You are currently viewing Guatapé: a colorful Colombian village for nature lovers

Attention, all travelers! If you’re planning a trip to beautiful Colombia, don’t miss out on adding a colorful and unique little town to your itinerary. Have you ever heard of the massive granite rock formation called “El Peñol” or “La Piedra”? It’s in Guatapé, near Medellín.

I spent a weekend in Guatapé in January 2024. This little town was one of the highlights of my 3-week trip across Colombia! It’s a country that’s amazing, affordable, and not too far. You can also read my guide to visiting Santa Marta and the Tayrona National Park and 11 things to do in Medellín.

Here’s everything you need to know about Guatapé.

 

Where is Guatapé, Colombia located?

Guatapé is a small town in the department of Antioquia in Colombia, at an altitude of 1,890 meters above sea level.

Small village of Guatapé, Colombia, on hilly islands full of trees surrounded by a calm sea.
Guatapé, Colombia (photo credit: Unsplash+)

 

It is located in the countryside, 79 kilometers (49 mi) from Medellín, the capital and largest city of this department, and a great place to visit itself.

Guatapé, Colombia's location on Google Maps
Location of Guatapé, Colombia (image credit: Google Maps)

 

Why visit Guatapé, Colombia?

Guatapé is a popular destination for travelers in Colombia, and now I understand why! 

Paved street covered with colorful umbrellas and bordered by colorful houses in Guatapé, Colombia.
Guatapé, Colombia (photo credit: Juliana Mayo)

 

Guatapé is ideal for nature lovers. The landscapes are breathtaking, with green hills, plenty of small islands, and the impressive Guatapé Reservoir, created by the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Guatapé River. 

You can go hiking in nature, try new outdoor activities like rock climbing or zip-lining, go around in colorful tuk-tuks, and enjoy scenic boat tours on the reservoir’s waterways. 

Aerial view of the different hilly island formations on the turquoise water in Guatapé, Colombia.
Guatapé, Colombia (photo credit: Datingscout)

 

But the most iconic thing to do in Guatapé is, without a doubt, climbing “El Peñón” (also called “La Piedra”), a huge 200-meter-tall granite rock formation.

The views from up there are unmatched, but you have to work for it! 

View of El Peñón, the towering mountain within the hilly islands of Guatapé.
El Peñón, Guatapé, Colombia (photo credit: Unsplash+)

 

To reach the top, you must take the stairs (740 steps in total) because, as you can guess, there is no elevator. 

But once you conquer this gigantic landmark, you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramas. 

Main houses in the village of Guatapé, Colombia, and its boats on the water with a luscious green mountain range in the background.
Guatapé, Colombia (photo credit: Secret Travel Guide)

 

Take a moment to catch your breath, and then, you can shop for souvenirs on the summit or enjoy a delicious Colombian Michelada before heading back down, the same way you came from.

In the city itself, you’ll see colorful buildings. Guatapé’s nickname, the “town of Zócalos”, comes from the locals’ practice of decorating their homes’ façades with colorful bas-reliefs called zócalos.

Women wearing an orange dress and a hat on a paved street bordered by colorful zóccalos houses in Guatapé, Colombia.
Zócalos (photo credit: Robbie)

 

Visitors have the chance to see very colorful designs like flowers and animals on the buildings. This unique style definitely makes Guatapé special and a great place to take memorable travel pictures.

Last but not least, Guatapé has plenty of restaurants where you can sample delicious Colombian food, such as ajiaco (chicken and potatoes soup) or bandeja paisa (a dish composed of various meats, beans, eggs, and other ingredients).

So if Medellín is on your bucket list, you should also take a few days to explore this cute little town and its surroundings! 

 

How to get to Guatapé, Colombia?

It’s very simple! You can take a direct bus from Medellín’s Terminal del Norte bus station. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and costs $10.

The drive through the mountains is quite nice. 

If you prefer, you can rent a car for as low as $57/day in Medellín if you decline the rental agency’s damage insurance — you get free rental car damage insurance by using your credit card.

You can also hire a taxi to drive you directly from Medellín to Guatapé for around $40, which may be cheaper if you’re staying in town longer and don’t want to explore around (you won’t need a car in Guatapé).

 

How long to stay in Guatapé, Colombia?

I recommend you stay at least 1 or 2 nights in Guatapé to really enjoy all it has to offer.

Aerial view of the hilly islands of Guatapé and the water.
Guatapé, Colombia (photo credit: Valentin Salmon)

 

Where to stay in Guatapé, Colombia?

We hadn’t included Guatapé in our accommodation guide for 7 destinations in Colombia, so check out these 7 options in the city! It’s, unfortunately, one of the rare Colombian destinations without a Marriott hotel where free nights cost few points, but you still have plenty of choices.

 

Hotels

  • Cheapest: Soy Local Guatap?
    • $42 per night
    • $21 per night per person with a companion
    • Rated 8.4/10
  • Well-rated: Hotel Pietrasanta
    • $144 per night
    • $72 per night per person with a companion
    • Rated 8.9/10
  • Unique: Domus Glamping
    • $231 per night
    • $116 per night per person with a companion
    • Rated 9.4/10
  • Luxurious: Bosko
    • $349 per night
    • $175 per night per person with a companion
    • Rated 9.5/10
Domus Glamping Hotel in Guatapé and one of its clear dome housing in the middle of the forest on the Trivago website.
Domus Glamping (image credit: Trivago)

 

 

Hostels

The yellow building of the Lake View Hostel on the Hostelworld website.
Lake View Hostel (image credit: Hostelworld)

 

 

Private homes and apartments

Well-rated private apartment La Martinera Avenida San José and a view of the kitchen on the Vrbo website.
La Martinera Avenida San José (image credit: Vrbo)

 

 

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Summary

If you’re visiting Colombia, be sure to put this pretty town on your list. Guatapé has it all and could even become one of your favorite destinations on your trip to this amazing South American country.

 

What would you like to know about traveling to Guatapé? Tell us in the comments below.

 

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Featured image: Guatapé, Colombia (photo credit: Jossie Díaz)

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