We begin in Parque Lineal La Frontera, a green corridor at the edge of Medellín and Envigado, where we explore the cultural, spiritual, and medicinal uses of the coca leaf among Indigenous communities. We contrast this with its transformation into cocaine, explaining the production process and the devastating environmental consequences of dumping chemical waste into the jungle.
As we move to the next stop, we discuss the global history of coca and cocaine—how it was used by historical figures and how perceptions changed over time. In front of Montecasino, the former residence of the Castaño brothers (infamous for creating the paramilitaries and the vigilante group "Los Pepes"), we dive into the rise and fall of Escobar and the Medellin cartel. Here, we examine the violent era of narco-terrorism, the declaration of the War on Drugs by the U.S. government, and the effects of all that in the Colombian society.
Your third stop takes us to the Medellín Chamber of Commerce, where we dissect the economics of the drug trade: demand, supply chains, elasticity, money laundering, and the shadow economies that influence real-world systems on a local, national, and global level.
Finally, we visit the Parque de la Inflexión, built on the site of the former Monaco building, once owned by Escobar and bombed by the Cali Cartel. The tour ends with a visit to the memorial honoring the victims of narco-violence, bringing together all previous discussions and encouraging new conversations around solutions and global responsibility. Through key historical locations and expert insights, this tour invites travelers to reflect on the complexity of the issue—without glorifying crime or promoting consumption, bringing the victims to the center of gravity.
I would highly highly recommend this tour!! A really fascinating and captivating way to understand the history of Colombia. Pablo was a really fabulous guide and I throughly enjoyed this tour.
It was very intersting to learn the history and get to know more of the real lige and experiences from the past and present.
Fantastic local tour from a Colombian perspective. Highly recommend.
The tour was very interesting. We were looking for a not so standard tourist tour. This one was perfect for that. Our guide Pablo was a super good storyteller and shared everything about the history, nature, economy etc. of Colombia and the evolution and relation to the cocaine industry. Highly recommended if you really want to know more about the effect of the cocaine industry on Colombia. Pablo Escobar of course appears in the story but is not the main subject and that makes it all the more interesting in our opinion. So highly recommended!
Touching, moving and extraordinary storytelling and educational. Best experience we had in Medellin
A very interesting tour. We were given a broad explanation of the societal, economic and ecological impact of the cocaine production and trade in Colombia. It was given in a very interesting form, using stories and aids, by a very knowledgeable guide. The tour was focused on knowledge sharing and discussions. The guide has also engaged in a discussion and shared his personal experiences. No question was left unanswered. I recommend it to anyone wanted to understand more how the narcos has impacted lives of people in Medellin. Or if anything else, a pleasant walk through (nowadays) peaceful park and neighbouring areas.
This was one of the best tours I have ever done. The tour guide Pablo was exceptional and delivered an amazing, informative tour that was really inspiring. It gives a balanced perspective considering economic, environmental, historical factors with the victims at the centre. It is accessible to all. Thank you Pablo!
This tour was mindblowing, Pablo is a fantastic tour guide, so passionate, I was almost moved to tears multiple times! The tour offered us a new and very important perspective, it is so well thought out and excellently executed. There is not much walking involved as all stops are close together. Thank you Pablo! We also did another tour by this company and it was excellent as well, 100% recommend them.
Amazing tour. Pablo is accurate, clear, engaging and passionate. Really something to remember. 3 hours very well spend!!!
Excellent tour. Very informative and the guides are so well informed and kind. I did two tours - the city tour and the Escobar tour . Both were great. Would recommend!!
Absolutely the best tour I've been on. The tour was supposed to be 3-3.5 hours but time flew by and we got carried on and finished after 4. The tour gives a very interesting perspective on the drug market in Colombia and how it affects the citizens, and after almost 2 months in Colombia I think it was essential in order to really understand the country and I'm grateful that I've decided to skip Communa 13 and go to this tour instead. We were 4, the smallest possible group, and it allowed us to ask questions and converse. The guide was absolute brilliant, and had a very broad knowledge. He was very good on holding the crowd and we all were in full attention to him, as he used a variety of methods to explain things to us. Totally recommend!
