Guatapé
Things to do in Guatapé, next to the Rock
Guatapé is the town of colorful zócalos, 2 km from the rock on the shore of the reservoir. It is walkable and fills a long afternoon or a weekend.
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- 1,925 mabove sea level
- ~80 kmfrom Medellín
- 2 kmto the rock
- 14 to 24 °Call year
Guatapé has lived from tourism since the reservoir reshaped its landscape, and it shows: two-story houses in bright colors, balconies full of plants and, along the bottom of the facades, the zócalos, raised panels that show what each family did for a living. Everything is close and you can walk it in a couple of hours.
Must-sees in town
| Place | What it is | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plazoleta de los Zócalos | Stairway and colorful facades, the classic photo | 45 min |
| Calle del Recuerdo | Cobbled street with traditional architecture | 40 min |
| Calle de las Sombrillas | Street covered in umbrellas, with artisan workshops | 35 min |
| Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen | White and red church on the main square | 30 min |
| Malecón San Juan del Puerto | Lakefront where the boats leave | 1 h |
Approximate times from the town's tourism guide.
The zócalos deserve a slow visit of their own; we explain them in the zócalos of Guatapé.
The reservoir
Shared party boats, private launches and other water activities leave from the waterfront. From the water you see the rock side-on, islands with farms and the ruins of La Manuela, Pablo Escobar's former estate. Prices and types of ride in the lake and boat tours.
A well-planned day
- 8:00 am: climb the Piedra del Peñol before the tours arrive.
- 10:30 am: head into town and walk the zócalos.
- 1:00 pm: lunch near the main square or the waterfront.
- 2:30 pm: boat ride on the reservoir.
- Late afternoon: coffee on Calle del Recuerdo and head back, or stay the night.
If you stay overnight, there are options for every budget in hotels in Guatapé and El Peñol. If you would rather not drive or deal with buses, a day trip covers most of this.
Frequently asked questions
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Sources
Checked on October 18, 2026. Prices and opening hours change: always confirm with the official source before you travel.