Quick Overview:
Comuna 13 is a vibrant neighborhood loaded with food vendors, hand-crafted goods, shops, restaurants, street art, performances, painted steps, and beautiful views of the city.
Is Comuna 13 vegan friendly?: There are a few snack options, but I wouldn’t rely on finding any substantial meals here.
What is it and what is the historical significance?
By no means am I an expert on the history of Comuna 13, so I will tell you want I learned while I was there and provide links to more in depth articles that can better speak to it.
Comuna 13 is one of the 16 neighborhood districts in Medellín.
The neighborhood is rooted in a tumultuous past, and it was a hot spot for drug related violence and guerrilla control. However, after a quite bloody military operation in 2002, the neighborhood began the process of transformation.
One of the major catalyst for change in the area was the installation of the 6 escalators in 2011 that connect the hillside neighborhood to the rest of the city. These escalators made the area more accessible and in conjunction with the graffiti murals made by local artists, this once dangerous area began to attract tourists.
If you’re curious, here are links to some informative articles about the history of the neighborhood:
Should I take a tour?
There are a bunch of tour options that you can take to Comuna 13 (some can be found through GuruWalk or though Comuna13tours). The tours discuss the history of the neighborhood and the street art, so if you want a more in depth understanding of the neighborhood, a tour is your best option.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can explore the neighborhood on your own.
How to get there:
The metro is a great option if you’re wanting to save on cab fare and you have already purchased a metro card. Unfortunately, the metro doesn’t take you directly to the main tourist area of Comuna 13, but it gets you to the neighborhood.
Above is an example map if you’re traveling from the Poblado metro station (the area you’re most likely to stay in as a tourist). The metro in Medellín is very straight forward and easy to navigate. In this case, you take the A line to in the direction of Niquia, transfer at San Antonio then take the B line to San Javier (it’s the final stop on this line).
The tricky part when I went was the 20ish-minute walk from the metro station to the beginning of the Comuna 13 hill. There are bus options from the metro station (route 221i or 225i), but my friends and I opted to walk.
The route on google maps took us on the shortest route, which ending up taking us on some streets that are better to avoid as a tourist. My friends and I actually had to ask for directions because the route on Google was trying to take us through a neighborhood alley. The women who gave us the directions told us that we shouldn’t be on those streets because it could potentially be dangerous. Suffice to say that we got back to the main road as quickly as we could.
All that to say, even if the map wants you to walk the shortest route, it’s a better option to stay on the main street even if it adds a few minutes to the walk.
There is a lot of traffic from the San Javier metro station to the start of the Comuna 13 hill, so if in doubt, follow the flow of traffic.
Is there any vegan food available?
Unlike the El Poblado or Laureles neighborhoods, there is not a plethora of vegan options in Comuna 13. If fact, in my searches I didn’t find any vegan meal options in the neighborhood.
To be fair, I didn’t look at each restaurant’s individual menus, but the general impression is that it’s not particularly vegan friendly.
I would highly recommend eating before or after your visit because you most likely won’t finding a full meal there.
On the plus side, I did find a few snacks to enjoy!
On the first hill, we came across Crema Dona Alba.
This is a popsicle shop! Not all of the popsicles are vegan, but most of the fruit flavors are. I opted for the maracuya (passionfruit), and it was a refreshing treat to enjoy on the walk up the hill. Just be sure to ask which flavors are made without milk.
There was also a vendor walking with a box of fried dough. The dough itself is vegan, but some of the condiment options that are not. You can add different savory or sweet condiments, but I opted for a dusting of sugar.
Is it worth it?
I really enjoyed my visit, and I think if you’re in Medellín, it’s worth the trip. The street art alone is incredible, but it’s also an opportunity to see the city from a higher perspective.
My only disclaimer is that because it’s such a touristy area, things are slightly more expensive than in other areas. There are many shops with beautiful souvenirs, but you may be paying slightly more.
This neighborhood has some really great spots to take Instagram photos. HOWEVER, it is really crowded, so you may have to find less a less busy area (there are lots of photo opts slightly away from the main stretch around the escalators) or wait for an opportunity to take your perfect pic.
Tips for what to expect:
*It is a hill, so be prepared to do some uphill walking. Luckily, the 6 escalators get you through the majority of it, so it’s not too much of a workout. But it’s still a bit of a walk before you reach the first escalator, so it’s best to wear comfortable shoes.
*There are lots of nooks and crannies with art and shops to explore, so it can be worth it to explore a bit off of the beaten path.
*It’s extremely crowded (at least when I went). This is one of Medellín’s top tourist destinations, so be prepared for it. I felt very safe, but just take the normal precautions you’d taken when in a crowded area.
*There are different street levels as you ascend the escalators. Once you reach about the halfway point, there is a cluster of restaurants. I would recommend waiting to decide on food options until you’ve reached the top. There are even more restaurants as you continue up, and near the top, there are lots of street food vendors.
*From what I saw, the street food isn’t vegan friendly (most of the vegetarian items are made with butter or cheese), but there are some vegetarian options including arepas and potatoes.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Comuna 13 was one of the most memorable experiences I had in Medellín. It’s colorful, lively, and full of unique opportunities. The street art is gorgeous, and there is so much to learn about the history of the neighborhood.
Even though this isn’t the most vegan friendly area of Medellín, I still really enjoyed the snacks that I had.
