How To Get To Guatapé From Medellin: Bus or Tour

How To Get To Guatapé From Medellin: Bus or Tour

Even if I catch an early morning bus to Guatapé, I prefer staying overnight. It takes about 2 hours to get there, and due to traffic jams, the return trip is often longer.

I have time to hike to the top of the Piedra, soak up the village ambiance, and enjoy some peaceful moments on the lake. I love staying at Serendipity for its hospitality and great value. Avoid going to Guatape on the weekends because it’ll be too crowded.

A private tour can be a great option since you can ask to be dropped off at the Medellin airport on the way back to catch your flight to another destination.

TOM’S TIP

Make sure to read our guide on Medellín and discover all the other excursions you can take around Medellín. Take a look at our selection of the best hotels in Guatapé as well.

Medellin: Guatapé colourful village and the piedra del peñol 1d

Stroll through the colorful streets of the colonial village and marvel at the view from the Belvedere.

View this tour

How to get to Guatape by bus

The department of Antioquia is filled with hidden gems, and you’ll be surprised by the number of day trips you can organize from Medellin.

Although there are some good and affordable tours to visit Guatape from Medellin, it is simple to do it on your own. By doing so, you will be able to stay one night in Guatape or San Rafael.

Let’s find out how to get there.

#1 Take The Metro To Caribe Station

Paisas love their aerial metro. It’s safe, fast and cheap.

First, you have to buy a ticket. It’s written Taquilla or Boleteria. The price is less than 1$.

1. You have to take the blue line A and stop at Caribe Station. The metro line is open every day from 4h30 am to 11 pm.
2. From there, you have to follow the signs indicating the Bus terminal – Terminal del Norte.

If you don’t want to use the metro, take a taxi or an Uber. Depending on where you are, you should expect to pay around 25,000 COP.

Tell the driver to head to Terminal North

#2 Find The Bus Medellin Guatape At The Terminal

In Colombia, bus terminals can be surprising at first sight. People are yelling random city names you’ve never heard before, and there is no big electronic whiteboard showing the next departures.

But there is a logic behind the chaos.

Each bus company has a desk office with a number on it. You just have to ask them when the next bus is leaving. Then, you pick up the one you want. Don’t forget to query for the gate – Puerta. 

• There are two counters: 9 and 14 | Sotrapeñol & Transporte Guatapé la Piedra
• Price bus Medellin Guatape: about 20,000 COP
• Frequency bus Medellin Guatape: Every 30 min
• First Bus Medellin Guatape: 5h30 am
• Last bus Medellin Guatape: 6h30 pm
• Duration Bus Medellin Guatape: 2 hours

#3 Where to stop with the bus

Guatape is famous for two reasons:

• The cute colonial town
• The astonishing view from a giant monolith, El Péñol.

The bus Medellin Guatape will pass by El Peñol first. Before heading to town, you can get out of the bus to enjoy the view from the top of the granite.

How to get to Guatape from el Péñon:

• Walking for 30-40 mins
• Grab a tuk-tuk for 15 000 COP
• Wait for another bus. Around 2 500 COP

Once in Guatape, you should buy your bus ticket in advance. The office is on your right if you stay on the main road when you enter the city. Thus, you will avoid the bad surprise of having no seat available on the bus on the way back.

• The last bus leaves at 7 pm.

Some travelers prefer to start visiting the colonial town first and then grab a tuk-tuk to El Peñol. It’s 100 % doable, as you can catch them on the main road on the bus back to Medellin. However, you take the risk of having no seat.

How to get to Guatape from the Medellin airport

Medellin’s airport is only 1 hour away by taxi from Guatape. It’s easy to catch a cab, and it costs around 40$.

Otherwise, you can once again use public transportation.

• Bus from the airport to Rionegro.
• Ask the driver to let you know where the shared jeeps leave for El Peñol.
• Take that jeep. Departures are frequent.
• Once in El Peñol, take another jeep to Guatape.
• The journey lasts 2-3 hours.

Visiting Guatape with an agency

I’m not against tours. It’s a great occasion to save time and meet other travelers. As opposed to this, you’re not 100% free, and you won’t be able to stay overnight.

So, it’s up to you.

1# Visit Guatape with a group tour from Medellin

With a group tour, you will have to leave at 7 am from Poblado. It’s actually great as you need time to enjoy Guatape.

This tour includes:

• A visit to Guatape and El Peñol with a guide
• A 1-h boat tour of the lake
• Transportation & meals

I like this option because it is simple and economical. Visit the GetYourGuide page to book this experience.

2# Visit Guatape with a private tour

If you prefer a more personalized experience and be more flexible with the time of departure, book a private tour. However, it won’t be the same price. 😉

That would be a good option if you want to catch a flight at the end of the day. In this case, ask the driver to drop you off at the airport.

Medellin: Guatapé colourful village and the piedra del peñol 1d

Stroll through the colorful streets of the colonial village and marvel at the view from the Belvedere.

View this tour

Where to stay in Guatape

There are different accommodations in Guatape.  If you don’t travel on a tight schedule, you should think about spending the night there. Thus, you will have plenty of time to explore the surroundings and organize your day without being stressed.

Try to get back to Medellin in the middle of the afternoon to avoid the rush hour from 5 pm to 8 pm.

1# My favorite hotels & hostels in Guatapé

• Bocoa hostel is surrounded by lakes and trees. You won’t be bothered by civilization. However, you’re not close to Guatape.
• Serendipity: Lovely owners. Top-notch services and facilities. Close to El Péñon. By the lake.
• El Trebol is an excellent pick if you’re looking for a stunning studio next to the lake.
• Bosko is the ideal romantic getaway for your honeymoon. Luxury glamping with top-notch services.

How to visit Guatape if you stay overnight

By taking the time to visit a place, you will always do it better than most travelers.

First, leave early from Medellin so that you can enjoy the day in Guatape.

Once you arrive in Guatape, you have to decide if you want to climb to the top of El peñol right away or not.

• If there is a clear sky and it’s a weekday, do it.
• Otherwise, wait for the early morning of the next day.

Practical information about The Piedra del Peñol:

• Open at 9 am.
• Close at 7pm.
• It costs approx 7$ .
• There are 750 stairs. Take your time.

There is actually not much to do in Guatape itself.

• Stroll among the colorful alleys, with facades covered by cute Zocalos.
• You can also be adventurous and head to the different islets with your pedal boat.
• Hiking the green hills
• Water activities on the lake: You can rent kayaks and a Pedal boat
• There are local agencies that organize day trips to hike to waterfalls next to San Rafael.
• Rent a boat and drink some beers
• Plan a day trip to San Rafael.