Medellín and Antioquia · Private experiences · Hosted by locals
Private tours in Medellín.
Without the tour-group feeling.
With us, you spend the day with a LOCAL PARTNER: someone who lives here, knows the people behind each stop and plans the route around your group.
You are our guest, not part of a tour group.
Always private
Never shared with strangers
From 1 person, up to large groups
Solo travellers, families and groups of friends.
Bilingual guides
English & Spanish
Flexible hours
We don't have a fixed schedule. We suggest, you approve.
Most loved by our guests
Our bestsellers
Select an experience to view the details
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Medellín has been told badly for thirty years.
Half the industry sells the city's worst decade as entertainment. The other half sells the same six photo stops to a hundred people at a time. We think both are a waste of your trip.
The reality is that Medellín is a valley that rebuilt itself in public and in plain sight. It's a city that evolves daily through architecture, music, coffee, culture and, most importantly, its people. People who tend to be extremely warm and welcoming. People who, ten times out of ten, will treat you as if you were a local already.
01 — THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE STORY
Although our tragically violent past is a reality we have to live with and accept, we want to make sure we show you our new, better and heartwarming reality - your partner will be a local who knows not only the city, but the right stories we want to "spread".
02 — PRIVATE, ALWAYS
Forget about those "bus tours" and crowded walks with a hundred strangers. This is exclusive for you and your friends and/or family.
03 — DIRECT, NO MIDDLEMEN
Every farm, driver and cook we work with, we know personally. Nothing is bought through an agency counter.
OUR FOUNDER: Alejandro Mejía
OUR FOUNDER — YOUR LOCAL PARTNER
Alejandro Mejía: Professional Storyteller and passionate about his city.
Proud father of Juan Martin. Social Communicator by profession, globetrotter and wanderer by passion; thirty-seven, born in this valley and professionally incapable of telling a bad story - especially if it involves Medellín. He's worked with different sides of Colombian tourism and kept for "The Local", the parts he believes add value to not only to his people, but to those who visit Colombia.
His Mission: To be an enabler of conscious and responsible tourism, centered on the cultural richness, diversity, and colloquial variety that represent Medellín and Colombia.
Everyone he brings you to — the farm, the driver, the cook, the artist — he knows by name and pays directly. That's part of his philosophy.
"I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm your friend in Medellín — the one who already knows where to go."
Alejandro Mejía — Founder, The Local
YOU CAN ASK FOR OUR EXTRA AMENITIES
Helicopter trip, boat, emerald shopping, airport private transportation.
What to expect from our experiences
Always included
Private bilingual guide, only for your group
Private vehicle — hotel pick-up and drop-off
Entrances, tastings and workshops according to the experience
Water and a little souvenir
Flexible hours — we propose, you approve.
Not included
Anything built on the cartel era
Nightlife tours and their obvious related scenes.
Shops that pay us to walk you in
Strangers joining your group
Meals - Lunch - Breakfast (We will go for lunch if your ask for it, but it is not included in the experience price).
WHO WILL YOUR LOCAL PARTNER BE?
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS AND THEIR "INTRO"
01
SARAI
Sarai is a designer and artisan who pays attention to the details most people miss. She shares Medellín through its makers, landscapes and everyday rituals.
02
DANIEL
We call him "primo". A professional musician, always passionate about doing and learning new things. A globetrotter who has played his sax in more countries than we can count. He has two hobbies: climbing, and showcasing the finest side of the city and its surroundings. His nobility and sweetness melt everyone's heart.
03
JUAN
Juan is a mechanical engineering student known for his calm, thoughtful way of hosting. He wants every guest to feel welcome and leave with a clearer view of Medellín and its people.
04
ANDRES
"The newbie" - Agricultural engineer, passionate entrepreneur, with a strong drive to showcase the best version of Colombia. He loves avocados, which inspired him to create a company around their most fun Chemical free version: Guacamole with plantain crisps (it doesn't get any more 'Paisa' than that)
05
ALEJO
The O.G. partner who started it all. In addition to managing "The Local", being a full time father, leading the crew, and creating ideas 24/7, his true job and drive, are connecting with global travelers—not just to showcase our incredible city, but to exchange stories, learn from every culture, and build lasting friendships.
NOW THAT YOU'VE SEEN THE CREW
We are ready and happy to show you Medellín and its architectural, cultural and gastronomic jewels.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Trip design
Your whole Colombia itinerary
Where to go after Medellín, in what order, and what's honestly worth the flight.
Transport
Private car, on call
Airport to hotel transport
Hotel to airport transport
Shopping
Where to shop, and how
Designers, leather, emeralds, coffee - we give you a shopping route according to your needs and requests. - We have allies who will give you "partner" discounts or special prices.
MEMORIES FROM MEDELLÍN
The Local Goods — Merch
Ask for our merch catalogue, order what you like, and we will deliver it to your hotel.
**The total tour duration remains the same, and there is a limit on the number of places we can visit during the tour.
***Prices may vary according to our standard price rates.
Questions
The most common ones
Is Medellín safe for this?+
Yes, with judgement — which is most of what you're paying for. We go where we'd take our own family, at the hours that make sense, with drivers we've used for years. You're never left to work out a neighbourhood on your own.
And most importantly: the places we visit are safe to go. You just have to make sure you don´t "Give papaya" (simply means practicing basic situational awareness: keeping your belongings secure, staying mindful of your environment, and not flashing valuables in public.) - which you should always do in every city or country you visit.
Can you take large groups?+
We've done one to ones and large groups up to 15 people. Above 7 guests, we manage the day with 2 or 3 partners, to keep everyone on track and attended — you still never share the day with strangers.
Why won't you do the Escobar tour?+
Because Colombians suffered this reality. Yes, we'll talk about the era with honesty, not pride. But only for context, -It usually comes up — that's history.
Selling it as an attraction is something else, and we don't do it.
How long are the journeys (Towns and out of the city experiences)?+
It depends on the weekday or experience chosen. But none of our journeys are more than 90 minutes away by car.
How do we pay?+
We accept:
Cards (visa and MasterCard).
Transfer or secure payment link.
Cash ( COP, USD and EUR accepted).
Your selection
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LOCAL PARTNER, PRIVATE VEHICLE, HOTEL PICK-UP & DROP-OFF, TWO LOCAL SNACKS, WATER, INSURANCE, SOUVENIR
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