10 Unmissable Things to Do in Guatapé, Colombia
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Ready to discover the best things to do in Guatape, Colombia? Let this Guatapé travel guide take you on a journey along (and beyond) the dazzling streets of South America’s most colorful town.
When you visit Guatape, you can summit the second-largest rock in South America (Piedra del Penol), buy one-of-a-kind Colombian jewelry and art, and kayak the stunning lake surrounding Guatapé. Plus, savor delicious local and worldly cuisine and explore nearby nature reserves with waterfalls.
Guatapé’s colorful streets, ceramic fountains, and iconic zócalos (painted façades) create a photographer’s paradise, so snap away!
Whether you’re visiting Guatapé on a day trip from Medellín or staying at a beautiful hotel on Lake Guatapé, there’s no shortage of adventurous things to do in Guatapé, Colombia!
In this Guatape travel guide, you’ll discover the best things to see and do in Guatape. Plus, how to get to Guatape from Medellin, where to eat, and where to stay overnight. Vamos!
10 Best Things to Do in Guatapé Colombia
Okay, let’s get into the best things to do in Guatape – whether you take a Guatape day trip from Medellin, or choose to stay a little longer.
1. Uncover Culture Through Guatape’s Vibrant Zocalos
Buildings adorned with colorful zócalos pop against the rolling green hills surrounding Guatape.
Parque Principal de Guatapé (Guatape main square) has a beautiful red and white colonial church, many local shops and restaurants, and cobblestone side-streets to meander off on. Start wandering!
Almost all of the buildings in tiny-yet-mighty Guatape feature the zócalos, houses and shops that are painted with symbols of Colombian heritage, cultural traditions, historic moments, and nature. The majority of zócalos can be found on Calle del Recuerdo.
Some of my favorite zócalos feature a sheep looking over its shoulder. This is the symbol of Guatape, and represents the town’s motto: “Caminando hacia adelante, mirando hacia el pasado.” In English, “Walking forward, looking back.”
Keep your eye out for zócalos that depict the services of the building they adorn, like a sewing machine on a clothing store, or sweet pastries on a bakery.
P.S. If your feet need a break, hop in a tuk tuk for a ride around Guatapé town!
2. Take a Specialized Guided Tour of Guatapé Town
Guided tours are the best way to get to know a new city, and in Guatapé you can choose between two free walking tours (one on the Zócalos Route and another on the Malecon (Boardwalk) Route), as well as guided tuk tuk tours.
Tuk tuk drivers are often certified tour guides for Guatapé – so why not flag one down and take a ride through the winding and rolling colorful streets in the back of the most colorful tuk tuk you can find? Ask them to turn the music up!
Taking a Guatapé day trip from Medellin? This organized day trip to Guatapé from Medellin is an all-encompassing Guatapé tour where you can explore the colorful pueblo and do a boat ride through the Guatapé Lake! Coming in at just $30, the price is unbeatable… So are the reviews! Click here to book your Guided Guatapé Day Trip.
3. Climb El Peñol (La Piedra del Peñol) for the Best View in Guatape
As for the most popular things to do in Guatape? Climbing La Piedra del Peñol takes the lead. Don’t forget, an essential item on your Guatape packing list is walking shoes!
Often considered the second-largest rock in South America, climbing the stairs of El Peñol is not for the faint of heart (or heights). The Piedra del Peñol is within walking distance from Guatapé’s town square, but if you want to save energy for the big climb (I did!), you can take an artfully painted tuk tuk for around $3 USD.
Piedra del Peñol (also called Guatape Rock or el Peñol Rock) sits at 66 million tons and 656 feet tall. Each of the 740 stairs will provide a fabulous leg workout, and even better, a big incentive to eat your way around Guatapé after!
There are a few restaurants at the summit of Piedra del Peñol where you can grab water or a celebratory drink to treat yourself.
And of course, there’s an amazing view that sweeps over the man-made lake of Guatapé, where you’ll feel like you’re on one of the largest rocks in the world. (You are!)
