African Music Roots Private Tour in Comuna 13, Medellin
5

African Music Roots Private Tour in Comuna 13, Medellin

By Impulse Travel
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This tour is part of our H.E.A.R.T. Experiences at Impulse Travel - Go deep into Comuna 13 to meet with resilient artists who recovered youth and public spaces through reconnection to their African roots in music, dance, and creativity.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99
Duration: 5h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More


  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in public transportation.
  • Knowledgeable guide in Spanish and English
  • Typical Colombian snack
  • Public transportation rides.
  • Entry/Admission - Medellin
  • Entry/Admission - Escaleras Electricas De La Comuna 13
  • Entry/Admission - Medellin
What's not included
  • Optional tips and gratuities
  • Unspecified food and beverages
  • Personal expenses


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • Pick up service from Medellín Hotels /Accommodations. Please enter your pick up details. * Note: pick-up from other towns have an additional cost (including but not limited to Envigado, Bello, Itagüí, Rionegro). Please contact us to arrange it.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        • Near public transportation
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5549P236

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • Most travelers can participate
        • Taking this tour you will support two local initiatives that rely on tourism to survive. We can arrange private transportation from and to your hotel for an additional cost. The local street artist doesn’t speak English, our guide will serve as translator.
        • We recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes and sunscreen.
        • Children must be accompanied by an adult.
        • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5549P236

        From
        $197.00
        per adult (price varies by group size)
        Select date and travelers

