15 Colombian Destinations Every Narcos Fan Must Visit

Hacienda Napoles, Antioquia

The vast country estate which served as the Medellin Cartel’s headquarters is open to the public, albeit these days more as a theme park than a narco attraction. Escobar’s manor has since been demolished, though relics such as his helipad, bullfighting ring and herd of hippopotamus are still on display.

Hacienda Napoles, Antioquia, Colombia +57 1 800 0510344

La Catedral, Antioquia

This former prison where Escobar was incarcerated used to be, as fans would know, akin to a luxury resort. Once dubbed “Club Medellin,” it had everything the cartel needed to run their business in style. Nowadays, the Cathedral is owned by Benedictine monks who run a nursing home for the elderly.

Monasterio Santa Gertrudis La Magna, Antioquia, Colombia

Medellin

A visit to Medellin itself is enough to evoke images of your favorite TV series. Jump on the teleferico (cable car) for unbeatable views of a city that has come a hell of a long way since the dark days of narco-terrorism.

Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Barrio Pablo Escobar, Medellin

The Medellin neighborhood where Escobar invested huge sums of cash to curry favor with the locals is one of the few places where he remains openly admired in the country. Although the series was actually shot nearby, a visit to the real Barrio Pablo Escobar is a must for any Narcos fan.

Barrio Pablo Escobar, Medellín, Colombia

Located in a plush Medellin neighborhood, rival Cali Cartel bombed the Monaco Building in 1988 in an attempt to assassinate Escobar. Tours are no longer allowed inside the apartment block, meaning fans can only take a peek over the fence.

The rooftop in Lorena, Medellin

Netflix filmed the rooftop death scene just two doors down from the original site which had since been built over. This residential street still attracts visitors, but try to keep a low profile as locals aren’t particularly fond of the attention.

Carrera 79B #45D-94, Lorena, Medellin, Colombia

Casa de Nariño, Bogotá

Colombia’s presidential palace in downtown Bogota features predominately in the show, most notably when President César Gaviria declares a state of emergency in response to his country’s narco-terrorism woes. Remarkably, Netflix were granted special permission to film inside the complex.

Casa de Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia

Palacio de Justicia, Bogotá

Remember the episode where the M-19 raided a big government building in an effort to destroy evidence against Escobar? That was the Palace of Justice in central Bogota, parts of which had to be rebuilt after the deadly siege.

Palacio de Justicia, Bogotá, Colombia

Plaza de Bolívar, Bogotá

Although it doesn’t exactly play a pivotal role, several scenes are set within Bogota’s main plaza which is just a short walk from the Casa de Nariño and Palacio de Justicia.

Bolivar plaza, Bogotá, Colombia

La Candelaria,Bogotá

Bogota’s art deco-styled historical center has appeared numerous times throughout the show, most memorably when DEA agent Javier Peña meets with Colonel Horacio Carrillo and when Marta Ochoa was kidnapped by the M-19.

La Candelaria, Bogotá, Colombia

Bogota’s Cementerio Central features briefly during the funeral of Luis Carlos Galán. But for a more historical narco gravestone, check out Escobar’s modest lot in Medellin’s Cemetario Jardins Montesacro. Just don’t be tempted to snort lines of coke of his tombstone like some cringeworthy backpackers have reportedly done.

Towards the end of the second season, Escobar’s family were hiding out in the lush Hotel Tequendama. The hotel is still open and taking reservations, though we’re not quite sure which room his wife and kids were holed up in.

Santa Marta

All those stunning shots of pristine beaches in lush tropical surrounds? Those were in and around Santa Marta, a beautiful colonial city which is now Colombia’s premier seaside resort.

Santa Marta, Colombia

Edificio Coltabaco, Calí

Most of season three was shot on location in Calí, including numerous city landmarks such as the picturesque Coltabaco building.

Edificio Coltabaco, Cali, Colombia

Plaza de Caicedo, Calí

Right in the heart of downtown Calí, this plaza is famous for its impossibly tall palm trees and featured on several occasions throughout season three.

Plaza de Caicedo, Cali, Colombia

Plaza de caicedo | © Aleko/Wikipedia

A number of day tours cover the most important Escobar sites in Medellin.

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