4. Adventure on Guatape Lake (Laguna de Guatapé)
Been traveling Colombian urban jungles like Medellín or Cartagena? A stint in nature might be exactly what you need!
In the 1970s, a dam was built around Guatapé as part of a project to provide electricity for Medellín. The dam resulted in the formation of a stunning landscape of red clay hills and a deep, blue-water lake around this small town.
This area was so beautiful, Colombia’s rich and famous (and wanted), like Pablo Escobar, built their vacation homes around Guatape Dam. To visit this Colombian drug-lord-turned-politician’s house, book this Full-Day Private Pablo Escobar Tour including Guatapé. In my personal opinion, it’s best not to glamorize a criminal, but nevertheless, this is one of the top things to do in Guatape…
Anyway, back to the main event! There are plenty of vessels you can hop aboard to explore this fresh-water paradise playground. Try a Sailboat Tour of Guatapé; go jet skiing, paddle boarding (SUP), or kayaking; or rent your very own boat! For rentals, pop into one of the many shops around town.
Click here to book your top-rated sailing tour of Guatapé!
5. Try Traditional Colombian Flavors and Worldly Cuisine
Breakfast in Guatape
Take all the comfort in a golden donut made before your eyes at La Golosa, a local panadería on the edge of Guatapé.
Prefer to stick to the town center? Head to Mitos Casa de Café for some of the best Colombian coffee in town.
P.S. If you love coffee, book this Full-Day Guatapé & Coffee Farm Tour, which departs from Medellín. Click here to book it!
Lunch in Guatape
Lunch is the largest meal for Colombians, so go big or go home! Just kidding, don’t go home yet. Near the Malecón de Guatapé (the boardwalk) is Casa de Ciclistas, one of the best restaurants in Guatapé for sandwiches on freshly baked sourdough (and more) bread.
For a traditional Colombian lunch – like my kryptonite Ajiaco (a hearty Bogotano soup of potatoes and chicken), or the meaty Colombian national dish, Bandeja Paisa – grab a table on the third floor of La Fogata for unreal eats and views of the lake.
If you just want a light bite, try an artisan crepe at one of two crepe restaurants in Guatapé! Guatacrep and El Bretón. Both have tons of veg-friendly menu options.
Dinner in Guatape
Dinner in Guatapé is fun. Really, doing anything in Guatapé at night is going to be fun. But especially eating and drinking. Casa Cuba does it right with flavorful Cuban cuisine, playful ambiance, and mixology. You can’t go wrong with ordering the ceviche or their Chicken Mango.
More of Guatapé’s best dining experiences include: Oregano Restaurant, Luigi’s Pizzeria, The Modest Duckling, Thai Terrace, and Bacchanal Restaurant & Bar (order a burger!).
6. People Watch in Plazoleta de Los Zócalos
Let the pitch of a horn and the rhythm of guitar lead you to Plazoleta de Los Zócalos (Zocalos Square), the perfect square in Guatape for people-watching and boogying down!
There’s something about an umbrella street that makes me want candy. Don’t ignore your sweet tooth! Pick up a puffed-to-perfection cinnamon roll at ZOCAROLLS as you walk under the colorful umbrellas on Calle de Las Sombrillas on your way to the famous Plaza del Zocalos.
There, soak up the energy of an intimate square, buzzing with flow of locals and tourists mingling as one. Find a rad painted vespa sitting pretty for a photo-op, and spend an hour or two watching street performers move to the melody of live Colombian cumbia.
P.S. There are some cute cafes here to sit at while you chill. Sip a coffee or sangria at KAFFA with a view overlooking the square.
7. Day Trip to San Rafael for Nature Adventures
Hiking is great, but hiking to a waterfall is *chef’s kiss*. How about swimming holes in postcard-perfect places? If you’re blessed with a few days in Guatapé, consider a nature immersion in San Rafael, Antioquia.
About 17 miles from Guatapé, the tiny town of San Rafael is surrounded by pristine nature. Take a forest hike to the Cascada La Samaria waterfall, check out La Cazuela natural pool, and tour Finca El Toche’s cacao farm.