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        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Impulse Travel
          46
          Medellin, Colombia
          Joined in July 2011
        • avionic
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent tour for those who want to know the process of Colombian coffee
          Excellent tour. They show the entire coffee process: harvesting the beans, pulping, washing, drying, roasting and grinding. The tasting done by Humberto of the different beans and roasts at the end of the tour was spectacular. The food prepared by Doña Rubiela was delicious.
          Written October 8, 2024
        • Heldamx3
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Good tour, knowledgeable guide
          Our guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant. We learned a lot about Medellín, current and past. The tour length was good and is not overly strenuous.
          Written July 18, 2024
        • TravelWithAnn
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          It's complicated, and no visitor to Medellin should miss this tour!
          It was incredibly refreshing to learn so much about Medellin's complicated history and the importance of different perspectives and so many human stories. Thanks to our outstanding guide, Carolina, we really appreciated the opportunity to unpack the word "victim", how its meaning transcends far beyond those who were killed or injured and why it also stretches to include such things as irreparable damage to land and extinction of certain bird and insect species. This tour was also filled with so much that is so positive and regenerative. Two examples I loved: the cable car system that makes it possible for those who live in the hills to navigate with relative ease and far less time getting to and from the center of Medellin for work, medical services and other resources not found as easily near their homes. Carolina also took us to see and spend time in a BiblioMetro, (Medellin now has six)-- facilities for people of all ages to use: library and computer stations and related resources; play activities; relaxing moments before continuing home; after school space for children waiting for their parents to pick them up after work, etc. Carolina was a fantastic guide every step of the way. She is so so knowledgeable and well prepared. She is so passionate about her city, her country, her own journey. She is everything that one hopes for with a guide. Her knowledge, facilitation and emotions resonated with us. Carolina and this tour is one that we will always remember and for which we are grateful. Thank you Carolina and Impulse Travel!
          Written April 30, 2024
        • Rotterdam101
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          We all need to learn about the history - local Colombians too
          Carolina was an excellent guide and gave us lots of personal family stories. Firstly we stopped at the memorial park, then in Communa 8 and finally the museum of memories. No it’s not an easy tour, but one which needs to be heard. So please book it whilst you’re in Medellin. Very different to anything else you’ll do here.
          Written November 24, 2023
        • forrestm671
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Best food tour ever
          Local spots you wouldn’t find with any other guide! We learned so much about Medellin food and culture.
          Written September 25, 2023
        • 830marinah
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          If you go up….
          You must go down 2!!! Super awesome experience doing this tour, the guide was super informative and made out tour fun, highly recommend
          Written August 15, 2023
        • vsst2023
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Cheap AND nice ride
          Cheap way to International Airport in Medellín for just $14.000 COP ($3,50USD) every 30 minutes from San Diego rotary, the service hours are from 04:00am until 23:00
          Written June 21, 2023
        • PattyinTexas
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A wonderful excursion from Medellin
          We were so pleased with Impulse Travel and I am always happy when I can support a local company. The communication was very good, which reassured us as this was our first excursion in Colombia. The guide, Diana, was fantastic. The driver was very nice and they were on time. The car was nice and the whole experience felt very safe. The trip itself is amazing and beautiful. One does need to be OK with stairs, however. For me, that was the fun of it, going up all the steps, but be aware - it is challenging.
          Written March 28, 2023
        • 629LaurenF
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great experience
          Loved everything about working with Impulse. The tour was fascinating and informative and our guides Anna and Carolina were just amazing. Highly recommend this tour as well as Impulse in general for tours in Medellin.
          Written September 28, 2022
        • 964mas
          0 contributions
          1.0 of 5 bubbles
          Liars
          Do NOT use this company. They cancelled our tour at the last minute. Claimed the main museum was closed. It was open and we went on our own ! Horrible communication and lack of respect.
          Written August 31, 2022
        • CasaGalu
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A must see in Medellín! Fun & Educational!
          Our guides, Francisco and Santiago, were so friendly and knowledgeable. Francisco set us up with all the great info we needed, and Santiago is clearly a well known local in the Comuna 13 area. It was so much fun wandering through the walkways as Santiago gives personal hello’s and introductions between us and his local community. Experiencing this area with a local guide is a must, as they provide all the historical and cultural information needed to have a genuine experience in Comuna 13.
          Written August 15, 2022
        • girishr917
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing Trip Thanks to Impulse Travel
          I used Impulse Travel for all the activities I did during my 4 day trip to Medellin. Felipe coordinated the entire itinerary and made a few changes to accommodate the conditions in Medellin. Day 1: Coffee Tour. It was just amazing. I am a coffee lover and really enjoyed every aspect of the tour. We ended the tour at a roastery and coffee shop - Urbania. At Ubania had one of the best coffee I have tried during the trip. Day 1 a: City tour with Diana. We started with a lunch at "In Situ" at the botanical gardens. Diana knew I was vegetarian and took good care of my dietary requirements. Diana knew Medellin very well and spoke very good English. We went from lunch to Plaza Botero and walked around the city. We tried some local delicacies and fruits. Day 2: Pablo Who Tour and Comuna 13 trip. Ruben was the guide for day. We started the day at Mira Flores and took the Cable Car up the hill. Ruben talked about how the city had transformed itself over the years. We then went to the Memorial Museum (Museo Casa de la Memoria) and the museum guide and Ruben walked me through each of the exhibits. Lunch was at Govinda's and we had some amazing vegetarian food. After lunch we drove to Comuna 13. Comuna 13 was one of the most dangerous place in the world in the 1980's to early 2000. The transformation is very visible and we had someone who had lived there tell us the story. Day 3: Guatape and El Penol. Diana was the guide for the day. Diana did an amazing job both sharing the history, culture and food. We started really early as it was a weekend and expected to get really crowded. We stooped on the way to have some delicious Colombian breakfast - Pan de Queso, Arepa de chocolo and Torta de chocolo. We reached El Penol at about 9:00 AM and it was already getting crowded. We climbed up the 740 steps. The views from the top were STUNNING. They had some green mangoes with lemon at the top. Just what was needed after a long climb. We walked down and drove to the lake took a quick 1 hour boat ride. The views were amazing. Diana shared the legend of the blue dragon during the boat ride. The legend of the blue dragon. A priest over 100 years ago claimed that the city of Guatape would be swallowed by blue dragon. In 1960 the Colombian government decided to build a dam. They flooded this city and moved the residents. After the flooding when people looked at the satellite picture were shocked by what they saw. The boat ride ended with a walk around Guatape and the must take picture of the street with umbrellas. We wrapped up around 12 and drove to Bosko hotel for a lunch. The drive back to Medellin took about 2 hours. All in all the trip planned by Felipe and supported by Diana and Ruben were just amazing. I thank Diana for all the stories and sharing amazing locations, food and culture with me.
          Written July 5, 2022
        • Culture65005
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Wow
          This was an amazing tour! I learned so much. We did a lot. Tour guide went above and beyond to make this a great experience.
          Written June 8, 2022
        • Leena88
          0 contributions
          3.0 of 5 bubbles
          Book Directly and save money.
          Do yourself a favor and book directly with the resort and save $50. The ride from hotel to the port is the only added benefit and quite frankly it's an easy walk which you have to do when you return. When I arrived, I was not offered a welcome cocktail. They tried to set me up away from the beach beds/mat. The area was in the back at a table. I had to remind them I had reserved a beach bed/mat. They took me back to the beach area and got me a bed. When reminding them about the welcome cocktail, they brought me a mini Corona. I don't even like beer and they gave me no choice of wine or something else. For lunch, I asked for the paella which was also supposed to be included and they said there was an additional charge. At the end they were asking for an additional charge for service. They said it was different than the tip listed on my bill. I was not impressed with the service or lack there of. The beach itself is nice and I was able to relax, but you get no special treatment than others who booked directly with the resort. In fact, I would say the service was worse.
          Written August 17, 2021
        • Pioneer22282049186
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          First visit to Medellin
          This was by far my most favorite tour of all time through my Colombia experience. Our tour guide, Mauricio, brought my family and me through Medellin safely and securely. Not only did we see the beautiful city, but he also made sure that we had everything we needed. Great tour! Highly recommend it! Very cool tour! Good job your doing Mauricio👍🏾
          Written May 31, 2021
        See all 46 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


