Are you curious about how to get from Medellin to Guatapé?
Have you wondered whether it’s easy to do on your own, or if a group trip is worth it?
Simply trying to decide if it’s better to make a day trip or stay overnight?
As a woman traveling solo through Colombia for two months, I pondered the same exact questions…which is why I want to help other backpackers with this step-by-step guide on how to get from Medellin to Guatapé smooth and easy!
While transportation from Medellin to Guatapé is the first step, I’ll also share several crucial tips on how to make the most of your excursion to Antioquia’s picturesque mountain village.
Read on to discover:
The cheap, easy, and exciting way to travel from Medellin to Guatapé
How to enjoy views from the massive rock, La Piedra del Peñol, with NO crowds!
Your perfect 1-day itinerary in Guatapé
The gorgeous village near Guatapé that most travelers miss
Get ready to experience a world of color on your trip from Medellin to Guatapé.
How to get from Medellin to Guatapé
To get from Medellin to Guatapé, there are three main options:
Bus
Guided Tour
Taxi
Option 1: Bus from Medellin to Guatapé
The cheapest and most exciting way to get from Medellin to Guatapé that I recommend is to take the bus. I say that it’s exciting because the green mountain views along the way are beautiful, and it gives you a taste of real Colombia!
Taking the bus is simple and safe, and you will have no problem finding buses running about every half hour.
You can buy your tickets on Redbus.com in advance, or simply buy them in person at Terminal del Norte in Medellin.
How to take the bus from Medellin to Guatapé:
Go to Terminal del Norte in Medellin. You can reach it by taxi, or take the metro line A (blue) to the Caribe station.
Go to the ground floor of the terminal. This is where you will find the ticket booths.
Buy your tickets if you don’t have them already. You can buy them at ticket booth #5 “Sotrapeñol” OR ticket booth #14 “Sotrasanvicente & Guatapé La Piedra”. It will cost 17,000 COP (about $3.50 USD).
That’s it! On your ticket, “rampa” will tell you the gate number you need to be at for your departure.
On the Bus:
The buses have soft, comfortable seats.
There are racks above the bus to store your luggage.
The bus will stop at La Piedra (the rock) first. The next stop will be Guatapé town. Whichever you decide to stop at first, there are tuk-tuk taxis that drive back and forth between these two areas constantly.
If you have large bags, there will also be a place to store luggage at La Piedra so you don’t have to climb with them.
How to Return to Medellin
Guatapé only has one bus terminal in town. The schedule is posted at the ticket window.
Bus schedule for the return trip from Guatapé back to Medellin. Click to enlarge.
Buses leave about every half hour until dark. Simply buy your ticket back to Medellin in cash and you will be returned to Terminal del Norte.
Unless, of course, you want to explore another stunning village afterward, as I did! (Jump to section: Visiting San Rafael).
Option 2: Guided Tour of Guatapé
A guided tour from Medellin to Guatapé is a popular option, attracting daytrippers who are already staying in Medellin and just want to see the main sights of Guatapé in a few hours.
Option 3: Taxi from Medellin to Guatapé
Taking a taxi from Medellin to Guatapé isn’t a great option for solo travelers, but probably the fastest way (besides hitching a ride). Photo by Sergio Aguirre
A taxi from Medellin to Guatapé and back is the most costly option, but it could work if you have a group of people and/or no budget and really don’t want to take the bus. I believe it will cost $50 USD each way, depending on your location in Medellin and the traffic.
Guatapé: Day Trip or Stay Overnight?
Personally, I chose to visit Guatapé with a partner instead of a tour - and I’m glad that we did it “on our own” because I was able to roam freely and explore the best things to do, restaurants to eat, and places to stay at my leisure.
I also stayed overnight, allowing time to see another side of the city, relax, and ask questions around town.
Posing in front of the flower “zocalos” in Guatapé
Ok, I’ll be honest - I was originally supposed to take a tour to Guatapé with my friend Lindsay a few weeks prior, but I got super sick for a couple of days from the water in Medellin. Oh yeah, so make sure you don’t drink the water in Medellin.
Lindsay had less time to visit Colombia, so the tour was an excellent choice for her. She enjoyed the easy transport, quick trip, and explanations from her local guide. But she did mention it was very crowded at La Piedra.
Ultimately, it’s absolutely your decision whether to visit on a tour or solo, so I’ll simply explain the process so you can choose your own adventure.
Guatapé receives travelers from all around the world, as this sign in the main plaza demonstrates. Choose your own adventure…
Staying Overnight in Guatapé
The prime advantage of staying overnight in Guatapé is being able to climb La Piedra early in the morning before the crowds.
Besides the rock, you will also experience Guatapé town, the dazzling lake, and the surrounding forest without the day trippers.
Reading a book early in the morning before the daytrippers have arrived. That smoothie was bomb.
We spent the night at one of the hippest hostels in the forest run by a French owner. A highlight was playing cards with other travelers in the evening while it rained cats and dogs.
