Guatapé is a charming Colombian municipality located in the department of Antioquia. It is known for its picturesque and colorful landscape. The streets are adorned with vibrant facades of houses that have unique painted designs and colorful “zocalos” (murals). That’s why the town has earned the nickname of “town of the “zocalos”. But enjoying the murals is not the only thing to in Guatapé Colombia, since it also houses an impressive Piedra del Peñol, a huge rock formation that offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Guatapé reservoir.
In addition to its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Guatapé is an ideal destination for water sports enthusiasts. There you can practice kayaking, water skiing and fishing. With a welcoming atmosphere, Guatapé is a charming tourist spot that offers an authentic and memorable experience in a picturesque setting in Colombia. Read on and discover all the things to do in the beautiful town of Guatapé!
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What are the best things to do and in Guatapé?
1. La Piedra del Peñol, the most impressive things to do in Guatapé Colombia
The Peñol Stone is one of the most emblematic tourist attractions of Guatapé, and a must-see on your trip. It is an impressive monolithic stone that is 220 meters high. And it offers spectacular panoramic views of Guatapé.
The climb to the top of the Piedra del Peñol is a rather arduous yet very exciting experience. Those who dare to climb it must ascend a staircase of more than 700 zigzagging steps, carved into the rock to reach the top. However, the effort is well worth it, as once at the top, one can enjoy unique panoramic views of the lush vegetation, lakes and surrounding villages.
The climb takes about 25 minutes. It is accessible every day of the year from 8:00 to 18:00. The price is about €3.
2. Zócalos de Guatapé, the beautiful murals of the city
The murals of Guatapé are one of the most outstanding landmarks of this beautiful town. They make it a truly magnificent and colorful place. These “zócalos” are hand-painted panels that adorn the facades of many of the houses and buildings in the historic center of the town. Each zócalo is a unique work of art and tells a story or depicts a scene from the daily life of Guatapé.
The bright colors and lovely design make Guatapé an authentic open-air art gallery where you don’t want to stop strolling until you memorize the marvelous drawings of every single zócalo. Exploring the historic center of Guatapé and admiring the beautiful baseboards is a unique experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the artistic and cultural richness of this delightful Colombian town. The Calle del Recuerdo is one of the most beautiful street you can find there. Carrera 29 is also quite famous for being decorated with infinite colorful umbrellas that form a sunshade.
3. Malecon of Guatapé, things to do in Guatapé Colombia
The Guatapé Malecón is a charming place, a pedestrian promenade that winds along the calm waters of the reservoir. There visitors can enjoy a panoramic view that looks like something out of a fairy tale. Meanwhile, they can experience the serene and natural environment that surrounds it.
This emblematic place also has restaurants, cafes and stores offering local products and handicrafts.
4. Confama Park, things to do in Guatapé Colombia
And in a place like Guatapé, surrounded by lakes and nature, you can’t miss a theme park that has water as its centerpiece. The Comfama Park of Guatapé offers a wide variety of activities and services for the entertainment and enjoyment of visitors of all ages. The park has modern and well-kept facilities, surrounded by lush vegetation and an amazing view of the Guatapé reservoir. Among the park’s attractions are swimming pools with slides, children’s play, picnic and camping areas, sports courts, ecological trails…. In addition to the opportunity to enjoy water activities such as kayaking, boating, water bikes… A total of 7.6 hectares of nature and native species where you can have fun with family and friends on a different day in Guatapé.
5. See Guatapé from the sky
Another activity chosen by many visitors to Guatapé is to ride a helicopter and enjoy a bird’s eye view of a unique landscape in the world. It might be the most exciting thing to do in Guatapé Colombia.
From the air, you can appreciate the beauty of the iconic Guatapé reservoir with its islands, mountains and emerald green hills. The helicopter flight offers an unmatched panoramic view of this beautiful destination in Colombia. You will be able to enjoy its majesty and the exuberant nature that surrounds it. It is an exciting and different way to enjoy Guatapé and create unforgettable memories of your trip.
There are several companies that offer this service. You can book the activity online or ask at your accommodation for information once you get there. Our recommendation is to always look for reliable websites and book your activities in advance to avoid any possible surprises. Helicopter rides last about 6 to 8 minutes and cost about 60€.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Guatapé Colombia
1. Medellín
Medellín, known as the city of eternal spring for its mild climate all year round, is another of Colombia’s gifts to us. And you should definitely visit this city on your journey to Guatapé, as they are barely 80km apart.
