Guatape & Piedra del Peñol: Private Day Trip from Medellin

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

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Duration9h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Guatape’s painted walls, the climb up El Peñol and lakeside music

You’ll ride out from Medellin to Guatape’s colorful streets with a local guide, stop for breakfast, cruise the reservoir by boat with music playing, and have the chance (if you want) to climb Piedra del Peñol’s 740 steps. Lunch is included too. There are moments here that stick with you long after—the painted houses, laughter on the water, and those wild lake views.

9h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Guatape tour from Medellin

Pick up at Medellin hotel
Have breakfast
Visit monument to Ave Fenix
Visit Replica of Old Peñol
Take boat tour of dam
Visit Piedra del Peñol (optional climb)
Visit town of Guatape

The Experience

Ever wondered if those photos of Guatape’s zócalos are really that bright? I did, honestly. So when our guide picked us up in Medellin (right on time, which surprised me for a Saturday), I was mostly thinking about coffee and whether my shoes were good enough for whatever “climbing” meant. The drive out was quiet—foggy hills, a few cows, that kind of slow morning where you’re not sure if you’ll nap or just stare out the window. Breakfast somewhere roadside—arepas with cheese and this sweet hot chocolate that tasted like childhood to me, even though I never grew up here.

We stopped at this monument—Ave Fenix—and our guide (Andrés? Or maybe it was Andrés’ cousin, he kept joking about family everywhere) told us how the old town got flooded to make the reservoir. Standing there, I tried to picture it all underwater. The replica of Old Peñol felt almost eerie—like a movie set left behind. Then came the boat ride: crossover music bouncing off the water, breeze smelling faintly of lake and gasoline. Some local kids waved from another boat; one of them had a dog wearing sunglasses. Still makes me smile.

The Piedra del Peñol is... well, it’s huge. 740 steps sounded okay until you’re halfway up and your legs start bargaining with your brain. I didn’t make it to the very top (don’t judge), but even halfway up you get these wild views—patches of blue water twisting around green islands. People were laughing and panting; one woman offered us candy for “energy,” which I took because why not? Afterward, wandering through Guatape itself felt like walking inside a painting—those tiles along every house tell stories if you look close enough. Lunch was in a little place by the plaza; veggie option for me (they asked ahead), and honestly it hit the spot after all those steps.

I still think about that moment on the boat when everything went quiet for a second—the music paused, sun on my face, just water and color everywhere. Not sure what else to say except I’d go again if only for that feeling.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your Medellin hotel (except city center), breakfast at a local spot along the way, stops at Ave Fenix monument and Old Peñol replica village, a lively boat ride across Guatape’s reservoir with music playing in the background, entry to Piedra del Peñol (climb optional), guided walk through Guatape’s painted streets, lunch with vegetarian or vegan options available if requested—and drop-off back at your hotel before evening sets in.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Viaja Medellin