Guatapé day trip: Piedra del Peñol, boat ride, colorful town

See the colorful facades and mountain views without arranging the drive yourself

A full-day tour from Medellín to Guatapé, Colombia's most colorful town, with hotel pickup and return. The itinerary includes a rural viewpoint with animals, the submerged old town replica, an optional climb of Piedra del Peñol's 700 steps, a 50-minute boat or jet ski ride on the dam, lunch with a view, and a walk through the town's hand-painted zócalos. Pickup happens between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. from hotels in El Poblado, Laureles, or Estadio. Return to Medellín between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. The guide speaks Spanish or English, chosen at booking.

The experience

How do you get to Guatapé and back without renting a car or figuring out the route? This tour picks you up at your hotel in Medellín and handles the full day, so you skip the planning. Breakfast happens on the road, then a stop at a rural viewpoint where you can interact with llamas, rabbits and other animals before the main sites. The route takes in the replica of the old quarry town that was flooded in the 1970s when the dam was built, a detail that frames what you see next.

At Piedra del Peñol, the monolith itself rises 220 meters with more than 700 steps to the top. Climbing is optional. You can take photos from below or spend about an hour making the ascent for views across the water and mountains. The entrance fee ($35,000 COP, cash only) is separate from the tour price. After that comes a 50-minute boat or jet ski ride across the dam, where the water is surrounded by nature and the houses of artists and other notable residents visible from the water. Lunch is typical Colombian food served with a view.

The final stop is Guatapé itself, a walk through streets where nearly every building is painted in bright, intricate patterns. The hand-painted baseboards and facades turn the town into an open-air gallery. Each design tells a story, and the whole place is built for photographs. The guide stays with the group throughout in either Spanish or English, depending on which language you choose when you book.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• typical Colombian breakfast on the road.
• access to the rural viewpoint with animals.
• the boat or jet ski tour of the dam.
• lunch with a view.
• a guided walk through Guatapé.
• medical assistance during the tour.
• a guide in Spanish or English throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (8 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4)

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Medellín Florece

Is this one for you?This tour suits travelers who want to see Guatapé and its surroundings in one day without driving themselves or navigating the route. The shared group format keeps the cost lower than a private option, and the fixed schedule means all the main stops (the viewpoint, the old town replica, Piedra del Peñol, the boat ride, and the town itself) fit inside a single outing from Medellín.

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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: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4).

What's the climb up Piedra del Peñol actually like?

Piedra del Peñol has more than 700 steps to the summit, and climbing is entirely optional. Those who do climb spend about an hour on the ascent and descent, and the views from the top stretch across the water and surrounding mountains. The entrance fee is $35,000 COP per person, paid in cash at the site and not included in the tour price.

Does the tour include time to explore Guatapé on my own?

Yes. After the boat ride and lunch, you have time to walk through Guatapé's streets and see the hand-painted facades and zócalos at your own pace. The guide is with the group, but you're free to move around and take photos during this part of the day.

What time does pickup happen, and where?

Pickup is between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. from hotels in El Poblado, Laureles, or Estadio. The return to Medellín happens between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., depending on traffic. If your hotel is outside these neighborhoods, public transportation options are available nearby.

Is breakfast included, or do I need to bring my own?

Breakfast is included and happens on the road during the drive to Guatapé. Lunch is also included and served with a view after the boat ride. Both are typical Colombian meals.

Can I choose between the boat and the jet ski?

The tour includes a 50-minute ride on the dam that can be either a boat or a jet ski. The specific option depends on the tour date and availability, so confirm which one you'll be on when you book.