4-5 hours
Medellín City Tour
Botero Plaza, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Pueblito Paisa lookout — private, at your own pace.
PriceUSD $85≈ $350,000 COP · per vehicle, up to 4 people
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Guatapé and Piedra del Peñol day trip from Medellín
The 740-step monolith, the most colourful town in Colombia and a full day that is actually yours.
8-10 hours
Up to 4 people
Hotel pickup
USD $159 per vehicle
About this tour
Two hours from Medellín sits the most colourful town in Colombia: Guatapé, with its hand-painted zócalos, its waterfront on the reservoir, and the towering Piedra del Peñol — a 220-metre monolith you conquer by climbing 740 steps to one of the most spectacular views in South America: a maze of green water and islands stretching to the horizon.
Our tour is private and takes the whole day. We leave your accommodation in the morning, stop at the viewpoints along the road, you climb the rock at your own rhythm, have lunch in town (trout and bandeja paisa are the classics) and wander the umbrella street and the main square without a group timetable pushing you. You can add a boat ride on the reservoir, a helicopter flight or a chiva bike — we arrange it.
The route, step by step
- Pickup at your Medellín hotel or Airbnb (7-8 a.m. recommended)
- Panoramic stop on the road (Alto del Chocho)
- Piedra del Peñol — 740 steps to the viewpoint, at your own pace
- Lunch in Guatapé with a view of the reservoir (optional)
- Umbrella street and the painted zócalos
- Main square and Guatapé waterfront
- Free time for photos, boat ride or shopping
- Optional: boat trip on the reservoir, helicopter, chiva bike
- Return to Medellín
What is included
- Private door-to-door transport
- Local driver for the whole route
- Pickup at your hotel or Airbnb
- Flexible itinerary, at your pace
Not included
- Entrance tickets and meals
- Optional activities
- Tips
Tips from people who do this every week
- Start early: the rock has fewer people and softer light before 10 a.m.
- Bring cash — many places in Guatapé do not take cards
- Wear real shoes for the climb, and take water with you
Questions about this tour?
Ask Helbert about timings, what to bring or how to combine it with another plan. He answers instantly.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Medellín to Guatapé?
Between 1.5 and 2.5 hours each way depending on traffic leaving the city. Sunday and holiday afternoons are the slowest for the return leg.
How many steps does the Piedra del Peñol have?
740 steps to the top viewpoint. There is no lift. Most people take 20 to 30 minutes going up slowly, and there are drink stands along the way.
What does the tour include?
USD $159 (about $650,000 COP) covers the private vehicle for up to 4 people, the driver and the whole day. The entrance ticket to the rock, lunch and any optional boat or helicopter ride are paid separately on site.
Can I skip climbing the rock?
Absolutely. Many travellers stay at the base, where there are cafés and viewpoints, or spend that time in town. The day still works.
Guides that help with this plan
- How to get from Medellín to Guatapé — Guatapé sits about 75 km from Medellín. There are three ways to get there, and the real di…
- What to do in Medellín in 3 days — Three days is enough to get to know Medellín properly, as long as you do not try to cram e…
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