Every tour is run either by Medellín Up Close or by one of our trusted local partners—ensuring quality and reliability no matter which experience you choose.
Medellín Up Close is a tour company trusted by hundreds of travelers worldwide.
No worries if plans change. Cancel 24 or more hours before pickup and receive a full 100% refund.
Local expertise makes all the difference! Our team will quickly answer your questions and guide you with accurate information on meeting points, schedules, durations, routes, and itineraries—helping you make the best decisions.
Every time you book a private tour, you'll receive a hard copy of our original book Medellín Up Close, which has been awarded twice by the Ministry of Culture of Colombia. It's a meaningful souvenir of our city for you or your loved ones. (Bookstore price in Colombia: COP 75,000 / approx. USD 20). For shared tours, you'll get exclusive access to download the digital version.
Every year, thousands of tourists in Medellín take a tour related to Pablo Escobar. These tours may be led by a wide variety of people: professional guides, informal guides, locals claiming family ties to former cartel members, native citizens, drivers, or even outsiders—people from other cities or foreigners who haven’t lived in Medellín long enough to truly understand its dynamics.
At Medellín Up Close – Medellín de Cerca, we strive to offer experiences that are not only engaging but also educational. That’s why the tours we operate directly are guided exclusively by native guides who have spent most of their lives in Medellín, developed expertise through years of exploration and study, and received specialized training within our company. In addition, we’ve carefully curated a selection of Pablo Escobar tours operated by trusted third-party partners—tours that are well-researched and, at the very least, avoid promoting a “narco vibe.”
We do not promote gimmicks like playing a Pablo Escobar video game or pretending to be a cocaine lord for a day. In other words, we reject any tour that glorifies Escobar or promotes crime and violence. We firmly believe that encouraging people—especially young people—to view Escobar as a role model only holds our world back from building a more peaceful and healthy future.
In our catalog, you’ll find tours offering different levels of depth, largely determined by the category of the tour guide (see the FAQ section for details). We strongly encourage choosing a tour led by a Local Expert & Specialized Guide, since the subject of Pablo Escobar is complex and our goal is that every traveler leaves not only entertained, but also more aware of the realities of drug trafficking and the importance of seeking lasting solutions.
In most cases, you'll find our tours are more affordable than similar ones offered on large international platforms. Plus, unlike other options, this site is completely run by locals. That means your booking has a greater impact on the local economy—helping create jobs for customer service agents, sales representatives, website technicians, and more.
Yes. Booking with recognized agencies like Medellín Up Close and our trusted partners is the safest way to explore. We know the city well, are fully aware of potential security issues, and take all the necessary measures to keep your experience worry-free.
It depends on the level of depth you want in your experience. If you're looking for the most insightful and awareness-raising tour, it will most likely be operated by Medellín Up Close with our expert and professional local guides—or a trusted partner who shares the same mission. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter experience, simply visiting landmarks and hearing the general story, these tours are offered at a lower price and are usually run by one of our trusted third-party providers.
We've identified three main categories of guides, each offering a different type of experience depending on what you're looking for:
Yes. If your tour includes a visit to La Catedral, you'll be able to step inside. However, please note that local authorities may restrict access to certain sections. In any case, you'll be able to explore the authorized areas and enjoy a clear view of the entire site from its observation deck.
Some officials and institutions in Medellín are uncomfortable with these tours, as they fear they might glorify Pablo Escobar or present his actions as admirable. However, our tours never promote crime or violence, nor do they glorify Escobar. Instead, they aim to provide context and raise awareness.
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