Not enough adrenaline for you? Try tubing down the Guatape river, or canyoning down it (rope-rappelling) on this adrenaline-high adventure!
Click here to book your Canyoning Tour of Guatape River!
8. Walk the Boardwalk (Malecón)
When you visit Guatapé, why not check out one of the town’s newest features? The long, easily accessible waterfront boardwalk, El Malecón!
This stretch of sidewalk makes for a scenic walk from Guatape town to Piedra del Peñol, or simply a nice stroll between sightseeing!
Artwork and statues line the waterfront walkway and invite you to slow down and relish a moment for yourself.
You’ll encounter a ton of vendors and tour operators trying to get you to book a private tour on Lago Guatape, feel free to bargain for the best deal!
9. Get a Bird’s-Eye View of Guatapé, Peñol Rock & Guatapé Reservoir
Want to know some totally unique (and kind of crazy) things to do in Guatapé? Imagine soaring high in the sky, gazing down at the colorful city of Guatape from above. There’s nothing like a bird’s eye vantage point!
When a boat tour isn’t enough, adrenaline junkies can try paragliding with a seasoned guide on this Private Waterfall Paragliding Tour, departing from Medellin or Guatapé. Click here to book your Paragliding Tour!
Ever been in a helicopter? Me neither! (And I probably never will.) But this Private Guatapé, Helicopter, and Guatape Rock, and Boat Tour (which departs from Medellin) is there for you if you want an epic helicopter ride over Guatape. Click here to book your Guatapé and Helicopter Tour!
Both skyborne tours guarantee you see the best angles of Guatape, rolling green hills, and lush surrounding areas. Buckle up for the ride of your life!
10. Buy Colorful Handmade Goods
This colorful town is filled with equally colorful souvenirs! Colombian accessories add zest to any outfit. My neon-orange, hand-crocheted, and beaded ring upgrades everything I wear (and screams, I’ve been to Colombia!).
But really, Guatapé’s souvenir shops and artisan boutiques carry wonderful handmade jewelry, clothing, homewares, and decorations. Plus, each purchase supports Colombian artists!
How Long Should You Stay in Guatapé?
You’re probably wondering if you should stay the night in Guatape, or simply do a day trip to Guatape from Medellin.
The answer depends on how many of the things to do in Guatapé intrigue you!
If you just want to explore Guatapé’s colorful streets, eat some Colombian food, and climb El Piedra del Peñol, then a day trip to Guatape will do.
In my experience, a day trip from Medellín is enough to see the highlights of this colorful town, but when I return, I’ll stay longer to do some waterfall hikes!
If you also wish to do some waterfall hikes, coffee farm tours, or other outdoor adventures, you should definitely stay a couple nights in Guatape!
Plus, you can’t go wrong simply relaxing and soaking up those views for an extra day or two.
Where to Stay in Guatape, Colombia
Decided to stay the night? Excellent choice. Now you just need to figure out where to lay your head…
Here are the best places to stay in Guatapé!
- Hotel Los Recuerdos: This hotel is a crowd favorite for its extra amenities like multiple pools, private beaches, chilling nooks and nets, Turkish baths, a spa, yacht, and helicopter. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Los Recuerdos!
- La Pausa Hotelbistro: The wonderfully decorated La Pausa boasts private docks, a private restaurant, and amazing views of the Guatapé reservoir. All private suites have outdoor living spaces and a hot tub! Click here to book your stay at La Pausa!
- Bosco: If I could go back in time to Guatapé, and increase my budget, I’d choose to stay at Bosco with no hesitation. Bosco’s views are incredible and the hotel earns five stars all around. From the full-service spa and hot spring bath to high-end cuisine and infinity pool. This is luxury glamping at its best. Click here to book your stay at Bosco!
Still looking? This is the best website to snag amazing deals on Guatapé accommodations – from luxury hotels to glamping to vacation rentals.
How to Get to Guatape from Medellin
Wondering how to get to Guatapé, Colombia from Medellin? You’ve got options!
