Peñol is made up of two tourist wonders: the Reservoir and La Piedra del Peñol. In order to build the reservoir, the urban area of El Peñol and some houses in Guatapé had to be destroyed. La Piedra del Peñol has 740 steps, and the first time they decided to climb it, it took them 5 days to reach the top.
This area belongs to Empresas Públicas de Medellín and its construction had two stages that ended in 1979.
HOW TO GET TO EL PEÑOL?
La Piedra el Peñol and the reservoir are located near the city of Medellín, in the municipality of Guatapé. To get to El Peñol you must first get to Medellín, because Guatapé is located 70 kilometers from Medellín. At the northern terminal of Medellín you will find buses that go directly to Guatapé for an approximate cost of $14,000 and it takes two hours to get there. The bus will drop you off at the entrance to the Peñol stone and the reservoir.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE IN GUATAPE
El Peñol is located at 1887.5 meters above sea level, the Nare River flows through the reservoir. It has a warm climate with an average temperature of 18°C. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes for hot weather, and shoes to hold the stone, and you should not miss the sunscreen because it can be quite sunny. If you are going to enter the reservoir, make sure you bring a change of clothes.
ATTRACTIONS IN GUATAPE
La Piedra el Peñol are one of the most important tourist attractions in Antioquia, since they have become a coveted destination for travelers who are happy to climb the hundreds of steps of the Piedra to appreciate the imposing and wonderful view of the Reservoir. In the reservoir, mountain formations that draw an unconventional landscape and where every traveler who climbs Guatape will have a photograph, because it is quite an event the view that is reached at 220 meters high. In addition to this, Guatape is located in the city of Medellín, one of the most touristy cities in the country. A few hours from Guatape you can find other fascinating tourist sites to visit and tour. And you don’t have to go that far either, in the town of Guatape there are many things to do and to admire.
WHAT TO DO IN GUATAPE?
El Peñol is full of interesting activities to do, but without any doubt you must climb the Piedra del Peñol, which can only be climbed on foot, and you are sure to enjoy the 740 steps that make up this special tourist site. The entrance to the reservoir is allowed because there you will have the possibility to do water sports by boat or sky, you can do canopy, rent a kayak, the options are so many that you can also do rock climbing on the stone. Or you can go around the reservoir in its famous party boats where you will surely meet people and have a lot of fun.
The town of Guatapé is decorated with colorful houses that tell stories of the colony and its indigenous people on all the multicolored walls; being a small town you can walk around it to get to know it better. In the village you can visit the Nuestra Señora del Carmen church, you can walk around the main square, visit the Zócalo square or enter the village’s Historical Museum for free.
GASTRONOMY IN GUATAPE
The gastronomy in Guatapé and El Peñol is the representative gastronomy of Medellín. If you are going to visit Guatapé you must try the famous Bandeja Paisa, because it is very different to eat Bandeja Paisa in Bogotá, than to eat it directly in the lands of its birth. You must also delight the palate with a delicious Mazamorra Paisa. Other typical dishes such as Sancocho and the particular arepa that is eaten every day at breakfast are part of the interesting gastronomy of the region.
In the area where the climb to the stone begins you will find restaurants and shops where you can eat, either before you go up, or when you come down.
In the picturesque village of Guatapé you will find a variety of restaurants and places to eat near you.
WHERE TO STAY IN GUATAPE, EL PEÑOL
Hotel in Guatape Guaca Island
Guatapé, being a tourist destination visited every weekend by travelers has different options to spend the night, from hostels or beautiful cabins to tents camping areas with wonderful locations. Below we show you some of the hotels and camping sites in Guatapé
Infinito Camping offers its services as a complete camping area, indoor space for camping, private bathroom, well equipped kitchen and refrigerator. It gives you the possibility of making fires, in addition to hiring other services such as kayaking, fishing, hiking to the viewpoint, and trekking to the rock Marial.
Website: infinitocamping.jimdo.com
E-mail: infinitocamping@gmail.com
Telephone: 3175163125 – 3004891284
Casa Kayam Hotel is located 20 minutes walk from the town of Guatapé in Villa Adriana Vereda El Roble, Airport Sector, is a hotel served by really friendly and attentive people. It offers WiFi, laundry, bar. It is open 24 hours a day, has a private room and many other shared rooms. The beds are comfortable, and the facilities are very clean, the showers are hot water, has a quiet living room ideal for reading. It has a kitchen that is for the use of the clients.
Telephone: 320 750 1977
Isla Guaca Hotel is located in the Vereda Despensas, in front of the Peñol reservoir. It offers lodging in suites, cabins and camping, bar and restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, free parking and barbecue area. Pets are allowed. At the same time, the hotel offers activities such as kayaking, water skiing, tours around the reservoir, water biking and boat fishing.
Website: www.hotelislaguaca.com
Phone: 3137655713
El Encuentro Hostal is located in the reservoir El Peñol, therefore it has a perfect view to the reservoir and the stone of El Peñol. It offers private or shared rooms and suites all overlooking the reservoir, free parking, private access to the reservoir, WiFi, private area for camping with an area for a fire and barbecue. It has a kitchen and a TV area for guests’ use.
Website: www.hostalelencuentro.com
Phone: 3116196199
E-mail: info@hostalelencuentro.com
COSTS
The entrance to the stone El Peñol costs $18,000 for everyone.
