Hacienda Nápoles Tour from Medellín: Private Full-Day Trip
A long, comfortable day out to Pablo Escobar's former estate, now a park, with the history explained along the road.
Your day, in short
- Duration
- Long full day (about 12 hours with the drive)
- Pickup
- Your hotel or Airbnb in Medellín
- Languages
- English or Spanish
- Group
- Private: only your group
- Best for
- Families with older kids, couples, history and animal lovers
What is in the day
History of the estate told on the road and in the park
The story of the hippos and the wildlife
A choice of park activities, planned with you
Rest stops and lunch suggestions on the way
Pickup and drop-off at your hotel
The route, stop by stop
Early pickup in Medellín
We collect you at your hotel or Airbnb and take the highway toward Bogotá, heading into the Magdalena valley. The landscape changes as you drop from the mountains to the lowlands.
History on the road
Your guide uses the drive to explain who Escobar was, how the estate was built and what happened after he died.
Arrival at the park
The estate is near Doradal, in the municipality of Puerto Triunfo. It was seized by the state and is now run as a theme park and wildlife attraction.
Exhibits and animals
You see exhibits about the period and the property, and the animals. The hippos descended from those Escobar brought to the estate are the best-known story here.
Free time and lunch
Time for the activities you choose, and for lunch. It is hot, so the shade and cold drinks are welcome.
Drive back
We return to Medellín in the evening. It is a long day, so we aim to leave the park with enough time for a relaxed drive.
Why take a private Hacienda Nápoles tour
A Hacienda Nápoles tour takes you out of the city to the lowlands, where the estate once belonged to Pablo Escobar. It is a long day, so the car matters. Our guests praise the comfortable vehicles, and a private tour means no shared bus or fixed stops.
The guide matters too. Without one, you see a park. With one, you also hear the history, including what the estate meant for Colombia.
The story of Hacienda Nápoles
Escobar used the large estate as a private home and showpiece, and filled it with exotic animals he brought from abroad. The authorities seized the property after he fell from power. It later became a tourist attraction.
The hippos
When the animals were moved elsewhere after his death, the hippos stayed. They have since multiplied in the Magdalena river region. They are now treated as an invasive species by authorities, and their presence remains a debate in Colombia.
A place with a dark past
Escobar's organisation caused many deaths. The park presents some of that history, and your guide adds the human side. We tell the story with respect for the victims and without glamorising it.
How the day works
The estate is at about kilometre 165 of the Medellín to Bogotá highway. Sources give it as roughly 165 to 177 kilometres from Medellín, so plan for about four hours each way, sometimes more with traffic.
That makes it a full day of about twelve hours with the drive. We agree the schedule with you on WhatsApp. Park opening days and hours can change, and we check them for you.
Park tickets and activities are not fixed on this page. Ask us what the entrance includes and we can include it in the plan. For the price of the private tour, write to us on WhatsApp.
What to expect at the park
Expect a mix of history and leisure. Some areas are about the story of the estate and the period, while others are about animals and outdoor fun, so the mood changes during the day.
Because the park is large, wear shoes you can walk in and pace yourself in the heat. Your guide helps you choose what is worth your time, so you do not spend the whole day queuing or rushing.
Who this tour is for
It suits families with older children who enjoy animals, couples and groups interested in recent Colombian history. It is a long day in a car, so very young children may find it tiring.
Tell us who is travelling, how much time you have and what you want to see, and we will plan the stops, the lunch and the pace around you.
What is covered, and what to bring
- Private guide (English or Spanish)
- Round-trip pickup in Medellín
- Comfortable private vehicle
- Historical context on the road
- Park entrance and activities (ask us: we can include them)
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips
- Light clothes, hat and sunscreen
- Swimwear and a change of clothes
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle
- Cash in small notes
Price for your group: ask us on WhatsApp
Practical tips
If you only have a short time in Medellín, our Pablo Escobar tour or the Guatapé tour are shorter alternatives.
What guests say
“Amazing tour with Felipe. He is extremely knowledgeable about the history of Medellín and he makes the tours fun with his humour. Transportation was very comfortable and he suggested some great places to eat while we were sightseeing.”
Photos from this tour
See all 43 photos of Hacienda Nápoles
Questions, answered
How much do tickets to Hacienda Nápoles cost?
Prices change by season and by the activities you choose. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you the current entrance options and the price of the private tour.
How do you get from Medellín to Hacienda Nápoles?
By road along the Medellín to Bogotá highway, roughly 165 to 177 kilometres and about four hours each way, sometimes more. On a private tour we pick you up and drive you.
What is there to do at Hacienda Nápoles?
You can see exhibits about the period, the animals including hippos, and the grounds. The park also has water areas and other activities. Ask us for the current list.
Which is the nearest town to Hacienda Nápoles?
Doradal, in the municipality of Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia.
Who owns Hacienda Nápoles today?
The state seized the estate after Escobar's fall. Its status has been debated in the news recently, so check the latest reports for ownership details.
Can kids join the tour?
Yes, older children who like animals usually enjoy it. The day is long, so very young kids may get tired.
Is the tour in English or Spanish?
Either. Felipe, Andrés and Laura guide in both languages.
Can I combine it with other tours?
It works best as its own full day. You can pair it with a Pablo Escobar tour in the city on another day.
Pair it with another day
Pablo Escobar tourA private Pablo Escobar tour in Medellín: the history, the victims and how the city changed, with a local guide, hotel pickup and a comfortable vehicle.See the tour
Guatapé tour from MedellínA private Guatapé tour from Medellín: El Peñol rock, the painted town and the lake, with hotel pickup, a comfortable vehicle and your own guide.See the tour
Medellín city tourA private Medellín city tour: Plaza Botero, the Metro, Pueblito Paisa and local stories, with hotel pickup, a comfortable vehicle and your own guide.See the tourTell us your date. We plan the rest with you.
Price for your group: ask us on WhatsApp
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