Best Guided Day Trips to Guatape
For the most hassle-free experience, book a round-trip Guatape day trip from Medellin.
Here are some of the top day trip tours from Medellin to Guatape:
- Day Trip to Guatape (Boat Ride and Lunch Included)
- Private Guatapé, Helicopter, and Guatape Rock, and Boat Tour
- El Peñol and Guatape Private Tour from Medellin
Self-Guided Day Trip to Guatapé
If you’re like me, and you’d rather go for a self-guided experience, take the bus or an Uber instead!
BUS: To bus to Guatape, go to the Terminal del Norte bus station in Medellin. On the ground floor is ticket booth #14, where you’ll purchase a bus ticket for Guatape! The bus ride is about $5-6 and is two hours long.
TAXI/UBER: Surprisingly, a one-way Uber from Medellin to Guatape only set me back about $25 USD! A car is the fastest option (about an hour ride), but the bus is cheaper and more eco-friendly.
Once you’re in Guatape, tuk tuk is the preferred mode of transportation. They’re convenient and cute; totally decked out in murals like those of the zócalos!
Guatape Packing List
- Hiking boots or walking shoes
- Sunhat
- Natural sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Light scarf for sun protection
- Camera
- Swimsuit
- Quick-dry Turkish towel
- Light sweater for nighttime and breeze
- GoPro for capturing your water adventures
- eSIM for your smartphone (so you can stay connected, use Google Maps, etc.)
- Travel insurance; traveling in Latin America without travel insurance is a huge no-no! Anything can happen, so make sure you’re protected. Click here to purchase your travel insurance policy.
10 Best Things to Do in Guatape, Colombia
Visiting Guatape is so much fun! Between posing with brighter-than-life painted jungle zócalos in Guatapé, summiting the huge rock Piedra del Peñol, tasting deep-fried-deliciousness, and getting your toes wet at the Guatape Dam, there’s an endless amount of amazing things to do in Guatape, Colombia!
More than just picturesque streets, Guatape’s surrounding area has magnificent nature with endless hiking and water activities for you to enjoy. Visit Guatape for the colorful, adventure-filled Colombian vacation you’ve been dreaming of!
MORE COLOMBIA TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Guatape, Colombia Travel FAQs
Yes, it is safe to swim in Guatapé, Colombia. Guatape has fresh-water manmade lakes that are safe for swimming and recreational activities like jet skiing, SUP-boarding, kayaking, and boating. It’s best practice to not swim in the waters closest to town as there is a large amount of boat traffic which presents potential dangers.
Yes, Guatape is worth visiting! While you’re in Medellin or another nearby Colombian city, you should visit the colorful town of Guatape. Guatape is worth visiting for its marvelously bright zocalos, the La Piedra del Peñol rock, yummy restaurants and bars, and nearby nature reserves.
Yes, it is worth staying overnight in Guatapé if you have time on your Colombia itinerary. Guatape is Antioquia’s cutest colonial town, and offers amazing nightlife and even better sunrise and sunset views over the Guatape reservoir. Choose between Hotel Los Recuerdos, La Pausa, or Bosco for a fabulous lake-side stay you’ll never forget!
Guatape is famous for its colorful zócalos (architectural ornaments) depicting everything from animals and nature to cultural and elemental symbolism on most of the buildings in town. Guatape is also famous for its gigantic rock, Piedra del Peñol, which you can hike up for an amazing view of the meandering lake. The iconic multicolor zócalos make Guatape the most colorful town in Latin America, while the famous rock stands as a symbol of this small town.
It doesn’t take long to climb the rock in Guatape (Piedra del Peñol). It will take you around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your fitness level. If you stop for views along the way, of course, it may take you longer to climb the rock in Guatape!
You really only need one day in Guatape Colombia to see the must-see sights, monuments, climb the Piedra del Peñol, and eat some amazing Colombian food (like Ajiaco). If you have more than one day, you can do some activities on the lake (like a boat trip) and explore nearby San Rafael.
The bus ride from Medellin to Guatape is just two hours, and costs just $5-6.
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