Explore an imaginary hood in Medellín
On this tour, we understand the transformation Medellin has experienced through the eyes of the farmers or peasants: the ones that made the city grow by migrating from all over the country because of forced displacement or looking for new opportunities.
We start by taking the tram to visit La Placita de Florez one of the oldest farmers markets in town. Later, we will go to Comuna 8, specifically to a neighborhood called El Faro (The Lighthouse) named like this because of its stunning view over the valley and “imaginary” because the city says it doesn’t belong to Medellín.
Here we take a tour with a local guide that works on the continuous development of the community, supporting art and social projects. We will learn how they created the neighborhood by themselves and how has been the process of integration with the city. The best thing about this is that by doing this tour you’re contributing to these projects. After having a walk through the colorful alleys of El Faro we enter a beautiful forest and in 25 minutes we reach the peak of the Cerro Pan de Azucar, one of the most emblematic mountains and the highest peak of the city to enjoy the best view you can have in Medellín.
Spots:
- City tram
- Placita de Flórez
- El Faro neighbourhood
- Pan de Azúcar mountain
NOTE: We will walk through a good amount of stairs so I recommend to wear sport shoes. This tour is not suited for people with physical disabilities.
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Destination
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Departure
Poblado metro station -
Departure Time
9 am or 1:30 pm -
Included
Medical assistance insurancePayment to local guidesSouvenirTickets to all public transportation during the tour -
Not Included
2 beers or 2 shots of aguardienteBoat rideEnglish guidanceLunchPrivate transportSnacksTicket to PeñolTipsUnspecified elementsWakeboard or wakesurf classWater
Emilie Anna noviembre, 2018
exposes you to unique facts and breath-taking views of the city, and brings you closer to the heart and soul of Medellín, this is it. Andrés’ enthusiasm and expertise of Medellín’s history and current social dynamics was clear from the beginning. What made the experience especially stand out was his genuine connection to the communities you meet and spend time with on the tour — this gave our super welcoming and informative immersion an even more personal touch. Because Andrés has a strong relationship and mutual respect with these communities, it was a very interactive tour and we got to learn firsthand stories about the farmers’ and community’s struggles, values, and projects. I was impressed and grateful Andrés showed us perspectives you guaranteed won’t normally come across in a conventional tour, or a museum. This is his passion, and he does it well. If you want to be inspired by Medellín at a deeply local level, I highly recommend this hands on, one of a kind experience.
Jodie octubre, 2018
We didn’t explore Medellin as tourists, but as friends. Eating fruit at La Placita de Florez and then going up the mountain to meet Oscar and Gabriel in El Faro was just priceless. Hearing their stories of resistance, understanding the meaning behind the graffiti, and joining them on a hike up to “Virgen de la Candelaria” was such an opportunity to connect. The views were stunning, the people beautiful, and the experience just unforgettable. If you want to immerse yourself in the real Medellin, this is the trip for you. Thank you, Andres!
Olga octubre, 2018
This tour is all about getting to know the community of El Faro at Comuna 8, understanding why and how people live there and how they are trying to make their home a better place. It was amazing to listen to Oscar’s and Gabriel’s stories. So grateful to Andres to make this happen and explain the connection between farmers and the city. Well thought trip, important conversations plus amazing view and coffee in a great company! Don’t miss this when in Medellin!