I’ve done tours all over the World and rarely do you find such a knowledgeable and passionate guide as Pablo. His enthusiasm is infectious. He not only knows his subject matter but lives it. If you have even a passing interest in the cocaine industry and the effect it is having today and historically in Colombia and therefore the World I urge you to do this tour. It has my highest recommendation!
One of the best city tours I’ve ever done, anywhere. I loved the deep dive nature of the experience, and the thoughtfulness of each of the stops we made along the way. Pablo, our guide, was outstanding - his passion and knowledge of this subject is so evident, and I felt so moved and motivated to learn more by the end of the tour. Would highly recommend to anyone in Medellín, for both tourists and residents alike.
really interesting tour. learned a lot and would totally recommend. never was so invested in a „history“ lesson than today
Guides have been excellent especially on this one, shared some personal experiences, plenty of information, used interactive learning , kept us really engaged , learned so much more, Julio was super friendly too, really impressed and happy we done this one
Amazing tour about the entire history that does not glorify.
It was extremely detailed and really highlighted the stories of the victims. Thank you for sharing this story of Colombia
We had a great experience on the more than Escobar tour. We had Milo as our guide and he was great and super informative !
Beyond excellent - a must do as a visitor to Medellin. Honestly a must do as a visitor to Colombia. I can’t recommend Pablo enough. He is beyond knowledgeable on the topic, passionate, kind and genuine. My friends and I left the tour with broader minds and more open hearts than we started. Excellent.
Very good tour, Pablo was very passionate, and didn't hesitate to answer difficult questions.
Absolutely incredible tour. Would absolutely recommend to anyone wanting to know more about the recent history of Colombia. The guide was extremely immersive and gave amazing context.
Incredibly thought provoking and interesting insight into a much discussed but often misrepresented part of the area’s history. A wide ranging discussion looking beyond the typical focus on criminals and into the systemic forces that created the situation in the first place. Would thoroughly recommend & strongly encourage everyone visiting Medellin to go on this tour. It really opened our eyes.
The tour was fantastic! Our guide Pablo was excellent throughout, incredibly engaging and answered all our questions. It was incredibly insightful and we both came away having learnt a lot, definitely a worthwhile experience if you want to learn more about Colombia's relationship with drugs from someone with lived experience.
Incredibly informative tour that totally changes one's perspective of the history of narcotráfico, both past and present! It definitely connected a few dots for me that I was still missing, even though I thought I already had a good grasp of Colombian history! Our guide Pablo did such an excellent job – he's probably the best guide I've ever had on any walking tour *ever*! Not a single minute was boring, even though the tour is heavier on facts and theory than on sightseeing and walking around. But that's also kinda the point: Zooming out and understanding what's going on at a higher level. I also found the tour very balanced in terms of neutral facts vs. pushing one's emotional buttons. It has definitely left a mark on me emotionally while also expanding my understanding. Muchas gracias, Pablo!
This was the best tour I have ever taken. It was super informative and engaging. As a foreigner I knew next to nothing about the effects cocaine production in Colombia and exportation worldwide has had on the victims and citizens of the country - even today (not just while Pablo Escobar was alive). This tour goes into so much more detail than just about Pablo Escobar. Pablo was a fantastic tour guide who is very passionate and engaging and I suggest this tour to everyone who is visiting Medellin.
We had Pablo for this tour whose passion and knowledge is difficult to comprehend and will stay with me for the rest of my life. This tour will make you analyse your own privilege and place in the system. We are left with the feeling that it is all of our responsibilities to assist with the humanitarian crisis which still permeates Colombian life. Other Escobar tours which glorify his life should be condemned. I wish every person could know this story instead. It was a free tour paid with by tips. 3.5 hours. Perfect group size 16 people.
