Guatapé and El Peñol Day Tour: Village and Lake Views

Climb the rock or wander the village: either way, you see the lake that drowned a town.

A full-day tour from Medellín to Guatapé and El Peñol, east of the city, with hotel pickup and a professional guide in English or Spanish. You drive through Antioquia's countryside for 1.5 hours, climb the nearly 700 steps of El Peñol rock for panoramic views (rock entry paid separately), and explore Guatapé's painted colonial facades and lakeside promenade. The tour lasts around 8 hours and includes transport by private vehicle. Lunch and drinks are at your own expense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore El Peñol and Guatapé villages

• Drive 1.5 hours from Medellín
• Stop near Marinilla village (optional)
• Visit El Peñol village and learn history
• Climb 700 steps of El Peñol rock
• Walk around Guatapé lake
• Explore colorful Guatapé town
• Enjoy lunch at Guatapé (own expense)

The experience

The drive from Medellín takes you through rural Antioquia to El Peñol, a town that sits in the middle of a lake: the result of a 1950s dam project that voluntarily flooded the old village. The rock itself rises nearly 700 steps above the water, and the climb rewards you with views across the reservoir and the surrounding hills. Whether you make the climb or skip it, the stop gives you time to understand how the landscape changed and why the town relocated.

From there, the route continues to Guatapé, also known as Pueblo de los Zócalos for its hand-painted wooden panels that cover nearly every building facade. You walk around the village and along the lake shore, where the water and the colorful architecture frame each other. Your guide can also arrange a stop in Marinilla, a smaller village on the way, if you ask. Lunch happens in Guatapé at a restaurant of your choice. The tour does not include meals, so you pick where and what to eat.

The tour runs 8 hours total and uses a private vehicle for the whole day. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Medellín are included, and your guide speaks either English or Spanish depending on the option you choose. The only cost beyond the tour price is the El Peñol rock entrance fee, food, drinks, and any tips you decide to leave.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Medellín.
• private vehicle transport for the full day.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• time to explore El Peñol and Guatapé at a relaxed pace.
• lakeside views and the chance to see the villages that sit on the water.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private full-day Guatape tourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Custom. Duration: 8 hours. Private air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is included.

Guatape, rock and boat rideGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00On this full-day tour, you travel by private car with a bilingual guide to enjoy the calm lake, and take a private one-hour boat ride. Private: a private vehicle for the full day from Medellin, plus a private boat ride around Guatape lake to take in the views of the rock. Duration: 10 hours, including about 2 hours of travel from Medellin, with time to climb the rock and one hour on the boat. East Medellin: Peñol rock, Guatape. Private: a private air-conditioned vehicle and a bilingual guide. Entry ticket to Peñol rock included. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Medellin City Services

Is this one for you?Book the rock and boat ride option if you want the full experience of the lake from multiple angles. Choose the private tour option if you prefer a guide focused only on your group's pace and interests. Either way, the private vehicle means your group travels together without joining strangers, and hotel pickup saves the step of finding your own way to the meeting point.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Medellín to Guatapé?

The drive to El Peñol takes about 1.5 hours along natural countryside. From there, it is a shorter drive to Guatapé itself, and the full tour lasts around 8 hours including all stops and the time you spend in each village.

Do I have to climb El Peñol rock, or can I skip it?

Climbing is optional. The rock entrance is not included in the tour price, so you pay separately if you want to climb the nearly 700 steps. If you prefer to stay at the base or skip it entirely, you can spend that time exploring the area around the lake instead.

What is there to do in Guatapé itself?

Guatapé is known for its painted wooden facades on nearly every building: the zócalos that give the village its nickname. You walk around the village, stroll along the lake shore, and choose a restaurant for lunch. The pace is relaxed, and there is time to explore at your own speed.

Is food included in the tour price?

Food and drinks are not included. You choose where to eat lunch in Guatapé and pay for your meal separately. The tour gives you time to find a restaurant that suits you.

Can my guide stop in Marinilla on the way?

Yes, Marinilla is a cozy village on the route to Guatapé. If you want to stop there, just let your guide know and they can arrange it during the day.