In Colombia you will find many fantastic places that are definitely worth seeing. Many tourists go to the popular Medellin. In my opinion, this city is different to the rest of Colombia, it is very developed and enriched on tourists, it is teeming with its life, leaving the rest of the country far behind. But it's not about Medellin here. Not far from this huge metropolis are two places that would be a sin to be missed, and you can devote only one day to visiting them.

I will take you to La Piedra del Pe?ol and Guatapa, which offer a unique and unforgettable experience. You will enjoy the natural beauty, explore the local culture and experience moments of fun and adventure.


Let's start with La Piedra del Peñol 

 


When you leave Medellin 80 km further east, you will come across something unusual. On a relatively flat area, a giant stone will appear on your eyes, completely incompatible with the rest of the environment. The facility is 220 meters high, which corresponds to the building by more than 60 floors. Can you imagine that? No wonder that many theories have been made about it, some have claimed that the rock is the tip of a meteorite that fell from space, but this was quickly undermined.

In fact, it is a vast rock mass inside the Earth’s crust that formed 80 miles ago and emerges to the surface as a result of tectonic erosion and stress. Yes, you read so well, it continues to grow, slowly and gradually.

The researchers found that the stone spread inside the ground over an area of 100 km2 and reaches about 2.5 km deep, which is like a “snap that shows only a small head.”

This powerful boulder is also surrounded by many myths and legends. Because it has a very characteristic crack, one of them says that he tried to steal it from the devil with an axe and that is why there is a huge gap in the stone. Others, of two rival giants, tried to divide the rock into two parts to take each other in half. Pilgrimages for the “holy stone were started by the indigenous people of Colombia “Tahami” many hundreds of years ago.
Today, tourists from all over the world come here to admire this unusual “pillar” and even climb up.

 

How to reach the top of Piedra del Pe?

To get to the top of a huge rock, you will have to exert yourself a bit and climb on foot. There's no elevator, no lift, there's only a staircase. Over 700 degrees, after which you will have to enter. At the top you will be rewarded with a wonderful, even fabulous view. But you don’t have to worry, because you can do it at your own pace, with as many breaks as you need.

While this is a challenge, in fact reaching the top makes everything worth it. And while climbing 700 degrees sounds like a good impression, it’s less complicated than you might think. People of different ages climb the stairs. So when you get to the top, you will lean against the railing, look out over the edge, you will be charmed immediately. The view is from the world, dozens of small islets scattered over the dark blue water of the lake as far as it is to reach. You will also see the town of Guatape, 4 km away, full of colors and traditions, which I will tell you later in this post.

Scraping on the stone, you do not have to peek out food with you, because at the top there are a number of small shops where you will be able to stock up on water, snacks and even a souvenir.


Hours of sight

In general, Piedra del Peñol is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00.

Admission fee

25,000 PCO ($6) spring 2025

You can buy the ticket online on the website here. By purchasing an online ticket, you will receive a digital ticket that will allow you to enter smoothly without a queue. If you hit this place without a previously purchased ticket, you can do it on the spot. The queue goes quite smoothly despite many buyers. We stood in it 10 minutes.


How much time to spend on Piedra del Pe?ol


This is obviously an individual matter, but in our case 1.5 hours was enough. It took us 15 minutes to get upstairs. Photo session another 15 minutes. As a pleasure, we bought a cup of fresh fruit that you had to eat before we started your journey back up the stairs. So the mountain itself, it'll take you an hour. There is a restaurant downstairs. If you decide to visit the restaurant, you will be able to make some fantastic pics on decorative ornaments. Together with the next photo session and drink (or rather not drinking) for my taste not too tasty regional salty bitter beer Cerveza Artesanal De La Region for 13,000 PCO (3 USD), the whole took us about 1.5 hours.

Whether you’re climbing 740 stairs to enjoy panoramic views or simply contemplate its majesty from below, Piedra del Pe?ol is an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of the natural beauty and history of Colombia. After visiting Piedra del Pesol, I take you to the picturesque in the full sense

Guatape

I remember the first time I saw Guatape. I was planning another trip and I was browsing the search engine on the Internet. On one of the windows there were pictures of streets rich in all the colors of the rainbow and not only. I had no idea where it was, but it attracted my attention.

I quickly discovered that this colorful lakeside town was in Colombia and I immediately put them on the list of places to see.
I remembered about this place all the time and when we finally arrived in Colombia for the second time I knew that this time I would not miss it.

After visiting the giant rock, we go to the city of Guatape, 3 miles away.
We are going with our trip, but you can either take a long 45-minute walk, or go for a short 10-minute tour ride. Cost of 12,000 COP (NZ) for two people.

