If you’ve heard the phrase of ‘painting the town red’, how about painting it yellow, green, blue, red and purple? What kind of night would that be! Guatapé town looks like it stepped right out of an Andy Warhol painting and landed in a small area in Colombia. Famous for it’s colourful buildings, this pueblo has a charming feel to it where you instantly feel happiness as soon as you set foot in it!
Best time to go:
December to January / June to September – It’s usually humid and warm all year round, but these months tend to be the driest. During the weekend the locals tend to come here to get away from the hustle and bustle of Medellín, so you may find that these times are busier. This town is also somewhere you have to see during the day, otherwise you’ll miss out on all the colourful art!
How long to spend here:
Can be a day trip from Medellín, or some people choose to spend the night here to explore the town when the day-trippers have gone back
Eco Tip 08: Become more conscious about where your food comes from and don’t be (too) scared of trying local food
Getting There
A lengthy 2 hour bus ride from Medellín will get you to the centre of Guatapé. Head over to the bus terminal at Caribe Metro Station in Medellín and you’ll be able to buy your ticket at counter 9 or 17. This will cost you roughly US$5. Make sure you book your return bus to Medellín as soon as you arrive in Guatapé as the seats fill up quickly and the buses leave at set times.
Alternatively, you can join a tour that will arrange the transport for you and include breakfast, a stop at the El Peńol rock and some free time in Guatapé town. This will cost around US$30 to US$40 for a group tour.
The price difference is quite high, but you’ll need to take into consideration convenience, time and whether you’d prefer to have a guide to talk you through the facts and history. If you do decide to go with a tour, make sure it’s a locally owned one so you’re supporting local businesses.
Learn more in related article: The Forgotten People of Colombia
What a welcoming door!
So, Why Is It So Colourful?
This town takes street art to a whole new level and it’s easy to get caught up looking at all the painted buildings and pieces of artwork. It is filled with zócalos, small sections of the painting telling a story of it’s residents. It started with families painting a depiction of their lifestyle along their houses and the tradition has continued for over a century. Some zocalos could represent farming, their indigenous past, mining or other critical moments in history.
The word zócalo simply refers to the lower part of a wall of a house, and has been used for generations throughout Colombia. It’s main purpose is to protect the building, so it is traditionally made of cement and painted a different colour to differentiate it. For the locals, it’s more than a painted wall; it represents a vibrant history and identity that no other town in Colombia has.
A local touching up on the zócalos
El Peñol
A short tuk tuk ride away from the centre of town will bring you to the ancient rock of El Peńol. This was once in the middle of a dispute between the two towns it sits in, both claiming it was theirs and one even going as far as trying to paint the town’s name on the rock but got stopped just in time and only managed to write the first 2 letters!
The rock is said to have formed around 70 million years ago and stands at over 720 feet tall. It is composed mainly of quartz, feldspar and mica minerals and is completely smooth. It does, however, have one large crack in the centre which is where a series of zig zag stairs have been built which consist of 740 steps leading to the summit. It’s a steep but short climb, taking roughly 10-15 minutes. It is surrounded by a calming lake and man made lagoons which you’ll be able to get a full 360 view of from the top of the rock.
Local Foods To Try
Empanadas and Arepas - A type of pastry or maize dough usually with a meat filling
Ajaico - A traditional Colombian soup typically made with chicken and three types of potatoes
Trout - This is Guatapé’s well known speciality! (Also known as ‘trucha')
Bandeja paisa - A traditional Colombian platter usually made with meat, but in Guatapé they substitute this with fish
Ice cream or ‘Helados’ - Freshly made ice cream shops are scattered around the town. Our favourite flavours were coconut with little coconut bits and maracuyá (passion fruit)!
Costs To Consider
Entrance to El Peñol - 18,000 COP
Tuk tuk from Guatapé town to El Peñol - 10,000 COP but try and haggle as much as you can!
Bus from El Peñol to Guatapé town - 2000 COP
