Every day, thousands of people visit the city of Medellín. In fact, this city has become one of the most attractive destinations for travelers from all over the world, not only for its history but also for its people, its climate and the activities that can be done inside and outside the city. Medellin is a city that has activities for children and adults alike. One of the activities that attracts adults, young people and children alike is to visit the town of Guatapé and the Rock of El Peñol from where you can admire the great scenery that this area of eastern Antioquia offers thanks to El Peñol reservoir. Thanks to this, many travelers head daily to this location two hours from Medellín. However, many wonder what they can do once they are there. Here are the top 5 activities that travelers can do in Guatapé and the Rock of El Peñol.
1. Climb the Rock of El Peñol
If you visit Guatapé, you have to climb the approximately 702 steps to the top of the rock. From there, you will have a 360-degree view of El Peñol reservoir. Climbing that number of steps sounds like a challenge that only people with a certain level of fitness could achieve, but the truth is that you will find people of all ages and fitness levels taking on the challenge of climbing to the top. In reality, you only need to have the desire and motivation to live an enjoyable experience that, in the end, you will not easily forget.
To climb this great stone, you must buy an access ticket that costs at this moment (June 2023) 20,000 COP. With this ticket, you can climb the stone at the speed you wish since there is no time limit to reach the top and return to the base of the rock. Also, upon reaching the top, visitors can stay as long as they wish. At the top there are small places where you can find products such as fruits, ice cream, beer, water, among others. Likewise, there is a souvenir store where you can find everything from key chains to accessories such as hats representative of the region and the country.
2. Take a boat/speed boat tour on the reservoir
For those who love to relax and learn a bit of history, a boat/speed boat tour of the reservoir is the activity to do. The boat tours vary in length and range from 30 minutes to 3 hours with different prices depending on the boating time, length of the tour and privacy of the experience. During this activity, travelers learn about how the reservoir was built, the obstacles that had to be faced to do it and the benefits it brings to the country and the region regarding energy. In addition, you can learn a little about Pablo Escobar, who during his lifetime owned several properties in the area.
The boat/speed boat tour offers the opportunity to get some fresh air, get away from the crowds and admire the landscapes and geography of the region. You can also see the properties of some of Colombia’s best-known celebrities such as Colombian soccer star James Rodriguez and actress Amparo Grisales who was a major influence on Colombian television years ago.
3. Practice water sports
Travelers who love adventure and adrenaline could not be left without what to do in Guatapé. That is why, taking advantage of the spaces provided by the reservoir, there is the possibility of doing water sports such as jet-skiing, paddle boarding, fly boarding and kayaking. The price and duration of each activity depends on the company you hire, but no matter who you do it with, fun and safety are guaranteed. In addition, the companies that offer these services have strict safety protocols and insurance policies against accidents.
4. Take a motorcycle taxi tour around town
To get to know each of the most hidden corners of Guatapé, there is nothing better than taking a tour with a person who travels the streets every day. The mototaxi drivers are located around the park and take you for very low prices to get to know the different hidden gems that only locals know. The mototaxis are small three-wheeled vehicles that can accommodate 3 people plus the driver. One person can ride in the front with the driver and two in the back. They are not very spacious, but they provide the necessary comfort to take you quickly and safely around town. The best thing is that when travelers hire this means of transportation, their drivers allow them to take extended breaks at places of interest to take pictures and videos. In addition, the streets within the town are not created for the transit of many vehicles and these motorcycle cabs are basically the best way to get around the whole place quickly and comfortably.
5. Visit the street of the umbrellas
The street of the umbrellas must be one of the most visited places in Guatapé after the rock of El Peñol. This colorful street enjoys a decoration of umbrellas, also in colors, which gives it a striking peculiarity. These umbrellas, although they do not protect against rain, provide shade on sunny days and allow visitors to spend more time taking pictures, making videos and visiting the different souvenir stores where you can find all kinds of objects and accessories that can serve to remember the experience of visiting this place.
Similarly, this street is a space for relaxation as it has restaurants and cafes where visitors have the opportunity to take a break and sit down to eat or drink something while enjoying the view provided by this colorful street.
The aforementioned activities are not the only ones that travelers can do in Guatapé. This town has grown a lot over time and, today, it is one of the most important destinations in the department of Antioquia thanks to the variety of activities it offers to travelers. That is why when travelers visit Guatapé they do not have a minute of boredom because learning, fun and culture await them in every corner of the town. Vital Tours offers private day trips to Guatapé in which entertainment is guaranteed. We customize excursions according to the needs of our clients and make sure to offer them the best possible experience.