Things to Do in Guatapé

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Most visitors see Guatapé in a rushed day trip from Medellín: up the rock, a few photos, back on the bus. But between the lake, the mountains, the colourful town and its cafés, you can easily spend a whole holiday here. This is how we suggest enjoying it, from the people who live in the hills just outside town.

1. Climb La Piedra del Peñol, early

The great granite monolith rises around 220 metres above the reservoir, and a zigzag staircase of more than 700 steps leads to the top. The view over the islands and inlets of the lake is unforgettable.

• Go early on a weekday. By late morning on weekends and holidays the stairs fill up with day-trippers from Medellín.
• Take your time on the stairs, carry water, and bring a light layer for the wind at the top.
• There is an entrance fee, paid at the base. Prices change, so check locally.

2. Hike to the viewpoints

The hills around Guatapé are criss-crossed with trails and quiet country roads. Hike up to one of the miradores (viewpoints) above town for wide views over the lake and the rock, often with nobody else around. Early morning, when the mist lifts off the water, is magical.

3. Cycle El Anillo

Rent a mountain bike in town and ride El Anillo, a loop of around 18 kilometres through the green hills and along the water. It takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half and is of moderate difficulty, with some climbs rewarded by beautiful views. Guided bike tours are also available if you prefer company.

4. Get out on the water

The lake around Guatapé is the El Peñol–Guatapé Reservoir, created in the 1970s for a hydroelectric dam. The old town of El Peñol was flooded in the process, and a cross in the water marks where its church once stood.

• Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are the calmest way to explore the inlets.
• For more adrenaline there are jet skis, wakeboarding and other watersports.
• Boat tours leave from the malecón, the lakeside promenade. If you want quiet, choose a slow boat rather than a speedboat, and agree on the price before you go.

5. Wander the zócalos

Guatapé is famous for its zócalos: the painted relief panels along the base of the houses, showing animals, local trades, flowers and scenes of daily life. Simply walking the streets slowly is one of the best things to do here.

• Calle del Recuerdo keeps zócalos rescued from the part of town lost when the reservoir was created.
• Plazoleta de los Zócalos, the colourful little square, is lovely for people-watching.
• The church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen on the main square is decorated with zócalos too.

6. Enjoy the cafés and restaurants

For a small town, Guatapé has a wonderful food scene: cosy cafés serving excellent Colombian coffee, bakeries, lakeside restaurants with views over the water, and plenty of vegetarian-friendly places. Taking your time over a long breakfast or a coffee on a colourful balcony is very much part of the experience.

7. Find the waterfalls and the mountain creek

Beyond the town, the hills are full of streams and small waterfalls. From La Casa de Loto you can hike to the waterfalls or simply take a dip in the mountain creek below the house: cold, clear and the best antidote to a busy mind.

8. Do less

Guatapé’s real gift is its calm: mist over the hills in the morning, birdsong, the light on the lake at sunset. Leave space in your plans to sit somewhere with a view and do nothing at all.

Stay a while: Guatapé is a holiday, not a day trip

With the rock, the viewpoints, cycling, the lake, the cafés and the quiet mountains, Guatapé easily fills a week or more. Many travellers who arrive for a day end up wishing they had stayed longer. Give yourself time: a few days to explore, a few days simply to rest.

When to visit

• Guatapé lies at around 1,900 metres with a mild, spring-like climate all year: warm days around 25°C and cool nights around 14°C. Rain is common, often in the afternoon or at night.
• Weekdays are far quieter than weekends and Colombian public holidays, when the town fills with visitors.
• It is about 80 minutes from Medellín airport (MDE) and around two hours from El Poblado. See our guide on getting from Medellín to Guatapé.

Guatapé and a retreat

Many of our guests combine the two. At La Casa de Loto the mornings are held in noble silence until 2 p.m., with meditation, Hatha yoga and silent meals. The afternoons are free, and the town is only a seven-minute tuk-tuk ride away, so you can visit the rock, cycle, paddle or enjoy a coffee in town in the afternoon, or explore on the day you arrive or leave. A retreat here is also a wonderful way to begin or end a longer stay in Guatapé.

Only have one day? Join our Day of Mindfulness: a morning of meditation, yoga and silent meals before you explore the town.