All about Guatapé – What to do and tips

Travel Guide Medellin

All about Guatapé – What to do and tips

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About Guatapé

Guatapé is a town of about 6,000 inhabitants, located at 1925 meters altitude, on 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 one big photo shoot; there are houses in all colors of the rainbow, wall decorations with animals, symbols and churches and you will find all kinds of statues in town. 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 effort, 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 stay for some time 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: COP25.000/$6 (prices 2025). Please note that the ticket office accepts cash only; credit or debit cards are not accepted.
Opening hours: The site is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last admission at 5:30 PM.

 

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 / $7 per person for an hour. If you prefer a quieter or more personalized trip, you can also book a private trip. A standard private speedboat accommodating up to 6 people typically starts at COP 250,000/$60 for a 30 to 45-minute ride.

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: a huge plate filled with meat, egg, friend plantain, beans, rice and avocado. If you’re nog a big fan of this, you can order our personal  favorite: the fresh trout (trucha) Not in the mood for Colombian cuisine? Then go “French” at Guatacrep and try one of the sweet or savory crepes or baguettes prepared by the French chef. This place is a favorite among locals and travelers. Here you can 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. Want to 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

Parque Comfama Guatapé is located between the town of Guatapé and the iconic Piedra del Peñol. The park spans over 7.6 hectares, providing lots of space for various activities amidst lush natural surroundings. There are picnic areas with grills, kiosks, and a restaurant.

The park offers many family friendly attractions, such as:

  • Water attractions: kayaking, paddleboarding, pedal boats, and a large inflatable water obstacle course on Lake Guatapé.
  • Land Attractions: Pirate ship play areas, splash pads, toboggan slides, and scenic walking trails.

 

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 and Scooters Guatapé. Guatapé motos is a well established company and 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 the options here.

Tips for renting a scooter:

  • A valid driver’s license is typically required. Some companies may also request a passport and a security deposit.
  • Ensure the rental includes helmets and other necessary safety equipment.
  • It’s recommended to book in advance, especially during weekends and holidays.

 

8. For a real adrenaline rush....

Do you want to have a different look on the iconic el Peñol? Then we have the tip for you! Make a paragliding trip and see the famous rock from high above!  Another adventurous way to experience el Peñol is by climbing. Instead of climbing the 740 steps,  experienced climbers can climb the back of the rock until they reach the top.

 

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 COP25,000/$6 in 2025).

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). Prices start at COP20000/$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

$ price range up to $35

$$ price range $35 – $75

$$$ price range above $75

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More hotels in Guatapé

Learning Spanish in Medellín – Our tips

Travel Guide Medellin

Our tips

When you go to Colombia, speaking a word of Spanish with the locals not only makes your visit a lot easier but also more fun. Greeting a Colombian on the street, a chat in the supermarket or just chatting on the bus….

Whether you have absolutely no knowledge of the Spanish language, or already have a foundation; there are many language schools in Medellín for every level.

During my trip to Medellín, I chose to study Spanish at language school Total Spanish, in the middle of the lively neighborhood of El Poblado.

How do you begin?
You have the opportunity to learn in one week, the first touches of the Spanish language. You can also take classes for 2,3,4 weeks or longer. When registering on location, a brief intake interview will be done to see what level you are at and whether you would like individual lessons or prefer group classes.

Group or private lessons?
Group classes begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. (20 hours per week). In individual classes, you have the freedom to determine your course times with the instructor (10 hours per week).

Private lessons
I myself had the private language course because no one else had signed up at my level of Spanish. For that reason I had 10 lessons spread over 4 days instead of the full week. Because you get 1 on 1 lessons it is quite intensive but doable. Dreaming away and expecting another student to give you the answer is out of the question -:)

Price tag
-Group lessons: from COP650,000/$162.50 pp per week
-Private lessons: from COP700,000/$175 pp per week
-The longer you stay, the cheaper the lessons!

Homework
Classes are held in small rooms with a whiteboard, inside the Total Spanish building. During the course you will receive lesson materials and homework for the next day. Your homework will take a maximum of 30 – 60 minutes per day.

Salsales
In addition to classes, there are also activities offered that you can do with other students. Think of a trip to Comuna 13, Colombian cooking together or a salsa class. The activities are done after lunch.

