Guatapé, Colombia

Guatapé is a colonial town near Medellín that draws visitors with its beautiful architecture and colorful murals. The surroundings are equally impressive; the town sits on the shore of a reservoir studded with islands and flanked by lush rolling hills. You can see a panoramic view of the area from the top of the Guatapé rock, called Piedra del Peñol.

In this Guatapé travel guide I’ll provide tips to help you plan your visit. I’ll also share my personal experience and my thoughts on planning a DIY visit vs. joining a tour.

For more Colombia travel tips and destination guides, head to my Colombia page.

Guatapé History and Information

Guatapé History

Guatapé is named after the indigenous leader who ruled the area in the 1500s and means “stones and water” in Quechua. The town is known for its vibrantly colored murals called ‘zocalos’. This intricate artwork decorates the bottom half of local houses, narrating tales of local culture and hinting at the products sold by the residents. 

In Guatapé you can also walk by the waterfront or enjoy water sports and boating on the adjacent man-made lake. The Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir was created in the 1970s when a large hydroelectric complex was constructed nearby. Today this complex supplies 30% of Colombia’s electricity.

El Peñón de Guatapé History

A trip to Guatapé, Colombia goes hand in hand with a visit to El Peñón de Guatapé, an ancient monolith that is 656 ft (200 m) tall. The first climbers took 5 days to make it to the top, but today you can make the ascent in 15 minutes thanks to a 740-step staircase. 

El Peñón de Guatapé is estimated to be around 70 million years old and was a sacred place for the area’s original indigenous inhabitants. Interestingly, the rock is declared a National Monument but is also privately owned. One of the first men to climb it, Luis Eduardo Villegas López, bought it from locals who considered it useless for farming. López built stairs into a crack of the rock and charged people to ascend to the top. The rock became a popular tourist attraction, and the Villegas family continues to earn money from it to this day.

My Guatapé Trip

Choosing a Tour

Looking back as a seasoned traveler I’m a little embarrassed to say I took an organized tour to Guatapé. It is very much possible to DIY a day trip to Guatapé from Medellín at a lower price point. However, I still think that at 30 USD, the tour I took is an affordable option and a good deal considering how much is included (transportation, entrance tickets, lunch, boat ride, local guide). I had also gone out late the night before I went to Guatapé, so honestly I was happy to be on an organized tour where I didn’t have to figure things out for myself.

El Peñón de Guatapé

We first stopped at Piedra del Peñol and climbed the stairs to the top. The panoramic view was breathtaking, offering a glimpse of the luxury homes dotting the lakeshore and the islands. Oddly, the Guatapé lake made me nostalgic for the time I lived in Boston and spent my weekends in the similarly lake-filled landscape of New Hampshire. I spent a good 15 minutes staring at the lake and reminiscing before heading back down. I’m thankful that our tour group arrived early; as I made my way down, I saw that the line to the top was hardly moving and the entire staircase was badly clogged with people.

Guatapé Reservoir

Next, we visited the town of Guatapé and had lunch next to the water. Most of us, including myself, tried the bandeja de paisa. This hearty local dish consists of beans, rice, arepa, chorizo, plantain, chicharrón, avocado and meat (they also offer vegetarian versions). 

I attempted to strike up a conversation with a very reserved older couple at my table, only to discover that they were Swiss and came from the very city where I did my PhD. We switched to French and they immediately warmed up to me, sharing travel tips and even inquiring about my delayed food order with the waiter. This experience reminded me why I’ll never stop trying to learn new languages; they are the gateway to creating genuine connections.

Guatapé Town

We next took a cruise on the Guatapé reservoir, which gave us great views of El Peñón de Guatapé from the water. Our last activity of the day was a walking tour of the city, where our enthusiastic tour guide lived up to his promise to “give us his best vibes”. It was his first day on the job, and we all smiled every time he referred to the group as “jellyman” instead of “gentlemen”. 

Before heading back to Medellín, we had some free time. I relaxed on a bar patio and ordered a local specialty, a Michelada with mango. Unfortunately the drink was a little underwhelming and tasted like plain beer to me, but it helped me doze off on the bus ride back to Medellín. During the tour I connected with another solo American woman, and we quickly bonded over bashing the toxic work-life balance in America. We ended up going salsa dancing together later that evening.

Trip Planning Information

Guatapé Things to Do

Guatapé Tours

When visiting Guatapé, Colombia, you’ll need to decide if you want to go the DIY route or take an organized tour. 

Visiting Guatape on your own will be cheaper, but getting there and back by bus will take longer and you’ll have to manage the logistics on your own. I would only recommend this if you’re on a tight budget and have more time to spare. 

Otherwise, a guided tour is an excellent option that will allow you to relax. I think it’s a great value because it includes transportation to and from your accommodation, a tour guide, lunch, a boat ride, and tickets to El Peñón de Guatapé. If you’re a solo traveler, this is also a great way to meet people. Here is the tour I took, which is only 30 USD.

Below I’ve listed things you can do in Guatapé, Colombia, either on your own or as part of a tour:

El Peñón de Guatapé

This ancient monolith is 656 ft (200 m) tall, and you can climb to the top in 15 minutes thanks to a 740-step staircase. The Piedra del Peñol is open 8 AM – 6 PM daily, and entrance is 25,000 COP (6.30 USD). Get there early to avoid lines to reach the top.

