The tour itself and the smaller costs around it often require different payment methods -- worth planning for both before you go.
Paying for the tour itself
If booked through a platform like GetYourGuide or Viator in advance, this is typically a standard card payment completed online before your trip -- nothing further to pay on tour day unless you've added optional extras.
What still needs cash on the day
- Tips for your guide: Standard practice on most tours, and almost always cash rather than card.
- Street food and drinks: Vendors along the route are cash-based.
- Souvenirs from local artisans: Small vendors selling art and crafts near the murals are typically cash-only.
- The metro fare to reach San Javier station, if traveling independently to a meeting point.
How much cash to carry
A modest amount in small COP denominations covers tips, a snack or drink, and any small souvenir purchases -- large bills can be hard for small vendors to break, so smaller denominations are more practical.
Card acceptance in the neighborhood
Don't expect widespread card acceptance from small, informal vendors within Comuna 13 itself -- this is a cash-first environment at the street level, even though the tour booking itself is typically a card transaction done in advance.
A simple rule
Pay for the tour online with a card as usual, then carry cash specifically for tips, food, and souvenirs on the day -- treating these as two separate payment needs avoids any awkward moments mid-tour.
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See Comuna 13 Tours & Prices →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash for a Comuna 13 tour if I already paid online?
Yes -- tips, street food, and souvenirs from local vendors are almost always cash transactions even if the tour itself was prepaid by card.
Can I tip my guide with a card?
Not typically -- cash is the standard and expected method for tipping guides.
Are ATMs available near Comuna 13?
Availability is more limited than in central Medellín neighborhoods -- it's more reliable to withdraw cash before heading to the tour.