This Guatapé Colombia glamping and food guide shows how to combine a stay beside the reservoir with El Peñol Rock, colourful town streets, kayaking and memorable Antioquian meals in one relaxed trip. Inspired by Michelle Thielen’s lakeside journey, it explains how to arrive from Medellín, when to go, what key transport and entry costs to expect, and how to plan an overnight stay rather than rushing through on a day tour. You will also find a practical two-day itinerary that leaves room for the slow, waterside moments that make Guatapé special.
What Michelle Thielen’s journey shows
- She arrives at a lakeside glamping property and begins with a welcome drink and views from Bosko’s terrace.
- She tours her glamping accommodation, showing how the appeal here is as much about the setting as the room itself.
- She heads down to the dock on the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir for time by the water.
- She goes kayaking on the reservoir, a calmer way to experience Guatapé’s maze of green hills, islands and inlets.
- She returns for a substantial local meal, then continues the next day with breakfast and time to enjoy the property’s facilities.
Watch Michelle’s video first for the atmosphere, then use the practical details below to make the route your own.
How to get to Guatapé from Medellín
For most independent travellers, the simplest route is the direct bus from Medellín’s Terminal del Norte. The terminal is beside Caribe Metro station, making it straightforward to reach from central Medellín. Sotrasanvicente lists 31 daily departures to Guatapé, beginning at 6:00 a.m. and continuing until 7:30 p.m.; its current listed one-way fare is COP 24,000. The ride is generally around two hours, depending on traffic and weather.
Buy a ticket from the operator’s counter and keep your luggage with you or use the bus hold as directed. If you are staying at a remote glamping site, arrange the final transfer with the property before leaving Medellín. Some stays are not walkable from Guatapé’s central bus terminal, and a late arrival can make local transport less convenient.
If you are visiting only for the day, go first to El Peñol Rock and leave Guatapé town for later. If you are staying overnight, reverse that pressure: check in, enjoy the reservoir, and climb the rock early the following morning. For more background on the landscape and the reservoir’s history, see our Guatapé, Colombia travel guide to the town beneath El Peñol Reservoir.
Best time for a Guatapé glamping trip
Guatapé works year-round, but an overnight itinerary is especially useful because mountain weather can change quickly. Prioritise a morning climb of El Peñol Rock, when temperatures are gentler and visibility is often clearer. Keep your kayaking, boat time or dock-side relaxation flexible for the afternoon, and carry a light rain layer even on a bright day.
Weekdays are generally the calmer choice for glamping availability, the rock, and Guatapé’s narrow central streets. Weekends and Colombian public holidays bring many Medellín day-trippers, so reserve accommodation well ahead and take an early bus. Colombia’s official tourism site describes El Peñón as a 220-metre monolith with 702 steps to its viewpoint, so allow time and energy for the climb rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
What Guatapé costs in 2026
Costs below are the independently bookable basics that could be verified at the time of publication. Glamping rates, food bills, private transfers and water activities vary sharply by day, group size and property, so request a final total directly before booking.
| Item | Verified 2026 price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medellín–Guatapé bus, one way | COP 24,000 | Sotrasanvicente’s listed fare; buses depart Terminal del Norte. |
| La Piedra del Peñol standard entry | COP 18,000–20,000 | Current published range; take Colombian pesos in cash and reconfirm at the entrance. |
| Exploring Guatapé town centre | Free | No ticket is required to walk the streets, plaza and painted zócalos. |
A useful planning approach is to separate fixed costs from flexible ones. Budget the return bus and rock entrance first, then choose your level of comfort for the glamping night, meals, kayaking or a reservoir boat trip. This keeps the trip adaptable without losing the main experiences.
Where to stay: glamping, town hotels or a rural cabin
For the experience closest to Michelle’s journey, choose a reservoir-side glamping stay with an on-site restaurant, breakfast and direct access to a dock or water activity area. Ask whether the listed rate includes breakfast, kayak use, transport from town, heating, and any service charge. The most photogenic stays are often rural and peaceful, but that can also mean limited nearby dining and the need to arrange transfers.
Choose a hotel or guesthouse in Guatapé town if you want to walk to restaurants, the Plaza de los Zócalos and Calle del Recuerdo. This is the easier option for travellers without a car, while a countryside cabin suits couples or small groups seeking privacy. Whichever option you choose, confirm the exact map pin: “Guatapé” listings can be near El Peñol, beside the reservoir, or several kilometres from town.
Food, lake activities and practical safety tips
Give yourself time for a proper meal rather than relying only on snack stalls. Look for regional dishes built around grilled meats, trout, beans, plantain, arepas and fresh juices, then ask your accommodation which restaurants are open on the day you arrive. A glamping restaurant can be a useful option on your first night, particularly after a late afternoon bus journey.
Kayaking is one of the best low-key activities on the reservoir because it lets you experience the water without committing to a large group boat tour. Wear a life jacket, follow the operator’s weather advice and avoid heading far out if afternoon rain or wind is building. For a motorboat or shared cruise, agree the duration, price and inclusions before boarding.
Use the same practical habits you would in any busy Colombian destination: keep valuables discreet, use licensed transport or transfers arranged by your accommodation, and do not leave bags unattended at docks or bus terminals. For a wider overview of scam awareness and practical precautions, our Cartagena safety guide has principles that also apply when moving through popular tourist areas.
Day-by-day (how to travel it yourself)
Day 1: Medellín to Guatapé, glamping and the reservoir.
Take a morning or early-afternoon bus from Medellín’s Terminal del Norte. Check into your glamping stay or town hotel, have lunch, and spend the afternoon kayaking, taking a short reservoir trip or simply enjoying the dock and views. End with dinner at your accommodation or in town, then rest early for the rock climb.
Day 2: El Peñol Rock, Guatapé town and return to Medellín.
Arrange transport to La Piedra del Peñol for opening time. Climb steadily, enjoy the reservoir panorama, and return down before the busiest part of the day. Continue to Guatapé for brunch, Calle del Recuerdo, the Plaza de los Zócalos and time to photograph the town’s decorated façades. Buy your return bus ticket before your final meal, especially on a weekend.
If you have a third day, keep it unstructured: add a longer water activity, a slow breakfast at your glamping stay, or an extra night by the lake. Travellers continuing along Colombia’s Caribbean route can pair the green highlands with our Santa Marta travel guide and the nearby Tayrona National Park guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is one night enough for Guatapé?
Yes. One night gives you time for a reservoir activity on arrival day and an early climb of El Peñol Rock the next morning. Two nights are better if your main goal is glamping downtime.
Can I visit Guatapé from Medellín without a tour?
Yes. Direct buses run from Terminal del Norte, and staying overnight makes independent travel easier because you are not tied to a tour schedule.
How difficult is El Peñol Rock?
The climb has 702 steps and requires a reasonable level of mobility and pacing. Take water, wear shoes with grip, use the railings and avoid rushing, especially after rain.
Should I stay in Guatapé town or beside the reservoir?
Stay in town for walkable restaurants and easier bus logistics. Choose a reservoir-side glamping property for privacy, views, kayaking and a more restorative overnight experience.
Facts and prices verified in August 2026. Travel with Influencers is an independent fan/editorial guide, not affiliated with or endorsed by the creators featured. Watch and support the original creator: Michelle Thielen on YouTube.
