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Guatapé
Guatapé is a comfortable, vibrant town of just over 6,000 people. Situated in the Antioquia Department of Colombia, it may not seem like an obvious destination for travelers. Yet, when people do visit, this small, colorful town offers a big, grand experience.
What does that mean for travelers like you?
Guatapé’s Vibrant History
The city of Guatapé gets its name from a cacique, or warrior-leader, of the Taino people. An indigenous group, the Taino occupied present-day Guatapé in the 16th century, and they named the town in his honor.
Centuries later, the Spaniard Don Francisco Giraldo y Jimenez formally “founded” Guatapé, declaring it a municipality in 1811. The city became a center of culture and economic growth, particularly booming in the 1970s, thanks to the launch of the nation’s largest hydroelectric generator.
From Medellín or the Andean Highlands To Guatapé
To reach Guatapé, most people traveling in Colombia depart from Medellín. There are a few reliable options:
- Private transit through tour
- Public transit by bus
- Rent a car and drive yourself
- Take a taxi
Buses, taxis, and rental cars are all available at Terminal del Norte, a transit station on the Northmost side of Medellín. Its routes head North and East.
Notably, rideshare services are not recommended in Medellín.
Guatapé: Climate, Culture & Natural Wonders
Guatapé, Colombia is known for its warm, temperate climate. As expected for a tropical region, it rains about one out of three days. Fortunately, the rains rarely last long, leaving plenty of time in the day for exploring, dining, and enjoying natural wonders.
Visitors often seek out the city for its vibrant, colorful murals, traditionally depicting legends and historical events. The vibrant city sits lakeside, and it’s not far from El Peñón de Guatapé, a towering rock monolith celebrated by ancient cultural groups.
Artisan Zocalos (Murals)
Zocalos are elaborately painted exterior walls of homes, and similarly decorated external support structures of buildings. In Colombia, zocalos had to be painted for practical reasons, to protect walls from the environment.
It became traditional to paint histories, portraits, and aspects of cultural identity. Thus, zocalos transformed from practical pieces of architecture to a beloved and well-practiced art form.
In Guatape, zocalos became part of the city’s cultural and creative identity. They’re so widely celebrated, diverse governmental and cultural groups work to preserve them.
El Peñón de Guatapé (Rock of Peñol)
The Rock of Peñol is a natural inselberg, towering over 7000 feet tall. To scale it, travelers must brave the climb up 708 stairs. Upon reaching the top, visitors can enjoy cold drinks and desserts, zocalo murals, and a stunning view. Art is also available to enjoy at the rock’s base.
Visit Guatapé On Our Colombia Tour
Caravn’s expert guides have crafted a tour for the ages. We now invite travelers to our all-inclusive Colombia tour. The 10-day adventure includes dining, exploring, and guided activities in Guatapé and many of its neighboring cities: Bogota, Medellin, the Andean Highlands, Zipaquira, and beyond!
Lake Guatapé Day Trip & Boat Tour
Caravan’s international experts crafted an all-inclusive, ten-day tour to highlight the absolute best of what Colombia has to offer. On the tour’s fifth day, that’s the chance to experience the pristine waters of the largest lake in the nation: Embalse El Peñol-Guatapé.
Embalse El Peñol-Guatapé
The lake borders the cities of Guatapé and Peñol. Its clear, cold water offers an extraordinary view of the fish and sea life beneath its surface.
At 25 square miles, it’s a large enough body of water to accommodate quite a lot! Fishing, boating, and even waterskiing are all popular activities.
Be warned, though: it is NOT safe to swim.
Ancestral Hearth Cooking
Ancestral hearth cooking tours unlock the secrets of the complex, explosive flavors of traditional, indigenous Colombian cuisine. In Guatapé, visitors can learn culinary secrets straight from the hearth of the town’s most popular home chefs.
Caravan Takes You There
Caravan builds extraordinary, all-inclusive adventures for travelers on a budget. Since 1952, we’ve offered affordable tours guided by experts: guaranteed safety, room, and dining inclusive, and wholly planned by our professionals.
Before your next trip, why not skip the stress? Call one of Caravan’s agents at 1 (312)-321-9800, or call 1-800-CARAVAN, and embark on your next adventure.
2025 Hotels
2025 Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are usually rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.
Days 1, 2, 3 • Bogotá
Bogotá Marriott Hotel
The hotel is four miles from Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport, in the city’s financial and entertainment district. The Marriott has 24 hour front desk reception, two restaurants, a bar, fitness center, indoor lap pool and full service spa. Free Wifi.
Days 4, 5, 6 • Medellín
Estelar Square Hotel
The hotel is ideally located in El Poblado, Medellin’s most exclusive area. The Estelar Square Hotel is within easy walking distance of the Santa Fe and Oviedo Malls. The hotel has 24 hour front desk reception, a restaurant, bar, rooftop pool and fitness center. Free Wifi.