These colorful tricycles are all over the world.

When we finally got there... wow! Well, it's inlaid.. wow! It's a labyrinth of colorful, kaleidoscopic streets. Each house is decorated with small drawings called skirting boards. There is even a law that obliges all buildings to own them. These drawings and bas-reliefs, in addition to decorating houses, refer to the customs, the history of the city and the life of its inhabitants. Paintings reflect the characteristics of the person living in the building, and in the case of business determines its nature.

Calle de los Paraguas - Umbrella Avenue
Walking around Guatape you have to go to the most beautiful avenue called Calle de los Paraguas. If you don't go to Parasol avenues, the visit to Guatopa doesn't count. And he's not kidding at all! It is a very colorful avenue, full of cafes and souvenir shops. In addition to the colorful houses, there are hundreds of hanging umbrellas that give this place a kind of climate.
Walking along the avenue, we came across our compatriots, who were also literally charmed by this place.

Calle del Recuerdo - Avenue of Memories
It is a steep avenue, with super colorful houses and very striking paintings. In addition, it is a replica of one of the streets of the old town of El Peelol before it was demolished and flooded to create a hydroelectric dam.


Parroquia Nuestra Senora Del Carmen Church Carmen

If you want a moment of peace, I recommend you to look at the main square of Guatape and enter the church here. It is huge, has a beautiful facade and stunning interior. Locals say that you have to enter the church right leg and make a wish and will certainly be fulfilled. Whether you are a believer or not, it’s a great idea to enter the church and spend moments reflecting before the expedition is continued.


How much time on Guatape?

I don't like to repeat that it's an individual thing, but that's the way it is. Some come here for a moment to walk the streets and admire the architecture of this town, others stop for longer. Guatape is a pretty small town, so getting to know most of its streets won’t take you long. It took us 1.5 hours at a slow pace.

Other attractions around this area?

Of course, visiting Piedra del Peel and the city of Guatape is not the only thing you can do here.

Boat trip on the other

If you are already there, take the opportunity to take a boat trip there. The lake you see around Guatopa is a hydroelectric dam, but it hasn’t always been. During this tour you will learn about the history of the old sunken city. Believe it or not, you will move through the ruins of a demolished and flooded city. What is impressive?

In addition, you will also get to know one of Pablo Escobar's estates, hacienda la Manuela. It is a huge residence surrounded by trees from several countries around the world. In total, the property has eight hectares and was one of the most luxurious properties. Today it has been ruined since it was bombed with 200 kilograms of explosives by enemies of a drug dealer.
The cruise lasts more than 1 hour.

Fun in the park Comfama Guata

For those who stay in this area a little longer, or a visit to the water park with their children is mandatory. Boats, kayaks, floats, inflatable modules, water bikes and more than 7.6 hectares inhabited by squirrels, guacharacas, goose and sinsontes all for your pleasure.

Alto de la Virgen - viewpoint

If you want to have the most beautiful photo with a huge boulder against the background of the lake, you will have to walk. This is not a strictly defined point, so look for it as you move towards Guatape. I am more than 3 km from Piedra del Pesol just before entering the town.

Extreme sports and water sports

We did not have time for additional attractions, but if you plan to stay in Guatape a little longer you will find attractions in the form of kayaking, sailing on the lake, wakeboarding or water skis. And if water sports aren’t your style, you can try gliding or paragliding. Everyone will find something for themselves, from those who want to play adventure sports, to those who prefer something a little more peaceful.

Fun with llamas and alpacas

When you leave Guatape towards Medelline, be sure to stop at El Alto Del Chocho. It is a free amusement park that offers many different attractions. We came across live music sung by the singer riding horses amid the crowd of tourists walking. From the speakers there was singing in the rhythm of Colombian folk music Vallenato.

The park offers three restaurants with a wide range of typical regional dishes. You can also visit the craft market or take a photo from the car dummy showing the family move.
Photo 10

However, the biggest attraction was feeding extremely tame animals from this region, such as llamas and alpacas. For just $5,000 ($1 USD), you’ll spend a fantastic time feeding animals carrots that literally walk behind you and won’t step you back until the food is over.

How to get to Guatape and Piedra del Peelou?

I assume you're already in Medellin. Here at every corner, in every hotel they sell day trips. This time we went easy and bought a trip in our hotel. The program included visiting the stone, the town of Guatape, a cruise on the lake and amusement park. It took all day. The cost of the tour about 200,000 COP ($45) per person, included lunch and lunch. Cheaper version -you can get on the bus from Terminal del Norte in the direction of Guatape. The journey takes about 2 hours and a one-way ticket costs 18,000 COP ($5USD).