Things to do in Guatapé in one day

The Piedra del Peñol

First, and early: 740 steps to a 360° view over the reservoir. Entry is COP 30,000 per person (about USD $9) and the climb takes 25 to 40 minutes. The details are in Piedra del Peñol tickets and climb.

The village of zócalos

Zócalos are the painted reliefs along the bottom of the façades: muleteers, animals, village scenes, each house with its own. You walk them from the main square, in front of the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, along the umbrella street and the crafts street. The afternoon is when they look best, with low light and a calmer village.

The village is also home to the Upside-Down House, one of the most photographed sights, and the waterfront for an unhurried walk.

The Old Peñol replica

The original town of El Peñol ended up under water when the reservoir was built. On the road there is a replica that tells the story, a short stop that makes sense of the whole landscape. It is included in the private tour, along with the Alto del Chocho viewpoint.

Boats, helicopter and moto chiva

Boat rides on the reservoir leave from the waterfront, and there are also helicopter flights and moto chivas to explore the surroundings. None is included in the tour; if you want one, we arrange it. We do not publish their prices because they are not ours: you confirm them there or ask us beforehand.

What to eat

Trout from the reservoir and bandeja paisa are the lunch classics, ideally at a table with a view of the water. In the afternoon, any snack from the square. More ideas in what to eat in Medellín.

Getting there from Medellín

It is about 75 km, an hour and a half to two and a half hours by road. By bus you go to the Terminal del Norte and, in Guatapé, take a tuk-tuk between the village and the rock; on the private tour you leave from your hotel and the car stays with you all day. We compare the options in how to get from Medellín to Guatapé.

Frequently asked questions