Guatape, Colombia: Best Things to Do
Guatape in Colombia is a colorful colonial town that offers many things to do for both daytrippers from Medellin or travelers enjoying an authentic getaway. Our travel guide to Guatape includes the best things to do in Guatape, practical information on how to get there, where to stay, or how much time you need.
Guatape. A small, traditional Colombian pueblo, only a few hours' drive from Medellin, is a place no traveler should miss. We've said that many times and will say it again.
Colombia is a country of beautiful colonial towns, and when creating the ultimate Colombia itinerary, it is often hard to decide which one to choose and which one to skip.
Well, Guatape should definitely be in the first group.
Guatape is a slow-paced town, where you could count all the best things to do on the fingers of one hand, but those beautifully decorated houses together with the unique landscape are exactly what set this town apart.
Guatape in the Antioquia department is close to the second-largest city in the country, Medellin.
Thanks to it, Guatape is often considered as the best day trip from Medellin, which makes this small town one of the top tourist destinations in the region.
But Guatape does not need to be only a short getaway, it is an interesting destination on its own, and visitors are more than welcome to spend here a night or two.
Same as Barichara, another must-visit colonial town in Colombia, Guatape has a completely different atmosphere after all day-trippers leave, and it will give you a chance to see the real face.
No matter what your plans are, here's our travel guide on the best things to see and do in Guatape and its surroundings.
From how to get, where to stay, or when to visit, we've got you covered.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN GUATAPE
Guatape seems like an upscale town at first, but it offers top attractions and great things to do for every type of travelers, even for those on a budget.
Yes, prices might seem higher at first, especially near the lake that is dotted with restaurants and hotels where you pay for the service, but also for the amazing view on top of that.
Once you get lost in the narrow streets of Guatape, you will be able to find decently priced restaurants and handicraft shops as well.
The same applies to visiting Guatape itself.
You can enjoy wandering the streets that is completely free, or you can opt for paid activities such as kayaking and zip-lining.
Here's a list of the best things to do in Guatape on a day or multi-day visit.
WALK THE STREETS OF GUATAPE
As we've written at the beginning of this post, Guatape does not have a super-long list of must-visit-attractions.
It is one of those towns, where you can search for the best things to visit, which is something we love the most when traveling in a foreign country.
Guatape is famous for its cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses.
These houses are exceptional because they are decorated with zocalo, and are very different from houses you can see, for example, in Villa de Leyva or Popayan.
No one exactly knows why and when local people started to embellish their houses with zocalos, which is the coat of cement in a lower part of the building, usually up to 80 cm high.
This custom was probably imported to Colombia from Spain, and nowadays it seems, that it is a local sport to have the best-decorated house in the village.
We are sure that not only all avid photographers but all travelers must enjoy the colors and interesting design.
Zocalos typically depict the occupation of family living in the house, their believes or history of the family, or the house itself.
We enjoyed our aimless stroll around Guatape and were always super-excited to spot an unusual picture on the facade.
Guatape is very compact, so it will take you a maximum of two hours to explore all the streets in the city center.
PLAZA DE ZOCALOS
The absolutely most photogenic spot in Guatape is Plaza de Zocalos. As the name suggests, you can expect a lot of colors here.
All the buildings surrounding the small square, that are unusually high for the town's standards, are painted very colorfully, and you will also find here the stairs, which is the must-see Insta spot.
The atmosphere here is very lively, you can often find here performing musicians, and there are also a few restaurants, that are not that expensive.
PARQUE PRINCIPAL
Every town in Colombia, no matter how small, has a Parque Principal, alias the main square. Guatape has one too.
It is the natural meeting spot and a place where it is pleasant just to sit and watch life go by.
The most significant building on the square is a church Parroquia Nuestra Señora Del Carmen Guatape.
The plaza is lined with cafes, shops, and restaurants. It is also a place where you can soak up the lively atmosphere.
LAGUNA GUATAPE BOAT TRIP
Guatepe sits on the shores of a lake, so obviously, one of the most sought-after activities is taking the boat trip. Most of the day tours from Medellin also include a boat tour, but you can arrange it on your own as well.
Another possibility is zorbing or kayaking.
If you travel with more cash in the pocket, you can also consider the super-popular evening boat trip with dinner and jazz music.
We must admit that we were quite happy watching the lake from the shore and then from the top of the rock, but it is definitely good to know all your options and the best things to do in the area.
Here you can reserve a Guatape Tour with Boat Trip.
PIEDRA DEL PENOL
Piedra del Penol alias the Guatape Rock is one of the most visited places in the area, and we can say that no visit to Guatape is complete without climbing this large monolith.
This 220 meters high rock can be seen from distance, but the best views are, obviously, from the top.
There's no way around it.
