Medellín’s Comuna 13 is a place where stories are written on walls. Vibrant murals tell tales of survival, resistance, and hope—stories that tourists from all over the world now flock to see. But behind the colors and music lies a more complex reality, one where the growing popularity of the neighborhood has created both new dangers and new opportunities, especially for children.

In recent years, many young people from Comuna 13 have turned to tourism as a way to earn money—giving guided tours, performing music or dance, or selling souvenirs. On the surface, it seems like a win-win: travelers get a raw, authentic experience, and local youth get an income. But is it that simple?

The Hidden Risks of Child Labor in Tourism

When children as young as 10 or 12 begin earning money from guiding tours or entertaining tourists, the immediate financial reward can be life-changing. For many families in low-income neighborhoods like Comuna 13, that extra income is vital.

However, this early entry into the workforce can come at a cost.

Many young tour guides end up missing school or dropping out altogether. Education becomes less of a priority when there is daily cash on the table. The work itself may seem harmless—telling stories, showing murals—but the long-term impact can be damaging: a child becomes dependent on tourism, lacks a formal education, and grows up without the tools needed for a more stable future.

Worse, this dependency is tied to a volatile industry. If tourism slows down due to economic shifts, pandemics, or safety concerns, the income disappears overnight, and these young workers are left with no backup plan. In some cases, this vulnerability has been exploited by local gangs or opportunists who push youth into informal, sometimes dangerous, forms of labor under the guise of “culture.”

The Double-Edged Sword of Mass Tourism

Comuna 13 now receives up to 90,000 visitors every month. While tourism has brought investment and attention to a once-forgotten neighborhood, it has also created pressure on the community. Narrow streets are overcrowded, noise levels have increased, and local life has been disrupted. Some residents speak of a feeling of being “on display,” as if their struggles have become entertainment.

In extreme cases, the tourist gold rush has even attracted the return of criminal groups, who see opportunity in controlling access, demanding payments, or exploiting the informal economy that has grown up around tourism.

Yet, despite these risks, tourism also holds incredible potential—if managed with care.

Comuna Project: A Model of Responsible Empowerment

Enter the Comuna Project Foundation, a nonprofit rooted in the community focused on mental health and education. Since 2016 an all volunteer team has worked hand in hand with local residents – listening, learning, and building together.  This collaborative approach has led to the development of meaningful initiatives over the years, including the creation of Community Based Tourism (CBT).  Instead of simply handing kids a microphone and turning them into tour guides, Comuna Project takes a long-term, education-first approach.

Their model is simple but powerful:

• Tour revenue funds free educational programs in music, art, English, mental health, and digital skills.
• Children and teens do not guide tours as laborers, but rather participate in the storytelling as part of structured, adult-led programs.
• Youth are trained, supported, and encouraged to stay in school, using tourism as a way to explore their talents—not as their only career path.

In this way, the Comuna Project harnesses tourism without exploiting it. Visitors can still engage deeply with the stories of the neighborhood—but through a program that protects children’s rights, prioritizes education, and promotes sustainable development.

From Passive Consumers to Active Supporters

For travelers and digital nomads visiting Medellín, this presents an opportunity to travel consciously. Joining a tour with Comuna Project isn’t just sightseeing—it’s participating in a system that uplifts instead of extracts. It’s a way to ensure your money doesn’t perpetuate child labor or gentrification, but instead goes directly into education, opportunity, and local leadership.

What’s more, the Comuna Project offers transparent ways to donate, volunteer, or spread awareness beyond your visit. In a world where tourism often leaves communities behind, this model shows what’s possible when locals lead, and visitors listen.

A Path Forward

Child labor doesn’t always look like factories or farms—it can look like a smiling 14-year-old guide leading a group of tourists down a mural-lined staircase. While it may feel empowering in the moment, we must ask: empowering for whom, and for how long?

The Comuna Project offers a better answer. One where children are not workers, but learners, leaders, and creators. One where tourism doesn’t replace education, but funds and enriches it. And one where visitors are not just taking photos—but taking part in real, positive change.

 

If you’re planning a visit to Medellín, don’t just walk through Comuna 13. Walk with intention. Walk with awareness. And walk with those who are building something lasting—brick by brick, beat by beat, and child by child.