When most people think of Medellín, it is impossible not to think of Pablo Escobar, the infamous drug lord whose kingdom was the city one day.
Today, however, Medellín is much different from that city — vibrant, progressive, and cheerful. Still, tourists want to know about Escobar’s history, and Pablo Escobar tours are now one of the city’s top activities.
So what do you actually do on a Pablo Escobar tour, and do you take one?
What Is a Pablo Escobar Tour
A Pablo Escobar tour is a research excursion in and about Medellín that entails tracing sites related to the life, reign, and ultimate tragic death of Escobar.
Tour stops typically cover:
His lavish residences
Locations that are linked with his illegal operations
Notable points about his violent life
Impacts of the drug war on Medellín’s citizens and communities
Some tours are strictly historical, while others feature anecdotes from individuals who lived during that time — even former co-workers or family members of Escobar.
The tours attempt to enlighten visitors to a dark moment in Colombia’s past, and also how much the city has come since then.
Main Stops on a Typical Pablo Escobar Tour
Even though every tour is a bit different, most will visit some of these key sites:
- La Catedral Prison
It wasn’t like an ordinary prison.
Escobar actually built his own prison — La Catedral — on hills that looked over Medellín, complete with a nightclub, soccer field, and upscale amenities.
There, he went on to run his empire until eventually, he escaped.
La Catedral today is an abandoned building, and individuals can participate in some tours to the site (some hour out of town) for a shivering glimpse of Escobar’s strange “incarceration.”
- Escobar’s Old Properties
Guided tours pass Escobar’s former apartments, offices, and residences.
Most of the sites have been demolished, are vacant, or have been reused, but they provide an indication of how much power he retained in the past.
- Monaco Building Site
Escobar’s gorgeous family home in the past.
It was bombastically bombed by a rival clique, where gunfire ended the beginnings of a murderous war.
And now the building itself is mere rubble and the government will erect a monument to Escobar victims in its place — an outward sign that Medellín does not want to commemorate the survivors, but enshrine crime heritage.
- The Roof Where Escobar Was Killed
Some of the tours take one to the spot where Escobar was finally found and killed by Colombian troops in 1993.
It’s a plain roof — but the end of an era of Medellín terror.
- Escobar Grave
Pablo Escobar’s grave is found at Cemetery Jardines Montesacro.
Some of these tours will visit there and look back at his bloody record and the hundreds that he touched in his path of life.
While most of the tourists enjoy the tours as informative and appealing, it is worth remembering that they are contentious to locals.
For most Colombians, especially in Medellín, Escobar’s time was about unimaginable suffering — car bombs, killings, and a whole generation that lived in terror.
Some of the locals have the opinion that these tours have the ability to glamorize a criminal, not the strength of the citizens of Medellín to rebuild their city.
The best tours now incorporate more history, victims, and rehabilitation, and less glorification of Escobar himself.
Tip: Opt for a company that promotes respect and learning instead of sensationalism.
Also Read: Isla Grande Cartagena: Stay, Sleep & Explore Colombia’s Island Paradise
Things to Keep in Mind Before Taking a Tour
Be Respectful: Never lose sight that this is a new and tragic history to the majority of people.
Support Ethical Tours: Support tours presenting the whole story — not all the gilded or sensationalized happenings.
Know the Context: Medellín is currently renowned for culture, art, and innovation — don’t make it remain so solely around Escobar’s story.
Ask Questions: Properly managed guides will invite discussion regarding how the city evolved and what challenges continue today.
Final Thoughts: Is a Pablo Escobar Tour Worth It?
With an open mind, a Pablo Escobar tour in Medellín can be a fearless and introspective experience.
It’s a way of understanding the bitter wounds of the past — and to notice just how far Medellín has come.
But don’t forget, Escobar is only one chapter in Medellín’s book. The true spirit of the city is in its grime, its innovation, and the hospitality of its people.
So read the history seriously, but also take time to visit the great city that Medellín is now.