Among the highlights of the city is the Plaza Botero, a square dedicated to the artist. It has more than 23 Botero’s sculptures which make this square an unrepeatable place. Also in this square we can find one of the most iconic palaces of the city, the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe. It is a Gothic building declared a National Monument for the beauty of its facade and its halls and corridors. On one side of this square there is the Museum of Antioquia, distinctive for being located inside the old Municipal Palace, a beautiful art-deco style building. Without leaving this area, which is undoubtedly the heart of Medellin, we find the Berrio Park. It is home to one of the most beautiful monuments of the city, the Candelaria Church. It’s a colonial church famous for its immaculate white color.
We also can not forget the Comuna 13 of Medellin and the colors of its houses and street murals. To get to know it better, we recommend you hire a tour guide who will tell you not only about the art that paints its streets, but also about its people and the social transformation of the area.
What and where to eat in Guatapé?
The gastronomy of Antioquia, department where Guatapé is located, is known for being tasty, abundant and full of tradition. Among its most popular dishes you can find the bandeja paisa, one of the most iconic dishes of the region, made of rice, beans, ground beef, chicharrón, chorizo, fried egg, avocado and fried ripe banana, a delight and explosion of flavor. You can not miss it on your trip to Guatapé. Here are some of the best restaurants in Guatapé:
- La Fogata: A restaurant of traditional Colombian cuisine at a very good price in the heart of Guatapé. The service is excellent and the dishes are delicious and plentiful. If you decide to visit La Fogata you should not forget to try their delicious grilled meats, tender and juicy. Prices: 2-10€
- Restaurante Orégano: If you are looking for a different dining experience in Guatapé, Orégano Restaurant is your place. It is an Italian restaurant where you’ll find quality and affection for the product and elaborate and delicious dishes. In addition, the views will leave you speechless. Average price 5-15€
Where to stay in Guatapé?
- BubbleSky Glamping Guatapé: BubbleSky Glamping Guatapé is a unique accommodation located 2km from the center of Guatapé. This glamping offers rustic luxury suites with a relaxing hot tub and forest views. It also has a cozy dining area and a well-equipped kitchen. But that’s not all, the BubbleSky Glamping Guatapé also has a lovely terrace where you can enjoy nature and relax outdoors. Average price per night: 200€
- Hotel Le Chateau Guatape: And for those looking for a cheaper option and closer to the center of Guatapé, the Hotel Le Chateau Guatape may be your choice. The hotel has a shared kitchen and a terrace, and offers simple but comfortable and lovingly decorated rooms. Some of them overlook the lake, providing a unique and picturesque experience. Average price per night: 20€
What should I know before traveling to Guatapé?
- The currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso (1€ = 4,412.08 Colombian pesos)
- Wear comfortable and breathable clothing, the weather is very humid. Also bring a raincoat and hiking boots or sneakers if you are going on nature hiking trails.
- Take warm clothes and raincoat especially if you are traveling in the rainy season.
- Always take water and food with you in the natural parks, there are no food stands to stop and recharge your batteries.
- Put on insect repellent before heading into the jungle.
- We advise you to carry a power bank for your cell phone if you are going on long nature treks. Also, download a GPS that doesn’t require internet access in case you run out of coverage.
- Always carry some cash, not all stores, especially the smaller ones, accept cards.
- The tourist areas of Guatapé are safe, but as in any trip, it is best to be cautious with your belongings and do not carry valuables in plain sight.
- Cover yourself for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to organize what to see in Guatapé?
Register on Passporter and organize your travel itinerary according to the days and places you want to see in Guatapé. You’ll be able to get inspiration from other travelers’ experiences and create the perfect travel route to make the most of your stay in Guatapé.
With Passporter you will be able to:
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat
- Organize your itinerary by day routes, according to their location on the map
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you visited on your trip to the app to inspire other users.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Guatapé
The climate of Guatapé is tropical high altitude or mountain climate. Temperatures tend to be cool due to its location in a mountainous region, with average annual temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 25ºC.
The rainy season in Guatapé usually runs from April to May, and from October to November, with moderate to abundant rainfall. During these periods, frequent rainfall and high humidity are common. The months from December to March are usually the driest and sunniest in Guatapé.
The best time to enjoy the good weather and outdoor activities is from December to March to avoid the rainy season.
To get to Guatapé from Medellín, Colombia, you can take one of the buses that leave from the Terminal del Norte, with several companies offering the service. The trip takes approximately 2 hours by bus. You can also choose to use private transportation such as car or motorcycle, following the Medellín-Bogotá Highway, with a distance of approximately 79 kilometers.
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