Guatape is a perfect day trip from Medellin located only two hours away by bus. From Medellin you can take the bus at the Terminal del Norte connected to the Caribe metro station. When you purchase your ticket they will ask if you want to be dropped off first at El Peñol or in the city center of Guatape. I chose to start the day at El Peñol then explore the city.

La Piedra del Peñol

This is an area that was flooded in the 1970s to make way for a huge hydro-electric dam. In order to see the panoramic you will have to climb a big rock with a lot of stairs (740 to be precise) and 200 meters (656 feet) above its base. It takes approximately 40 min to get all the way to the top. It is not the easiest hike but with patience you can make it. The view is totally  worth it!

At the top of the rock you will find some vendors with fresh cut fruits, juices, beer, and ice cream. You can sit there and relax for a bit before starting the journey down the stairs again. If you have some extra time one of the activities you can do is to explore the lake by kayak. Some  hostels rent out kayaks by the hour.

After my visit to El Peñol I took a tuk-tuk  to get to the city center of Guatape, it was only a 15 min ride. This method of transportation is fun and cheap, they are always available at the base of the rock.

Guatape

Definitely the highlight of this town is the colorful houses that are everywhere making the perfect spot to take nice pictures. I did not have a specific plan for Guatape so I just walked around the many stores selling beautiful local arts and crafts. There are several restaurants and cafes for you to enjoy during your visit as well. After exploring all the corners of the city I just sat down at the main square and people watched with a delicious ice cream in hands. The perfect end to a nice afternoon in this city.