Medellin & Guatape: Pablo Escobar Sites, Private Guide, Boat

Summary

Discover Medellin’s past from city streets to Guatape lake

You’ll walk Medellin’s streets with a local guide, hear stories from people who lived through Colombia’s hardest years, climb El Peñol for wild views of Guatape lake, and ride a private boat to an abandoned mansion that still feels heavy with history. The day leaves you thinking about resilience — and who gets remembered.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Medellin just as the city was waking up, our guide Juan already chatting about the neighborhoods we passed. I didn’t expect the air to shift so quickly — one minute it was city fumes and chatter, then suddenly it was eucalyptus and that faint earthy smell after rain. Juan pointed out the old Monaco building ruins, telling us how it once stood for something way bigger than just bricks. There were a few locals nearby, one selling coffee in tiny cups. I tried one — strong enough to wake the dead, honestly.

The drive out toward Guatape felt long but not in a bad way. We stopped at Pablo Escobar’s childhood barrio. Kids played soccer barefoot in the street; their laughter echoed off faded murals. Juan told us stories about those years — not glorifying, just honest. He knew some of the families who lived through it all. It made me think about what gets remembered and what doesn’t.

Climbing El Peñol rock was rough (700 steps is no joke), but that view over Guatape lake? I still think about that moment — blue water everywhere, little islands like green puzzle pieces. The wind up there tasted clean. After catching our breath, we took a private boat across the lake to see one of Escobar’s abandoned mansions. It looked haunted by its own silence; broken tiles underfoot and vines sneaking through windows. Someone joked about ghosts but nobody laughed too loud.

Later we visited La Catedral — his so-called “prison.” The fog rolled in while we stood at the edge looking down over Medellin. It was weirdly peaceful up there, knowing what happened inside those walls. At the cemetery, Juan showed us where Escobar is buried among politicians and businessmen — he just shook his head and said nothing for a while. That stuck with me more than any fact or story.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Pablo Escobar sites and Guatapé

• Enter Pablo's humble community
• Visit Pablo’s private prison La Catedral
• Enjoy views from La Catedral
• Visit ruins of Monaco building
• Visit Pablo’s graveyard
• Learn about Pablo’s capture rooftop
• Climb 700 steps to rock summit
• Enjoy views of Guatapé lake
• Walk around Guatapé lake countryside

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Pablo Escobar tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your day trip.

How many steps are there at El Peñol rock?

You’ll climb 700 steps to reach the top of El Peñol rock.

Does this tour visit Pablo Escobar’s grave?

Yes, you will visit his graveyard during the tour.

Is lunch included on this full day tour?

No, lunch is at your own expense during free time.

Are entrance fees covered?

Entry fees such as Peñol rock are included in your booking.

Is this private Pablo Escobar tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to provided info.

Will we have a local guide throughout the trip?

A local driver/guide accompanies you for the entire day trip.

Does this tour include a boat ride on Guatape lake?

Yes, there is a private boat ride to Pablo’s abandoned mansion on Guatape lake.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Medellin, all entry fees such as access to El Peñol rock, guidance from a local expert throughout both city and countryside stops, transport by private vehicle between sites including rural areas around Guatape, plus a private boat ride across the lake to explore an abandoned mansion before returning home in the evening.