Private Tour
Pablo Escobar Tour; La Catedral Prison, Quarter, House, and Grave
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This tour does not glorify or promote crime, nor does it adopt the repressive stance of traditional institutions. Instead, we strive to deeply understand the causes, context, and consequences.
Visit some of the places that shaped Escobar's life, learn about key anecdotes and historical moments, and understand the drug trafficking phenomenon objectively and neutrally, as if you were making a documentary. Our agency uses journalistic approaches and techniques.
This tour allows you to analyze history and reflect on drug trafficking, violence, and corruption in Colombia. It employs an independent journalistic approach, free from media bias, censorship by authorities, or the personal feelings of those closest to the head of the Medellín Cartel.
All locations visited on the tour are public and admission is free.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
We will head to the former Monaco Building, the main residence of Pablo Escobar and his family. Today, it serves as a memorial site for the victims of Escobar's criminal activities. The duration of this activity includes arrival and departure transfers.
We will visit the public areas of La Catedral. From there, we will show you the cells, the nightclub, the halls of the old prison, the guard tower, the tunnel areas, the former soccer field, and Escobar's escape route. We will also show you the area where, according to some sources, a mass grave and a cocaine lab were located. We will explain the events that took place in these locations. According to local regulations, access to some areas may be restricted without prior notice, but it will always be possible to stop and walk through the areas of the old prison (now in ruins) that are open to the public. Some of these areas have been reconstructed to date. Some photos added by users show close-ups of the cells, the helipad, the escape route, the interior of the nightclub, the guard tower, etc. However, since June 2025, authorities no longer allow walking through these areas.
What‘s Included
Pick up and drop off at your accommodation
Native and local guide guaranteed
Air-conditioned vehicle
Visit to the designated areas of the Cathedral
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Plus Escobar's Death Site
Place of Pablo's Death: Complete the essential Pablo Escobar tour by adding this stop. You'll walk around the area and observe the site from the outside.
Pickup included
Basic Itinerary
Basic itinerary
Pickup included
Reviews
54 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Oscar Escobar
David T,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Touring the legacy of Pablo Escobar in Medellín is a sensitive and complex undertaking. It can easily veer into sensationalism or morbid curiosity. The tour I experienced, however, was a masterclass in contextual, nuanced, and deeply human storytelling, thanks almost entirely to an exceptional guide- Oscar Escobar. Our guide, an older gentleman who grew up in the very barrios where Escobar’s empire once held sway, provided an authenticity no textbook or documentary could match. His knowledge wasn’t academic; it was lived. He remembered the palpable fear, the distorted economy, and the complicated sentiments of a community caught between terror and, initially, gratitude. What set this tour apart was its unwavering commitment to context. Before delving into the narco-mansions and infamous hideouts, our guide meticulously laid the groundwork. He painted a vivid picture of Medellín’s socio-economic history in the mid-20th century: a city grappling with rapid urbanization, stark inequality, and a perceived neglect by the central government. This explanation was crucial. It didn’t excuse the horrors to come, but it intelligently answered the question of how a figure like Escobar could initially be seen as a Robin Hood by the disenfranchised poor. He built schools and housing where the state was absent, a fact presented not as a glorification, but as a key to understanding his early popular support. The guide excelled at explaining the multifaceted implications of Escobar’s reign. He discussed the economic paradox of illicit money flooding local economies while crippling legitimate business. He touched on the cultural scars left on Medellín’s national and international identity. Perhaps most thought-provokingly, he explored the religious and moral contradictions, noting how extreme violence coexisted with a professed devotion to faith and family—a hypocrisy that still resonates. His approach was remarkably unbiased. He presented facts, shared eyewitness accounts, and described the stark realities of the bombings, assassinations, and the pervasive climate of plata o plomo (silver or lead). However, he never sermonized. The moral weight of the narrative spoke for itself. Only when directly asked for his personal opinion did he offer it, and even then, it was measured and reflective, often focusing on the resilience of the city and its people rather than just the infamy of one man. This tour is not a celebration. It is a necessary, sobering, and educational excavation of a traumatic period. It successfully frames Pablo Escobar not as a lone monster, but as a product and amplifier of deep-seated societal issues. You come away not with trivia about hidden cash, but with a profound understanding of Medellín’s painful journey and its extraordinary transformation. For anyone seeking to understand modern Medellín beyond the headlines, this tour is essential. Be prepared to listen, think, and have your perspective challenged. It is a powerful testament to the importance of remembering history in all its complexity, guided by someone who lived through it and is dedicated to ensuring its lessons are not forgotten. The only negative thing was that the tour car’s backseat was really snug for 3 adult males.
