All about Guatapé – What to do and tips

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About Guatapé

If you have been following the series Who is the Mole, you may remember the reservoir near Guatapé, (episode 4), where the candidates had to be freed from their “cages.” Guatapé is a town of about 6,000 inhabitants, located at 1925 meters altitude 83 km from Medellín. A day trip to Guatapé is very popular in combination with climbing the rock el Peñol (3 km).

The most colorful town in Colombia?
When you walk in Guatapé, you feel like you have landed in 1 big photo shoot; houses in all colors of the rainbow, wall decorations with animals, churches and symbols and all kinds of statues. Guatapé is known for the zocalos, colorful panels at the bottom of the houses depicting culture and history.

What to do in Guatapé

8 Tips for fun things to do

1. Climb the rock El Peñol

It takes some doing, as the 740 steps of the 200-meter-high monolith are quite steep, but once at the top, you are rewarded with a fantastic view of the lake and islets. You can easily linger there to take photos and order a drink. Once you reach the bottom, you can also enjoy the view at a lower level in the restaurant. Entrance to El Peñol: approx. COP20000/€5.50.

 

2. Stroll through the town and have a cup of coffee among the locals

The perfect way to see village life in this colorful village. Start your walk at the Parque Principal, take a look inside the church and admire the zócalos and authentic houses in the Calle del recuerdo. Bij Plazoleta del Zócalo are tiny tables to have a cup of coffee among the locals, who take their daily caffeine “shots” there.

 

3. Stroll along the Malecón (promenade) and book a boat ride

With a boat ride you will have a beautiful view of el Peñol and experience the typical Colombian conviviality with danceable music and cheerful locals. Sitting still is really not going to work for you -:) Prices start at COP30,000 per person for an hour. If you prefer a quieter trip, you can also join a smaller boat, or book a private trip.

4.Taste the local cuisine

Slide into a restaurant on the Malecón or in the village and order the specialty of the “Paisa” region, the Bandeja Paisa. Our favorite: a fresh fish, the trucha (trout). Not in the mood for Colombian cuisine? Then go on the French tour at Guatacrep and try one of the sweet or savory crepes or a French baguette prepared by the French chef. Read more about the culinary specialties of Antioquia and Medellín.

5. Go glamping in Guatapé

If you are going to do glamping in Guatapé, then you will have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. If you want a quieter place, stay near el Peñol instead of Guatapé. Spend the night in a very special place, with jacuzzi? Then book a luxury tent at Bosko Glamping.

6. Rent a kayak or pedal boat

At Parque Comfama Guatapé you can not only rent kayaks, there are also all kinds of other gear for water sports. There is also a water park with slides and walking trails in the adjacent park. Fun to do if you are traveling with children.

7. Grab the scooter and go on an adventure

If you want to explore the area yourself on a scooter or motorcycle, you can rent one from Guatapé motos, among others. With them you can also book day trips or multi-day tours, such as a trip with overnight stay to Rio Claro nature reserve or to the jungle of San Rafael. Check out here the options.

 

8. For a real adrenaline rush....

Take to the heights on a paragliding trip. Or do you climb el Peñol in an adventurous way and skip the 740 stairs. In fact, experienced sports climbers can climb the back of the rock.

 

Plan your trip

How to get there

With an organized day tour
If you only have 1 day, then an organized tour is a convenient option. Most tours leave early from El Poblado park and include typical Colombian breakfast, lunch and a boat trip. An additional advantage of a tour is that you already have a nice group for the boat trip and lunch in Guatapé. Entrance to el Peñol is not included and you have to pay separately (around COP20,000/€5.50).

On your own by bus
The bus tickets and boat trip are easy to arrange yourself. Buses run all day from Medellín (2h-Terminal del Norte). Price indication bus: COP18000/€5. Tip: If you are in Guatapé, buy a ticket in advance for the return trip to Medellín, otherwise you run the risk that there is no room on the bus. Transportation between Guatapé and El Peñol is by tuk-tuk.

Climate and best time to go

  • You can visit Guatapé year-round. The climate is similar to that of Medellín, with an average temperature of around 23 degrees
  • On weekends, many Medellín residents make a day trip to Guatapé. If you want to explore the village without the crowds, plan your trip during the week.

Where to stay in Guatapé

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More hotels in Guatapé