal life and experience, which is brilliant because he grew up there. Also, he knows the story of every graffiti and gives a lot of insights about the art there in general. He shows the nicest food places and can give you good recos for Medellín and also Colombia! He is such a nice guy and made our tour unforgettable ♥️Don’t miss this tour!

Martin🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Jhoan )

4 January 2024

Jhoan had lots of informative answers to my questions, and was very happy to adapt the tour to my interestsA good afternoon

jeffreybchandler🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

15 December 2023

Let me say first that my husband and I hate tours. We have been traveling together for 40 years and always avoid them choosing instead to discover places on our own. That being said, we didn’t want to visit Communa 13 just to take photos of graffiti but to learn about how this art reflects the history of conflict in this area of Medellin. It was one of the best decisions we made on this trip. Jhoan not only explained the history but put us right there in his actual childhood experience of growing up in what can only be called a war torn part of Medellin. And despite all that happened how the people there were resilient and hopeful about their neighborhood and its future. I can’t recommend Jhoan enough. He was funny, pleasant and extremely knowledgeable and informative. If you do nothing else while visiting Medellin take a tour with him. You’ll come away with a better understanding of this beautiful city and an appreciation for life itself. The highlight of our trip!!

Michael

(About local Jhoan )

9 December 2023

Thank you for our tour Jhoan, it was great to do the tour with someone who has great knowledge of the area and a good way of explaining everything. We got good perspectives and Jhoan was a great host. Cheers

Jenelle

(About local Jhoan )

27 November 2023

I absolutely loved my tour with Jhoan. He was knowledgeable and hand first hand experience to share. It was an incredible experience to visit communa 13 and understand the culture with him. He went above and beyond and I recommend him to everyone! Amazing Experience

Pedro🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Jhoan )

22 November 2023

Jhoan is an amazing guide for the Comuna 13 tour. We were a group of 4 and we are really grateful for the stories he shared with us and his enthusiasm throughout the tour. It was a unique experience that I would recommend to anybody without hesitation.Really worth it

e.magrath.ucci

(About local Jhoan )

16 November 2023

Jhoan was a fantastic guide, passionate about his city and full of information. His lived experiences added real color and human connection to Colombia’s complex histories and environments. He distilled it down into wonderful and vibrant experiences throughout Medellin. Meeting up was straightforward and easy, and he always knew how to beat the crowds, the secret paths around town, and which local flavors to have along the way.

Pedro

(About local Jhoan )

25 September 2023

I really liked Johan. He comes from the places he is showing you and knowledge about the City and the history is impressive. His approach to how the country is evolving and what is happening now and how they end up there I really liked. His recommendations where also very good. You will definitely enjoy a tour with him!!True local guide with amazing knowledge

wassim

(About local Jhoan )

9 August 2023

We visited communa 13 with Jhoan It was an excellent visit full of emotions and goosebumps Jhoan is an excellent guide, he tells the stories of what happened with details you don't find in books because he lived the events He explained all the details of the graffitis and their meanings We highly recommend to visit Communa 13 with Jhoan and learn all about it Thank you for everything Excellent

Adriana🇬🇷 Greece

(About local Jhoan )

8 August 2023

Jhoan was very attentive, thoughtful, respectful, and knowledgeable as a guide. He provided lots of information about Comuna 13 as well as local history. He also provided tips for the rest of the city and my stay in Colombia. He tailored the tour to my interests very well. Seeing Comuna 13 with his guidance felt safe and gave another layer of understanding to the experience of the community here and the transformation that has happened. Would highly recommend him as a guide to others! Thank you Jhoan! Wonderful, informative tour

Marleen🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Jhoan )

26 July 2023

Jhoan gave us a great tour through comune 13. He knows a lot about the community and the culture and took the time to explore. A real reccomandation! Fascinated tour

Jose🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

22 July 2023

It was great to tour with Jhoan. He was very responsive throughout our booking and give us first class service. Will book with Jhoan again. Helpful & Professional

jackpomroy🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Jhoan )

17 July 2023

Jhoan had some really interesting information & shared his personal experience of being from communa 13. The tour followed all the major graffiti art sites and then we finished by the cable car so we could experience the views over the city. It was around 2.5 hours in total and all Ran smoothly!Really interesting tour

brandie

(About local Jhoan )

