Guatape

Guatapé is a small, very pretty lakeside town in Eastern Antioquia, about 1½-2 hours from Medellín, Colombia.

Understand
The picturesque town of Guatapé is known as the Pueblo de Zócalos, named for the beautifully sculpted and painted depictions of village life that adorn the lower half of most buildings in the town center. On weekends, the waterfront malecón (boardwalk) fills up with local vendors selling beautiful Paisa art, food, and souvenirs, and the adventurous can take a ride on the Cable Vuelo, a canopy zipline over the lake. Popular boat tours visit the former site of Viejo Peñol, a town which was submerged by the creation of the reservoir, which is now marked by a giant memorial cross. Boat trips can also include a trip to see La Manuela, Pablo Escobar´s now bombed-out lakeside mansion, and ¨Fantasy Island¨, a pretty refuge in the middle of the reservoir, which has a swimming area, cabañas for rent, beautiful views of La Piedra, a tienda selling snacks and beer, and a pair of friendly resident scarlet macaws.

Get in
From Medellín: Direct buses from Medellín leave from the Terminal del Norte, these buses pass through El Peñol and by the entrance to La Piedra on the way to Guatapé (2 hours). The fare to Guatape is COP$18,000 (Nov 2023).

Two companies serve this route: Sotrasanvicente, +57 4 861-0595, and Sotrapeñol, +57 4 851-5912, ticket counters 9 and 14 respectively. Each company provides service approximately every hour starting at 6AM. Many buses continue to San Rafael. The last bus from Medellín to Guatapé is at 7PM. The last bus from Guatapé to Medellín is at 6:30PM (7:45PM on Sundays and Holiday Mondays).

Return buses from Guatapé to Medellín fill up quickly on weekends – buy your ticket in advance (can buy for exact time either in Medellín or in Guatapé bus terminal).

Get around
Around the region: moto-taxis (+57 314-731-2184) provide service from the Parque Principal in Guatapé to La Piedra (COP$9,000, negotiable) and around the local area. Buses and Willys (Jeeps) also provide service between Guatapé and El Peñol (COP$3000), passing by the entrance to La Piedra (COP$2,000). Men generally hang off the back, which allows for excellent views. To get to La Piedra, ask to be dropped off at the Zeuss gas station, from there it is a 1-km walk uphill. Chivas provide service to the remote countryside.

See
The majestic surroundings of the Embalse El Peñol – Guatapé, one of the country's largest lakes, were created in part by the construction of a hydroelectric dam that provides 30% of Colombia’s electricity supply. It's hard to miss the region's most famous attraction, a more than 200-m-high rock outcropping that towers over the surrounding area. It's named El Peñol de Guatapé, but more commonly called La Piedra (The Stone). Over 650 stairs have been built into the side of this enormous geological marvel, allowing safe access to the top, where a viewpoint offers spectacular views of the lake and surrounding areas, as well as souvenirs and snacks. Entrance fee to the La Piedra is COP$25,000 (Nov. 2023).

Do
The following activities and tours can be arranged in and around Guatapé and El Peñol, with English-speaking guides upon request: hiking, scenic boat tours, paddle boat rentals, kayaking, fishing, trips to hidden waterfalls and swimming holes, arts and crafts shopping, canopy zipline, mountain and road biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and free tours of the local museum. The tours can be bought directly from the lakeside company Colombia Getaway in Guatapé.

Swimming
As of Aug 2023 you are not allowed to swim anywhere near the town because the underwater current, which have lead to some deaths. However, you my have boats take you to some little beaches further away to go in the water.

Boat trip on the lake
1hr boat trips on the lake will be offered by hawkers on the waterfront. These go via some famous people's houses, Pablo Escobars old residence and the memorial cross to old Peñol. Private boats cost COP$160,000 and collective boats cost COP$20,000 per person (Dec 2023)

Buy
On weekends, local merchants line the waterfront malecón selling a wide variety of arts and crafts and souvenirs.

Eat
A trip to Guatapé wouldn´t be complete without sampling the local specialty, fresh trout served in your choice of many delicious preparations. There are many good restaurants along the malecón and around the central park offering everything from traditional bandeja antioqueña to pizza and Mexican food. On weekends, local vendors also sell a variety of tasty snacks along the malecón.

Drink
While in Guatapé try some of the drinks typical of the Antioquia region, such as jugo de leche (juice with milk), jugo de aqua (juice with water), or Milo frio.

Sleep
There are a wide variety of good hotel and hostel accommodations fit for every budget. Most are around the central park or along the malecón.