Instead of going by myself with local transport, I booked a Guatapé Colombia tour from Medellín with Top10ToursinMedellin. It seemed like an easy way to see Piedra del Peñol, Guatapé and the lake in one day without having to arrange everything myself. The bus was much bigger than expected, full of both Colombian and foreign tourists. A bit disappointing, I have to admit. Large group tours are not really my thing. Luckily, there was enough free time during the day to walk around by yourself, and I met a couple of nice travelers along the way. The tour included transport, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, a boat trip, a traditional breakfast with arepas, cheese and coffee, and an Antioquia lunch with bandeja paisa. Basically, a lot of carbs on one plate. It turned out to be a good day to relax a little and still see quite a lot outside Medellín.
Piedra del Peñol Colombia
The whole area around Guatapé is quite touristy, especially compared to places such as San Agustín. Our first stop was Marinilla, a small town between Medellín and Guatapé, before continuing towards the main attraction of the day. Piedra del Peñol is hard to miss. The huge rock rises around 220 meters above the surrounding landscape and has become one of the best-known sights near Medellín. Then comes the climb. There are around 740 steps to the top of the Guatapé Colombia rock.
I’m afraid of heights, but the staircase is built into the side of the rock and much of it feels quite enclosed. Not seeing the depth all the time definitely helped. In the end, being out of breath was a bigger problem than being scared. The view from the top is spectacular. Green hills, small islands and stretches of water seem to continue in every direction. It was a little foggy during my visit, but even then the view was worth all those steps. Take some time at the top before heading down again. There is no need to rush after climbing 740 stairs.
Guatapé Colombia
After lunch, we continued to Guatapé. This small town is known for its brightly painted houses and zócalos, the colorful reliefs along the lower part of the façades. Many show flowers, animals, local traditions, businesses or scenes from everyday life. They are one of the things that make walking around Guatapé so much fun. The center is compact and easy to explore on foot. The church, main square and fountain are useful points to find your way back, although getting seriously lost here would be quite an achievement. There is also no need to race between sights. Walk through the colorful streets, look at the houses and stop somewhere for coffee.
Go and have a good cup of Colombian coffee near the colorful steps in town. Having some free time to explore by myself was one of my favorite parts of the day.
Guatapé Lake Colombia
The water surrounding Guatapé looks like a natural lake, but the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir is man-made. A large hydroelectric project changed this part of Antioquia dramatically during the 1970s. The old town of El Peñol was relocated and eventually flooded, together with agricultural land and rural areas around El Peñol and Guatapé. The result is the unusual landscape you see from Piedra del Peñol today. Our Guatapé tour also included a boat trip on the reservoir.
After the climb and several stops, sitting on the boat with the sun out, familiar reggaeton music playing and the scenery passing by was actually very relaxing. The lake also has a connection with Pablo Escobar. One of his former properties, Finca La Manuela, sits beside the reservoir near El Peñol. The estate was badly damaged in 1993 and the ruins can still be visited on some tours around Guatapé. It is an interesting part of the region’s more recent history, but there is much more to Guatapé than its connection with Escobar.
Walking around colorful Guatapé
After the boat trip, there was about an hour of free time in town. Perfect. Exploring by myself is what I like best, and Guatapé is ideal for that. You can walk around without much of a plan and still find the main streets, squares and colorful houses. It is definitely a tourist destination. Going on a Sunday made it feel even busier, with plenty of Colombian visitors enjoying a day out as well as foreign tourists. Still, I am glad I saw it. The colors, the lake and Piedra del Peñol make Guatapé completely different from Medellín.
Guatapé Colombia tour or go independently?
You don’t necessarily need a tour for a Guatapé day trip. Direct buses run between Medellín’s Terminal del Norte and Guatapé throughout the day. Sotrasanvicente currently lists 31 departures from Medellín and a fare of 24,000 COP each way. Going independently gives you more freedom. You can visit Piedra del Peñol first and continue to Guatapé afterwards, without having to wait for a group or follow a fixed schedule. A Guatapé Colombia tour is easier. Transport is arranged, several stops can be combined in one day and you don’t have to think about getting back to Medellín. For me, that convenience was exactly the reason for booking one. The big group was not really my style, but having enough free time during the day made a big difference.
Prefer to arrange your transport in advance? You can check current bus, minivan and private transfer options from Medellín to Guatapé on 12Go.
Is a Guatapé day trip from Medellín worth it?
Yes, but expect it to be touristy. Piedra del Peñol is worth climbing for the view, and Guatapé is a pleasant place to wander around for a few hours. The boat trip adds another view of the lake and makes it possible to see just how large the reservoir really is. A Guatapé day trip from Medellín is easy to fit into a stay in the city. If you prefer quieter evenings and more time to explore, staying overnight in Guatapé is another option. For me, one full day was enough. By the time the bus headed back to Medellín, relaxing in my seat sounded like a very good idea.
Want to stay a little longer? Check accommodation in Guatapé on Booking.com and enjoy the town after most day-trippers have returned to Medellín.
