Guatapé and La Piedra: Epic Day Trip from Medellin
We escaped metropolitan Medellin to climb a 200-meter high monolith rock near Guatapé. We ended up wandering in the finest and most colorful town in Colombia, Guatapé.
Getting to Guatapé from Medellin
Today's adventure began with a 15-minute walk from our hotel, Hotel Florencia Plaza Medellin ↗, to the metro station in Poblado. We jumped on the blue line Metro to Caribe station. We loved the Metro in Medellín - clean, fast, and secure. We crossed the pedestrian bridge to reach Terminal del Norte. The popular bus station was massive and confusing but the best and cheapest option for our Guatapé and La Piedra day trip from Medellin. The terminal had a medium-sized mall attached to it for any last-minute purchases.
On the ground floor, we quickly found the different bus companies and their ticket booths. We looked around hoping to find written somewhere 'GUATAPÉ'. A gentleman spotted us and asked if we were going to Guatapé. How did he know? Maybe all the gringos were going to Guatapé from Medellín. He kindly directed us to window number 14. The choice was simple: 'Guatapé centre' or 'Guatapé La Piedra'. We tried to buy a round-trip journey but they didn't sell them. We would have to buy the return ticket from Guatapé on the way back. We bought a single ticket for 'Guatapé La Piedra' at COP 13,000 each ($4 USD).
Climbing La Piedra del Peñol
Two hours later, we saw from a distance the majestic monolith rock "La Piedra del Peñol". The locals simply called it La Piedra or The Stone. We got off at the stop, El Peñol, by the fuel station. We were swarmed by about three tuk-tuk drivers offering a ride up to the bottom of the rock. We ignored them, saved COP 10,000, and walked up the 293 steps to the entrance.
After paying COP 18,000 each ($6 USD) and enduring the 725 steps built on one side of the natural marvel, we reached the top. La Piedra del Peñol was most likely the result of a volcanic eruption that happened millions of years ago. It has an imposing and surreal form. The 360-degree view from the 66 million tonne rock was breathtaking.
While primarily a farming community, the region was flooded after the construction of the hydroelectric dam. The unforeseen consequence resulted in emerald pools nurtured by the river Nare and islets formed by what were previously hilltops!
Exploring Colorful Guatapé
After a careful walk back down the steps, we hopped on a bus to Guatapé, the most colorful town in Colombia. The small and picturesque town was amazing - beautiful, relaxing, charming. We wandered through the streets with cameras in hand, admiring the frescoes called Zócalos that adorned the lower half of most buildings.
The sculpted and painted bas-reliefs told the story of the family, the ancestors or the business that owns the houses. We saw images of livestock, birds, sailboats, plants and musical instruments among others. Most of the walls looked freshly painted, making the town feel like an open-air art gallery.
Lunch and Return Journey
We were hungry. A trip to Guatapé would not have been complete without tasting the local specialty - fresh fried trout served with rice. With full stomachs, we headed back to Medellín. The bus station was behind the Parque Principal, located on the riverside. We bought our tickets from the tiny office as the bus was ready to leave the parking lot.
Have you done the Guatapé day trip from Medellin? Did you climb all 725 steps of La Piedra? Which colorful building was your favorite in Guatapé? Leave us your comments below. We would love to hear from you.
Tips for Guatapé and La Piedra Day Trip
- No tour needed! Doing Guatapé and La Piedra from Medellin independently is easy and much cheaper than organized tours.
- Take the Metro blue line from Poblado to Caribe station, then walk across the pedestrian bridge to Terminal del Norte. Buy tickets at window 14.
- Bus to La Piedra: COP 13,000 ($4 USD) one way. La Piedra entrance: COP 18,000 ($6 USD). Return bus from Guatapé to Medellin: COP 13,000.
- Go early! Start climbing La Piedra before 10 AM to beat the heat and crowds. The 725 steps can be exhausting in the midday sun.
- The bus goes to La Piedra first, then continues to Guatapé town. Do the rock climb first, then explore the colorful town after.
- Bring your passport! Police may control the bus in and out of Guatapé. A copy works fine.
- Visit the toilet before the bus - it won't stop during the 2-hour ride. Get a seat on the right side for the best views of the rock.
- Bring water and snacks. The shops around La Piedra are overpriced. Fresh fried trout in Guatapé is the local specialty!
- Tuk-tuk from La Piedra to Guatapé town: COP 10,000 ($3 USD). Or walk in 1 hour (not the most scenic route).
- Guatapé fills up with tourists on weekends. Visit on weekdays for a quieter, more relaxing experience. Return buses leave from behind Parque Principal.
Note:
Where to Stay in Medellin?
- mid-rangeGreat location in El Poblado, just 15 minutes walk from the metro station. Perfect base for day trips to Guatapé. Comfortable rooms and helpful staff who can provide directions to Terminal del Norte.
The Guatapé and La Piedra day trip from Medellin was one of the highlights of our time in Colombia. The climb up La Piedra was challenging but the 360° views were absolutely worth it. Combine that with wandering Guatapé's colorful streets and you have a perfect day trip. Don't miss this when visiting Medellin!
Pin These Moments
🪨 Climb La Piedra del Peñol
Conquer 725 steps to the top of Colombia's iconic monolith rock for breathtaking 360° views of emerald lakes and islands near Medellin!
🎨 Colombia's Most Colorful Town
Explore Guatapé - a vibrant town where every building tells a story through traditional Zócalo painted bas-reliefs. Perfect day trip from Medellin!
🚌 DIY Guatapé Day Trip
The complete guide to visiting Guatapé and La Piedra independently from Medellin - buses, costs, timing, and insider tips!