Activities

  • Every Monday there is a “welcome lunch” for the new students so they can get to know each other and the teachers (COP15,000/$4)
  • City tour (COP25,000/$6)
  • One hour of salsa lessons (free)

Additional activities

  • Comuna 13 and graffiti tour COP35,000/$9
  • Tour to fruit market COP25,000/$6

Participating in activities also keeps you in contact with other students, even if you have private lessons. That’s great! Do you feel like joining activities after the course, but want to do your own thing in the evening? No worries! You are not obligated to spend your free time with other students, you can just do as you please.

Reference for your studies?
The teachers are qualified and the lessons are designed using “The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).” Still, this is not enough to get an exemption for your studies. You can learn Spanish on a recreational level, but you cannot use the course as a reference for your studies. For this, it is better to study at a university in Colombia, where this is possible.

 

Written by Mellijn
 Travel date December 2017 , updated June 2024

#NaarColombiaTips

#Tip 1
 Stay with a host family
A great way to immediately put your new knowledge into practice and to rotate with a local family. Prices including meals start around $150 per week.

#Tip 2
Prefer to take lessons at home? Then sign yourself up for private online classes. Look here for more info: website Total Spanish language school

Transportation in Medellín

Travel Guide Medellin

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Metro, Taxi, Apps

Metro

Medellín’s modern metro system is the pride of the city. Travel by metro is reliable, fast, cheap and safe. And this system does not consist only of the subway. In addition to two metro lines, there are a streetcar line, 5 Metrocable lines (cable cars) two Metroplús bus lines, an electric bus line and small vans that connect to the metro stations. Especially if you want to go to the city center, the metro is more convenient than a cab. Because of the heavy traffic, it takes a long time to get to the center and traffic is often jammed there.

Metro lines:

Line A: from north to south, this is the main line for travelers, with 21 stations, including Poblado, San Antonio, Parque Berrío (centro) and Universidad (metro station for tourist attractions in the north, such as Parque Explora and the botanical garden). Line A also takes you to Acevedo station, for the cable car to Santo Domingo/ Parque Arví
Line B: from downtown to west, with 6 stations, including Estadio (Laureles/Estadio)
Line L: cable car from Santo Domingo Savio to Parque Arví

Check out here for the map showing routes and subway stations.

To avoid lines at the ticket office, you can buy a rechargeable Civica card at any of the metro stations, the Tarjeta Eventual. Purchasing the card (without credit) costs COP10.000 and you can use the card with multiple people. The card can be recharged at the metro stations and many other points in the city. Standard fare per ride with Cívica card is COP 3900/$1.

Update June 2025
As of 2025, the Medellín Metro no longer offers paper tickets for single rides. Instead, all passengers must use a Cívica card, which comes in two main types:

  1. Personalized Cívica Card: Issued free of charge at select metro stations (e.g., Itagüí, Niquía, San Antonio, San Javier) upon presentation of valid identification. This card offers discounted fares and additional benefits.

  2. Eventual Cívica Card: Designed for tourists and occasional users, this card can be purchased for COP 10,000 at any metro station. It does not provide fare discounts but allows access to the entire metro system.

 

    Taxi

    Traveling short distances by taxi is efficient and inexpensive. If you travel by taxi in the evening, have your hotel call a cab for you instead of stopping one on the street or order a taxi through one of the cab apps.

    Prices
    (standard rates 2025)

    • Base fare: COP4.136.50/$1.00
    • Rate per kilometer: COP 6,650 /$1.75
    • Waiting time (per hour): COP 26,500/$6.60

    Ride to/from airport:

    • Standard yellow taxi: Approximately COP 118,000/$29.50
    • White airport Taxi: fixed fare around COP 130,000/$32.50
    • Shared colectivo taxi: COP 32,000 per person/$8

    Apps

    In addition to the Uber app, there are other cab apps in Colombia, such as InDriver, Didi and Easy Tappsi These apps work like Uber, where you can track the driver. This makes it a safe, alternative way of ordering a cab.

    Our favorite taxi app is Uber. Why do we like Uber so much?
    – you don’t need a local phone number. The app is linked to your email address. While traveling, we use an E-sim card and that worked perfectly with the Uber app.
    –No need to pay by cash or card for every trip. You can choose to link your credit card to the Uber app and the ride is paid automatically. Super efficient!

