Guatape & El Penol Private Tour Review: A Local’s Take (2025)

You know, there are a bunch of ways to get out to Guatape from Medellin, right? As a matter of fact, you can hop on a big bus with fifty other people. I’ve actually done that before, and to be honest, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. So, for my latest trip, I decided to try something a little different, like this 2025 private day trip that talks about going with locals. Honestly, the idea of having a more personal look at such a famous place was really appealing. You see, the standard tours can sometimes feel like you’re just on a conveyor belt, moving from one photo spot to the next. In other words, I was kind of looking for a day that felt more like a road trip with a knowledgeable friend rather than a formal excursion. And basically, that’s more or less what I got.

What Really Makes This Guatape Trip Different?

Alright, so the biggest selling point here is pretty much the ‘private’ and ‘with locals’ part. In that case, what does that actually mean? Well, first, instead of a giant coach, a comfortable, air-conditioned car picks you up right from your hotel, which is obviously a huge plus. Frankly, there was no waiting at a random meeting point at dawn. Our guide, a local fellow named Mateo, was actually waiting for us in the lobby. Seemingly, from the very first moment, the whole experience just felt more relaxed and personal. Unlike the big bus tours, the schedule was just a suggestion, you know? Mateo made it very clear that, at the end of the day, it was our trip. For example, if we wanted to stop for a coffee at a random spot with a nice view, we absolutely could. Seriously, that kind of freedom is something you just don’t get when you have to stick to a strict timetable for a large group.

I mean, the local angle is also a very big deal. Mateo wasn’t just a driver; he literally grew up in the Antioquia region. So, as we drove, he shared stories about his family, the area’s complicated past, and the amazing transformation it has gone through. Basically, this wasn’t some script he learned for tourists. Instead, it was just his life and his home that he was sharing with us. He pointed out his cousin’s farm on the way and even told us about the best place to get a snack in his home town, which of course wasn’t on the main tourist strip. It’s almost these little details that make a standard day trip feel like a real connection to a place, you know?

The Drive from Medellin: A Scenic Prelude

Okay, the drive from Medellin to Guatape is about two hours long, and it’s frankly stunning. On a big bus, you might get a little nap in, but in a private car, it’s a totally different experience. The road winds through these incredibly green mountains and lush valleys, and you see, the landscape is constantly changing. We asked Mateo to stop at a small roadside stall that was selling arepas de choclo, which are these sweet corn cakes with cheese. Honestly, it was so good, and definitely something we would have just sped past on a larger tour. That’s the thing, this part of the day was an experience in itself, not just a way to get from point A to point B.

As a matter of fact, the conversation in the car was one of the highlights. We actually asked Mateo all sorts of questions, from Colombian politics to the local music scene. You could tell he was really happy to chat about his country in a way that was honest and not just polished for visitors. For instance, he gave us a rundown of the history of the reservoir we were about to see, explaining how the old town of El Peñol was intentionally flooded to create the hydroelectric dam. Hearing that story while driving alongside the very water that covers the old town was, you know, a bit surreal. It added a layer of depth to the day that I wasn’t really expecting.

Tackling the Rock: The Climb Up El Peñol

Alright, then you see it. La Piedra del Peñol, or just ‘The Rock,’ literally appears out of nowhere. It’s a truly massive granite formation that seems to have been dropped into the middle of the landscape. And yes, the only way up is the staircase that’s wedged into a crack on its side. To be honest, seeing the 740 steps zig-zagging up the side is a little bit intimidating. Mateo, of course, just laughed and told us to take our time, saying “despacio,” or slowly. Basically, this is not a race.

The climb itself is kind of a workout, for sure. You’re going up and up, and the steps are fairly steep. Yet, every time you stop to catch your breath, the view just gets better and better. You can see the intricate web of the Guatape reservoir starting to spread out below you. People are generally very friendly on the stairs, offering words of encouragement as you go. There are even little markers every 25 steps or so, which is pretty motivating, in a way. The handrails are solid, and the whole structure feels incredibly secure, which is a good thing when you are that high up. It’s almost a small pilgrimage, and by the time you reach the top, you really feel like you’ve earned the view you’re about to see.

The Reward: That View You See in Pictures

So, after that final step, you’re at the top, and wow. Just, wow. Seriously, the 360-degree view is absolutely one of the most unique sights in all of South America. It’s a completely disorienting and beautiful panorama of green islands, peninsulas, and blue water stretching as far as you can see. Honestly, it doesn’t look real. It feels like you’re looking at a flooded, mountainous world. You can spend a lot of time up there just trying to take it all in. There’s a viewing platform that goes all the way around, so you can see it from every possible angle.

Mateo had told us that the view “changes with the clouds,” and he was so right. We watched as shadows drifted across the islands, making the water shift from a deep blue to a bright turquoise. It was just a little magical. At the end of the day, climbing all those stairs is completely justified by this single moment. You can also buy a mango michelada at the top, which is this sort of beer cocktail with mango and salt, and it’s pretty much the perfect way to celebrate your achievement while you soak in the scenery.

Exploring Guatape Town: A Splash of Color

Anyway, after conquering the rock, the next stop is usually the town of Guatape itself. This place is just a visual treat, you know? Clearly, it’s famous for its brightly colored buildings and zócalos. These zócalos are basically art panels along the lower parts of the houses, and each one tells a story. Some show the family’s profession, like a baker or a musician, while others show local wildlife or simple geometric designs. We just spent a good hour wandering the cobblestone streets, and every single corner seemed more photogenic than the last. Because we were with Mateo, he was able to point out the stories behind some of the more interesting zócalos, which was really cool.

Next, we headed for a boat ride on the reservoir, which was actually part of our private tour package. This was a really nice way to relax after all that climbing. From the water, you get a completely different perspective of the landscape. We floated past some of the vacation homes, including one that used to belong to Pablo Escobar, and Mateo gave us the unfiltered history of the area. Afterwards, we had a traditional lunch at a restaurant overlooking the water. We had bandeja paisa, a huge local platter with beans, rice, meat, and other stuff. It was delicious and felt very authentic. You can read our full review of the food here: [Private Guatape and El Penol Day Trip from Medellin with locals Full Review and Details].

So, Is the ‘Private Tour with a Local’ Really Better?

I mean, at the end of the day, the answer is a definite yes. Obviously, a private trip costs a bit more than just buying a seat on a bus. But what you’re paying for is, frankly, a completely different kind of experience. The flexibility is a huge part of it. We never felt rushed. For instance, we spent almost two hours at the top of the rock just because we were enjoying the view so much, and that was totally fine. You just can’t do that on a group tour. The comfort of the private car and the direct hotel pickup and drop-off also make the day feel much less stressful and a lot more like a vacation. You really save a lot of time and energy that would otherwise be spent on logistics.

But the real value, I think, comes from the ‘with a local’ aspect. Having someone like Mateo with us transformed the day from simple sightseeing into a genuine cultural exchange. He gave us recommendations for the rest of our time in Medellin, helped us practice our terrible Spanish, and just shared a real piece of his world with us. It’s almost like seeing a place through a friend’s eyes instead of a guidebook. So, if you’re deciding on how to see Guatape, you might want to think about what you really want from the day. If you want convenience, stories, and the freedom to explore at your own pace, then a private tour like this is pretty much the best way to do it. You can see the prices and book your own trip here. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Private Guatape Tour]).