Once a small rural town, Guatapé is a popular tourist destination on the edge of a large, man-made reservoir. Not only is it famed for its colourful houses and giant granite rock but it also serves as a gateway for recreational activities and adventure sports in the Andes.
Things to do in Guatapé
Stroll through Guatapé to admire its colourful buildings, which are decorated with hand-painted zocalos depicting the town’s cultural and farming heritage. Be sure to stop and take a close-up view of these bas-reliefs, several of which reflect the products being sold in their corresponding stores. Cafes and craft boutiques line the Plazoleta de Los Zócalos, which is an ideal spot for people-watching.
For sweeping views across the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, climb the 740 steps that lead up El Peñón de Guatapé, a sheer-faced rock monolith that rises above the water. Once at the top, you can grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink from one of the food vendors and soak up the panoramas from the impressively positioned tables.
Guatapé offers plenty of opportunities to get active, whether you want to mountain bike through the lush jungle of the Andes or hike to the waterfalls of the Cristalino Ravine. You can rent a jet ski to whizz between the tiny islands of the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir or get a bird’s eye view of its surrounding hills while paragliding. Upstream lies the Rio Guatapé where you can cool off with an afternoon swim.
Getting around Guatapé
Guatapé is just under two hours’ drive from Medellin and around 1.5 hours from José María Córdova International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the Americas. Buses, jeeps and moto-taxis are available throughout Guatapé and connect most of the town’s attractions.