Days 7, 8, 9 • Cartagena
Estelar Cartagena de Indias Hotel
The hotel is in the upscale Bocagrande neighborhood. It directly faces the beach, and is just a 20 minute walk to the Walled City of Cartagena. The hotel has 24 hour front desk reception, two restaurants and a lobby and pool bar. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, full-service spa, and beauty salon. Free Wifi.
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers
arrival Transfers
Transfer on your own from the El Dorado International Airport (BOG) to Bogota Marriott Hotel (Av. El Dorado #69 B-53, Fontibon) in Bogota. Once you have exited customs and collected your baggage at the airport, proceed to the official taxi service known as “Imperial”. The Imperial kiosk is located as you exit baggage claims. Here you can request your taxi. The driving time from the airport to your hotel, Bogota Marriott Hotel, is approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. You can pay using US Dollars, Colombian Pesos, or with a credit card. Taxi fares range from 40,000 - 60,000 Colombian Pesos, or $15 - $20 US Dollars (depending on the exchange rate) plus tip. ATMs and a currency exchange are available at the airport. When you arrive at your hotel, please identify yourself as a Caravan tour member to the front desk personnel.
departure Transfers
Caravan includes fixed departure transfers from your hotel to Cartagena’s Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG), scheduled to arrive at 5:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. These transfers are only available at these set times on the day the tour ends. If you extend your stay in Colombia or if you wish to go at a different time, you will need to transfer on your own, at your own expense. Please ask the hotel bellman to arrange a taxi. Fares are approximately $25 U.S. Dollars per taxi, plus tip. The driving time from the hotel to the airport is usually 15 - 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Passports & Visas
Passports & Visas
Colombia requires a current U.S. passport valid for six months after your date of entry. Non U.S. citizens, please check passport and visa requirements. Note: If you are travelling with children under 18 years old without both parents or legal guardians, you should carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). A notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent’s death certificate, or a court order of child custody may also be permissible. Failure to have proper documentation could result in denial of boarding by the airline, due to international child protection laws.
Weather & Clothing
Weather & Clothing
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Bogotá | Medellín | Cartagena | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | |
| Jan | 66/44 | 1.6 | 77/62 | 4.4 | 87/76 | 0.1 |
| Feb | 66/46 | 2.6 | 77/63 | 4.6 | 87/76 | 0.1 |
| Mar | 66/48 | 4.2 | 78/63 | 5.5 | 87/77 | 0.1 |
| Apr | 65/49 | 7.7 | 78/64 | 9.3 | 87/78 | 1.0 |
| May | 65/49 | 7.8 | 78/64 | 10.5 | 88/79 | 3.4 |
| Jun | 64/48 | 5.4 | 78/63 | 8.5 | 88/79 | 3.4 |
| Jul | 63/47 | 4.0 | 78/62 | 7.5 | 88/79 | 3.6 |
| Aug | 63/47 | 3.9 | 78/62 | 8.3 | 88/79 | 4.0 |
| Sep | 64/46 | 5.1 | 78/62 | 9.1 | 88/79 | 4.8 |
| Oct | 65/47 | 7.2 | 77/63 | 10.3 | 87/78 | 6.1 |
| Nov | 65/48 | 6.0 | 77/63 | 9.3 | 87/78 | 4.3 |
| Dec | 65/46 | 3.3 | 77/63 | 6.3 | 87/77 | 1.4 |
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogotá | ||||||||||||
| temp | 66/44 | 66/46 | 66/48 | 65/49 | 65/49 | 64/48 | 63/47 | 63/47 | 64/46 | 65/47 | 65/48 | 65/46 |
| rainfall | 1.6 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 5.4 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 3.3 |
| Medellín | ||||||||||||
| temp | 77/62 | 77/63 | 78/63 | 78/64 | 78/64 | 78/63 | 78/62 | 78/62 | 78/62 | 77/63 | 77/63 | 77/63 |
| rainfall | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 9.3 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 10.3 | 9.3 | 6.3 |
| Cartagena | ||||||||||||
| temp | 87/76 | 87/76 | 87/77 | 87/78 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 87/78 | 87/78 | 87/77 |
| rainfall | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 6.1 | 4.3 | 1.4 |
Clothing Tips
This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for evenings is casual. Suit jackets for men and dresses for women are never required.
Why Travel with Caravan?
Why Travel with Caravan?
Excellence Since 1952
You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.
Caravan Care
For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.
Caravan's Proud History
In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.
Great Hotels
Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.
Meals
Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.
Complete Sightseeing
Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.
Fully Guided by Tour Directors
All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.
All-inclusive
Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Shopping Freedom
Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.
Great Value, Book Early
Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.
How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?
Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.
Trade Association Memberships
Caravan is a member of NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Commerce Marketing Association).
