Let’s kick things off with transportation—how do you get from Medellin to Guatapé?
While joining a guided tour isn’t overly pricey, I’ve always been a fan of freedom. That’s why I opted for the bus. Start by heading to the North Bus Terminal (Terminal Del Norte). On the first floor, at window 18, you can purchase your ticket to Guatapé. Cash only—20K COP—and take a look at Figure 4 for what the ticket looks like.
Once aboard, it takes about an hour to reach a gas station. If climbing the iconic monolith is on your agenda, this is where you’ll want to disembark! Don’t speak Spanish? No worries—show them a picture of the monolith🪨. Just remember: don’t stay on the bus all the way to the final stop!
Next to the gas station ⛽️, you’ll find a set of stairs leading up to the monolith—a climb that takes roughly 10 minutes. Before ascending, snap some photos beneath the monolith (as seen in Figures 1 and 2). Entrance fees are paid on-site, and they only accept cash. The journey up consists of a total of 659 steps (Figure 5), with Figure 6 showcasing the halfway point at around 300 steps.
The view from the summit is breathtaking (Figures 3 and 7)—you’ll be treated to a stunning panorama of the lake below.
In Figure 3, you’ll see two British travelers I met along the way. Unfortunately, their adventure took a dark turn when they were robbed at knifepoint and later hospitalized in Cartagena, Colombia🇨🇴. I’ll delve deeper into their story in my next post about Cartagena. This serves as a reminder: regardless of who you are, always exercise caution.
Whether it’s dealing with corrupt police officers👮 in Sorrento (as I detailed in earlier notes) or falling victim to crime like these two British friends did in Cartagena, safety should never be taken lightly!
After descending the monolith, return to the gas station to catch the bus🚌 onward to the town of Guatapé. The fare costs 3000COP per person. The town itself is quaint, featuring a picturesque church and plenty of shops to explore. For the ultimate experience, head straight to the dock to board a shared boat ride.
At 3000COP per person, the boat departs once it has gathered a group of 10 passengers. Be prepared to communicate in Spanish unless you opt for a private charter requiring English-speaking assistance.
Our captain regaled us with tales of the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, pointing out the opulent homes of other notorious figures along the way. From the water, you’ll also catch another stunning glimpse of the monolith🪨 you just conquered.
By around 5 PM, make your way back to the bus station to secure your ticket back to Medellin.
All in all, this was an absolutely enchanting experience. Seeing the lake from the mountain and the mountain from the lake created memories that will last a lifetime. Trust me—you won’t want to miss this!
