Colombia 🇨🇴 Medellín
This is the city where one of the world’s most notorious drug lords, Pablo Escobar, once reigned. Starting in the 1970s, he established a cocaine smuggling route from South America to the United States. At the peak of his power, he was shipping over 15 tons of cocaine daily to the U.S., earning him a spot as one of the seven richest individuals in the world solely through drug trafficking.
He bribed political parties in an attempt to run for president but failed. In retaliation, he orchestrated assassinations of three presidential candidates, bombed a commercial airliner and a government building, carried out hundreds of explosions, and claimed over 5,000 lives. Shockingly, he even bought off parts of the military, deploying tanks to attack the Ministry of Justice, capturing 25 Supreme Court judges, killing 11 of them, and escaping unscathed.
These events—straight out of a Hollywood movie—actually unfolded here in Medellín just two or three decades ago.
If you haven’t already, check out the Bilibili documentary *Strongest Drug Lord*. It’s hard to believe that these shocking events are all true.
**Travel Information for Independent Travelers:**
1. **Is the Comuna 13 area safe? Can I visit on my own? Is it okay for women traveling solo?**
The area can feel chaotic with its bustling crowds and loud environment. You’ll need to stay alert at all times, especially when handling your phone in crowded places. If you keep your wits about you, it’s relatively safe. While men may explore independently without much issue, women are advised to travel in pairs for added security (at least one person can watch your surroundings while the other navigates).
2. **How do I get there?**
Both the metro and taxis are convenient options.
3. **For smooth and safe travel, follow this suggested itinerary for a day trip in Medellín:**
**1️⃣** Use Google Maps to navigate to Parque Berrío, the city’s central square. Spend about an hour exploring, snapping photos, and soaking in the atmosphere.
**2️⃣** Walk a few minutes to San Antonio Metro Station. Purchase your ticket in cash (required) and board Line B. A ride plus cable car costs roughly 3.4 pesos (though exact pricing varies—it’s still very affordable). Take the train to the final stop, San Javier station.
**3️⃣** Upon arrival, don’t exit the station yet. Instead, transfer to the cable car system to visit the surrounding slums. Stop at various stations along the way to take photos, though avoid leaving the stations themselves. Ride all the way to the end before returning via the same route—a great way to see the entire area.
**4️⃣** Back at San Javier, you can either take a green bus directly to Comuna 13 (though it’s old, cramped, and not particularly comfortable) or opt for a taxi, which is quite affordable. Search “Comuna 13” on Google Maps for directions.
**5️⃣** Your driver will drop you near the entrance to Comuna 13. Simply follow the crowd up the stairs to begin your exploration.
**6️⃣** Don’t miss the most famous photo spot, featured in Figures 2, 3, and 4! This iconic location doesn’t have a precise marker on Google Maps, but it’s close to “Coffee Shop Com 13.” For around $3 USD (or 10,000 pesos), staff will take six professional-quality photos of you.
**7️⃣** After finishing your tour, return to your drop-off point and hail a taxi back to your hotel.
4. **General Safety Tip:**
Like much of Colombia, Medellín has its share of safety concerns, but it remains a fascinating place to explore with caution.
That’s it! Enjoy your journey!
