What is Guatape?
Guatape is a small lakeside town about 2 hours east of Medellin, famous for two things. First, the brightly painted houses decorated with colorful relief panels called zocalos that line every street. Second, El Penol, a 200 meter granite monolith that rises straight out of the landscape next to a vast man made lake.
The combination of the rock, the lake, and the photogenic town makes Guatape the single most popular day trip from Medellin. You can climb the rock in the morning, explore the town in the afternoon, and be back in the city by evening.
The climb up El Penol
The main event is climbing the 740 steps to the top of El Penol. The staircase zigzags up a crack in the side of the rock and is fully built with handrails. It is steep but manageable for most people with a normal level of fitness. At the top there is a viewing tower, a few cafes, and a panorama of the lake and its hundreds of green islands that is hard to beat anywhere in Colombia.
Prices and what is included
| Tour Type | Price | Includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Day Trip | From $40 | Transport, guide, town time | Most travelers |
| Day Trip + Boat Ride | From $55 | Transport, guide, lake cruise | Lake views |
| Private Tour | From $90 | Private car and flexible timing | Couples and families |
What to bring
- Cash in pesos, for the rock entry fee, lunch, and the boat ride
- Comfortable shoes, for the 740 step climb
- Sunscreen and water, the top of the rock is exposed
- A light rain jacket, mountain weather can change quickly
- A camera, the town and the view from the rock are unmissable
Tips for the best day
- Leave early, the first groups up the rock get the clearest views and the smallest crowds
- Do the rock first, then relax in the town when the day warms up
- Try a local lunch by the water, fresh trout is a regional specialty
- Add the boat ride if you can, seeing the rock from the lake is a different perspective
Ready for Guatape?
Book a full day trip to Guatape and El Penol. Free cancellation on most tours.
Frequently asked questions
A guided Guatape day trip from Medellin starts from around $40 per person. This usually covers round trip transport, a guide, free time in the town, and often a lake boat ride. The El Penol rock entry fee and lunch are normally paid separately, so bring some cash in pesos.
There are 740 steps to the top of El Penol rock. The climb is steep but the staircase is built into a crack in the rock with handrails. Most people reach the top in 15 to 20 minutes. The view over the lake and islands at the top is the main reason to make the climb.
Guatape is about 80 kilometers east of Medellin, roughly a 2 hour drive each way depending on traffic. That is why most visitors do it as a full day trip leaving early in the morning and returning in the evening.
