Nestled among the rolling hills and picturesque landscapes of Colombia, South America lies the vibrant town of Guatape, just a short drive away from the bustling city of Medellin. Known for its colorful buildings, stunning views, and tranquil atmosphere, Guatape is the perfect destination for a day trip from Medellin.
In this blog post, I’ll tell you everything on how to plan the perfect getaway trip from Medellin to Guatape, including all the best things to do, where to eat, and more!
About Guatapé, Colombia
Guatapé, a colorful town just two hours from Medellín, is known for its bright streets and stunning views. Famous for its painted buildings, the city sits by the beautiful Guatapé Reservoir, offering activities like boat rides and hiking.
One of the most famous highlights is Piedra del Peñol, a massive rock with over 700 steps leading to amazing views. It’s a perfect spot for a day of nature, culture, and to escape the bustling city of Medellin.
FAQs
Is a day trip to Guatapé worth it?
100%! I’ve visited Guatape twice and loved to have some time away from the busy city of Medellin. As it’s only a small town, you really don’t need longer than one day.
How far is Medellín to Guatapé?
The distance between Medellin and Guatape is 82km and it takes around 2 hours to get there by bus/car.
Is Guatapé, Colombia safe?
Yes, for sure. Smaller towns are often very safe compared to big cities in Colombia and Guatapé is one of them. It’s also very touristy so you’ll basically see tourists everywhere you go.
How to get from Medellín to Guatapé
The bus from Medellin to Guatape
Like all over Colombia, getting around by public transport is the way to go. Same counts for how to get to Guatapé from Medellín.
Ⓜ️ Step 1: Take the metro to Caribe Metro Station (Line A), which costs less than $1, or Uber to Bus Terminal Norte, the price depends on where you’re coming from and the time of day you’re going.
🎟️ Step 2: get yourself a bus ticket at desk 14 for 20.000 COP ($5). Once you have your ticket, the agent will direct you to the right bus stop.
🚌 Step 3: hop on the 2-hour bus that operates every 20 minutes to Guatape.
🚏 Step 4: If you’re going for the day, get off at the famous El Peñol Rock instead of going to the center of Guatape and exploring. After your visit to El Peñol, you can hop into a tuk-tuk that brings you to town in 10 minutes or wait for the next bus. The bus ticket from El Peñol to Guatape town is 2500 COP ($0,60).
Use Busbud for all your buses in Colombia!
Getting back to Medellin
Buses back to Medellin leave from this bus stop in Guatape Center. The last bus departs at 5:30 PM, but make sure to come a bit earlier so you don’t miss the last bus if you’re running late or if it’s full.
There’s a small ticket booth that sells the ticket for the same price as 20.000 COP ($5).
Note: For a few months there have been a lot of landslides and huge rainfall in this area, which damaged the roads. Because of this, always inform your hostel or elsewhere about the current situation. – March 2023.
Update 2025: after a large landslide in November 2023, there haven’t been any other incidents reported. But still, make sure to talk to other travelers who recently visited Guatape or ask about your accommodation.
By taxi
If you’re looking for an easy way to get to Guatape, you can opt to take a taxi/uber which should cost you around $68, which is a fixed rate among taxi drivers to Guatape but way too expensive if you ask me. However, if you can share this with other travelers, it may be worth it for some.
On a tour
Another option to visit Guatapé is on a group tour. Most tours will cost you around $30 or more and will include transport, entrance fees, guides, and sometimes lunch.
Even though this is a more expensive option, this could be something for you if you like the convenience of joining a group tour. Or if you simply want to meet fellow travelers.
Best things to do in Guatapé, Colombia
El Peñol Rock
Visiting La Piedra del Peñol is undoubtedly one of the top highlights of your time in Guatapé, Colombia.
This iconic 220-meter high rock formation not only draws visitors for its impressive stature but also rewards those who climb its 740 steps with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and lush landscapes.
The hike to the summit is accessible for most fitness levels and typically takes around 15 to 30 minutes.
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Entrance Times & Fees
La Piedra del Peñol is open every day from 8 AM – 6 PM and costs 25.000 COP ($5) per person. To have the best views, hike up the rock on a clear day. It started to pour rain when we were up there, however this created an unique and moody vibe to the lakes!
Entrance has to be paid in cash, so bring enough.
Walking around Guatapé center
One of the best ways to experience the charm of Guatapé is by simply walking around its vibrant streets. As you stroll through the town, you’ll be enchanted by the brightly colored buildings adorned with zócalos – painted scenes and patterns that reflect the town’s culture and history.
Take your time to explore the cobblestone streets, discover artisanal boutiques, cafes, local markets and get lost in the charming alleys.