Additionally, I enjoyed breaking up the transportation into separate days. But instead of returning to Medellin the next day, we continued east down the same bus route, all the way to the river town of San Rafael, known as a hiker’s paradise.
Jump to section: The Best Places to Stay in Guatapé
Day Trip from Medellin to Guatapé
Coming from Medellin to Guatapé, you will be delighted to get a break from the busy city.
Not to sound like a broken record, but a day trip to Guatapé is still a wonderful option if you don’t have time in your itinerary to stay overnight.
Guatapé is fairly small, so the main draws for tourists are the colorful town, the rock, and the lake. If you hit all of these activities, you will surely be satisfied with your trip.
The first bus leaves from Medellin at 6 AM, so you could still climb La Piedra without crowds if you take this one.
Before You Go: A Little About Guatapé
El peñol, la piedra, “the rock”
The gargantuan rock of Guatapé has many names, such as La Piedra, El Peñol, or El Peñon de Guatapé.
Don’t worry - the vertical climb isn’t as grueling as it looks.
What I can tell you about La Piedra is that the the view from the top does not disappoint. In fact, it blew my expectations out of the turquoise waters.
Seriously - you are about to witness the most stunning panoramic in Colombia.
That’s because those 700 or so steps will guide you to the heavens - over 200 meters in the sky - until the light opens you up to an all-encompassing vista of shimmering Lake Guatapé that weaves in and around neighborhoods as far as the eye can see.
The morning light cast a stunning shine on Lake Guatapé.
The protruding stone is dated 65 million years old by geologists. Indigenous communities, particularly the Tahamí, worshipped the massive granite landmark - which is no surprise to me, as it stands truly magnificent in person.
If you’re worried about the climb - don’t be, because it was not as taxing as it looks. The entire climb took me less than 30 minutes, and you can stop to enjoy special viewpoints along the way.
Guatapé Town
Most of Guatapé is flat, but there are a few steep inclines like this street near Calle del Recuerdo.
Besides visiting La Piedra, exploring the town of Guatapé itself is a fantastically upbeat experience.
Every single building is painted bright colors and adorned with Guatapé’s iconic “zocalos,” which are small tiles painted with unique murals. These zocalos depict images of the residents’ choice, such as the products they sell in their shop, or their beliefs and cultural traditions.
Fun fact: these zocalos were not actually painted for aesthetic reasons. In the early 20th century, they were crafted on each building’s exterior in order to keep out humidity and farm animals.
Rare candid shot of me searching for that perfect camera angle. Thanks Julien.
How to Climb the Rock with No Visitors
I had heard about the swarms of crowds climbing La Piedra, especially on the weekends, which didn’t sound ideal.
Not only did I want to avoid clusters blocking the view at the top, but more importantly, I was concerned about being stuck behind droves of people in the narrow stairways.
Thankfully, climbing La Piedra del Peñol with a wide open view is possible if you time it correctly!
No one else was at the top at 9 AM on a weekday besides another couple that took the photo.
The key to a serene experience with practically no other visitors is to get to the rock when it opens at 8 AM, or at least before 9 AM.
We started at the base around 8:30 AM, and only passed one other group on the way up.
Around 10 AM is when the tour buses start to arrive with large groups, so you’ll have the least crowded experience if you arrive before then.
It also helps to go on a weekday, rather than a weekend.
The Best Things to do in Guatapé: 1 Day Itinerary
8 AM: Climb La Piedra del Peñol for spectacular views
We spent about an hour at the rock including the climb, chilling at the top, taking pictures, and going back down.
Take a tuk-tuk from your Guatapé hostel to La Piedra, OR get off the bus here if you’re coming from Medellin (it’s one stop before Guatapé town).
Before you climb the rock, there are plenty of options around the base for coffee, a bite to eat, and even luggage storage.
Believe it or not, the top of the rock has an alcoholic bar as well if you want to reward yourself with a michelada!
10 AM: Eat excellent Vegan or French food for Brunch
Take a tuktuk back to Guatapé town and grab some of the best brunch I had in Colombia.
Even if you’re not vegan, the food at Namaste Vegan Food is absolutely phenomenal! The portion sizes were grand, quality was homemade with love, and flavors tasted great.
Another place I recommend is Guatacrep’ for excellent French cuisine. The crepes were savory or sweet, plus they have other delicious lunch menu items, with friendly service.
12 PM: Wander through Calle del Recuerdo and more streets of Guatapé
The street of memories replicates traditional architecture, and you can also find a small history museum.
La Calle del Recuerdo, the street of memories, is a passageway for its inhabitants to preserve history that was taken from them.
The colorful street represents the architectural heritage of the community; it is a replica of an old street that was flooded in the 1970s before the creation of the El Peñol - Guatapé reservoir.
You will find many charming photo opportunities as you explore the hidden passageways around Calle del Recuerdo, so don’t be afraid to stroll off-the-beaten path.
1 PM: Chill and Shop in Plazaleta de los Zocalos
You’ll find those perfect photo opportunities in the Plaza.
