Buses to Guatapé leave regularly from Medellín's Terminal Norte and take under two hours; Lonely Planet calls it the most popular day trip from the city.
Lonely Planet·Source dated 2021Checked a while ago. Confirm on their site.
Terminales Medellín lists Guatapé, El Peñol, Santa Fe de Antioquia, Sopetrán, San Jerónimo, Rionegro and Aeropuerto José María Córdova among destinations served from Terminal del Norte.
Cobblestone street that recreates part of the old El Peñol village flooded in the 1970s for the reservoir. Its zócalos come from the original house facades, recovered by residents and placed here.
Craft-shop area in Guatapé's zócalo district. The official guide describes colorful zócalo designs along Carrera 29 and a narrow pedestrian cobbled street hung with bright umbrellas nearby.
About 900 m lakefront promenade around the reservoir, where most boats, sailboats and jet skis depart. The municipality notes a varied food offering and calm views over the reservoir.
Local tour company based at Guatapé's main park. Runs a zócalos and colors walking tour on a voluntary-contribution basis, plus paid private experiences such as coffee tastings and a painting activity.
Granite monolith roughly 200-220 m high with a staircase to a near-360-degree summit view over the reservoir. Located in El Peñol municipality, on the road toward Guatapé; snack bars operate at the top per Lonely Planet.
Official visitor center for climbing the Piedra del Peñol, a granite monolith near Guatapé about two hours east of Medellín. The site lists the summit ascent at COP 20,000 and a news item says the center reopened on 12 August 2024.
Event: XXIII Fiestas de los Zócalos, el Turismo y el Embalse
Check the official source for the program.
September–October
2027 dates not yet published
XXIII Fiestas de los Zócalos, el Turismo y el Embalse
2026 edition ran 25 Sept – 4 Oct 2026
The XXIII Fiestas de los Zócalos, el Turismo y el Embalse run from 25 September to 4 October 2026, with the closing act on Sunday 4 October commemorating Guatapé's 215 years.
“Reconsider your need to travel to Antioquia (except Medellin and its Valle de Aburrá metropolitan region; the south-eastern Oriente subregion; and the towns around Medellin of Santa Fé de Antioquia, Jericó and Jardín)”
Australia advises reconsidering travel to Antioquia, with named exceptions. The advisory does not name Guatapé as a town. Read it in full to see how it applies.
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