F
This tour is almost like...
This tour is almost like a college class. Lots of info. Our guide Pablo was very interesting. He shared from personal experience. Great tour.
More than Escobar Tour
+7 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3h 30min
- Price from
- $30 / person
- Location
- Medellin, Colombia
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 599 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 12
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Real City Tours
- Meeting point
- Strongly suggested to take Uber (or similar). As your destination just enter this: "Tanque Campestre EPM"We meet at the east entrance of "La Frontera Linear Park", right in front of the EPM Campestre water tanks. The meeting point is up hill, so strongly suggested to go by car.
Description
This is not another Escobar selfie tour. This is a respecful tour with unique perspectives on the matter. Yes, we talk about him — but this experience goes far beyond. Beyond Escobar shifts the spotlight from the man to the system: from myth to context, from glorification to understanding. This walking tour explores the natural, historical and economic forces that shaped Medellín’s and Colombia's recent history — beginning with ancient traditions and tracing their transformation into a worldwide phenomenon with lasting social impact. Discover untold stories, gain fresh perspectives, and see how local events became part of a global narrative. Thought-provoking and deeply researched, Beyond Escobar is about history, economics, and the human cost of a complex chapter in Colombia’s past — without glorifying crime, and always keeping victims at the center.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
What's included
Included
professional guidance
Not included
Transportation
Traveller Ratings
5.0
599 reviews
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does More than Escobar Tour take?
More than Escobar Tour lasts about 3h 30min. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does More than Escobar Tour cost?
Prices start at $30 per person for this Medellin experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel More than Escobar Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Strongly suggested to take Uber (or similar). As your destination just enter this: "Tanque Campestre EPM". We meet at the east entrance of "La Frontera Linear Park", right in front of the EPM Campestre water tanks. The meeting point is up hill, so strongly suggested to go by car. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is More than Escobar Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Reviews(599)
N
Brilliantly informative 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!
M
Best tour in Medellin
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.
O
A truly memorable tour
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
K
A must do tour in Medellin
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.
G
The most incredible guide I’ve ever had
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.
L
The best tour I have been on
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.
A
Best experience ever!
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!
T
DO THIS TOUR!
Amazing and educating experience! would very much recommend!!
S
100% recommand!
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.
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5.0(599) Free cancellation