Beyond Escobar: Medellín's Complex History

Explore Medellín’s history beyond Escobar. Uncover untold stories, gain fresh perspectives, and understand the complex forces shaping Colombia’s past.

Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Mansión Montecasino - As the tour progresses to the next destination, the global history of coca and cocaine is explored, highlighting its use by historical figures and the evolution of its perception over time. In front of Montecasino, the former home of the Castaño brothers (notorious for founding the paramilitaries and the vigilante group “Los…
What's Included
  • professional guidance
What's Not Included
  • Transportation
Additional Information

This is not just another Escobar selfie tour. It is a respectful tour offering unique insights on the subject.
Certainly, Escobar is discussed — but this experience delves much deeper. Beyond Escobar shifts the focus from the individual to the system: from myth to context, from glorification to comprehension.
This walking tour examines the natural,…

Location
Tanque campestre epm
Calle 18 Sur
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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(131 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Hergestlover
Oct 26, 2025
An excellent tour discussing the issues of cocaine manufacture etc and it's effects.. definitely "more than Escobar" - This was a very good tour and although the content was quite "heavy" our guide Julio delivered it in such a way as to make it easy to understand. It was evident that he had a very thorough understanding of the subject. This tour in no way glorifies Escobar thankfully rather it makes a lot of reference to the victims, just as it should be. Thankyou Julio for a very good tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zyxw1
Oct 25, 2025
Incredible - Such a great tour, with an amazing guide! Julie was so informative and you can tell she genuinely loves her job. It was so interesting to be shown around the city while also learning the real stories and history of Colombia. 100% would recommend to anyone visiting Medellin that doesn’t want another “the story of Escobar” tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marionz775
Oct 24, 2025
Educational - Highly recommend this tour! Very intersing and eductional with a nice and also humurous way :) it makes you aware of many connections and the ökonomics....
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P1607rtcatherinem
Oct 20, 2025
Very interesting and captivating tour - We had a great tour with Julio learning so much about the history, economics and impacts of the cocaine industry in Colombia. Very informative and interesting, I would recommend to others who want to educate themselves. Thank you so much!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q4877kxolivias
Oct 20, 2025
Great experience! - Julio was a fantastic guide! Thank you so much. He was very informative, patient with questions, and personable. This is my second tour with Real City Tours and I will continue to recommend them!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ymkek2019
Oct 18, 2025
A tour that does justice to the reality instead of over-hyped Escobar - Since I have been in Colombia I have tried to understand the conflict and its consequences. I started reading books about it, watched documentaries and talked to people. Now, after only spending a couple of hours with Julio, the pieces finally fell together. The groups are small so there is all the room to ask questions and to start the conversation about what has happened and is still happening. By changing the narrative from over-hyped Pablo Escobar to the victims, it feels like this tour does way more justice to the reality. Julio has been a professor at the University before and is a master in storytelling. He managed to explain everything very clear and in the same time kept it very interactive. Also personal anecdotes included. Thank you so much for making me understand finally the situation a bit better!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mattg223
Oct 13, 2025
Forget all the others, just do this one. - Probably the best tour I’ve ever done. Our guide Julio delivered a faultless, insightful and thought provoking insight into the madness of Medellin in the 80’s and 90’s. This is no narcos tour, just a brilliantly narrated account of the facts. Well created and superbly presented, the 3.5 hours just flew by.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P8243qlwouterv
Oct 10, 2025
Perfect - We had such a great time on this tour. Pablo explained everything in a fun and interesting way, he’s a great storyteller and really knows how to keep everyone engaged. The tour was super informative but never boring. We learned a lot, laughed a lot, and truly enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
882dylano
Oct 10, 2025
Excellent tour - Very interesting and informative. Pablo was an excellent guide. It was a very refreshing take on Escobar and really put attention on the victims first.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
532libbyh
Oct 10, 2025
Awesome - Pablo was an awesome guide. One of the best I’ve experienced in all my travels. This tour was very informative and really opens your eyes. Thank you Pablo !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $25
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).