    Uber’s pricing in Medellín is based on a combination of base fare, distance, and time:

    • Base Fare: COP 2,500
    • Per Kilometer: COP 625
    • Per Minute: COP 100
    • Minimum Fare: COP 4,600
    • Cancellation Fee: COP 2,500

    During peak hours or high-demand periods, Uber may charge extra, increasing fares up to twice the standard rate.

     InDriver works a bit different than Uber and the other apps, as you offer a price for the ride. The drivers can accept your price or make a counter-offer. There are often more than one driver willing to do a ride, so you can make your choice and even view reviews about the driver if you want. We found InDriver to be a bit cheaper, but not that much that it weighs up agains the advantages of Uber.

    ColombiaMyWay tips for traveling by subway

    Tip # 1: Medellín has a metrocultura
    That is, there is an unwritten rule, not to make phone calls in the metro and not to eat and drink there. As a result, it stays remarkably clean in the metro and it is pleasant to travel.

    Tip # 2: from a local for traveling during rush hour
     Can you avoid the subway during 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.? Perfect! During rush hour, the metro is packed and travelers are crammed close together. If you do have to travel during rush hour, don’t give pickpockets a chance. Phones are especially popular. While boarding and alighting, thieves can get in and out of the subway unseen. If you stand resolutely to the left against the wall when boarding, you won’t give pickpockets a chance.

    Bus transportation for trips in the area

    There are two bus stations in Medellín:

    1) Bus Terminal del Norte.
    Buses to/from north and east including:

    • Bogotá
    • Cartagena
    • Guatapé
    • Rio Claro
    • Santa Fe de Antioquia

    You get to Bus terminal del Norte with a 20-minute cab ride from el Poblado or 3-minute walk from Caribe subway station (line A)

    2) Bus terminal del Sur
    Buses to/from the south include:

    • Manizales
    • Pereira
    • Cali
    • Jardin
    • Jericó
    • Abejorral

    Bus Terminal del Sur is located at 3 min walk from Olaya Herrera Airport and 15 min walk from el Poblado metro station (Line A). A cab from el Poblado gets you there in about 10 min.

    Where to stay in Medellín? – The best neighborhoods + tips

    Travel Guide Medellin

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    El Poblado or Laureles/Estadio?

    Where to stay in Medellín? Find the best neighborhoods + tips here. El Poblado and Laureles-Estadio….beide neighborhoods are attractive to travelers for their safety, central location and easy accessibility. There are hotels, hostels and apartments for every budget: for $10 you have a dorm bed in a hostel and a comfortable mid-range hotel for $30-$60. There is also a wide choice of luxury class hotels, especially in El Poblado. Which neighborhood is the nicest and most convenient to stay in? That depends entirely on what you want to do in Medellín and where! We have stayed in both neighborhoods during our trips to Medellín and find that both neighborhoods have their charms. Hopefully our tips will help you get started in making a choice!

    El Poblado

    El Poblado is a green, hilly neighborhood, 6 km south of the city center. It is an upscale neighborhood, with some of Medellín’s fanciest restaurants, but there are restaurants for every budget.

    El Poblado is a large area made up of smaller neighborhoods. You can therefore spend a lot of time walking to and from your accommodation and the metro station. Therefore, choose your hotel or hostel smartly and depending on what you want to do.

    If you plan to do a lot of shopping, then an accommodation near Avenida de El Poblado (Milla de Oro / golden mile) is convenient. Here you will find shopping centers such as Santa Fe and Oviedo, large supermarkets and many restaurants.

    This section is also the business center of El Poblado. The hotels are mostly high-rise.

    If you prefer to stay in the heart of the nightlife, grab accommodation near the cozy Lleras Park, the Zona Rosa of El Poblado.

    The locals’ nightlife has lately moved more to Vía Provenza, around the corner from Lleras park.

    In the Provenza and foodie district of Manila, you will find a number of boutique hotels, such as Manila hotel boutique
    and Patio del Mundo in Provenza, where you imagine yourself in the jungle -:)

    Conveniently, if you are staying in El Poblado, you can then join organized tours leaving from El Parque del Poblado, such as various (bus) tours to Guatapé, Comuna 13 and the free El Poblado walking tour.

