About 2 hours east of Medellín is a picturesque village perfect for a day trip: Guatapé. You can reach this popular destination by public bus from the city but joining a group tour will smooth out the trip. A lot of tours will bring you to Guatapé after a lovely boat ride on its serene man-made reservoir to see landmarks like the ruins of Pablo Escobar’s former mansion and enjoy the green archipelago.
You’ll easily spot Guatapé by the giant rock that rises from near the edge of the lake (and which you’ll be climbing later!).
The lakeside resort destination makes for a memorable day (or a few), combining all kinds of water-based activities, a colossal stone monolith which is a destination on its own, and one of the country’s most lovingly-decorated villages.
Guatapé
Getting lost in Guatapé’s kaleidoscope of colorful streets is the best way to spend your time here.
Its traditional houses are adorned with brightly painted bas-relief known as ‘zócalos’. Each of them is a work of art, depicting everything from the family’s profession and local history to native animals and abstract geometric designs.
The main square – Plazoletas de los Zócalos – is an explosion of colors and murals are found literally everywhere. Grab lunch at one of the restaurants on the upper levels to get a good view of the rainbow effect.
Make sure to find Calle del Recuerdo (street of memories) for some particularly epic houses.
The front of shops are especially beautiful and descriptive, some even hiding meanings about local products only a few would know… those walls have stories to tell.
La Piedra del Peñol
The famous “Rock of Guatapé” is just two kilometers from the village and approaching it just magnifies its sheer size – quite an arresting sight! This 220 meter-high rock is estimated to be around 65 million years-old and was declared a national monument by the Colombian government in the 1940s. You’re here to join hundreds of daily visitors that make their way to the top for magnificent views.
What makes it truly iconic besides its size is the staircase wedged into a broad fissure in the side of the rock, looking like a stitch that holds the whole thing together. The 700 or so steps you need to climb make for a steep but accessible challenge, with plenty of opportunities to rest and admire the landscape as you go up.
Once at the top, the reward for your climb is an unparalleled 360-degree vista of the lake and its tiny islands, like a jeweled mosaic of green and blue.
Catch your breath and linger up here for a while before heading back to Medellín. The vast expanse of green mountains all around you is one of the finest sights in the country.
