The remnants of Pablo Escobar’s old drug empire remain some of Medellin’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly. From the infamous Hacienda Nápoles, Escobar’s former private estate, to the graffiti-covered neighborhood of Comuna 13, where his sicarios often used as a recruitment ground, traces of Escobar’s influences still linger in the Medellin landscape for anyone looking to explore.
While these regions remain relatively safe today, there is no doubt that hints of Pablo Escobar’s Medellin still linger in the shadows. For this reason, it is always important to take your security seriously. After all, Escobar’s Medellin used to be a dangerous place; some of those elements still remain.
The Reality of Exploring Medellín Safely
Now, let’s get this out of the way; yes, many tourists visit Medellin specifically because of the thrill of exploring the remains of Escobar’s drug empire; sites like Escobar’s old mansions, the Monaco building site, La Catedral prison, and Comuna 13 are some of the most popular tourist destinations in Medellin. Hundreds of tourists visit these regions year-round. So, if the question is, are these parts of Medellin generally safe? The answer is yes, they are! Having said that, mostly safe doesn’t mean COMPLETELY safe.
Like every other tourist destination on the planet, Medellin is no stranger to petty crimes like pickpocketing, bag snatching, and scams targeting unsuspecting tourists. These incidents are most common in crowded areas like markets, public transports, and nightlife districts, with tourists being the major targets. Incidents like this, while common, mostly amount to “just an inconvenience” and can be easily avoided by simply being cautious, staying vigilant, and keeping your valuables secure. Unfortunately, petty crimes like these are not the only kind of crime to be worried about in Medellin.
Why You Should Avoid Unreliable Transportation in Escobar’s Medellin
One of the most common tourist traps in Medellin is the fake taxi trap. Here, undesirable elements in the community pretend to be taxi drivers around popular tourist destinations with the intention of picking up unsuspecting tourists. Once they pick up a target, they make some excuse about having to take a different route, take the unsuspecting tourist to an unknown location, and rob them of their belongings—or worse. For this reason, public transportation, especially in regions with strong ties to Escobar’s old empire.
Ride-share apps like Uber are generally a much safer option than public transportation. However, these, too, are not foolproof. There have been incidents with bad actors coming on these platforms, specifically with the intention of extorting or scamming tourists. So, while these are better options than public transportation, they are still not without their security risks.
The Smart Choice: Secure, Professional Transport
So what’s the safest transportation option for exploring Pablo Escobar’s Medellin safely? Well, there is only one true answer to that question: private transportation. No other option does as good a job.
When choosing a private transportation service in Medellin, it is important to choose one that is reliably sourced with private drivers who have been thoroughly vetted. This is where we come in.
Medellin Tours: Your Trusted Private Transportation Service Provider
At Medellin Tours, we are dedicated to offering premium quality transportation services you can trust to get to your destination safely and conveniently. We’ve got all we need to make things work; thoroughly vetted and adequately trained chauffeurs and reliable vehicles designed with comfort and security in mind.
Need some extra security for the more high-risk parts of Medellin? We offer the highest level of security possible — bulletproof vehicles. With us, you get more than just private transportation; you get a trusted partner committed to not just your comfort, but also your security.
