Medellín Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour & Escalator Experience

Summary

Street art, electric stairs, mango cream and dance in Comuna 13

You’ll wind through Medellín’s Comuna 13 with a local guide—riding Latin America’s longest outdoor escalators, tasting spicy-sweet mango biche cream, pausing for dance battles and freestyle rap under bursts of color. Expect stories behind every mural and small surprises—like fresh coffee or an empanadita—that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway up the escalators in Comuna 13 before I realized how much the city had changed me. The ride started back at El Poblado — our guide, Andrés, waved us into this wild-looking Graffivan (I swear it looked like a mural on wheels). The music was loud enough to rattle my chest a little, but nobody seemed to mind. I caught the smell of fried corn as we passed a street vendor — not sure why that stuck with me. Medellín just hums differently.

Walking through Comuna 13 felt like stepping into someone’s open-air diary. The graffiti isn’t just paint — it’s stories about hope, anger, pride. Andrés stopped us at one wall and asked what we saw; I blurted out something about birds and he grinned, “Freedom.” He told us about the old days here (didn’t sugarcoat it), then pointed out a kid breakdancing on cardboard while his friends clapped along. I tried the mango biche paleta — tart and cold, with chili powder that made my lips tingle. Didn’t expect to like it so much.

There was this moment at the viewpoint where everything just paused — music echoing off concrete, sun bouncing off rooftops painted every color you can imagine. A group of dancers spun right in front of us; their sneakers barely touched the ground. Later we sat down while some local rappers freestyled using our names (I’ll never forget how they rhymed “Hannah” with “mañana”). It felt honest here — not staged or forced.

The last stretch took us to a tiny coffee museum where the owner handed me a cup brewed with this slow pressing thing — rich and earthy, nothing like what I drink at home. We ended at the Neon House, which honestly looked ordinary until they shut the doors and everything glowed neon blue and pink. On the way back down I munched on an empanadita stuffed with meat and potatoes; still think about that crunchy bite sometimes. Medellín leaves you with odd little memories like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Comuna 13 urban art and culture

• Start at El Poblado park
• Board Graffivans truck
• Tour Medellín to Comuna 13
• Explore graffiti and history
• Ride largest electric stairs
• Enjoy mango biche cream
• Visit viewpoint for photos
• Watch dance show
• Listen to freestyle improvisation
• Enter coffee museum
• Enjoy pressed coffee tasting
• Visit Neon House
• Eat typical Antioquia empanadita
• Return to starting point

Top questions

How long does the Comuna 13 graffiti tour take?

The tour typically lasts half a day including stops for snacks, coffee museum visit, dance shows, and return transport.

Is pickup included for the Medellín Comuna 13 tour?

Yes, private transportation is included from El Poblado park in Medellín.

Are there food tastings during the Comuna 13 graffiti tour?

Yes, you’ll try mango biche cream (paleta) and a traditional Antioquia empanadita snack during the tour.

Do you visit Latin America’s longest escalators on this tour?

Yes, riding the outdoor escalators in Comuna 13 is part of the experience.

Is there a live dance show during the graffiti tour?

You’ll see authentic dance performances by local youth at one of the viewpoints in Comuna 13.

Is this Medellín graffiti tour suitable for kids or families?

The tour is suitable for all ages; infants can join if seated on an adult’s lap or stroller.

What languages are available for guides on this tour?

Bilingual guides are provided; tours are available in Spanish and English.

Does this day trip include coffee tasting?

A stop at a small coffee museum is included where you’ll taste locally prepared coffee using pressing techniques.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from El Poblado park in Medellín, bottled water to keep you cool as you climb those hills, medical assistance coverage just in case (though hopefully you won’t need it), plus all those good bits—a bilingual guide who actually lives these stories every day, snacks like mango biche cream and empanaditas along the way, entry to a tiny coffee museum with fresh-brewed tastings before heading back down through all that color again.