Really interesting tour about the drug problem that Colombia and the world is facing
Incredibly informative and deeply moving tour of the impact of the cocaine industry on people and culture of Colombia. Our guide Pablo gave us a nuanced insight into the pain felt by the people of Colombia. It’s worth your time if you’re interested in interacting and learning about the history in a more ethical way than those disrespectful and tacky Pablo Escobar tours.
Masterpiece of a tour. Learned an immense amount, changed our very perspective.
This tour is almost like a college class. Lots of info. Our guide Pablo was very interesting. He shared from personal experience. Great tour.
Brilliantly in-depth tour with Julio covering the scientific, economic and historical elements of cocaine in Colombia. The tour was incredibly informative and the 3 hours flew by. Julio kept things relaxed and open to questions whilst imparting a heap of knowledge on a lot of serious and meaningful topics. We can't recommend this tour highly enough!
Best tour I did in Medellin. Julio is an excellent guide and it was a fascinating tour. We learned all about the history and economics of the drug trade here and I feel so much more informed. And about modern situation. He shared lots of true accounts of what happened and he explained everything super well.
A really memorable tour. Fantastic knowledgeable guide who is very passionate about the topic and extremely engaging. If you do just one tour in Medellin to understand the history of Colombia, I highly recommend this one
An incredible tour hosted by Julio. Very engaging and educational morning. I highly reccomend doing this tour to learn about the history of Medellin and the victims of the narco era in Colombia.
A truly unbelievable experience from the most incredible tour guide I have ever had. Pablo is something else - his knowledge, passion and enthusiasm is remarkable. The best tour in Medellin by a mile.
This tour exceeded expectations by miles. It was hugely informative and very moving too. The company has really focused on the victims and the impact of the history of the city. Our guide Julio was incredible and made this a must not miss experience.
Pablo was a truly PHENOMENAL tour guide. I’m an avid traveler and this was 100% one of the absolute best experiences I have ever booked. The tour was extremely informational yet equally engaging and Pablo (our guide) was super passionate in the best of ways. Do NOT hesitate to book!
Amazing and educating experience! would very much recommend!!
If you are interested in the history of Escobar, please chose this tour. It's so well built and given by the most interesting guides. It's an ethical way to learn about the history without glorifying the narcotraffic.
It was very interesting to have an ethic view and a victim focused tour. Please choose this tour if you want a real historical tour and stop that narcos apology
We just completed the tour with Pablo. One of the best tours we’ve ever done. Passion, insight and perspective. Would highly recommend for any and all who are interested in learning about the modern history of Colombia. Gracias!
I never had a tour like this before, I learned more about this tour than any other documentary or history book. It was so interesting and Pablo really helped me keeping the attention with his way of storytelling. He pulled us in his story, And Colombia history. Will remember this one, thanks a lot
Very very informative, an amazing tour!
Julio was very informative and was charismatic how he delivered the information.
Our guide Milo made this an outstanding experience. He was knowledgeable, spoke perfect English and handled difficult topics in a thought provoking way to help everybody get the most from the tour and change their preconceptions about Medellín.
Lots of valuable information! Milo was an amazing tourguide
This was an incredible tour. Julio was an amazing tour guide and taught us so much about the Colombian history in such an amazing way. It was so refreshing to learn about the history without sensationalising it as some tours do. I’d highly recommend this tour it was so informative and interesting
Such a great tour, learnt SO MUCH. I highly recommend !
Very knowledgeable guide, learned lots about the history and impact of the drug trade
Forget your other tours, I guarantee any of the tours by real city tours is better. These guys should be teaching lectures in the worlds top universities but instead you’re getting them for three hours in exchange for a voluntary tip. You better tip well my friend. Tours I've done: city walking tour and more than Pablo. Our tour guide was named Pablo, great bloke
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