Guatapé and the rock full-day private tour from Medellín

Set your own rhythm through Guatapé's colored houses, the dam and the rock.

A private full-day tour from Medellín to Guatapé with a live English or Spanish guide, including transportation, lunch, a shared boat ride on the dam, and access to the rock viewpoint. You choose between a basic itinerary or add coffee experience and a private boat tour. The pace is yours to set, and the guide adjusts to what interests you most.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Guatapé and the rock

• See relic of flooded town
• View New Peñol and rock temple
• Choose boat for dam tour
• Boat tour of dam and Narcos houses
• Visit colorful town square
• Climb rock for regional views
• Lunch with town and dam views

The experience

What makes this different from a group tour is the private vehicle and guide: no fixed schedule, no waiting for other travelers. You leave Medellín in an air-conditioned van and spend seven to nine hours moving through the region at your own rhythm. The guide speaks English or Spanish and knows the history: the flooded town beneath the dam, the church submerged when the reservoir filled, the narco-era vacation houses visible from the water. You'll taste coca leaf tea on the drive and have WiFi on board if you need it.

Guatapé itself is the draw: a town rebuilt in bright colors with handcrafted details on every house. You stop at the main square to photograph it, eat lunch at a local spot, and browse regional products. The boat ride (shared, one hour) takes you across the artificial lake to see the dam's scale and the landmarks the guide points out. If you book the private boat option instead, you get the same route without sharing the vessel.

The rock is the final stop: a steep climb to a viewpoint overlooking the entire lake and the valley beyond. It's the vantage point that makes the whole day click into place. You see where you've been and understand the geography the guide has been describing. Lunch and parking are included. The rock entrance fee is separate.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation from Medellín.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• coca leaf tea.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• shared one-hour boat ride across the dam.
• WiFi on board.
• parking fees.
• access to Guatapé town and the main square.

Options for this experience

4 options

Basic plan of the Guatapé TourGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timePickup is included

Coffee experience on the Guatapé TourGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeCoffee plantation tour, pickup included

Private 1-hour boat tour in GuatapéGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timePrivate lake boat tour, pickup included

Full packageGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeA 1-hour private boat trip on the lake plus a coffee plantation tour, followed by time to enjoy the beauty of Guatapé. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (11 to 15 years) · Child (2 to 10 years)

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 11.10

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by PH Tours Medellín

Is this one for you?The private vehicle and guide mean you move at your own pace without waiting for a group schedule to dictate when you leave each stop. If you want to linger in the town square or spend extra time at the rock, the guide adjusts. Something a shared tour cannot do.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 15 years); Child (2 to 10 years).

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.

What exactly is the rock in Guatapé?

The rock is a large stone formation with a staircase built into it, rising above the town and the artificial lake. Climbing to the top takes about 20 minutes and gives you a panoramic view of the entire region, the dam, and the surrounding landscape.

Can I choose a private boat instead of the shared one?

Yes. The private VIP boat tour is a separate purchase option at checkout. It follows the same route across the dam for one hour but without other passengers.

What's included in the different tour options?

All options include private transportation, the guide, lunch, and access to Guatapé town and the main square. The basic plan covers the shared boat ride. The coffee experience option adds a regional coffee tasting. The private boat option replaces the shared ride with a private vessel.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs seven to nine hours depending on how long you spend at each stop and what you choose to do. The guide adjusts the schedule to your pace.

What's the difference between the flooded town and the rock temple?

The flooded town is the original settlement that was submerged when the dam was built. You see its remains and the church from the boat. The rock temple is a modern church structure built on the rock formation itself, visible from the water and from the town.