Guatapé
Guatapé is a comfortable, vibrant town of just over 6,000 people. Situated in the Antioquia Department of Colombia, it may not seem like an obvious destination for travelers. Yet, when people do visit, this small, colorful town offers a big, grand experience.
What does that mean for travelers like you?
Guatapé’s Vibrant History
The city of Guatapé gets its name from a cacique, or warrior-leader, of the Taino people. An indigenous group, the Taino occupied present-day Guatapé in the 16th century, and they named the town in his honor.
Centuries later, the Spaniard Don Francisco Giraldo y Jimenez formally “founded” Guatapé, declaring it a municipality in 1811. The city became a center of culture and economic growth, particularly booming in the 1970s, thanks to the launch of the nation’s largest hydroelectric generator.
From Medellín or the Andean Highlands To Guatapé
To reach Guatapé, most people traveling in Colombia depart from Medellín. There are a few reliable options:
- Private transit through tour
- Public transit by bus
- Rent a car and drive yourself
- Take a taxi
Buses, taxis, and rental cars are all available at Terminal del Norte, a transit station on the Northmost side of Medellín. Its routes head North and East.
Notably, rideshare services are not recommended in Medellín.
Guatapé: Climate, Culture & Natural Wonders
Guatapé, Colombia is known for its warm, temperate climate. As expected for a tropical region, it rains about one out of three days. Fortunately, the rains rarely last long, leaving plenty of time in the day for exploring, dining, and enjoying natural wonders.
Visitors often seek out the city for its vibrant, colorful murals, traditionally depicting legends and historical events. The vibrant city sits lakeside, and it’s not far from El Peñón de Guatapé, a towering rock monolith celebrated by ancient cultural groups.
Artisan Zocalos (Murals)
Zocalos are elaborately painted exterior walls of homes, and similarly decorated external support structures of buildings. In Colombia, zocalos had to be painted for practical reasons, to protect walls from the environment.
It became traditional to paint histories, portraits, and aspects of cultural identity. Thus, zocalos transformed from practical pieces of architecture to a beloved and well-practiced art form.
In Guatape, zocalos became part of the city’s cultural and creative identity. They’re so widely celebrated, diverse governmental and cultural groups work to preserve them.
El Peñón de Guatapé (Rock of Peñol)
The Rock of Peñol is a natural inselberg, towering over 7000 feet tall. To scale it, travelers must brave the climb up 708 stairs. Upon reaching the top, visitors can enjoy cold drinks and desserts, zocalo murals, and a stunning view. Art is also available to enjoy at the rock’s base.
Visit Guatapé On Our Colombia Tour
Caravn’s expert guides have crafted a tour for the ages. We now invite travelers to our all-inclusive Colombia tour. The 10-day adventure includes dining, exploring, and guided activities in Guatapé and many of its neighboring cities: Bogota, Medellin, the Andean Highlands, Zipaquira, and beyond!
Lake Guatapé Day Trip & Boat Tour
Caravan’s international experts crafted an all-inclusive, ten-day tour to highlight the absolute best of what Colombia has to offer. On the tour’s fifth day, that’s the chance to experience the pristine waters of the largest lake in the nation: Embalse El Peñol-Guatapé.
Embalse El Peñol-Guatapé
The lake borders the cities of Guatapé and Peñol. Its clear, cold water offers an extraordinary view of the fish and sea life beneath its surface.
At 25 square miles, it’s a large enough body of water to accommodate quite a lot! Fishing, boating, and even waterskiing are all popular activities.
Be warned, though: it is NOT safe to swim.
Ancestral Hearth Cooking
Ancestral hearth cooking tours unlock the secrets of the complex, explosive flavors of traditional, indigenous Colombian cuisine. In Guatapé, visitors can learn culinary secrets straight from the hearth of the town’s most popular home chefs.
Caravan Takes You There
Caravan builds extraordinary, all-inclusive adventures for travelers on a budget. Since 1952, we’ve offered affordable tours guided by experts: guaranteed safety, room, and dining inclusive, and wholly planned by our professionals.
Before your next trip, why not skip the stress? Call one of Caravan’s agents at 1 (312)-321-9800, or call 1-800-CARAVAN, and embark on your next adventure.