        5.0
        5.0 of 5 bubbles4 reviews
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        6lorena8
        Bogota, Colombia6 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2020
        This tour was very different from the previews Comuna 13 experience I had had. Comuna 13 is actually pretty big and the hyper-touristy part of it is just a small bit. With this tour, Impulse and their local partners show you a different face. I loved that we were barely the only visitors and people were very friendly and open. Also, the drumming class and the local snack were a highlight. Carlos our local guide is an amazing person and what they have done for their community is remarkable. Really recommended tour!
        Written March 11, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Thomas B
        1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2023 • Friends
        This was the best experience of the visit to Medellin. Our guide through the Comuna was an activist and a community organizer, giving us insights into the lives of the residents. We appreciated and were inspired by his commitment to the people of his community.
        Written December 30, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you for sharing your incredible experience with our African Music Roots Private Tour in Comuna 13, Medellin! We're thrilled to hear that our guide's passion for community and activism left a lasting impact. Your kind words inspire us to continue creating meaningful connections and unforgettable journeys. -Impulse Travel Team
        Written January 2, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        MomMD2003
        Chicago, IL44 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        This was an amazing tour that gave you the history of the communa 13 community with an emphasis on the emergence of an Afro Colombian culture there. It was physically demanding walking and climbing through the narrow walkways amongst the houses, so not for the physically challenged. We got to the touristy part of the tour and I was so glad we had spent the majority of our tour learning about the communa. It was crowded, commercial and loud. The artwork was beautiful but you could hardly appreciate it because of all the people everywhere. If you’re going for the cart, go early in the day! In the end, this particular communa 13 tour was worth the effort!
        Written August 11, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Response: Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our African Music Roots Private Tour in Comuna 13, Medellin. We're thrilled you found the tour amazing and appreciated its emphasis on the Afro Colombian culture and history. Your feedback is valuable, and we're glad the experience was worth the effort. We hope to welcome you back for more enriching tours in the future! 🌟🎶
        Written August 24, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Jaime
        Toulouse, France3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2020
        We are grateful that our Travel Consultant at Impulse insisted us to take this experience in Medellin. We had been in Colombia for some weeks already and until that point, we hadn't really felt like we had experience something that was impossible for us to do by ourselves without the help of a tour company. This tour was exactly that. Although Comuna 13 is a big destination for tourists, this tour is at a part of the Comuna where travelers hardly get to. Our guide Carlos is an amazing host, full of energy and passion to share his story and the story of his music collective Sombata who has fought against gangs and crime with peaceful resistance and music. It was such a privilege to listen to him and it was key to have the logistic support and interpretation by Impulse. I strongly recommend this company for travelers who are looking for great local experiences and who are conscious about creating a positive impact.
        Written March 9, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        African Music Roots Private Tour in Comuna 13, Medellin provided by Impulse Travel

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