Guatapé Town

When in town, check out the main square, where you’ll find the Parque Principal de Guatapé and a beautiful church. Also venture into Plazoleta de Los Zócalos, a colorful plaza. From the plaza you can walk along la Calle del Recuerdo, a pedestrian street decorated with suspended umbrellas.

Boat Tour

You can take boat tours of the reservoir. If this isn’t included in your tour, you’ll find many vendors selling affordable boat tickets near the lakeshore.

Adventure Activities

If you have more time in Guatapé, you’ll have opportunities to partake in activities like jet skiing, kayaking, paragliding, canyoning, and helicopter rides. Check out Viator and Get Your Guide for an idea of what’s available.

How Long to Stay

You can easily make a day trip to Guatapé from Medellín. However, consider spending a night if you’d like to spend more time exploring. With additional time you can participate in watersports on the lake and enjoy the peacefulness of the town once the crowds leave for the day.

Guatapé Weather and When to Go

The weather in Guatapé is warm year-round during the day, with cool nights. December to February, and to a lesser extent June to August, are the dry seasons. 

Avoid weekends and holidays, which are crowded with local tourists. 

El Peñón de Guatapé opens at 8 AM, and you should plan to get there early because there is often a long and slow line to climb to the top.

Guatapé Hotels and Where to Stay

The town is small and you should have no problem finding somewhere to stay that is close to the center. I’ve listed my recommendations below.

Budget: Lake View hostel. Dorms and private rooms are available. The hostel is conveniently located in the center of town, with views of the lake and a rave reviewed Thai restaurant in the building. 

Mid-range: Casa Encuentro Ecolodge. You’ll have views overlooking the Guatapé lake and gardens. Choose from a variety of rooms, including dorms and private bungalows.

Luxury: Bosko. This property has gorgeous pools and a spa. Stay here for a Guatapé glamping experience with your private dome and hot tub overlooking the lake.

Where to Eat in Guatapé

There is a variety of western and traditional restaurants near the historic center. Street food is also available. There is no local market, but there is a small supermarket in town.

The local specialties in Guatapé are fresh trucha (trout) and bandeja paisa, a filling plate of beans, rice, arepa, chorizo, plantain, chicharrón, avocado and meat.

Tap water Guatapé is safe to drink, but if you have a sensitive stomach you may want to stick to bottled or filtered water. Alternatively, bring your own LifeStraw water filter.

Is Guatapé Safe?

Guatapé is very safe to visit and popular with both local and international tourists. Check out my Colombia safety guide for more tips, and make sure you have travel insurance.

Budget and Money

There are a few ATMs in Guatapé, but it’s a good idea to bring cash with you from Medellín. Expect mid-range prices; Guatape is not a big city, but still highly touristic, which tends to drive prices up. Bring extra cash for activities like boat rides, lunch, and shopping.

What to Bring to Guatapé

For a full list of what to bring, refer to my Colombia packing list. I would stress the following:

• Downloaded maps of Guatapé and nearby areas you want to visit (use Google Maps or MapsME)
• SIM or eSIM card
• Good shoes. You’ll be walking up stairs to the top of Piedra del Peñol and on cobblestones in Guatapé.
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito spray

How to Get from Medellín to Guatapé

Check out my guide to transportation in Colombia for more information.

If you’re taking an organized tour, they should offer pickup near your accommodation.

If you’re visiting Guatapé independently, taking a rideshare or taxi will be fastest.

Bus from Medellín to Guatapé

The cheapest way to get from Medellín to Guatapé independently will be by bus. I recommend using BusBud to look up prices and bus routes to Guatapé.

To take the bus to Guatapé, first get yourself to the Terminal Norte Medellín bus station. You can get there by taking the metro (blue line A) to the Caribe station, then following signs to the bus station. Alternatively, get to the station by taking Uber, DiDi, Cabify, or a taxi.

At Terminal Norte, go to booth #14 on the ground floor. Look for the “Sotrasanvicente & Guatapé la Piedra” sign and buy a ticket to Guatapé. Buses run frequently starting from 6 AM. A one-way ticket is 19,000 COP (4.80 USD). 

The bus ride will take 2 hours, and potentially more if there is traffic. Ask the driver to make a stop outside Piedra del Peñol.

After visiting El Peñón de Guatapé, you can get to town by walking ~1 hour (2.7 mi / 4.3 km) or taking a Tuk Tuk (10 min, 12,000 COP / 3 USD).

To get from Guatapé back to Medellín, buses leave every 30 min, with the last one at 5:30 PM. You can find the bus station (which looks more like a ticket booth) on the corner at Calle 32/Carrera 30.

How to Get Around

The main sights within Guatapé town can be visited by walking. Tuk Tuks are a convenient way to travel longer distances, for example if your accommodation is outside of the historic city center. A short ride should start at 5,000 COP (1.30 USD).

Where to Go Next

• Medellín 
• San Rafael. This town is 60 min from Guatapé, and here you can explore waterfalls and sunbathe by the river.

Thanks for reading! I hope this Guatapé travel guide helps you plan your trip. Do you usually prefer to DIY your travel experiences or take guided day tours? Let me know your thoughts and questions, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

For more Colombia travel tips and destination guides, head to my Colombia page.

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