12 July 2023

Jhoan was superb at explaining the history and significance of the graffiti on the tour. He was very interesting and explained in great detail. His english is super. Through his storytelling you can really tell that jhoan loves medellin and Columbia. He was very patient and let us ask a million questions. We also got to watch a good hip hop dance performance. We highly recommend taking any tour with jhoan!Expert guide and historian

Briana🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

19 June 2023

We took a last minute city highlights tour and added in a cable car ride and a pre scheduled comuna13 tour, both with Johan. He was amazing. Very responsive with messages and where to meet. His English is great and he tells you the history and social/political meanings behind statues and buildings. His comuna13 tour is a true gem. He lived there when the violence was happening and can tell you true stories and really make you appreciate how much things have changed in such a short time. He also helped us with suggestions on places to have dinner and hang out in our neighborhood as well as drive times to the airport for our flight. 10/10 would reccomend. Amazing experience for both tours

Wannes🇧🇪 Belgium

(About local Jhoan )

15 May 2023

Very nice tour and great guide with a personal experience of the history of the communa and it's tranformationGreat tour, great guide

rb2hg9gxyk🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

13 May 2023

Jhoan was a great guide and is from the neighborhood. He met us at the metro and we walked to comuna 13 while he gave us a history lesson. We went on a Monday morning which apparently is a great day because we didn’t have to deal with any crowds or masses of tourists. We had a fun treat and had lots of time for pictures. We even watched a dance team perform! I highly recommend. Great informative tour!

Ian🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

1 May 2023

My partner and I went on a tour of Comune 13 with Jhoan. He was prompt with communication, on time and provided excellent historical and contemporary information about Comune 13. Having grown up in Comune 13 he had direct knowledge and experience of important events and experiences that are imperative to share. Take this tour. Learn about Comune 13 and through it the Colombian people. We loved this tour.Great Tour! Great Guide!

Erik

(About local Jhoan )

30 April 2023

We had a private tour with Jhoan. He is so nice! He knows Comuna 13 very well because he lived there as a child. So he knows everything about Comuna 13. He tells everything about the history and the meaning of the murals and living at Comuna 13. His tour is very impressive and emotional and gives a lot of life lessons. The tour with Jhoan was impressive and a highlight of our stay at Medellin.Impressive

Geo🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

10 April 2023

Jhoan was the best! I had some trouble the day before and he offered to meet me closer. Then the subway was closed and he found me at the previous stop. He went out of his way to make sure our day started off right! The knowledge and history he brings to the table is absolutely amazing! He knew a few locals in the comuna and was able to introduce me. He also did an amazing job explaining the art and history of this area. I highly recommend this tour! Amazing Experience

Gabriella🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

23 March 2023

Our Communa 13 tour with Jhoan was our best tour throughout our trip to Medellin! Jhoan is so passionate about the history and culture of Communa 13 and is a master at story telling. He captivated us from the start and we could not imagine touring Communa 13 without him. We were a group of girls and after the tour was over he walked us to the taxi pick-up area. We can't wait to go back and do the city tour with him. Thank you! FAVORITE TOUR

Juan🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jhoan )

22 February 2023

My wife and I booked a Comuna 13 tour with Johan. The experience was incredible from start to finish! He is very knowledgeable about the history of this commune as he grew-up there. His lived experience provides a unique perspective of how this commune in the past 30 years has evolved from the most dangerous commune in Medellin to a proud, resilient community uniting to find peace and harmony. The graffiti artwork is spectacular and represents the pain, suffering, and hope of its inhabitants. Besides the history and sightseeing, Johan was extremely helpful by taking us to several art galleries within Comuna 13 where we found a fabulous piece of art. After our tour ended, Johan walked us to the metro station. This was above and beyond what we expected. Johan is an amazing Colombian with a big heart. You will not regret booking a tour with Johan! Best Comuna 13 and Medellin Tour Guide

Juan Carlos🇨🇷 Costa Rica

(About local Jhoan )

3 February 2023

Jhoan provides detailed information on the highlights of the Comuna 13. He has a well done tour that allowed my family to have a great time. Highly recommended book a tour with him.Excellent experience!

Martin-Stefan🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Jhoan )

19 January 2023

Die Tour mit Juan ist sehr sicher, ich habe mich nicht eine Sekunde unsicher gefühlt und Juan weiß viel zu erzählen und kennt sich sehr gut aus. Er spricht sehr gut englisch und ist gebildet und nett. Absolute Empfehlung. top. Ich war begeistert.Sicher, Informativ und Einzigartig