Things to do in

Medellín

Spend a day visiting the municipality of Guatapé, the city of many names: known variously as the interior sea of Antioquia, the Acapulco of Colombia, the interior Cartagena, Paraíso Paisa (paradise country), Remanso de Paz (haven of peace) and the heart of Antioquia's East, the city was actually named in honor of Cacique Guatapé, an inhabitant of this territory in the pre-Hispanic period. Spend a day visiting this growing and colorful city, made unique by the decorative tiles adorning the lower facade of the houses. For the third part of the day, enjoy a 1-hour boat tour through the reservoir with crossover music. See panoramic views of Casa Museo, La Cruz, Piedras del Marial, Piedra del Peñol and the ruins of the Pablo Escobar's vacation home. Throughout the whole day, you'll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. Please note that the order of the itinerary may vary.

Meet your guide in the metro station to begin the tour and experience Medellín like a local. Learn all about the stations and key points in the city as well as how the metro system helped shape the new Medellin. When arriving at the connecting station, hop on a cable car up the hill. As you go, admire the panoramic views of the city and find out about its evolving history and troubled past. At the top, stop to sample local snacks and take a short ride on the bus toward the Comuna 13 district. At the Comuna 13, the real fun begins. An enthusiastic guide will explain all the positive changes made to transform what was once one of the most dangerous communities in South America into a symbol of the new Medellín. You will have time to take in all the amazing street art and ride the electric outdoor escalators to the top observation deck, which offers incredible views. Listen to insights about Medellín, interesting stories from the guides, meet locals and learn about the library that works as a community center before returning to Poblado metro station.

Depart Medellin early in the morning. Enjoy a scenic drive to the Piedra del Peñol. You’ll have 1.5 hours to climb the 742 steps to the top of the historic rock and return to the base.  If you do not want to climb to the top, there is plenty to do at the base, with many shops selling local artisanal goods and many cafés as well. Enjoy a traditional lunch at the Piedra del Peñol or along the boardwalk in Guatapé. Take a guided tour of Guatapé, and then board a boat for a cruise on the Guatapé Reservoir. You will then start the return journey back to Medellin.

Discover the political, social, and economic context of drug trafficking in Columbia on an eye-opening tour. Learn about Pablo Escobar's life, death, and impact. Visit Comuna 13 to see the inspiring transformation of what was once one of the most dangerous places in the world with a local guide. After pickup from your hotel in Medellin, head to Cementerio Jardines Montesacro to visit Pablo Escobar's grave. Discover different perspectives and points of view on Pablo's history. Gain an understanding of the context in which Pablo Escobar grew up and what made him who he was. Next, see Los Olivos Antioquia, the rooftop where Pablo Escobar died. Discuss the political and economic context of Columbia in the eighties and nineties. Discover the impact the drug lord's legacy still has. Then, visit Parque Conmemorativo Inflexión, a memorial to the victims of narco-terrorism. Finally, explore Comuna 13 and its history. Marvel at street art and stories of Columbians whose strength and resilience turned this previously violent area around. Unpick stereotypes and discuss the importance of education.

Head out to San Sebastián de Palmitas, just 45 minutes from Medellín, to begin your unique coffee tour. After hotel pick-up, set off for a coffee-making farm and enjoy listening to a brief history about the origin of the coffee and how it was first brought to Colombia. Take the chance to dress in the typical costume of the paisa muleteer, including hat, poncho, paruma, and the tail of a rooster. Later, move on to a coffee plantation to carry out the coffee harvest, reducing the mixture to a pulp and finally, drying it. After these activities, sit down for a refreshing drink of musilago (coffee juice) and a tea made from the coffee pulp. Savor a typical dish from the region made of banana with honey and cheese. Hear your guide explain some techniques on how to prepare and drink coffee and have a short tasting of different coffees and servings. Later, try a typical dish of the paisa muleteer consisting of rice, yuca, ground beef, boiled egg, sausage, and banana. Try preparing your coffee to your own taste with the information you have just learned from your guide. Finally, receive a pack of coffee as a gift and have the chance to buy farm products at the shop. If the option is chosen, also experience a 2 hour horseback ride through the farm to some viewpoints. All instructions will be given to inexperienced riders.

After being picked up in Medellin, drive for 1.5 hours to the eastern Antioquia municipality of Guatapé. Once there, take a 1-hour boat tour through the reservoir. Soak up panoramic views of Casa Museo, La Cruz, Marial Rock, El Peñol Rock, and the ruins of Pablo Escobar's vacation home. Then, climb the 740 steps to reach the top of the Rock of Guatapé or Piedra del Peñol, a 220-meter (722-foot) high monolith surrounded by abundant water and vegetation. At the summit, delight in magnificent 360-degree views of the spectacular landscape and Guatapé Dam, built in the lands of the old municipality of Peñol in the 1970s. Next, visit Guatapé, a growing and colorful city made unique by the decorative tiles adorning the lower facades of the houses. Replenish your energy with a lunch of rice, beans, fries, salad, and a choice of pork, chicken or beef, with a refreshing drink included. Return to Medellín after and be dropped off at your hotel.

Enjoy Pablo Escobar's former farm that has been transformed into a theme park to be enjoyed by everyone from kids to adults. When entering Hacienda Nápoles, you will encounter a world of fun with pools for the family, lazy river, dinosaur replicas, bird world, an African museum, and much more. You will also be shown Escobar's main house, known as La Mayoría. Visit the Memorial Museum, where you will learn about the life of the drug lord and see the first airplane he used to send drugs abroad. Explore different wildlife habitats and be amazed as you encounter tigers, elephants and other creatures from the wild. The tour will last throughout the whole day as it is a long way from Medellin, but expect lots of fun! There will be breakfast included and plenty of places to eat lunch at the park.

Start with pickup from your hotel located in the El Poblado neighborhood or the meeting point in Parque Lleras. Drive 45 minutes to arrive at the launching pad where you will have a great view over the Medellín region. Rely on high-quality gear and instructions from professional and reputable staff. Receive an introductory lesson, and then fly out over the Aburra Valley over the beautiful scenery. See spots such as the Medellin River, the El Quitasol hill, the Garcia barrage, and the Picacho hill, with the spectacular backdrop of the mountains. After your flight, return to the city of Medellín.

Get an insight into Colombia's troubled past on a private guided tour of the formerly dangerous district of Comuna 13 in Medellín.   Discover a replica of an old village at Pueblito Paisa on Nutibara Hill, and get stunning views over the rooftops from one of the city's few conserved ecosystems. Make your way to Comuna 13 to learn how the most notorious neighborhood in the country has reinvented itself. See stunning examples of street art and graffiti that puts the political and socio-economic story of the area into context. Once the center of the gang wars and guerilla activity, the area has been transformed by the local community with the help of government projects such as a giant escalator that runs up the hill. Visit the Botanical Garden and other sustainable city projects such as the charismatic Park of Desires, and the iconic sculptures by Fernando Botero on Botero Plaza.

Enjoy a professional, hassle-free transfer service from Medellín airport to your hotel in Medellín. A driver (Spanish-speaking) will be waiting for you at the exit of your arrival gate with a sign bearing your name. Start your day relaxed, knowing your transport is taken care of and will get you to your hotel safely and comfortably. When making a booking, you will need to provide your flight and Medellín hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantly and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.  This shared transfer is available 24/7 and coincides with your flight's departure. The driver will wait for you in case of delays at passport control etc.