    There are 4 metro stations: Poblado, Industriales, Aguacatala and Ayurá. There is a bus station in El Poblado, the Terminal del Sur, for buses to nearby villages such as Jardín. Furthermore, the national Olaya Herrera Airport is located in El Poblado.

      Laureles-Estadio

      Laureles-Estadio is centrally located, west of the city center (El Centro). This makes it a great base to visit El Centro, grab a museum there or do a city walk. Laureles-Estadio is close to Estadio metro station (line B).

      Like El Poblado, Laureles-Estadio is a popular neighborhood with travelers, but without the tourist “hype.” Here you will find a more local vibe than in El Poblado. You already feel the different vibe when you get off at Estadio metro station; it’s messy, there are more street vendors, in short, it’s more Colombian.

      Laureles-Estadio is a pedestrian-friendly, flat neighborhood. There are nice restaurants and coffee shops, and prices are lower than in El Poblado.

      We stayed on a quiet side street of La Setenta, the Zona Rosa (entertainment district) of Medellín. La Setenta is a long street with many restaurants, bars and clubs.

      The famous Son Havana salsa club is also located in Laureles-Estadio.

      When there are soccer games at Soccer Stadium Atanasio Girardot, you will find many soccer fans on the streets, coming for drinks after the game. Soccer fans who do not go to the stadium come to watch the game in one of the many bars.

      You can store at the large shopping center Centro Comercial Unicentro.

      Furthermore, in Laureles/Estadio you will find the parks el primer and segundo Parque de Laureles, where there are also some nice hotels.

      If you are staying in Laureles-Estadio, then you are not far from Caribe Metro station, where you can catch the bus to Guatapé.

      Other neighborhoods

      In El Centro (la Candelaria), you will find some of the city’s main attractions and museums. Still, we don’t recommend this neighborhood to stay overnight, as it is less safe at night. Besides, you can easily reach El Centro by metro, for a day of “sightseeing.” (Metro stations Parque Berrío, San Antonio (line A)

      Envigado and Sabaneta are actually 2 separate cities, but because there are no visible boundaries, they are considered part of Medellín. These traditional neighborhoods are south of El Poblado. If you are in Medellín for an extended period of time, these are great neighborhoods to stay in. Both Sabaneta and Envigado are easily accessible by metro (line A). If you are coming to visit the tourist attractions, it is more convenient to book accommodation in El Poblado or Laureles to save yourself a lot of travel time.

       

      300*250 RentalCars English

      Tips for booking your hotel or hostel

      1) Check the distance to the nearest metro station
      Especially in El Poblado, as this is a large, hilly area. Even a short walk can be fairly intense

      2) Check if the hotel is right on a busy street or 1 or 2 streets behind it.
      This can make a world of difference to your sleep! If the hotel is on a busy street, check if it has “soundproofing” rooms or ask for a room not facing the street.

      Our pick:
       Our favorite hotel in El Poblado for location and comfort is Leblón Suites (around $60). The hotel has very spacious suites with kitchens and is on a quiet street behind Avenida de El Poblado (Golden mile). Because of this, we were not bothered by the traffic. The hotel is within walking distance of Parque Poblado (starting point of several tours), supermarket Carrulla and shopping centers Oviedo and Santa Fe. Around the corner from the hotel you will find a drugstore, restaurant Parmessano and coffee shop Tostao.

      Bonus tip:
      Do you like a bit of luxury during your city break? Then check out these hotels with jacuzzi in Medellin.

      Check out more hotels and hostels in the different price ranges below.

      $ price range up to $30

      $$ price range $30 – $60

      $$$ price range above $60

      El Poblado

      $

      $$

      $$$

      More hotels in El Poblado-Medellin

      Laureles/Estadio

      $

      $$

      $$$

      More hotels in Laureles-Medellin

      The best restaurants in Medellín – Food and drink.

      Travel Guide Medellin

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      Eating and drinking in Medellín

      There are good restaurants in Medellín for every taste and budget, from traditional to international. Medellín even has a  restauran with Michelin stars: Elcielo in el Poblado, which received its second Michelin star in 2022. There are some streets/neighborhoods in Medellín with a large concentration of restaurants, such as “La Setenta” in Laureles/Estadio, Parque Lleras and Manila in el Poblado and Calle de la buena mesa in Envigado. To learn more about typical local food and drink in Medellín, check out the page Food Medellín for more info.