Pablo Escobar tour
89ginevram,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mr. Oscar was very good. Very well prepared on the story of Pablo Escobar and tells unique details. I highly recommend his tour.
Perfect start to our Medellín journey.
Sanjay M,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the best tour we had with Feliciano. Very knowledgeable and answered all the questions we had. I would highly recommend Medellín Up Close to use for all the positions el tours you can find in this region. Safe and perfect possible way to see Medellín.
A tour of 10
Isaac V,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very entertaining tour, where everything is explained in detail, is definitely worth doing. Plus super private and tailor-made.
A must if you are interested in this interesting part of Medellin history
Manuel J,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was perfect and in time. Diego was really knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting stories, some of them personal. Really recommended.
The tryp wasn’t worth my money and time. El catedral is a waste of time cause they lie to u that u and u can’t visit it
Global32909864615,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00It was a waste of my money and time. They lie to u that u can visit el cathedral. It s closed and u can only see it from up far. So it s not fair for the money thay charge. The rest of the places u can visit by yourself for free. It’s a scam!! I will upload what u see at el cathedral
Amazing tour to find out more about Escobar and Medellin
Michaella M,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing trip with Jairo around Medellin and up to Catedral. He knew so much local and insider info about Escobar and the cartels that we would not have found out online or from another guide. It was so interesting but also really respectful to escobars victims and the damage that was caused. It was not a glorification of Escobar but more of a balanced and informative tour. Would highly recommend Jairo and this tour to anyone visiting Medellin!
Historic & Unforgettable
morganjG5278MI,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was incredibly informative and full of great stops that truly immersed you in the history in an unbiased way. The energy is heavy in many places but Jairo was our guide and he was absolutely the BEST at sharing his knowledge with us about the cartel, the city, and more in a respectful way. If you are thinking about booking this tour we would highly recommend requesting Jairo as your guide! He is an amazing storyteller and we’ll be waiting for when he gets his book deal and becomes a motivational speaker!! We had the best time 10/10 would recommend to all!!
Pablo tour with Jairo is the best I've ever had
330garrettm,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Pay for the private Pablo tour with Jairo and you will not regret it! He will give the real story of Pablo's life and take you through his humble beginnings as you visit his family home neighborhood where he grew up and then you can go to The Cathedral where he stayed isolated from his enemies atop a mountain side self built compound and you will hear,see and feel the story from Jairo as he goes above and beyond any other tour guide needs to so you feel like you're almost back in time. He has personal connections with the people who will welcome your questions and provide you with the real stories of the life they lead and not fantasy some people make up. Jairo will not rush through any parts of the tour and go to any locations that you want to visit and provide you with the real deal facts that I had always wanted to see and hear about!
Pablo Escobar Tour
Ceris D,,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow what a great tour. Our guide Oscar brought Medellin in the 80's to life. He has great passion for his city and its history. His knowledge is extensive and delivered in a respectful way in consideration of all the victims and their families. we went to memorial,La Catedral ,pablos grave.and other sites relevant to the history of this time. Learnt a lot of new information. Oscar made the tour interesting,fun and time flew by. When tour ended we said goodbye to a friend. Really enjoyed this tour.Definitely recommend
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