During my four months in Medellín, I had many places to tick off. I explored the city on foot, took the Metrocable to Parque Arví, and traveled to Jardín, Salento, and Manizales. I’d heard about Guatapé here and there, mostly from backpackers doing the circuit north from Bogotá, but it didn’t really pique my fancy.
I thought of it as any other pastoral small town. What got me interested in Guatapé is what’s formally known as La Piedra del Peñol, but backpackers call “the rock,” a 220-meter boulder with zig-zag stairs on the side. I went, climbed, and came back with a seriously new appreciation for this colorful Colombian small town.
Easy Access From Medellín
Guatapé is only two hours from Medellín by bus, and you’ll pay roughly 25,000 Colombian pesos, or just over $7 USD, to get there. Buses leave several times per day from the Terminal del Norte.
You can easily go in the morning, climb La Piedra del Peñol, and return in the late afternoon. Or, you can do as I did and spend the night in one of Guatapé’s charming and colorful hostels. You can also take a guided tour to Guatapé, but it’s fairly straightforward to get there, so if you have a little Spanish and street smarts, you’ll be able to get there just fine.
Climbing Piedra Del Peñol
Guatapé’s top activity is climbing La Piedra del Peñol, which costs 20,000 Colombian pesos, or $5 USD, and consists of 740 steps up the side of a colossal boulder. The stairs twist on the way up and are really narrow.
It’s a good idea to visit during the week when you’ll encounter fewer crowds and be able to ascend at your own pace. Along the way and at the top, you’ll find vendors selling fresh fruits and bottled water, although it’s still a good idea to bring your own. It took me an hour to reach the top, factoring in breaks and a midway snack.
Once you’re at the top, take in the massive reservoir below. The views are tremendous, and it’s a good place to rest, catch your breath, and prepare for the hike down.
Take in the Colors of the Town
Guatapé is awash in vibrant colors, thanks to its hundreds of zócalos, or hand-painted murals. Every building is a celebration of primary and secondary hues, depicting scenes from daily life and animals.
I spent a few hours wandering through the side streets and town square, which is lined with artisanal ice cream shops, little bars, and coffee houses with outdoor seating. It’s a fantastic place to get dinner, and occasionally there’s live music.
If you don’t feel like exploring on foot after climbing all the way to the top of La Piedra del Peñol, hop in a tuk-tuk. These colorful rickshaws zoom around the winding streets for as little as 10,000 Colombian pesos, or $2.75 USD, and you’ll get to kick back, relax, and enjoy the art.
Get Out on the Water
When you climb La Piedra del Peñol, you’ll look out over the Peñol-Guatapé Lake, a human-made reservoir that stretches 240 square kilometers. Take the opportunity to explore it from the surface when you’re in Guatapé. Speedboat tours cost approximately 50,000 Colombian pesos, or $13 USD, and you’ll get to cruise around for at least half an hour. Sunset is the best time to go if you want some magnificent photos, and during high season,n you can often find dinner cruises. Book ahead to ensure a spot.
You can also kayak or paddleboard through part of it. Rent your equipment for as low as 20,000 Colombian pesos, or $5 USD, and get to exploring, but remember your safety is your responsibility, so swim at your own risk.
I spent two full days in Guatapé: one traveling there and climbing La Piedra delPeñolñ,ol and one checking out the town and relaxing at my hostel before heading back to Medellín in the evening. Have you been to this vibrant Colombian town? Let us know in the comments below.
