If you stop to watch a performance in Comuna 13, you're expected to tip, even though it's never required. That goes double if you film it or pose for a photo with the performers. There's no fixed amount. Base it on how long you watched, whether you recorded it, and the size of your group, and carry small bills so you can give without fuss. This guide explains how to decide.
Why performance matters in Comuna 13
Hip-hop is woven into Comuna 13's identity. Rap, breakdance, DJing and graffiti grew up together as the four classic elements of hip-hop culture, and in Comuna 13 they became ways for young people to tell their own story, claim public space, and offer alternatives during and after years of violence. Some of the neighborhood's best-known community organizations started as hip-hop collectives.
So the dancers spinning on a corner near the escalators aren't just entertaining tourists. Many are part of a living tradition that helped reshape how the neighborhood sees itself, and how the world sees it. Learn more in our piece on the hip-hop and graffiti connection.
Performing is also work. Practice, travel, outfits and speakers take time and money, and tips are a meaningful part of how many performers earn from it.
When a tip is expected
| Situation | Tip? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You walked past and heard music for a moment | Not expected | You didn't stop to watch |
| You stopped and watched a full routine | Expected, though voluntary | You enjoyed the show |
| You filmed or photographed the routine | Yes | You're taking something of value home |
| You posed for a photo with performers | Yes | They gave you their time directly |
| A performer pulled you in to dance | Yes, if you joined in | It's a personal, memorable moment |
| A performer asked a tour group to tip | Contribute your share | The whole group watched |
Performers usually pass a cap or hold out a hat at the end of a routine. Put your tip in directly, say thanks, and move on so the next audience can gather.
How to decide how much
We won't give you a number. Amounts depend on the moment, prices change, and any figure we gave would go out of date. Here's a way to think it through instead.
- Start with a local reference point. Note what a juice, an empanada or a coffee costs on the route that day. That gives you a sense of what a modest tip looks like in local terms.
- Add for time watched. A quick routine you caught the end of is different from a full, energetic set you watched from start to finish.
- Add for filming. If you recorded the performance, especially for social media, tip more generously. That footage has value to you.
- Scale for your group. A family of five watching together should give more than one person. Some groups pool, others tip individually. Both are fine.
- Be consistent. If you plan to watch several performances, set aside a small stack of bills and give something to each one, instead of tipping big once and nothing after.
Ask your guide. A neighborhood guide knows what's considered fair right now and can tell you discreetly before the hat comes around.
It's also worth remembering what a tip means here. Exchange rates often make small local amounts feel trivial to visitors, but what feels like pocket change to you can be a meaningful part of a performer's day. On the other hand, there's no need to feel guilty or to overpay. Performers aren't expecting visitors to fund their whole week, just a fair thank-you for the show you enjoyed. If you can't tip on a given day, a warm round of applause and moving on without filming is a respectful choice too.
Photo and video etiquette
Public performances are made to be seen, and filming them is common. A few simple courtesies make a big difference.
- Don't block the space. Breakdancers need room. Stay behind the line where the crowd naturally forms and don't step in for a close-up mid-routine.
- Turn off your flash. It can distract dancers mid-move.
- Ask before posed photos. "¿Puedo tomarme una foto con ustedes?" (Can I take a photo with you all?) works well.
- Tip if you film. It's the unwritten rule of street performance almost everywhere.
- Ask before commercial use. If you're a content creator or plan to monetize the footage, talk to the performers first. Some may want to be tagged or credited.
- Tag them. If performers share a social handle, tag them when you post. Visibility helps them get bookings.
Never film children who aren't part of the performance without a parent's permission, and don't film residents in their homes or doorways. Our guide to photographing Comuna 13 respectfully covers more.
Small bills and practical tips
Cash is still the easiest way to tip street performers in Medellín. Some performers may have a QR code for a digital wallet, but don't count on it.
- Break large notes before you arrive. Buy something at a supermarket or pharmacy before heading to Comuna 13. Vendors on the route often can't make change for big bills.
- Keep tip money separate. A small fold of bills in an easy-to-reach pocket means you never pull out your whole wallet in a crowd.
- Coins are fine for small tips but bills are easier to drop into a hat.
- Tip at the end. Interrupting a routine to hand over money breaks the performance.
For other everyday spending, like snacks, art and drinks, see where food and drink fit into a Comuna 13 visit.
Other ways to show support
Tips matter, but they aren't the only way to give back:
- Applaud and cheer. Enthusiasm from the crowd is part of street performance.
- Follow and share. Social media visibility helps performers get gigs.
- Buy from local businesses. Shops, cafés and art studios run by residents keep money in the neighborhood.
- Choose a local guide. Guides from the neighborhood often know the performers personally and can explain their story.
- Book a workshop. Some community groups offer dance or art classes, another way to support the culture directly.
FAQ
Are you expected to tip performers in Comuna 13?
Tipping is voluntary, but it is the norm if you stop to watch a full performance, and especially if you film or photograph it. Performers often pass a hat or cap at the end.
How much should I tip?
There is no fixed amount. Think about how long you watched, whether you filmed it, how many people are in your group, and what a snack or drink costs in the neighborhood that day. Giving something modest every time you stop is better than a big tip once.
Can I film a dance performance?
Filming public performances is common, but tipping when you film is the polite expectation, since the footage has value to you. If you plan to use it commercially or post it widely, ask the performers first.
Is it OK to take a photo with a performer?
Yes, if you ask first. Posed photos with performers usually come with an expectation of a tip, so have a small bill ready.
What if I do not have cash?
Some performers may accept digital payments, but do not count on it. Bring small bills before you arrive, since vendors on the route often cannot break large notes.