El Peñol vs Guatapé — sorting out the naming
Many visitors are confused by this. La Piedra del Peñol (the rock) is technically in the municipality of El Peñol, not Guatapé — though both towns claim it. The tourist infrastructure (accommodation, restaurants, most tours) is in Guatapé. El Peñol is a separate town about 10 minutes away by car. Worth visiting specifically for its history.
The flooded village
In the 1970s, the Colombian government and EPM (the national electric utility) built the Peñol-Guatapé hydroelectric dam, creating the reservoir known as the Embalse Peñol-Guatapé. The original El Peñol town — its homes, its church, its streets — was flooded to fill the reservoir. Residents were relocated to the new El Peñol town built on higher ground nearby. The process was disputed and painful. The reservoir now covers where the old town stood.
El Peñol Viejo — the submerged village
When reservoir levels drop (typically in the dry season), the ruins of the original town become partially visible. The steeple of the old church is the most iconic element — it still breaks the surface on low-water days and appears in most photographs of the reservoir. Boat tours from Guatapé’s waterfront include a pass by El Peñol Viejo; the experience varies significantly depending on water levels.
The “GI” inscription on La Piedra
If you look at La Piedra del Peñol, you’ll see the large letters “GI” painted on its face. This is the beginning of an unfinished “GUATAPÉ” — painted by Guatapé residents in the 1970s to claim that the rock belonged to their municipality, not El Peñol. El Peñol authorities stopped them after “GI.” The dispute over which town owns La Piedra has never been fully resolved. The letters remain.
What to see in the new El Peñol
The new town has a viewpoint (mirador) with a panoramic view of the reservoir and, on clear days, La Piedra in the distance. The town has a main plaza, a market on weekends, and a more local-than-Guatapé atmosphere. Worth 1–2 hours.
Getting there
10 minutes by car or tuk-tuk from Guatapé. COP 5,000–10,000 by tuk-tuk. You can also reach it by boat on some tours.
By bus: the Medellín–El Peñol–Guatapé bus passes through here. Pick it up at the stop in front of Casa de Ciclistas in Guatapé — no terminal, no ticket counter. For the return to Medellín, both the El Peñol and San Rafael buses pass that same stop. If the main Guatapé bus is full, flag either one from there. You have options.
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What does a Guatapé and El Peñol tour actually include?
Most tours marketed as “Guatapé and El Peñol” combine two things: La Piedra del Peñol and Guatapé town. They rarely visit El Peñol municipality itself. The naming is imprecise — here is what each element usually covers.
La Piedra del Peñol (usually included)
- The 740-step rock climb — 20–35 min up
- Entrance fee: COP 35,000 (often not included in the tour price — confirm before booking)
- Views of the reservoir and Guatapé town from the top
- Time allowed: typically 1.5–2 hours including the climb and descent
Guatapé town (usually included)
- The main plaza and surrounding zócalo streets
- Free time: typically 1–3 hours depending on the operator
- Lunch at a restaurant (sometimes pre-arranged, sometimes your own choice)
- Optional boat ride on the reservoir (usually paid on-site)
El Peñol town (rarely included in standard tours)
El Peñol municipality has its own town center, colonial-era plaza, and the story of El Peñol Viejo — the original village flooded when the reservoir was built. Standard day tours almost never stop there. If you specifically want El Peñol town, plan it as a separate stop or come independently.
What to confirm before booking a Guatapé and El Peñol tour
- Is the La Piedra entrance fee (COP 35,000) included?
- Does the itinerary visit El Peñol town, or just La Piedra and Guatapé?
- How much free time in Guatapé?
- Is the boat ride included or optional?
- Is lunch included or self-arranged?
Compare all Guatapé tour options from Medellín → | La Piedra climb guide →
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