Medellín is up there for top favorite cities, but after three weeks I was ready to trade the harsh fumes and hectic nature of the city for the fresh air and tranquility of nearby Guatapé. The ride into Guatapé is reason enough to visit, with beautiful farmland and rolling green hills spotted with cows & horses all around, as well as roadside stands cooking homemade arepa and roasted corn along the way. And only two hours away by bus (without traffic), it’s extremely easy to get to as well.

Although a sleepy town, (everything basically shuts down by 10pm), Guatapé’s charm alone will keep you occupied. The tranquility and relaxing nature of this place is a major draw, as is the colorful buildings, countryside appeal (local men in cowboy hats riding horses down the road is commonplace), surrounding giant green reservoir, and the oh-so-quiet nights.

I only had a day and a night in Guatapé, and although I did most of what there is to do, I easily could have stayed another few days and enjoyed it just the same. I would probably recommend 2-3 nights just so you can take your time, relax, and enjoy.

The 2 Must Do’s in Guatapé

1. Stroll Through the Town & Enjoy the Colorful Architecture

Known as one of the most colorful towns in the world, every street, house, doorway and detail is painted and decorated in an incredibly bright color palette. Wandering the streets is an activity in itself, and I found myself wandering around and taking photos for what ended up being hours!

The town is full of shops, cafes, and restaurants where you can enjoy local favorites like bandeja paisa, arepa con queso, or empanadas for a very reasonable price. I ate at Martine Restaurante near La Plazoleta De Los Zocalos and was impressed by their tasty menu of the day offering for only 10,000CP.

There are two main squares: Parque Guatapé which is known for the big white church and fountain in the middle of the square (which seems to be extra busy after Sunday Night Mass), and the other is La Plazoleta De Los Zocalos which is known for its beautifully painted steps and is a great place to grab a coffee, relax, and if you’re lucky, listen to a local musician play live in the square.

2. Climb the Impressive Piedra del Peñol

For incredible 360 views of the surrounding Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, you must climb 740 steps up the famous Piedra del Peñol. This giant monolith stands at 220 meters high, and although it’ll leave you a bit winded, you’ll keep going knowing epic views are waiting for you at the top!

This is the main attraction of visiting Guatapé and it costs about 18,000CP. If you want to reward yourself with a michelada at the top, you’ll need another 7,000CP (worth it!).

How To Get To Guatapé

From Medellín, take the bus from Terminal Del Norte. The cost is 13,000CP and leaves every hour on the hour from platform #9. You can’t miss the ticket booth, as an electronic sign flashes the word “Guatapé” in bright neon green. It’s all pretty simple!

How To Get To Piedra del Peñol from Guatapé

There are a few different ways to get to this famous mammoth stone. I saw some travelers walking, but I wouldn’t recommend it, as you’ll need to walk about an hour to get there and then of course you have the 740 steps of pure incline to get to the top. You can take the local bus that drops you off at the base of the hill for 2,000CP, but be warned that you have to wait for the entire bus to fill up before they’ll leave, and then there is another 20 min walk up the hill from where they drop you off in order to get to the base of Piedra del Peñol.

Had I known that, I probably would have just spent the extra few pesos to be dropped off right at the stone. After all, you’ve got another 740 steps to get to the top! The last and most efficient way, is to take a tuk tuk from Guatapé town for 4-8,000CP. I split the ride with another traveler and payed just 4,000CP. This is a much easier route to take, as you won’t have to wait for the bus and you won’t have to walk the extra 20 min up/20 min down from this giant monolith.

Where to Stay in Guatapé:

If you’re looking for beautiful views, cozy rooms, friendly staff, and an excellent breakfast, I would highly recommend Encuentro B&B. It is set about a 15 min walk from where the bus from Medellín drops you off in Guatapé, but the small walk yields a nice reward – a quiet setting set in the hills with uninterrupted views of the surrounding lake and Piedra del Peñol.

My room had a perfect view of the lake and I could even see horses grazing off in the distance…talk about peaceful! The room was small, but so cozy and comfortable and I really appreciated all the little details like the stone carved sink and artisanal tiling throughout the bedroom and the bathroom.  I found so many little places to relax at this property, from picnic tables, to hammocks, to the outdoor balcony where you can enjoy your complimentary breakfast each morning.

This is a true B&B, serving up a new menu every day of the week consisting of some variation of fresh fruit, eggs, baked goods, as well as tea and coffee, all made to order. I felt so comfortable and relaxed at this B&B and really wish I had booked an extra night (or two)! I would highly recommend staying here for your weekend getaway to Guatapé!

Location: Vereda Quebrada Arriba, Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia

To Book Casa Encuentro Click Here

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary stay at Casa Encuentro during my time in Guatapé in exchange for my opinions, but all opinions are my own. I only recommend places I would stay myself!

Wander On,

Wanderluluu xx