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Guatapé guideThings to do in Guatapé in one day: zócalos, boat ride, weather and how to get there
Zócalos, the colorful Plazoleta, the malecón, the boat ride on the reservoir and an itinerary to make the most of your day from Medellín.
By Viajes Maxitours TeamUpdated: October 19, 20267 min read
- Distance
- About 80 km from Medellín
- Travel time
- About 2 hours
- Weather
- 14–23 °C
- Best time
- December to March
- Altitude
- About 1,900 m
- Must-see
- Zócalos and the boat ride
Guatapé is one of the most photographed towns in Colombia: houses decorated with colorful zócalos, cobblestone streets, a lakeside promenade facing a reservoir full of islands and, just a few minutes away, the famous El Peñol Rock (Piedra del Peñol). It is about 80 kilometers from Medellín, so you can see it very well in a single day if you plan your time.
In this guide we cover what to do in Guatapé in one day, what the zócalos are, what the boat ride on the reservoir is like, what the weather is like, the best time to go and how to get there from Medellín.
Guatapé, the town of zócalos
Guatapé was founded on October 4, 1811, and became a municipality in 1867. It receives millions of visitors a year: in 2024 about 3.7 million came, according to Radio Nacional. It sits at about 1,900 meters above sea level in eastern Antioquia, on the shores of the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir.
What makes it unique are the zócalos: colorful painted reliefs on the lower part of the house fronts, about 80 centimeters off the ground. They began as a family tradition in the early 20th century and today cover almost the entire town. Each zócalo says something about the house or the people who live there: trades, animals, flowers, country scenes, religious symbols or the landscape of the reservoir.
Things to do in Guatapé in one day
1. Climb El Peñol Rock
This is the most famous thing to do in the area. The rock is about 2 kilometers before the town and has between 649 and 740 steps, depending on how you count them. From the top you can see the whole reservoir. We explain it in detail in our guide El Peñol Rock: steps, price and tips.
2. Walk the Calle del Recuerdo and the Plazoleta de los Zócalos
The Calle del Recuerdo (Street of Memories) has zócalos dedicated to the Antioquian settlement of the region and to the customs of the grandparents’ generation. The Plazoleta de los Zócalos was built to celebrate the town’s 200th anniversary and is famous for its colorfully painted steps, one of the most photographed spots in Guatapé.
3. Visit the Nuestra Señora del Carmen church
On the main square stands the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel). The first chapel was built in 1818 and the current church dates from 1865. Outside it has a Greco-Roman style, and inside it has Byzantine-inspired details. The square, with its benches and cafés, is a good place to rest.
4. Stroll along the malecón
The malecón (lakeside promenade) runs along the reservoir for almost a kilometer. Speedboats, boats, party barges (planchones), sailboats and jet skis leave from here, and there are food stands, craft stalls and ice cream shops. At sunset the light on the water is spectacular.
5. Take a boat ride on the reservoir
A boat ride is the best way to grasp the size of the reservoir, which covers more than 2,200 hectares. The route passes between islands and peninsulas dotted with farms, and usually gets close to the cross that marks the site of the old town of El Peñol. Some rides include the ruins of La Manuela, Pablo Escobar’s former estate.
6. See the Réplica del Antiguo Peñol and Alto del Chocho
The Réplica del Antiguo Peñol recreates the church, square and shops of the town that ended up underwater. At Alto del Chocho, on the road to Guatapé, you can see llamas and take photos with the landscape of eastern Antioquia in the background.
Recommended tour
Guatapé Tour from Medellín
- Pickup at your hotel in Medellín
- Breakfast, lunch and boat ride
- El Peñol Rock, Guatapé and Alto del Chocho
- Guide and medical assistance card
From COP 129,000 per person · no deposit
You can pay in US dollars at the day’s exchange rate. Ask your advisor for the current rate.
The story of the reservoir and the town underwater
The Peñol-Guatapé reservoir was built by Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM). The contract with the municipality of El Peñol was signed in 1969, and filling began on May 24, 1978, and ended in April 1979. The water covered the old town center of El Peñol: more than 4,700 people were relocated to a new town, and around 1,100 bodies were exhumed from the cemetery.
Today the reservoir is a source of energy for much of the country and the region’s main tourist attraction. The cross rising from the water is a tribute to the lost town, and you can see it from the Rock and from the boats.
Suggested one-day itinerary
- 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.: leave Medellín.
- 8:30 a.m.: traditional breakfast on the road and a stop at Alto del Chocho.
- 9:30 a.m.: Réplica del Antiguo Peñol.
- 10:30 a.m.: boat ride on the reservoir.
- 12:00 p.m.: lunch.
- 1:00 p.m.: El Peñol Rock, with free time to climb.
- 3:00 p.m.: walk around Guatapé: zócalos, the Plazoleta, the church and the malecón.
- 5:00 p.m.: return to Medellín.
This is, roughly, the order we follow on the Guatapé Tour from Medellín. Exact times vary with the day and the traffic.
Weather and the best time to go
Guatapé has a mild climate: temperatures usually range from 14 to 23 °C. The driest months run from mid-December to March, and May is the rainiest month. You can visit all year round, but in the rainy season afternoons tend to cloud over, so it is best to do outdoor activities early.
Tip: weekends, long holiday weekends, Holy Week and December are the busiest days. If you can, go on a weekday: there are shorter lines at the Rock and at the boat docks.
How to get to Guatapé from Medellín
- On a day tour: we pick you up at your hotel, and in a single day you see the Rock, the town, the reservoir by boat, the Réplica del Antiguo Peñol and Alto del Chocho, with breakfast and lunch included.
- By bus: buses leave every hour from Medellín’s North Bus Terminal (Terminal del Norte). The ride takes about 2 hours and a ticket costs between COP 20,000 and 25,000 each way.
- By car: it is about 80 kilometers via the Medellín–Bogotá highway and the Marinilla–El Peñol road. On Sunday afternoons the drive back is usually slow.
Tips for your visit
- Bring comfortable clothes, a light jacket and an umbrella: the weather changes quickly.
- Carry cash in pesos for the Rock climb, crafts and food on the malecón.
- Wear sunscreen: even when the weather is cool, the sun on the reservoir is strong.
- Respect the zócalos: they are part of the locals’ homes, so don’t touch them or climb on them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Guatapé worth visiting in one day?
Yes. In one day you have time to climb El Peñol Rock, walk around the town and its zócalos and take a boat ride on the reservoir, especially if you go on a tour and don’t waste time on transfers.
How long is the trip from Medellín to Guatapé?
About 2 hours by road. It is roughly 80 kilometers via the Medellín–Bogotá highway.
What is the weather like in Guatapé?
Mild, with temperatures between 14 and 23 °C. It rains most in May and in the afternoons during the rainy season.
When is the best time to visit Guatapé?
From mid-December to March, when it rains less. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends and holidays.
What are the zócalos of Guatapé?
They are painted reliefs on the lower part of the house fronts. They depict trades, animals, customs and scenes from the region.
Does the tour include the boat ride?
Yes. The Guatapé Tour from Medellín includes the boat ride on the reservoir, plus breakfast, lunch, a guide and a visit to the town.
Keep planning your trip
Viajes Maxitours TeamTour agency in Medellín, registered with Colombia’s National Tourism Registry (RNT 172253). We run day tours from Medellín and write these guides based on what we see on every trip.