Guatapé & Piedra del Peñol: Boat Tour, Tastings & Lunch

Summary

Colorful Guatapé day trip with tastings boat ride and Peñol climb

You’ll snack your way through Guatapé with strawberries and tree tomato in the morning, climb Piedra del Peñol for wild views, cruise the reservoir by boat with lunch served onboard, then wander colorful streets tasting local pastries and cheeses before heading back to Medellín—full of stories as well as food.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect strawberries with cream to be my first real memory of Guatapé, but there we were—standing in the little village park just after sunrise, spooning them up while people-watching. Our guide, Andrés, had this way of making everyone relax (he joked about his “breakfast face” being better than his “climbing face”). We dipped bonus bread into hot chocolate at a tiny spot called Casa Colombia—felt like something locals actually do. The air smelled sweet but also a bit earthy from last night’s rain. I tried tree tomato for the first time—tangy and weirdly good.

The climb up Piedra del Peñol is no joke—almost 750 steps. I stopped counting somewhere around 200 because a kid next to me was beating me and I pretended not to care (I did). The view at the top though—it’s not just water and islands, it’s this patchwork of green and blue that makes you want to stay quiet for a minute. There was this breeze that made everything feel fresh again. Coming down was easier (gravity helps), and then we hopped on a boat for a slow ride around the dam. Lunch came wrapped in banana leaf—a kind of cold meat thing that tasted way better than it looked. Someone played music quietly from their phone; it fit somehow.

Afterwards we wandered through Guatapé itself—umbrellas strung overhead, walls painted every color you can imagine. I got distracted by a shop selling little wooden zócalos (the decorative tiles you see everywhere here). Andrés pointed out his favorite bakery for solterita pastries; I tried one and ended up with powdered sugar all over my shirt. Free time meant wandering off on my own for a bit—I liked that nobody rushed us or hovered.

The last bite was cheese called “7 leathers”—soft, salty, kind of addictive. On the drive back to Medellín, I kept thinking about how full (in every sense) I felt. Not just from food but from all these small moments strung together—like tasting something new or catching someone’s laugh echo off the stone steps. It’s hard to explain until you’ve done it yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guatapé tour with climbing and tastings

• Start at village park
• Eat strawberries with cream
• Have breakfast with bonus bread and hot chocolate
• Try tree tomato fruit
• Climb Stone of the Peñol steps
• Enjoy reservoir view
• Relax on boat ride around dam
• Taste luncheon cold meat in banana leaf
• Eat crispy bachelorette snack
• Tour Guatapé town and parasol street
• Free time for photos and crafts
• Return to Medellin
• Taste cheese 7 leathers

Top questions

How many steps are there at Piedra del Peñol?

There are almost 750 steps to reach the top of Piedra del Peñol.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Medellín?

Yes, lunch is included and served during the boat ride around the dam.

What foods do you get to try on this Guatapé tour?

You’ll taste strawberries with cream, tree tomato, bonus bread with hot chocolate, cold meat wrapped in banana leaf for lunch, solterita pastry, and cheese 7 leathers.

Is hotel pickup included?

The tour includes transportation from Medellín but check if hotel pickup is offered when booking.

Do you have free time in Guatapé town?

Yes, there’s free time to explore Guatapé’s streets and shops at your own pace.

Can kids join this tour?

This tour is suitable for all fitness levels and infants can come along if seated on an adult’s lap or stroller.

How long does it take to climb Piedra del Peñol?

The climb usually takes around 15–30 minutes depending on your pace.

Is there a guide during the tour?

Yes, a local guide accompanies you throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation from Medellín, all tastings like strawberries with cream and tree tomato in the morning, entry to Piedra del Peñol for the climb, a relaxing boat ride on the reservoir with lunch served onboard, stops at colorful streets in Guatapé including Umbrella Street with time to explore shops or grab photos—and finishes with local pastries and cheese before returning home.