Guatape is a small quaint traditional village in Antioquia province. It takes about an hour and a half by car from Medellin. It is a popular weekend getaway and there are many fincas for rent.
The town itself is worth a visit alone. It is full of brightly-coloured traditional houses. I went mad taking photos.
The main attractions, however, are the nearby reservoir and the rock at Peñol. The reservoir, which resembles a lake dotted with islands, was created by a dam built in the 1960s. It is extremely picturesque and is perfect for enjoying water sports.
The second attraction is a huge rock in nearby Peñol, which can be climbed by a staircase cut into the side of the rock. There is a restaurant at the top.
I recommend taking a tour from Medellin if you don’t have your own transport. Alternatively there are buses running every half hour all day from the Terminal del Norte in Medellin. There are motorcycle taxis available to get from Peñol to Guatape township.
