Things to do in Guatapé: 15 plans, with reference prices and a two-day itinerary

Guatapé is Antioquia's most visited weekend destination, and almost everyone arrives with a single plan: climbing El Peñol rock. It is worth it, but the town, the reservoir and the countryside around them fill two days easily. This guide collects 15 plans that work, with 2026 reference prices from local operators and an itinerary to put them in order.

Prices are indicative and change with the season and the operator; confirm when you book.

On the reservoir

1. A boat trip around the islands. The easiest way to understand Guatapé: the reservoir has hundreds of islands and peninsulas, and from the water you see the whole rock. Shared tours leave the waterfront for about COP 30,000 per person; private speedboats cost from COP 280,000 an hour.

2. A pontoon with friends. Pontoons, "planchones", are floating platforms with tables, a grill and music, made for groups. They rent by the hour from about COP 270,000 and are the birthday and bachelor-party plan of the whole region.

3. Jet ski. Half an hour costs around COP 240,000 and leaves from the waterfront. Best in the morning, when the water is still.

4. Swimming and a sunset from the water. The reservoir is swimmable all year. If you sleep on the water, the sunset from a deck or a jacuzzi is the plan nobody forgets.

In town

5. The zócalo walk. The colourful reliefs covering the façades are why Guatapé is on every list. Main square, Calle del Recuerdo, Plazoleta de los Zócalos and down to the waterfront: ninety minutes on foot. We have the full walking route.

6. The waterfront. Cafés, trout and bandeja paisa restaurants, boats leaving, and the best view of the town at sunset. Lit up at night, it is a different place.

7. Trout by the water. The region's dish. Along the waterfront and the roads out of town there are dozens of restaurants; grilled trout with patacón is the safe bet.

8. A guided walk through town. To understand the story of the reservoir and the old El Peñol that ended up under water. Local operators offer it from about COP 35,000 per person.

Around

9. Climbing El Peñol rock. 740 steps, a ticket of roughly COP 25,000 to 35,000 depending on the day, and Colombia's most photographed view. Climb before 10 am. Everything practical is in the rock guide.

10. Comfama park. A recreation park on the shore of the reservoir with water games, a slide into the lake, viewing boats and barbecue areas. Perfect with children. Open Tuesday to Sunday; details in our Comfama park guide.

11. The replica of old El Peñol. In the town of El Peñol, 15 minutes away, a replica of the square and church of the original town, flooded when the reservoir was built in the 1970s. Half an hour well spent to understand the region's history.

12. La Manuela. The ruins of Pablo Escobar's former estate on the reservoir shore, now an adventure park with an entry fee of about COP 50,000, paintball and quad bikes. Reached by road or by boat. For some travellers it is history; for others, a place they would rather skip. Both are reasonable.

13. The Benedictine monastery. Santa María de la Epifanía, on the road to Guatapé: a working monastery with sung Mass on Sundays and a shop selling products made by the monks. Silence guaranteed.

From the air and on horseback

14. Helicopter or paragliding. Six minutes over the reservoir by helicopter cost around COP 400,000; fifteen minutes of paragliding about COP 280,000. Expensive, but they are the photo of the trip.

15. Horse riding. Half an hour through the countryside from about COP 60,000. A family plan for unhurried afternoons.

Two-day itinerary

When	Plan
Day 1, afternoon	Arrival, boat to the villa, sunset on the water and dinner facing the reservoir
Day 2, morning	El Peñol rock at 8 am, the replica of old El Peñol on the way back
Day 2, midday	Trout on the waterfront, boat trip around the islands
Day 2, afternoon	The zócalo walk as the sun drops, then the lit waterfront

A third night makes room for Comfama park, La Manuela or a pontoon with the group. Travelling without a car? Our guide to getting there covers the bus from Medellín.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do in Guatapé in one day?

Climb the rock early, have trout on the waterfront, walk the zócalo route and take a boat trip before heading back.

What is there to do in Guatapé with children?

Comfama park, a boat trip, horse riding and the replica of old El Peñol. The rock is doable with children from about six years old, taken slowly.

How much is a boat trip in Guatapé?

Shared tours from the waterfront are around COP 30,000 per person; a private speedboat costs from about COP 280,000 an hour and a pontoon from COP 270,000 an hour.

Can you swim in the Guatapé reservoir?

Yes, all year round. The water is fresh but pleasant, especially around midday.

What is there to do in Guatapé at night?

Walk the lit waterfront and zócalo streets, dine by the water and, if you stay at Atma, sit by the fire on the Buddha Deck above the reservoir.