      Coffee culture
      Medellín has a real coffee culture. At specialized coffee shops, you choose the coffee beans and the method of preparation yourself. With these, the barista prepares a delicious cup of coffee for you.

      Nightlife
      Lleras park, Manila and vía Provenza (El Poblado), La 70, La 33 (Laureles) and Barrio Colombia are popular nightlife areas. Barrio Colombia is a 10-minute cab ride from El Poblado. In this industrial area, a number of warehouses have been turned into clubs.

       

       

      Our tips

      COFFEE SHOPS

      PERGAMINO

      Lleras park (Poblado)

      Locals favorite and popular with  travelers for the good coffee, tasty cakes and breakfast. Pergamino roast their own coffee beans which they buy from local coffee fincas. Pergamino is a hotspot among digital nomads.

      TOSTAO CAFÉ Y PAN

      Poblado

      For a cheap and tasty cappucino with a quick snack to go with it. There are several establishments in Medellín, including on Avenida El Poblado and Oviedo shopping mall.

      CAFE REVOLUCIÓN

      Laureles

      Cafe near Primer Parque Laureles. Makes a good cup of coffee as well as a delicious iced coffee.

      URBANIA CAFÉ

      Poblado + Viva Envigado mall

      Café with a relaxed ambiance and delicious cakes to go with the coffee. Good workplace for digital nomads.

      RITUALES

      Laureles

      Rituales uses coffee beans from plantations in La Sierra in Medellín. They also have a social project in this barrio.

      DESAROLLADORES DE CAFE

      Provenza (Poblado)

      Here you can choose from coffee beans from all over Colombia. Surprising; the cocktails with coffee.

      BARS & CLUBS

      CAFÉ CLICHE

      Laureles

      For ” la belle vie à la francaise” in Medellín. Café-bistro with live music on different days of the week.

      SON HAVANA

      Laureles-La 70

      One of the best salsa clubs in Medellín, with live bands and free salsa classes.

      ENVY ROOFTOP

      Lleras park (Poblado)

      For a cocktail and snack with a great view, from the 18th floor of the Charlee hotel. You can sit at one of the poolside tables, or one more floor up, where the view is even better.

      CERVECERIA 3 CORDILLERAS

      Barrio Colombia

      Micro brewery with bar, where you can taste 5 types of beer. (included in entrance fee). There are tours on Thursday evenings.

      TRÍLOGIA

      Barrio Colombia

      Popular bar with live music from their own “house band”. The band has a varied repertoire from rock to salsa, merengue and ballads.

      SALON MALAGA

      Centro

      Do you love tango, boleros and Colombian music legends? Then step back in time at one of Medellín’s oldest cafes.

      RESTAURANTS

      CREPES Y WAFFLES

      Sweet and savory crepes, soup and salad, waffles and superdeluxe sundaes. Crepes & Waffles has several locations in Medellín, including in the shopping malls. Crepes y waffles is at the top of our list of best restaurants in Medellín!

      MONDONGOS

      Popular spot with Colombian families, who order the Bandeja Paisa and other traditional dishes. There is a restaurant in El Poblado and in Laureles. Our favorite: the Ajiaco soup, not just any soup, but a whole (filling) meal with all kinds of goodies like avocado, rice, banana, capers and sour cream.

      MEDELLÍN BURGER COMPANY

      For the tastiest burgers in Medellín, for which only Angus beef is used. Also, if you feel like a nice cocktail (with or without alcohol), this is the place to be. Medellín Burger Company has a branch in El Poblado and on la 70 in Laureles.

      MERCADO DEL RIO

      In an old warehouse in Ciudad del Rio, you will find more than 30 restaurants, 2 breweries, a wine bar, and two cafes. There are restaurants serving traditional local food and international restaurants.

      TONY ROMAS-DANN CARLTON

      Dining in a slowly rotating restaurant, on the 18th floor of the Dann Carlton hotel. This is a very special experience in Medellín! During your dinner you will enjoy the 360-degree view and after about 1.5h, you will be back at the “starting point.” Tip: go for the baby beef.

      CARMEN

      A sophisticated cuisine in El Poblado, specializing in “tasting” menus with all kinds of small dishes. The owners are graduates of the famous Cordon Bleu culinary academy.