Plazaleta de los Zocalos is Guatapé’s artsy center, the heart of the rainbow-colored town.
Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants where you can sip a cup of coffee, craft stores where you can shop for souvenirs, and whimsical photo opportunities. At busier times, you might even be treated with live music.
2 PM: Enjoy Guatapé’s Lake: Boat, Kayak or Paddleboard
Enjoying the lake is one of the most popular things to do in Guatapé.
You’ll find different vendors by the shore advertising their services, but everyone had a calm and honest demeanor, which was refreshing in Colombia. It really is a chill resort vibe over in Guatapé.
Feel free to ask around for different prices, depending on what activity you want to do.
If you want to jump in the water, you can do so on your kayak or paddleboard ride, farther away from the boat traffic near the shore.
Alternative Things to do in Guatapé
Looking for something more special to do on your trip from Medellin to Guatapé?
You certainly have options to splurge on once-in-a-lifetime experiences while you’re in this majestic area of Colombia:
Visiting San Rafael, a Hidden Gem Near Guatapé
Instead of heading back to Medellin, on day 2 we took the same bus 45 minutes east to San Rafael, a pueblo known for its crystal waters and hidden trails.
If you like hiking, trees, waterfalls, and getting off the usual tourist route, I recommend a peaceful stay in San Rafael for a couple days. You’re so close to this town from Guatapé, and you can take the same bus back to Medellin for next to nothing.
Where to Stay in Guatapé
best Hostel on the edge of town: casa kayam
Casa Kayam Hostal y Residencia Artística is a total hippie hostel in the forest surrounding Guatapé.
It’s about a 20 minute walk from town (or short tuk-tuk ride), but this is actually a plus, as it’s a peaceful oasis surrounded by rolling hills. You could totally get stuck there, enjoying the warm camaraderie of social backpackers from around the world.
It has a recording studio for musicians, plenty of areas to lounge, and yoga classes. Dope.
best Hostel in town: lake view hostel
If I stayed in town, I would bunk up at Lake View Hostel because of their grand activity offerings, including kayaking, paragliding,waterfall rappelling, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, boat tours and swimming!
They offer private rooms as well as dorms - and of course, that tranquil lake view.
Glamping
Yes, you can actually camp in Guatape as well!
The top rated campground for glam-camping in Guatape is Domus Glamping. However, with that ridiculous view, you might never want to leave.
Tips for Traveling from Medellin to Guatapé
1. Travel Insurance is a MUST when visiting Colombia! You never know what can happen as far as theft, injury, or change in your plans, so it's best to have peace of mind for a low price.
I use SafetyWing Travel Insurance because it's affordable, clear, and takes just a minute to sign up.
- Take motion sickness pills and Immodium with you on the bus. The road is VERY curvy on the way there.
- Bring cash for all your purchases. If you do use a credit card in Colombia, make sure you have a card with no foreign transaction fees . (I linked my Chase card because it gives me rewards like free flights.)
- You don't need to be fluent in Spanish, but knowing how to speak conversationally goes a long way. I practiced with native speakers on Italki, my favorite app/website to learn Spanish. For as little as $5/hour you can practice with speakers from specific countries (like Colombia) to really nail the specific accent.
Guatapé’s decorative church, a cheerful landmark in the main plaza.
What to Pack on a Trip from Medellin to Guatapé
You don’t need much, but here are my top items I recommend you bring from Medellin to Guatapé:
- Purse with anti-theft features - While Guatapé felt very safe, theft is quite common in Medellin. I've taken this purse around the world without any problems.
- A comfortable day pack - this waterproof backpack is my go-to, since it can rain randomly in Colombia.
- Reusable water bottle - keeps your drinks cold on those hot days.
- Good walking shoes - for that rocky (and somewhat uneven) climb up La Piedra.
- Swimsuit - if you plan to jump in the lake.
Check out my complete packing list for Colombia with my favorite backpacker-friendly items that make my travel life ultra comfortable - especially in this country where the climate can change in an instant!
pack for colombia
Essential Gear, What to Wear, and More
Conclusion: From Medellin to Guatapé for the Spirit
Despite being the most popular day trip from Medellin - and consequently, quite touristy - I found Guatapé to be one of my most memorable experiences in Colombia.
I prefer small, quieter towns that allow me to see a country’s true charm, while of course still having fun areas to explore.
Thankfully, Guatapé did not disappoint - and I would wholeheartedly visit again so I can do all of the things. In fact, you might never see me again. Can’t I just glamp forever?
hi wolfette, i’m molly
Travel is a spiritual experience for me, especially when adventuring solo.
After visiting 6 continents on my own, I’ve dedicated this project to assisting other Lone Wolfettes on their journeys.
I hope my travel guides help you find the same joy, connection, and empowerment that exploring our planet has given me.
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Waterfalls, hiking trails, and sanctuaries - browse the top local spots and best things to do in my guide to Antioquia's forested village.