I booked a Guatape day tour with Zippy Tour. The tour costs 109,000 pesos, but if you pay by card, there’s an extra 5% fee.
Guatape is a vibrant and unique town like no other. While many colorful towns around the world captivate visitors, Guatape stands out for its stunning relief murals adorning every house. These intricate artworks depict religious stories, scenes from *Don Quixote*, and even glimpses into the daily lives of the families who live there.
Our guide explained that, in the past, people here were not allowed to use words to express themselves, so they turned their homes into canvases to communicate their thoughts and stories. The town may be small—easily explored on foot in about an hour—but it’s bursting with character and charm.
Just outside the town lies a colossal rock, El Peñol, which you can climb for breathtaking views. With 708 steps leading to the summit, the ascent might feel challenging, but the reward is worth it. From the top, you’ll be greeted by panoramic vistas of the Thousand Islands Lake, stretching endlessly across the horizon.
Nearby, you’ll find the town of New Peñol, built alongside the lake as a counterpart to Old Peñol. In the 1970s, Colombia constructed a dam here, a project that would benefit the entire nation. To make way for the rising waters, the residents of the old town were relocated 2.5 kilometers away to their new home, while the original settlement now rests submerged beneath the lake. All that remains above water is a lone cross, standing as a poignant reminder of what once was.
The highlight of my journey wasn’t just the stunning landscapes but the incredible fellow travelers I met along the way. My seatmate was a PhD student from Rice University, currently working in Medellin. He had signed up for the tour to spend time with his mother and niece, who had traveled to visit him.
Throughout the day, he shared fascinating insights into Colombia’s history and culture, offering me, a casual tourist, a deeper understanding of this remarkable place. Later, an elderly gentleman with an Asian face struck up a conversation with me in fluent English. We discovered he was a Filipino based in New York.
As we chatted, he revealed that he had once served as a deputy minister under three Philippine presidents before resigning to take over his father’s business. Now, he’s learning Chinese because, as he put it, “China is playing an increasingly important role on the global stage.” I’m truly grateful for these brief encounters, which enriched my experience immeasurably.
The day tour lasts approximately 12 hours, with hotel pick-up and drop-off included (from 7 AM to 7 PM). Breakfast and lunch are provided, but the entrance fee for the iconic rock climb—25,000 pesos—is not part of the package. Keep in mind that only cash is accepted for purchasing the ticket.