If you want to see the water reservoir with many smaller or larger peninsulas, you need to climb 740 steps
We must say that the view is really worth it.
Not sure it is worth the overpriced ticket, that costs 18 000 COP, but Colombians like to proudly say this is the best view in the country, and if you want to see it, you simply have to take your wallet out of your pocket.
Piedra del Penol is only ten minutes drive from Guatape.
It is actually before Guatape when traveling from Medellin, so it can be your first stop before you hit the streets of the town.
To get from Guatape to Piedra del Penol, take a tuk-tuk for 5000 COP.
ACTIVITIES TO DO IN GUATAPE
Guatape is set in a wonderful location. The landscape consists of green hills, rivers, waterfalls, the flooded dam, and lakes.
That's why it is also a perfect base for active travelers who like to experience unusual or adrenaline activities.
Some of the most popular things to do that combine the beautiful scenery and activities are, for example, paragliding, zip-lining, kayaking, ATV, boat trip, hiking, biking, sailing, but you can also visit a coffee farm.
In case hiking to the top of Piedra del Penol seems to you too ordinary, there's actually one more way how to get there - rock climbing!
Another activity you can consider is a helicopter flight over Piedra del Penol.
Yes, it is necessary to book a guided tour for every activity mentioned above, which can be costly.
On the other hand, if you've always wanted to try something like that, Guatape's scenery should persuade you.
In case you are a fan of adrenaline activities, make sure to visit San Gil, which is the adventure capital of Colombia.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW TO GET TO GUATAPE
Even though we do not know your plans, chances are, that you will travel to Guatape from Medellin. Fortunately, it could not have been easier to get from Medellin to Guatape independently.
Bus
If you stay in Medellin, you need to get to the North Bus Terminal alias Terminal Norte.
To get there, simply hop on metro line A and get off at Caribe station that is connected with the bus terminal.
Once you are at the bus station, find a company Sotrasanvicente that has office number 14 on the ground level and sells tickets to Guatape.
Buses leave between 6 AM and 7 PM every thirty minutes, so there's no need to buy a ticket in advance.
The tickets cost 14 000 COP and the drive takes less than two hours. The bus in Guatape stops only a short walk from the town's center, so it is super-easy to get around on foot.
To get back, you just need to buy a ticket to Medellin. Even if your next destination is different, you will very likely have to switch buses in Medellin anyway.
If you plan on returning to Medellin on a weekend day, it is better to buy a ticket just in case, as weekends are busy because of many locals who like to visit Guatape.
Tour
If you prefer visiting places with a tour, this one-day Guatape tour from Medellin includes the visit to Guatape and Piedra del Penol.
HOW MUCH TIME YOU NEED
How much time you need for visiting Guatape depends on your travel style and itinerary. For us, a one-day visit seemed completely fine.
We climbed Piedra del Penol, enjoyed the views of the flooded dam, walked the wonderful streets of Guatape, and then we returned the same day to Medellin.
In case you prefer to take things more slowly, you like to wander empty, dimly-lit streets, and want to explore the area around Guatape more thoroughly, we would say that a two-day trip should give you enough time to see the best Guatape has to offer.
HOTELS IN GUATAPE
Despite its size, Guatape offers a large number of accommodation options, ranging from hostels to luxurious retreats.
If you have time, stay here overnight and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
The town is pretty busy mostly on Fridays and Saturdays because of locals visitors from Medellin, so make sure to reserve your room well ahead.
Budget | Hotel Lagos de Guatape - Great quiet location, walking distance to the center, clean rooms, and friendly staff, should persuade you to stay here.
Mid-range | Oak Tree house - Location just out of town makes it perfect for travelers looking for a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. Clean rooms, a gorgeous common area, and a beautiful terrace upstairs are the main selling points.
Luxury | Hotel Santa Maria de las Aguas Penol - Quiet location, super clean rooms, wonderful views, and a great restaurant.
Alternatively, search for your accommodation in Medellin.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GUATAPE
When it comes to the time of the day, the best time to visit Guatape is either early in the morning and then later in the afternoon, in case you want to avoid crowds.
On the other hand, we were in Guatape when the dry season was in full swing, and we did not feel uncomfortable in the town because of the number of tourists.
Usually, it is enough to leave the main street and explore the town on your own.
It is better to avoid weekends, but we know that your Colombia itinerary is pretty packed and you simply have to be somewhere on the weekend.
Other than this, Guatape has a very similar climate to Medellin, which is called the city of eternal spring.
Temperatures are very pleasant year-round, with warmer days and cooler nights. Short showers are not an exception, so make sure to pack an umbrella and rain poncho for your trip.
What else should you have?
Comfortable shoes so you can walk comfortably on the streets of Guatape, fleece jacket, and a proper daypack.
Of course, it would be a shame to leave your camera in a hotel room.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
