Medellín Walking Tour: Escobar, Coca History, Medellín Cartel, Drug Economics & Narco-Violence Memorial
by Real City Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$60Overview
Medellín’s recent history is shaped by complex social and economic forces connected to the cocaine trade. This walking tour lasts about three and a half hours and focuses on the broader context behind Pablo Escobar and the drug trade, avoiding glorification of crime and centering victims. The tour starts at Parque Lineal La Frontera, a green corridor on the border of Medellín and Envigado, where the guide explains the traditional uses of the coca leaf by Indigenous communities and contrasts this with its transformation into cocaine. The environmental damage caused by chemical waste dumped in the jungle is also covered. Next, while moving to the following stop, the global history of coca and cocaine is discussed, including how historical figures used it and how attitudes toward it evolved. At Montecasino, the former home of the Castaño brothers who led paramilitary groups, the guide details the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar and the Medellín cartel, the violent narco-terrorism era, and the War on Drugs declared by the U.S. government, with emphasis on its impact on Colombian society. The next stop is the Medellín Chamber of Commerce, where the economic aspects of the drug trade are analyzed, including demand, supply chains, money laundering, and how these shadow economies affect local, national, and global systems. The final visit is to Parque de la Inflexión, located where the Monaco building once stood before it was bombed by the Cali Cartel. This stop includes a memorial to the victims of narco-violence and ties together the tour’s themes, encouraging reflection on the complex social issues involved. The tour includes professional guidance but does not provide transportation.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Parque Lineal La Frontera
The tour begins in Parque Lineal La Frontera, a green corridor at the edge of Medellín and Envigado. Here the guide discusses the cultural, spiritual, and medicinal uses of the coca leaf among Indigenous communities. The transformation of coca into cocaine is explained, including the production process and the environmental harm caused by dumping chemical waste into the jungle. This stop lasts about 40 minutes.
40 min
Montecasino (former Castaño brothers residence)
While moving to this stop, the guide covers the global history of coca and cocaine, including its use by historical figures and changing perceptions over time. At Montecasino, the former home of the Castaño brothers who created paramilitary groups and 'Los Pepes,' the tour examines the Medellín cartel’s rise and fall, narco-terrorism violence, the U.S. War on Drugs, and their effects on Colombian society.
Medellín Chamber of Commerce
At the Medellín Chamber of Commerce, the tour explores the economics of the drug trade. Topics include demand and supply chains, elasticity, money laundering, and the shadow economies that influence local, national, and global systems. This stop lasts about 45 minutes.
45 min
Parque de la Inflexión
The final stop is Parque de la Inflexión, built on the site of the former Monaco building once owned by Pablo Escobar and bombed by the Cali Cartel. The tour ends here with a visit to the memorial honoring victims of narco-violence, connecting the tour’s discussions and encouraging reflection on solutions and global responsibility. This stop lasts about 30 minutes.
30 min
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.
End point
Former house of Escobar and only place in Medellin created as a tribute to the victims of his violence against the colombian society.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Medellín Walking Tour: Escobar, Coca History, Medellín Cartel, Drug Economics & Narco-Violence Memorial
by Real City Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$60Overview
Medellín’s recent history is shaped by complex social and economic forces connected to the cocaine trade. This walking tour lasts about three and a half hours and focuses on the broader context behind Pablo Escobar and the drug trade, avoiding glorification of crime and centering victims. The tour starts at Parque Lineal La Frontera, a green corridor on the border of Medellín and Envigado, where the guide explains the traditional uses of the coca leaf by Indigenous communities and contrasts this with its transformation into cocaine. The environmental damage caused by chemical waste dumped in the jungle is also covered. Next, while moving to the following stop, the global history of coca and cocaine is discussed, including how historical figures used it and how attitudes toward it evolved. At Montecasino, the former home of the Castaño brothers who led paramilitary groups, the guide details the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar and the Medellín cartel, the violent narco-terrorism era, and the War on Drugs declared by the U.S. government, with emphasis on its impact on Colombian society. The next stop is the Medellín Chamber of Commerce, where the economic aspects of the drug trade are analyzed, including demand, supply chains, money laundering, and how these shadow economies affect local, national, and global systems. The final visit is to Parque de la Inflexión, located where the Monaco building once stood before it was bombed by the Cali Cartel. This stop includes a memorial to the victims of narco-violence and ties together the tour’s themes, encouraging reflection on the complex social issues involved. The tour includes professional guidance but does not provide transportation.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Parque Lineal La Frontera
The tour begins in Parque Lineal La Frontera, a green corridor at the edge of Medellín and Envigado. Here the guide discusses the cultural, spiritual, and medicinal uses of the coca leaf among Indigenous communities. The transformation of coca into cocaine is explained, including the production process and the environmental harm caused by dumping chemical waste into the jungle. This stop lasts about 40 minutes.
40 min
Montecasino (former Castaño brothers residence)
While moving to this stop, the guide covers the global history of coca and cocaine, including its use by historical figures and changing perceptions over time. At Montecasino, the former home of the Castaño brothers who created paramilitary groups and 'Los Pepes,' the tour examines the Medellín cartel’s rise and fall, narco-terrorism violence, the U.S. War on Drugs, and their effects on Colombian society.
Medellín Chamber of Commerce
At the Medellín Chamber of Commerce, the tour explores the economics of the drug trade. Topics include demand and supply chains, elasticity, money laundering, and the shadow economies that influence local, national, and global systems. This stop lasts about 45 minutes.
45 min
Parque de la Inflexión
The final stop is Parque de la Inflexión, built on the site of the former Monaco building once owned by Pablo Escobar and bombed by the Cali Cartel. The tour ends here with a visit to the memorial honoring victims of narco-violence, connecting the tour’s discussions and encouraging reflection on solutions and global responsibility. This stop lasts about 30 minutes.
30 min
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.
End point
Former house of Escobar and only place in Medellin created as a tribute to the victims of his violence against the colombian society.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.