We took a tour to Guatapé, Colombia for Jazmin’s birthday. You might not recognize the city name, but the photos are some of the most beautiful in the world.
➳ Find all: Hotels in Guatape
Jaz was traveling with her mom so opted for a complete tour rather than utilizing public transportation. You can also get to the iconic Piedra del Peñol rock and to the town by public bus from Medellin for less than 26,000 COP roundtrip.
What to do in Guatape in one day:
Ultimate Travel Itinerary to visit Guatape from Medellín:
Breakfast at the farm
Our tour bus picked us up at the hotel in Medellin and drove us to Guatapé. Our first stop was breakfast at a nice farm with ponies and other farm animals such as a small donkey, cows, llamas and more!
We had a typical Colombian breakfast which consisted of avocado, arepas, plantain, cheese and hot chocolate. When visiting Colombia, you have to try arepas, which are available pretty much everywhere.
Peñol Guatapé
Our next stop was the town of Peñol, where the Ave Fénix or Phoenix statue welcomes you to the municipality of the Peñol Guatapé.
Next to it is the Rock temple (Templo de la Piedra). It is a temple that was built from cement to look like a rock. You can also climb to the top of the temple for a nice viewpoint of the area.
Replica of an old town of Peñol de Guatapé
We visited a small replica of an old town of Peñol de Guatapé, which was destroyed with the construction of the neighboring reservoir. From here we took a boat ride through the reservoir, to where the old town used to be located.
Boat tour along the Peñol Reservoir
The boat tour was about one hour long. It is fun if going with friends or family. You can enjoy some summer weather with them, no matter the time of year. The boat sells snacks and cold beers for a cheap price as well.
Along the boat tour you get a good view of the old farm and summer house of the infamous Pablo Escobar.
Climb to the top of the Rock of Guatape
Now for the moment we have all been waiting for, The Rock of Guatapé! We visited the rock and climbed all 740 steps to see one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the world. The rock overlooks the nearby reservoir and the many little islands it created.
Entrance costs 18,000 COP to climb to the top of the rock. The rock is private property which does not have any type of discount of the fees.
Before we climbed the rock we had lunch at one of the restaurants at the base of the rock. We tried the fried trout and let me tell you it was amazing!
Historical town of Guatapé
Our final stop was the colorful and historical town of Guatapé which is famous for its Zócalos. Zócalos are the beautifully sculpted and painted depictions of village life that you can find along the lower half of most buildings in the town.
Besides visiting the Main Square, the best thing to do in Guatapé is explore. Around ever corner is another row of brightly painted houses with cool and interesting art all along the way.
Wandering through the city and you will feel like you have an alternative reality or the land of Disney. Be ready to snap more photos than you thought possible in such a small town.
The biggest tip we can give for this day trip is about your camera. Make sure all your batteries are charged and the memory card has been cleared. If you want to make sure you will never be stuck with a camera that just will not turn on, bring along a solar charger!
If you are looking for a place to sit back and enjoy the natural and manmade beauty of the town and surrounding area head to the Malecón, along the water’s edge to grab a bite to eat.
After spending ample time exploring and photographing Guatapé, we were back on the bus to Medellin to the end of a long, but breathtaking day trip.
Tour Information:
WhatsApp: 311 788 55 99
79,000 COP per person including the ride from Medellin, the boat tour, a bus to each destination and meals.
⇟ More articles from Colombia that might interest you:
➳ Read More: Travel Guide: A Day trip to Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales, Colombia
➳ Read More: Travel Guide: What to Do and See in Jardín, Colombia
➳ Read More: Exploring the beautiful city of Medellín, Colombia
➳ Read More: Exploring Santa Fe de Antioquía, Colombia
➳ Read More: Ultimate guide to Tayrona National Park, Colombia
➳ Read More: What to do in Cartagena, Colombia in a 12km Walking Guide
➳ Read More: What to do in Bogota in 48 Hours
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Melanie Trethowan
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
What a riot of colour! Such a feast for the senses. Thanks for sharing your vibrant photos! Mel
Travel To Blank
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
Thank you! We felt like a paint store exploded over the whole city!
Nate
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
Wow, the pictures are so colorful! Makes me want to book a ticket right away! Thanks for sharing this!
Travel To Blank
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
Thank you! Remember, there is no better day to travel than today!
Fabiola Rodriguez
Monday 6th of March 2017
Wow! I've seen pictures of other Colombian cities like Bogota and Barranquilla, but this little place is amazing. Absolutely beautiful! Great pick for a travel post.
Travel To Blank
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
Thank you! Colombia has so many beautiful and colorful places to explore.