Day Trip to Guatapé
Colombia's most colorful town, two hours from Medellín. Climb the 740 stairs of La Piedra del Peñol for jaw-dropping reservoir views, then wander streets lined with hand-painted zócalos.
Explore the Day Trip to Guatapé
The Story Behind Day Trip to Guatapé
The Rock That Was Always There
La Piedra del Peñol (also called El Peñón de Guatapé) is a 220-meter (721-foot) granite monolith that formed approximately 70 million years ago. For centuries, the indigenous Tahamí people worshipped it as a sacred site. The name "Guatapé" itself comes from the indigenous word for "stones and water."
740 Stairs and a View Worth Climbing For
In 1954, a group of friends climbed the rock using wooden planks stuck into a fissure — the first recorded ascent. In the 1970s, a 740-step brick staircase was built into a natural crack in the rock. The climb takes 20-40 minutes and rewards you with a 360° view of the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir — a stunning network of turquoise lakes and green islands created by a hydroelectric dam in the 1970s.
The Town of Zócalos
Guatapé is famous for its zócalos — hand-painted bas-relief panels that decorate the lower half of every building. Each zócalo depicts something meaningful to the residents: a family trade, local wildlife, a historical event, or a cultural symbol. The tradition began in the early 1900s and makes Guatapé one of the most visually stunning towns in Colombia.
Highlights
Plan Your Visit
🕐 Hours
Best as a full-day trip | Leave Medellín at 7:00 AM, return by 6:00 PM
🎫 Tickets
Peñol rock entrance: COP $20,000 | Boat tour: COP $20,000-30,000 | Guatapé town: FREE
📍 Address
Guatapé, Antioquia (2 hours east of Medellín)
🚇 Getting There
No metro — take a bus from Terminal del Norte (COP $15,000-17,000 each way)
Make the Most of Your Visit
- •Leave Medellín at 7 AM to beat the crowds and heat at the rock
- •Wear good shoes — 740 stairs is a real workout
- •Bring water and snacks for the climb
- •The rock has a small snack bar and viewing deck at the top
- •Take the bus from Terminal del Norte — buses leave every 30 minutes
- •Many tours include transportation, rock entrance, boat tour, and lunch — often better value than going solo
- •Don't miss the zócalos in town — walk Calle 32 for the best examples
- •Bring sunscreen — there's zero shade on the rock