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Plaza de los Zócalos
Guatapé is full of picturesque streets and plazas and Plaza de los Zócalos is a must-visit spot, where you can relax and enjoy the view of the lively square surrounded by artful buildings.
The plaza is often filled with locals and tourists alike, enjoying the sun and the town’s lively ambiance.
The Umbrella Street
Right around the corner of Plaza de los Zócalos you can find, as most people call it, the umbrella street. Probably the most busiest and popular street in Guatapé, but truly another must on your day trip in Guatapé.
Activities on the lake
The Guatapé lakes are not only here for the pretty views. If you’re there with good weather, there are a lot of activities you can do here.
Kayaking
Jet skiing
Sailing
Boat tours
Paddleboarding
Helicopter Flight
You’re not only able to admire the views of the Guatape lakes from the top of El Peñol but also from a bird’s perspective. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, hop into a helicopter and enjoy!
How to get around in Guatapé
This little colorful town isn’t the biggest, so everything is within walking distance. If you’re visiting El Peñol, tuk-tuks or taxis are waiting for you to bring you to the center of Guatapé which is about a 10-minute drive away and a tuk-tuk ride should cost you around 10.000 COP ($2,50)
However, if you prefer walking, it should be a 45-minute hike from the rock to the village.
How long to stay in Guatapé Colombia
As I have said already, Guatapé is a perfect day-trip from Medellín. However, if you’re having some more time, I can recommend for you to stay 1 or 2 nights instead.
There’s enough to do so you won’t get bored and therefore a perfect relaxing getaway from the busy city of Medellín. On top of that, you’re limited to the time of the final busses back to Medellín, if you’re only visiting on a day-trip. Make sure to check the schedules at the bus stop.
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Where to eat
As I was only in Guatapé for a limited time I can’t recommend you a lot of restaurants from my own opinion, but here are a couple places that offer amazing food!
- Namasté, vegan & vegetarian food
- La Fogata, bandeja paisa. If you kindly ask to make the plate vegetarian, they’re happy to do so! (local)
Best Time to visit
Located close to Medellín, which is known to be the city of eternal spring, you can expect warm weather throughout the year. The driest months are between December – March. However even during these months it can rain, so basically prepare for possible rain showers all year. Despite the rain we had ourselves in December, the town was still as beautiful!
Try to go on a weekday, lots of Colombians head to Guatapé during the weekends.
Where to sleep
Even though you can enjoy Guatapé as a day trip, spending a night there allows you to explore the colorful streets without the crowds during the early morning hours.
Besides the following recommendations, I highly recommend checking out Airbnb as well, as there are a lot of unique cabins for a reasonable price. I stayed a night in the ‘Momot Kabine’ and absolutely loved it!
🛏️ Budget
– Lake view hostel: this colorful hostel has the perfect location in town with amazing views over the lake, and the best part is that it’s only 10 a night! Lake View is by far the most popular hostel in town, so you can’t go wrong here.
💰 From $10 per night.
– Viajero Guatape Hostel & Lake Club: this one is located a bit further away from the city center and more for those wanting to relax like the Antioquia. Their dorms are modern and nice, as are most Viajero hostels, and the best part may be their free daily shuttle if you’re staying at the Viajero in Medellin.
💰 From $20 per night.
Both mentioned hostels also offer private rooms for a small price, perfect for couples looking for a social vibe or those wanting a bit more privacy but still wanting to meet fellow travelers.
🏨 Mid-range
– La Madriguera: this colorful hotel is located next to the lake, within walking distance of the city center and the main square. It offers modern and clean private rooms, amazing views, and friendly staff.
💰 From $41 per night.
💎 Luxury
– The Boato Hotel: these cute cottages are truly a treat with incredible views over the lake, offering everything you need for a weekend getaway. The 5-star hotel offers a hot tub at each accommodation, a restaurant on-site, and water sports facilities.
💰 From $86 per night for 2 persons.
Summary of a day trip from Medellín to Guatapé
- a day trip from Medellin to Guatape is the ideal way to explore this colorful town. 🛺
- take the 2-hour bus to get there, which is easy and budget-friendly. 🚌
- visiting El Penol is a must! ⛰️
- walk through Calle de Recuerdo – the umbrella street. ☂️
- explore the lake by foot or through one of the many lake activities. 💦
- bring a rain jacket, as it can rain even during the dry season. 🌧️
- bring enough cash. 💵
Conclusion
Besides the town’s popularity and streets filled with tourists, Guatape is a must-visit, especially when you’re visiting Medellin for a few days and have some time to spare or simply looking for a tranquil weekend getaway out of the city. Hopefully, this blog post gave you enough tips and inspiration to plan the perfect day trip to Guatape.
Happy travels! 💛
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