A visit to the beautiful town of Guatapé and a trip to the top of the remarkable El Peñol is a must for any visitor to Medellín. It takes around 90 minutes from the city and is highly recommended. Many visitors take in the spectacular view from the top of the rock, grab some lunch and head home but there is so much more to explore.
I have lived in Medellín for 16 years and have visited Guatapé many times with friends and family. In this article I will explain why you definitely need to add La Piedra del Peñol to your bucket list but also highlight some of the best things to do in Guatapé.
Best Things to Do in Guatapé
Climbing the 659 stairs to the top of La Piedra del Peñol
While there are many fun things to do in this part of Antioquia, it is the 656 feet tall, 66 million ton rock perched at the top of a mountain that inevitably grabs the attention.
The second-largest rock in South America has concrete steps built into a crack on the side and visitors can pay 20,000 COP (US$4) to climb to the top to enjoy the spectacular view of the reservoir and hills. The surrounding area is around half water and half land, so it really is something quite unique.
There are 740 stairs from the bottom to the top of the rock, with various viewing platforms and rest spots along the way. It is a bit of a challenge but people of all ages are able to make the ascent, so just take regular breaks and enjoy the view if you are short on breath.
When you get to the top you will find an incredible 360 degree view with a couple of small restaurants to get an ice cream, a fruit juice, beer or a michelada (a refreshing local favorite with beer, some lemon juice and salt around the rim of the glass). There is also a circular building with some stores and an elevated viewing platform for the perfect view.
There are dedicated up and down staircases on the rock and during your descent you will be deeper inside the rock out of the sun. At the bottom there are 5-6 decent restaurants offering solid local food with a nice view. To get to Guatapé town you can take a tuk tuk or a taxi which should cost around US$3.
Wander the cobbled streets of Guatapé and admire the colorful zócalos
Guatapé is a beautiful example of a typical, small Colombian town. Just over 6,000 live in the picturesque town but each weekend the population triples.
There is a main central square surrounded by restaurants and small bars. The Church of Señora Del Carmen stands as the tallest with a striking white facade with dark red details on the outside. The square hosts concerts and events at times and is very typical of the Antioquia region.
What sets Guatapé apart is the brightly painted zócalos on houses and stores all around town. Each house has intricately painted designs which tell the story or background of the family or business that owns the building. There are a lot of farm animals and priests, as you would expect in a rural town, but you can also find dragons, giraffes and zebras – which are surely accompanied by an interesting tale. Exploring the streets and taking photos is one of the best things to do in Guatapé.
Plaza de zócalos is a more recent addition, with very brightly painted stairs and a shiny silver fish set up in a smaller square. This is more of a tourist focused addition but it celebrates the tradition and designs which makes the town famous. There are also often musicians performing in the square and it is a nice place to grab a coffee and relax.
Finally, you can go for a stroll along the Malecon, a waterfront boardwalk opened in 2019. You will find sellers with juices and snacks. At the end of the Malecon close to the bridge you will find the Guatapé sign for another good photo opportunity.
Paraglide high above the rock and enjoy the incredible scenery
You can book a 15 minute flight with experienced, certified instructors to pass above the famous rock, the lakes and countryside in the region. If you are feeling brave then this is one of the best things to do in Guatapé.
You take off strapped in to an expert who will talk you through the process, help settle any nerves and take you on a thrilling trip. The cost for 15 minutes is 240,000 COP (US$60) or 290,000 (US$70) with a GoPro recording of your experience. You can also book a combination of paragliding and speed boat ride for 370,000 COP (US$90).
https://www.guatapecolombia.net/portfolio/parapente-guatape
Cycle around the lakes and mountains to visit nearby towns
From Guatapé there are a number of short or long cycling routes which can take you to nearby towns, beautiful landmarks and allow you to enjoy some of the spectacular views.
You can take a 15km route of moderate difficulty to Vuelta al Anillo or San Rafael which is 27km. San Rafael has amazing crystal clear rivers where you can cool or while Veulta al Anillo has amazing views and you can visit the Benedictine monastery on route. Puente Colgante is 23 km but is a more challenging and adventurous route. A challenging ride around the lush green hills of the region is one of the best things to do in Guatapé.
It is possible to rent mountain bikes for 35,000 COP per day here, with the option to reserve online in advance. There are also tours you can book here or here.
https://www.guatapecolombia.net/portfolio/bicicleta
Learn to sail as you explore the beautiful lakes of Guatapé
One of the best ways to enjoy the lakes surrounding Guatapé is by sailboat. Rene offers a great experience which includes the chance to learn how to sail yourself or you can just relax and enjoy the amazing views.
Local fruits and some tasty wine is offered while you head out towards the dam, past beautiful scenery and the destroyed former residence of Pablo Escobar. Rene is an excellent guide with a good level of English and you can meet you at the church in the central square or down by the water.
https://www.bookyogaretreats.com/es/la-casa-de-loto
Sip cocktails in a hot tub as you cruise around the reservoir
Majestic Yate is an impressive glass boat which allows perfect 360 views for a fun 2 hour trip around the Guatep and El Penol.
