Guatapé day trip: La Piedra del Peñol & boat tour
A 220-meter monolith rises from the middle of a reservoir you'll cross by boat.
This 10-hour day trip from Medellín takes you to La Piedra del Peñol, a 220-meter monolith in Guatapé, with hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and all transport included. You'll ride a boat across the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir, climb the 740 steps to the stone's summit, explore the colorful village, and eat lunch. The guide handles the route and timing so you move through the day without planning it.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Guatapé and El Peñol
- Travel from Medellín to El Peñol
- Visit El Peñol town and monolith
- Climb 740 steps of La Piedra
- Boat tour on Peñol-Guatapé reservoir
- Explore replica of old El Peñol town
- Visit colorful Guatapé town
- Walk plaza de los zócalos and street of memories
- Stroll the boardwalk and main park
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Medellín.
- breakfast before departure.
- professional guide in English or Spanish.
- air-conditioned transport.
- boat ride across the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir.
- lunch with a vegetarian option available on request.
- insurance.
Times
- Every day 06:50
Before you book
Operated by Viajes Maxitours
Prices and times updated 7 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour leaves your Medellín hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and heads toward Guatapé, about an hour and a half away. Once there, you'll board a boat to cross the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir, one of the dams that supplies power to Colombia. The water spreads wide and still, and the monolith rises ahead. You can see it from the boat before you reach the shore to climb it.
The 740 steps up La Piedra del Peñol take you to the summit, where the view opens across the reservoir in all directions and down to the village below. The climb is steady and the steps are carved into the stone. Most travelers manage it without trouble, though the altitude and the sun matter. Once you're down, you'll walk through Guatapé itself: the plaza de los zócalos (a square decorated with hand-painted wooden panels), the street of memories, the boardwalk, and the main park. The village is known for its bright colors and handicrafts, and the shops are run by locals. Lunch is included and a vegetarian option is available if you request it when you book.
Your guide speaks English or Spanish and stays with the group throughout the day, handling the boat schedule, the climb timing, and the village walk. Breakfast is included before you leave Medellín, and the vehicle returns you to your hotel by evening. Infants can ride in a stroller, and the itinerary suits all fitness levels, though the monolith climb is the physical anchor of the day.
Is this one for you?If your Spanish is limited or nonexistent, book the English-language guide so the commentary on the reservoir, the monolith, and the village history reaches you clearly. The guide stays with the group all day and handles the logistics, so you move through the stops without building the schedule yourself.
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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).
How long does it take to climb La Piedra del Peñol?
The 740 steps to the summit take most travelers between 30 and 45 minutes depending on pace and the sun. The view from the top spans the entire Peñol-Guatapé reservoir and the village below.
What is the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir and why do we cross it by boat?
The reservoir is one of Colombia's major dams and supplies power to the country. The boat ride crosses the water to reach the base of La Piedra del Peñol and lets you see the monolith and the landscape from the water before you climb.
Is Guatapé village worth exploring, or is it just a tourist stop?
Guatapé is known as one of Colombia's most colorful towns, with hand-painted wooden panels on buildings, local handicraft shops run by their owners, and a main plaza and boardwalk. The village has its own character beyond the monolith visit.
What's included in the tour price, and what do I need to pay extra for?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, the professional guide, breakfast, lunch, the air-conditioned vehicle, and insurance are all included. The entrance fee to La Piedra del Peñol is separate and paid on arrival.
Do I need a passport or ID to book this tour?
Yes, you'll need to provide your passport name, number, expiry date, and country at the time of booking for all participants, as this is required by the operator.
Guatapé day trip: La Piedra del Peñol & boat tour
10h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 55 per person
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