To make the most of your trip to Medellín, you should visit the towns around the city. You will find plans for all tastes and budgets, from extreme sports to gastronomic experiences. If you want to find it all in one place, Guatapé is your go-to. It is one of the most beautiful towns in Colombia, full of colorful art and breathtaking landscapes. Going from Medellín to Guatapé is very easy and there’s only a little more than 80 km (about two hours of journey) between them, so there’s no excuse to miss out on this must-see town.
Planning the activities you want to do in Guatapé before you travel will help you make the best use of your time. Make a list of the places you most want to see and organize your time in such a way that you can visit them all. You can read this article to learn more about all the things to do in Guatapé. You will find information about the most unique places in town and tips to make the most of your visit.
Now that you’re ready to go, let’s talk about transportation. There are different ways to get to Guatapé from Medellín. The most affordable and common one is to take a bus. However, you can also take a taxi or an Uber. And if you want the complete experience, you can book a Guatapé tour so that you don’t have to worry about finding transportation. We will guide you through each option so you can choose the best one for you.
Go by Bus
To take a bus from Medellín to Guatapé, you have two options. You can buy the ticket in advance online by visiting the redBus page or you can go directly to the Terminal del Norte (the regional bus station). In both cases, the ticket costs $17,000 (3.80 USD). It is a safe and reliable platform that accepts many payment options. They offer different departure times and you can also add a return ticket.
If you want to go directly to the Terminal del Norte, you can take a cab or the metro. Remember Medellín stands out among all Colombian cities for its excellent public transportation, so this is always a good option if you want to save a bit of money. If you choose to go by metro, take line A and go to the Estación Caribe. This station has a direct pedestrian bridge to the Terminal del Norte, so there is no risk of getting lost. Search for the ticket booths on the lowest level. There you will find two companies: Sotrasanvicente and Sotrapeñol. Both have routes to Guatapé that leave every thirty minutes between 5:00 and 18:00.
If you have already planned your itinerary and your first stop is El Peñol, you can ask the driver to leave you there before entering Guatapé. However, it is recommended to first visit the town, walk around its charming streets, have something to eat, and then walk or take a tuk-tuk to El Peñol. It depends on what you want to do first.
Take a Cab or an Uber
You can take a cab or an Uber from Medellín to Guatapé if you prefer to be more comfortable. It is a door-to-door service, so it will pick you up at your hotel and take you directly to your first stop, whether it is a restaurant, a hostel, the Malecón, etc. Do keep in mind that this is a more expensive choice as it will cost you around $180.000 (40 USD). You can ask for your Uber as you would normally do through the App. If you prefer a cab, you can take it on the street or order it. The most commonly used taxi application in Medellín is called EasyTaxi.
When you are ready to go back to Medellín, you can choose one of the options we mentioned before. You can take a taxi or an Uber using the apps just like you did going from Medellín to Guatapé. You can also take public transportation. For this, go to the bus station called Terminal de los Buses. Ask for a bus that goes to Medellín and they will quickly help you find a spot. Pay for the ticket and have a coffee or a cold beverage while you wait for the departure time.
Book a Tour
The third option is to book a tour. Purchasing a tour is an excellent choice if you prefer to focus your energy on enjoying the trip without having to think about the logistics of transportation. At Local Tours Medellín, we offer you a complete Guatapé tour so that you can enjoy the most striking and beautiful places that Guatapé has to offer. We have daily departures from Poblado main park at 8:00 am and Estadio metro station at 8:30 am. Accompanied by a local tour guide, you will visit the Peñol rock, the main streets and squares, take a boat ride, and eat a delicious traditional lunch. At the end of the day, you won’t have to worry about finding transportation back home as the tour includes return tickets.
Visiting Guatapé will be one of the highlights of your trip to Medellín. It is the perfect destination to get away from the city and enjoy incredible views and magical moments. The variety of transportation to get there is largely due to the fact that it has become a favorite tourist spot for many travelers. If you want to travel comfortably and without worries, contact us to schedule your tour. We will take care of all the logistics to guarantee you the best experience.
