The Top Things to See and Do in Guatapé, Colombia

Hop off the dock and onto a jet ski – it’s the best way to cruise around the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, either riding solo or with a friend. From the water, soak up views of the town and the Piedra del Peñol. Alternatively, crank up the speed and get your adrenaline pumping as you fly around the tiny islands that dot one of the largest lakes in Colombia.

Venture out of the pueblo and into the Andes Mountains, where you can go mountain biking through the lush jungle. Catch your breath at the top, where killer lookouts above Guatapé and the dam await you. Then, glide down the mountainside, crisscrossing through the valley and riding along the highway; you’ll be back in town before you know it.

There’s nothing like the view from the top – book an hour to go paragliding with expert guides to see miles and miles of rolling green hills, forest and, of course, the lake. You’ll land along the trickling Guatapé River upstream, where you can cool off with an afternoon swim before returning to town.

The crêpes here are cheesy, along with the pizzas, lasagnas and ravioli. Keep it simple with a ham crêpe, piled high with fresh-grated mozzarella, or try the namesake Guatacrepe for mushroom, pork, chicken, tomato and onion all rolled into a thin, flaky crust. If you’re looking for a souvenir you can eat, take home some of the fresh-baked bread and Colombian-style cheeses.

If you’re looking for aquatic activities all in one place, visit the Parque Comfama Guatapé. Here, you’ll find kayaks, water tricycles, rowboats and pedal boats hidden away from the rest of the lake. Across the complex, the water park’s inflatable playground is like an aquatic jungle gym, where you can bounce, climb and jump along the lake’s edge before diving into the cool water.

The main reason that people visit Guatapé is to climb the famous Rock of Guatapé – also known as El Peñón or La Piedra – and enjoy the spectacular view of the surrounding islands and lake. Get ready for a leg burner as there are a whopping 740 steps to reach the top. Alternatively, experienced rock climbers can scale the granite face with a local guiding company. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with an astonishing panorama at the summit.

Guatapé itself is a charming little town, made all the more appealing by its brightly colored walls and hand-painted zócalos, featuring sunflowers and doves, along with more complex paintings depicting the town’s history. So, grab your camera because it’s one of the most photogenic spots on your Colombian adventure. Afterward, kick back with a coffee in the plaza and watch the world go by.

Renting motorbikes is a traveler’s rite of passage in many countries, but there are very few places where you can do it in Colombia. Luckily, Guatapé is one of those places. You can rent motorbikes or scooters from several local agencies and set out to explore the beautiful Andean scenery surrounding the city. A particularly popular motorbike trip is down to the waterfalls of San Rafael; as the winding road is a real challenge, make sure you have some experience on a bike before undertaking it.