Major city · Colombia
Guatapé
Spend a full day in Guatapé for the lake, La Piedra and town colours; add a night if you want a relaxed evening on the malecón.
Guatapé is a lakeside town in Antioquia, about 2 h by bus from Medellín. Its main draw is La Piedra (the 650‑step rock) and the colourful zócalos. A day covers the rock, boat tour and town market; an overnight lets you enjoy sunset, dinner and a quieter boardwalk.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug
- avoid Apr–Jun (rainy season)
- Airport
- MDE
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Guatapé123 ▾
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Guatapé, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetyGuatapé is generally safe; stay alert in crowded markets, keep valuables hidden, and avoid swimming in the lake due to strong currents.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police, ambulance, fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMDE José María Córdova International Airport (Main gateway for Medellín; 2 h bus to Guatapé).
- Getting aroundMoto‑taxis from Parque Principal (≈COP 9,000, negotiate); local buses/Willys to El Peñol (≈COP 2,000–3,000); walk the town centre.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MDE José María Córdova International Airport (Main gateway for Medellín; 2 h bus to Guatapé)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Dec (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Dec (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Guatapé: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Moto‑taxis from Parque Principal (≈COP 9,000, negotiate); local buses/Willys to El Peñol (≈COP 2,000–3,000); walk the town centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Peñol (La Piedra)
goDoor to door: ≈30 min each way
Bus or moto‑taxi from Guatapé (≈COP 2,000–3,000)
Climb 650 steps for lake views; entry fee COP 25,000.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lakeview Hostel
Dorm COP 20,000; private COP 60,000; near bus terminal and malecón.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP 30,000–50,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP 50,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP 80,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Bus Medellín → Guatapé (one‑way)check | COP 25,000 |
| La Piedra entrance feeNov 2023 price | COP 25,000 |
| Trout plate (restaurant) | COP 12,000–18,000 |
| Moto‑taxi ride | COP 9,000 (negotiable) |
| Collective boat tour (1 h) | COP 20,000 per person |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus tickets are cash‑only; buy early, especially weekends.
- Last bus from Medellín departs 7 PM; return from Guatapé at 6:30 PM (7:45 PM Sun/holidays).Last bus from Medellín departs 7 PM; return from Guatapé at 6:30 AM PM (7:45 AM PM Sun/holidays).
- Swimming in the lake near town is prohibited (current danger).
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 123
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GuatapéGuatapé
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Embassy
US consulate in Medellín; other embassies in Bogotá.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Medellín → Guatapé bus: about COP 25,000, 2 h (check)
- Moto‑taxi around town: about COP 9,000, 5–10 min
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is this? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- Quisiera trucha, por favor — I would like trout, please (kee-syeh-rah troo-chah por fah-bor)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del bus a La Piedra? — Where is the bus stop to La Piedra? (don-deh es-tah lah pah-rah-dah del boos ah lah pee-eh-dra)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Guatapé. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug · avoid Apr–Jun (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Guatapé
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