The boat leaves Saturday at 5.45pm and Sunday at 1.45pm and costs 89,000 COP (US$22) for two people. Included in the price is a buffet lunch or dinner plus 2 strong cocktails. There are tables throughout, sunbeds and hot tubs in each corner of the 2 story boat.
One of the best things to do in Guatapé if you want to enjoy stunning landscapes of the region in comfort with some pretty good food.
The boat leaves from Hotel Los Recuerdos. There is a discount for hotel guests but anyone can reserve a place online here.
Marvel at the incredible views on a helicopter around the rock
We’ll meet at the scheduled time at the Hotel Los Recuerdos in Guatapé to start this exciting helicopter ride. Ready to take to the skies?
You can take a helicopter flight that starts at the Guatapé Reservoir, one of the most spectacular dams in the region, and the huge rock perched on top of the mountain. You fly over the myriad of archipelagos then continue on to Malecón de Guatapé, the promenade alongside the town. If you have the budget, then this is one of the best things to do in Guatapé.
The flight leaves from Hotel Los Recuerdos, lasts 6 minutes and costs US$67.50 per person.
https://www.civitatis.com/en/guatape/helicopter-ride
Enjoy delicious food, tasty cocktails and an amazing welcome at Casa Cuba
Casa Cuba is a charming restaurant with a well-earned superb reputation. Oscar the owner is extremely welcoming and he loves to tell stories and learn about the guests. There is a real buzz in the restaurant and they have great salsa music on rotation plus live musical performances.
The food is also exceptionally good with ceviche, seared tuna and Cuban sandwiches some of the standout options. The cocktails are also great and there is a really nice view over the water. The restaurant is a bit of a walk outside of town but it is well worth the effort and Casa Cuba is rightfully the top ranked option on TripAdvisor.
The food is great and the welcome is unmatched.
https://www.guatapecolombia.net/portfolio/parapente-guatape
Challenge yourself to get round the floating, inflatable obstacle course
Comfama, a national insurance company that also offers health, entertainment and wellbeing activities, has a natural park with lots of fun options for children and adults.
They have a 7.6 hectare area with kayaks, boats, kiosks, water bikes and a large inflatable obstacle course with slides. The cost is 17,200 for adults and 8,600 for children if you are not a Comfama member.
This is a really fun, challenging way to spend the afternoon on the water with a range of activities plus fresh fruit and tasty snacks on offer. One of the best things to do in Guatapé with the family.
https://www.comfama.com/cultura-y-ocio/parques/parque-guatape
Learn to wakeboard on the calm, clear waters of the reservoir
You can learn to wakeboard at Wakeboard Guatapé’s aquatic center. They have experienced instructors who can teach you step by step through the technique or give you some tips to master your skills if you are more experienced.
They have a good range of high level equipment available and you can take your pick sport and professional boats. The sport boat is 105,000 (US$25) for 20 minutes or 315,000 (US$78) for 1 hour while the professional boat is 205,000 (US$50) for 20 minutes or 630,000 (US$150) for 1 hour.
The waters of the reservoir are very still which makes it a great place to learn the basic or to improve.
https://english.wakeguatape.com
Buy handmade artisan souvenirs from the towns boutique stores
The town is filled with small shops offering a great array of handmade jewellery, clothing, paintings, homewares and decorations. You can find souvenir shops to get the perfect Colombian gift or go to an artisan boutique to get a great price on something special for yourself.
For a town that has become very popular with tourists, the prices remain reasonable and you will definitely find good value on some unique local pieces. One of the best things to do in Guatapé if you are looking for gifts.
travelling to Guatapé
The most popular way to get to Guatapé is traveling by bus from Terminal del Norte. You can travel to the north terminal by metro, leaving at Caribe station and taking the footpath over the river. Inside the terminal you will find dozens of companies selling tickets and you just need to look out for signs to Guatapé or El Peñol. The bus stops first at the base of the rock before continuing to the town of Guatapé.
When visiting Guatapé I usually take this bus and then get off at the rock. From there you can walk up, take a horse or a tuk tuk. I have always walked up but that definitely adds some extra work before your climb up the steps. I usually buy a one way bus ticket, visit El Peñol and then take a tuk tuk to the bus terminal in Guatapé. I then buy a return bus for around 2 or 3 hours later, so I can get some food and explore the town. If you are staying the night then you can get a bus back for the following day.
If you want a quick and convenient option you could take a taxi or rent a driver for the day. This is of course more expensive but if you have the budget a driver means you can really explore the area without any stress. Taxis will have to get back, so this could be expensive. You may find an Uber willing to take you but again they would need to be well paid to commit a full day to the drip.
Alternatively you can take a tour from Medellin which includes activities, transfers and sometimes food. This is a good option for those who want the peace of mind of knowing everything is offer. I have also seen some coach trips which are comparable to the price of doing the day trip independently plus you get the comfort of an air conditioned bus and none of the stress of the bus terminal. You can buy day trips in Poblado, on la 70 in Laureles or you can find options online.
