The ultimate day trip near Medellín: Guatapé. Here, you’ll discover the awe-inspiring monolith La Piedra del Peñol, a vibrant town bursting with color, and boat tours that take you to explore the lakeside estate of infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar. All of this allows you to savor the rich and diverse essence of Medellín in just one unforgettable day.
On the first day of Chinese New Year in 2025, we arrived in Medellín before 9 AM on an early morning flight. After renting a car at the airport, we set off straight for Guatapé without stopping. (It’s about a two-hour drive from downtown Medellín and around 1.5 hours from the airport, so we bypassed the city entirely and planned to return later that evening.)
1️⃣ La Piedra del Peñol in Guatapé
This natural wonder is nothing short of spectacular—a colossal stone rising dramatically from the earth, its staircase resembling a giant zipper carved into its side. Climbing over 700 steps to reach the summit takes some effort, but the panoramic views of Lago de los Mil Islas (Lake of a Thousand Islands) make every step worthwhile.
Standing atop this geological marvel, I was genuinely mesmerized by the beauty of the landscape, especially since my home in Panama doesn’t offer such breathtaking scenery. The ascent offers stunning photo opportunities, as the descent is via internal stairs with no views. Be cautious—the downward steps are quite steep!
2️⃣ Lunch at a Lakeside Restaurant (P7)
For lunch, we opted for a delightful buffet at a hotel near the rock, where the dining area overlooks the serene lake. The meal was a feast for the senses, featuring local delicacies like freshly prepared trout (trucha). At approximately 100 RMB per person, it was both satisfying and reasonably priced.
3️⃣ Boat Tour of Pablo Escobar’s Estate
From the picturesque waterfront of Guatapé, we embarked on a leisurely boat tour across the reservoir. Various boat options are available, but we chose a water taxi capable of seating around 15 people, costing 30,000 pesos (about 50 RMB) per person. A private charter would have been significantly pricier at 300,000 pesos per group.
As we glided through the calm waters, we enjoyed the stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains and islands, catching a distant glimpse of the former estate of the notorious Pablo Escobar (without disembarking). Though the tour was advertised as lasting one hour, our captain extended it to two, enthusiastically pointing out various hotels and amenities on the small islands along the way.
4️⃣ The Colorful Town of Guatapé
Guatapé is often hailed as Colombia’s most beautiful town, and for good reason. Its streets are alive with color, adorned with intricate bas-reliefs and lined with charming buildings that exude warmth and vitality. Walking through this enchanting place feels like stepping into a living painting, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with its vibrant energy and welcoming atmosphere.
