Guatapé & El Peñol: Day Trip with Boat Tour, Breakfast & Lunch

Summary

Colors of Guatapé, El Peñol climb, lakeside boat ride and farm visit

You’ll wake up to Guatapé’s painted streets, taste real Antioquian breakfast, stare up at El Peñol Rock (climb if you want), drift across the reservoir by boat past Escobar’s old ruins, then end your day feeding llamas at Alto del Chocho farm. This isn’t just sightseeing—it’s sharing stories and small moments you’ll remember later.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed when we rolled into Guatapé was how the light bounced off every single wall—those zócalos really are as bright as people say. Our guide, Camilo, had already won us over at breakfast with stories about his childhood here (he pointed out the exact bakery his mom used to drag him to). The coffee tasted smoky and strong—maybe it was just the mountain air making everything sharper. It was early but the plaza was already busy, music leaking from open doors and shopkeepers sweeping confetti-colored steps.

I’d heard about El Peñol Rock before, but standing at its base is something else. It’s huge—kind of humbling actually. Some folks from our group tackled the climb (not included in the tour), but I hung back with a couple from Cali and just stared up at those zigzag stairs. Camilo explained how people used to haul water up here by donkey before the dam changed everything. You could smell fried arepas drifting over from a stall nearby—hard not to get distracted by that.

After lunch (I went for bandeja paisa—no regrets), we hopped onto a boat for a slow cruise on the reservoir. The water looked almost fake-blue under the sun, and someone started playing crossover music on the speakers. At one point we passed these crumbling ruins—Camilo said they were part of Pablo Escobar’s old estate. He told us just enough about it without getting weirdly dramatic or anything. There was this moment where everyone got quiet watching birds skim over the water—I still think about that silence sometimes.

Last stop was Alto del Chocho farm. I didn’t expect to end my day feeding llamas on a hilltop outside Medellín, but here we were. The grass felt cool even though it was late afternoon, and some local kids showed us how to hold out our hands so the animals wouldn’t nibble our sleeves. It wasn’t fancy or anything; just peaceful in a way that stuck with me long after we got back on the bus heading home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guatapé tour with meals and boat ride

• Meet guide at Poblado church
• Enjoy traditional Colombian breakfast
• Travel Medellín to Guatapé by bus
• Stop at El Peñol Rock monument
• Visit colorful Guatapé town
• Take boat tour on reservoir
• Have traditional regional lunch
• Visit Alto del Chocho farm and animals
• Return to Medellín by bus

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Medellín to Guatapé?

The tour lasts a full day including travel time to and from Medellín.

Is breakfast included on this Guatapé tour?

Yes, a traditional Antioquian breakfast is included early in the tour.

Can I climb El Peñol Rock during this tour?

The stop at El Peñol Rock is included; climbing is optional and ticket must be paid separately in cash (COP).

Is there hotel pickup for this Guatapé day trip?

No hotel pickup—the meeting point is at Parque Principal del Poblado in Medellín.

Are vegetarian or vegan lunch options available?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are available for lunch; ask your guide.

What language does the guide speak?

Tours may be operated by multilingual guides in English or Spanish.

Is travel insurance included?

Yes, travel insurance is included as part of your booking.

Are entrance fees included for all attractions?

The entrance fee for climbing El Peñol Rock is not included; other activities are covered.

Will I see Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda La Manuela?

You’ll see panoramic views of its ruins during the boat tour on Guatapé reservoir.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip bus transport between Medellín and Guatapé with comfortable seats, traditional Colombian breakfast and regional lunch (with vegetarian/vegan options), guided walks through colorful town streets, a scenic boat ride across Guatapé reservoir past historic sites like Escobar's hacienda ruins (from afar), entry to Alto del Chocho farm for animal encounters and hillside views—and always with an experienced local guide sharing stories along the way.