Medellin Neighborhood Guides: La América

TLDR: In La America, there are two Ethnographic museums as well as tons of churches, parks, and sports areas!

The city of Medellin is divided into sixteen Comunas, with each Comunas housing several neighborhoods. Though the neighborhoods inside the comunas are similar, they each have something special that differentiates them from the others. 

The neighborhood of La America is in Comuna 12, an ancient area of Medellin divided in two by San Juan Avenue, one of the city’s main streets. 

You may have heard about Comuna 13, but what’s so special about Comuna 12 and La America? Read ahead to learn everything you need to know about the neighborhood! 

A Context About la America   

Located in the western central area of Medellin, La America borders San Javier in Comuna 13, and Laureles-Estadio, which belongs to Comuna 11. 

The neighborhood began with farmhouses built around 1675, distinguished by gardens and orchards. La America was a Corregimiento, or hamlet, until a little over eighty years ago. The urbanization of the area began with the Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores church and developed further with the transformation of single-family homes into multi-family homes. 

This Comuna currently represents 3.6% of the city, and the most of it is dominated by stratum 4 or a half class in the following neighborhoods:

• Ferrini
• Calasanz
• Los Pinos
• La América
• La Floresta
• Santa Lucía
• El Danubio
• Campo Alegre
• Santa Mónica
• Barrio Cristóbal
• Simón Bolívar
• Santa Teresita
• Calasanz Parte Alta

Transportation in La America

Because La America is crossed by a handful of important or main streets, such as Calle San Juan and Carrera 80, public transport is plentiful and affordable. 

Bus routes are very common in the area, as well as three stations on the Metro System. 

• La Floresta
• Santa Lucia
• San Javier 

The Offers of Each Sector of la America 

Ferrini, Calasanz, Calasanz Parte Alta 

Calansanz began as a neighborhood in the lower part of the mountain and is distinguished for having houses of 4 and 5 classes. 

Over the years, this neighborhood expanded up the mountain, now allied Calansanz parte alta or “upper part.” 

This zone is of strata 3 and 4 and is only residential.

However, at the bottom of the mountain are: 

• The Miguel Ángel Builes Ethnographic Museum
• Emmaus Parish
• Avenida 80 with shops of all kinds, although the area is known for furniture shops. 
• Calasanz School

Currently, these neighborhoods have had road infrastructure interventions given the construction of Metro de La 80.

Los Pinos, La Floresta, La America, Santa Lucia, El Danubio

As one of the most well-known neighborhoods in Medellin, La Floresta has been chosen by the organizers of the Feria de las Flores as the location of events such as the Silleteritos Parade and the band contest.

The La American neighborhood and La Floresta stand out each year for their Holy Week celebrations and processions. 

In these sectors you can also find: 

• Parque de La Floresta 
• Colegio Concejo de Medellin 
• Unidad Deportiva La Floresta
• Iglesia de La America 
• Parroquia La Inmaculada
• Unidad Deportiva Santa Lucia – Danubio 
• Biblioteca de La Floresta

In addition to stops for tourists and locals alike, it’s also worth stating that in the Santa Lucia sector there are shops of all kinds where you can find everything you might need, including Bodytech gyms. 

Campo Alegre, Santa Mónica, Barrio Cristobal, Simón Bolívar, Santa Teresita

All these neighborhoods are small, located next to each other at one end of Calle San Juan.

On this side of La America or Comuna 12, there are several striking cultural sites you can visit on the way to Comuna 13, located right next to Santa Monica:

• Parque del Ajedrez
• Unidad Deportiva Barrio Cristóbal
• Liceo Salazar y Herrera
• Museo Etnografico Madre Laura 
• Ciudadela para la Cuarta Revolución Industrial 
• Parroquia El Divino Maestro
• Teatro La Fanfarria 
• Teatro La Hora 25

These neighborhoods are usually traditional and very quiet, however, each of them has commercial areas where you’ll be able to find everything you need to live.

Is la America a Safe Place?

Sure! It’s safe to walk through the neighborhoods of La America, as well as through the main parks and sports areas. However, I’d advise against walking late at night, as the streets can get a bit desolate. There isn’t much nightlife there beyond a restaurant or small bar that closes early anyway. 

Because of this, La America is in no danger of becoming overtouristed, as it’s a quiet residential area and close to La Comuna 13, one of the most touristed places in the city. 

Visit la America in One Day 

It’s good to check out the most popular places in a city you’re visiting and look into everything that comes up on the first page of Google searches. But sometimes walking through the less known and often overlooked places in the city has its own kind of charm! 

Take the opportunity to check out the churches, museums, sports venues, and theatres of Comuna 12, and enjoy a unique day in Medellin!

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