Most vacationers visiting Medellin in Colombia have a tendency to stay to the standard vacationer zone within the metropolis. However, there are such a lot of extra Medellin neighborhoods to discover.
Parque Lleras is in Poblado neighborhood the place vacationers and well-heeled locals in Medellin come to play. It’s surrounded by hostels, eating places, and bars and has been a magnet for vacationers for years.
Along with dwelling there, I’ve traveled to Medellin, Colombia, dozens of instances. So, one in all my favourite issues to do is get out of the tourism zone in Poblado and go to town’s extra working-class areas.
If you wish to discover extra of what Medellin has to supply, then it’s essential to journey additional out to the extra localized neighborhoods in Medellin.
Associated Learn: Go to Colombia: Journey Suggestions for Your Journey
Finest Medellin neighborhoods to discover
If you wish to get out of the vacationer zone of Medellin however nonetheless preserve it secure, a wonderful place to come back is the barrio of Santo Domingo. It’s accessible by Metro Cable (gondola raise system) from town’s easy-to-manage prepare (metro) stops.
It should give a traveler perception right into a working-class Medellin neighborhood. It’s up within the hills of Medellin, to the north of town, and may present vacationers with some actual perception is how individuals dwell in Medellin. As you lookup the hills, you will note that the homes are actually colourful. Numerous them are self-built.
Use the Metro Cable to get across the metropolis
The Metro Cable helped remodeled Santo Domingo. At present it’s nonetheless primarily poor and working-class, however with a safer current and a brighter future to aspire to.
What I like about Medellin is that the federal government was very progressive by way of placing the Metro Cable up. It serves as potential transportation for the individuals who dwell right here, however it’s additionally a vacationer attraction. So, you will note some vacationers right here every so often. There’s a major police presence in the course of the day, so it’s no drawback to simply hang around with the individuals of Santo Domingo. I believe it’ll actually improve your journey.
Neighborhoods additional up the Metro Cable
Parque Arvi
In order for you a fast break from the hustle and bustle of Medellin, simply proceed on the metro cable a bit additional up the mountain to the stunning Parque Arvi.
Parque Arvi is only a quick Metro Cable experience up from Santo Domingo, however you’re a world away from Medellin.
Parque Arvi is a marvel of city planning and a credit score to Medellin’s progressive, socially acutely aware authorities initiatives.
Comuna 13 (aka Comuna Trece)
One other advice is to take a look at the as soon as harmful however now crowded space of Comuna 13. Maybe no group suffered extra throughout Pablo Escobar’s reign than Neighborhood 13 (Comuna Trece in Spanish).
This barrio was as soon as floor zero within the warfare between the federal government and narco-traffickers.
At present, Comuna Trece has made a exceptional comeback and is a shining instance of social inclusion tourism’s potential.
Over 1,000 guests a day trek to this former “no man’s land” to expertise the gorgeous views, colourful murals, artwork, native taste, and outside escalators.
What I actually favored about my tour of Comuna Thirteen was the truth that I used to be capable of see this space and on the similar time assist the individuals there.
And if you concentrate on it, that’s a incredible turnaround as a result of just some years in the past, nobody would even enterprise in there. Now, over a thousand vacationers a day are visiting, spending their cash, and attending to know the individuals. And doing it in a accountable, sustainable method.
I believe one of many causes it really works is social inclusion. They’re together with the individuals there. The income stream can also be giving them a degree of pleasure about the place they dwell. As a result of it’s gorgeous.
I believe it could function a mannequin for communities worldwide to develop tourism and how tourism might help impoverished communities flip issues round whereas serving to out the locals dwelling there. Whereas helping the traveler in getting an thought of what it’s like, what individuals dwell like, in many of the world.
To me, it’s a win-win state of affairs. And I believe as long as it’s finished sustainably and responsibly, I actually don’t see a draw back to doing it. I’m glad I did it. I actually suggest it to different vacationers as effectively.
Be a part of this Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with a local guide. You’ll get to be taught in regards to the troubled historical past of Medellín whereas trying out superb avenue artwork and assembly artists and native residents in the neighborhood.