Colombia is surely a place with beautiful landscapes but you’ll find very little similar to what the locals call “La Piedra”. We might have used “feeling on the top of the world” a bit too often but climbing to the top of La Piedra de Guatapé has never made such statement more true!
The “Peñon de Guatapé” or “La Piedra” is a massive volcanic boulder which after years of countryside loneliness has been climbed and claimed two days later by a farmer curious enough to wander what the view looked from atop. Nowadays, the site has an all year-round flow of tourists willing to walk up the 659 steps and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime view over some great looking lake. No wonder, this has been listed as one of the top attractions to do around Medellin!
How to get there?
The Piedra is located in the department of Antioquia, just in-between the small town of El Peñol and the slightly bigger Guatapé, at just 1½-2h drive from Medellin. Although different transport options are available (organized tours, taxi or rent-a-car), the most affordable and best-rated option is to go by bus.
Bus leaving for Guatape in Medellin Northern Terminal
(UPDATED 2018) Currently, there are only two bus companies (Sootransvincente & Sotrapeñol) operating buses from Medellin to Guatapé and both can be found at the Northern Terminal (ticket booth 9 and 14). Sadly for those looking for the cheapest, at time of writing both bus companies seem to charge the same fare to get to El Peñol (11’000 COP), La Piedra (13’000 COP) or Guatapé (14’000 COP).
In regards to schedule, both bus companies run hourly from 6.30am to 6.30pm but during high-season or high-request they also happen to run as frequently as every 15min. Buses will drop you down at a gasoline station right next to the beginning of the path (a.k.a. La Piedra stop) to reach the hill where the Piedra is found. Here you can decide to walk your way up or take a tuk-tuk for 5’000 COP/per person.
Half-way through the path to reach the hill of La Piedra
On-site costs
Saying that this DIY trip is a cheap full-day excursion would be a lie. In fact, due to the high flow of tourism, prices related to this attraction have been exponentially rising (and probably will keep doing so) in the past few years. Today, the entrance ticket for the Piedra cost an outrageous 18’000 COP per person, foreign or local tourist, but back in 2015 it used to be 14’000 COP. Crazy uh?
On top of the boulder only basic snacks, ice creams or interesting cervezas micheladas con mango (mango-flavoured beers) are available for an expensive fee but at the base of the boulder, you can find plenty of street-vendors, shops and well-established restaurants. Though, as you can imagine, even if the views from the bottom are not as cool as from the top, all places will be way more expensive than average for food (really basic menu starting at 15’000 COP). If you fancy eating or drinking more affordably just take a bus to Guatapé (only a 1000 COP) or a tuk-tuk for 8-10’000 COP).
Things to do
Even though, everybody knows pretty well the main attraction, there’s a couple more activities worth having a look into if you’re planning to spend the day in the area.
Visit the Piedra | 1-2h
Usual, beautiful and must-do. Climbing to the top of the Piedra is a must if you endured the 2h bus till there. Expect to spend 15-20min walking up and allot more or less 1h on top to take in the views and maybe have a drink.
Views from the top
View from the bridge when walking toward Guatapé
Explore the town of Guatapé | 1-2h
Located at just 30min walking (or 5min bus), this small town is the perfect place to relax you legs while wandering the fascinating colourful streets full of funny bas-reliefs. If you want to have a bite, check out some local comedores offering daily menus at 7-8000 COP.
Lancha Tour | 45min
Tours around the nearby lake are also pretty widespread around the place. Expect to pay a salty 30’000COP/pp for a short ride but hope is not lost… thankfully there’s room for bargaining!
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