Neighborhood
Source: Lonely Planet; Rough Guides
Who it suits
Metrocable Line J, in Comuna 13
2 sourced descriptions of the area.
Rough Guides describes Comuna 13 as a formerly gang-ridden, violent hillside neighbourhood where six flights of escalators, installed in 2011, were part of an urban regeneration programme.The Alcaldía de Medellín (26 Aug 2026) says the Comuna 13 public escalators are the responsibility of the Secretaría de Movilidad and currently operated by Terminales Medellín, with staff who orient users daily, and about 20,000 visitors arriving each month.Lonely Planet (27 Feb 2025) says San Javier (Comuna 13) is walkable by day but advises hiring a tour guide to navigate its tight streets and learn the story of its transformation; the Metrocable has a stop in the heart of the area.
Hillside neighbourhood on Medellin's western edge, once gang-ridden and now known for a six-section public escalator system and murals. Residents lead walking Graffitours of about three hours. Listed here as a place, not a tour.
Bogotá-based destination management company offering private, custom tours in Medellín. AFAR reported in 2022 that its community tours use guides from the neighborhoods visited, and that its 'Pablo Who?' tour aimed to counter narco-glamorization.
Hip-hop cultural movement and school in Comuna 13, run by local artists. Frommer's reports that its co-founders and volunteers lead graffiti tours of the neighborhood, booked through Toucan Tours. Tours give residents' own account of the barrio.
Last checked: 2 Oct 2026Source: Frommer's
Metro de Medellin's Line J page lists access to the Comuna 13 electric escalators via integrated bus route 221i under its San Javier station; Line J has four stations from La Aurora to San Javier.Metrocable Line J links La Aurora and San Javier via Vallejuelos and Juan XXIII over 2.7 km in about 12 minutes, operating since 3 March 2008; the official page references access to Comuna 13 via integrated route 221i.We use only essential cookies unless you choose otherwise. No ad or analytics scripts load before you decide. Read the privacy policy