Guatapé Tour and Dam Boat Tour from Medellín

Guatapé comes with a dam boat ride. On this CHIVAS RUMBA day trip, you get the big-ticket views from the water plus included breakfast and lunch that keep the day moving. It is a long but organized outing that pairs Medellín convenience with Guatapé classics like the zócalos street and Peñol viewpoints.

The main thing to watch is food fit. The lunch has several meat-based protein choices, and there is no mention of vegan or vegetarian options, so plan accordingly.

Key points to know before you go

• Dam boat tour included on the Guatapé reservoir, plus a traditional music moment
• Scenic Peñol stops and a visit to the phoenix monument and the replica of old Peñol
• Farm time in Marinilla to meet animals for about 25 minutes
• Zócalos street in Guatapé gives you real time for photos and crafts
• Optional Peñol stone climb costs extra on site, and it is a lot of steps
• Meals are included, but the lunch proteins skew meat-based

One long day from Medellín: how the timing actually feels

This is a roughly 10.5-hour tour that starts at 7:00 am in the Laureles area. Expect a full day of transitions, with driving time between stops and short windows to explore each place. The upside is that you can check off Guatapé highlights without hiring multiple drivers or piecing together transfers yourself.

CHIVAS RUMBA runs with air-conditioned transportation and a maximum group size of 39. That is large enough that the day stays organized, but small enough that you are not stuck in a chaotic mob. The tour also offers English and uses a mobile ticket, so you should be set once you confirm your booking.

Start in Laureles: pickup, vehicle comfort, and breakfast fuel

The meeting point is Cra. 70 #45e93, Laureles (near Estadio), and the pickup runs only in the morning. After pickup help and boarding, you roll out toward the countryside and start with a traditional breakfast at the restaurant.

Breakfast is a practical set that works for an early start: arepa, egg, bread, cheese, plus a drink option like coffee, latte, or chocolate. This matters because Guatapé and Peñol are the kind of day where you will forget to eat if you are not fed early. The tour gives you that base so you can enjoy the ride and the views without hunting for breakfast later.

A realistic tip

Since the day includes a lunch and a day that runs past mid-afternoon, bring a small snack if you know you get hungry between meals. The itinerary includes multiple short stops, and short can mean “walk, see, move on.”

Marinilla stop at Alto del Chocho: animals, not a theme park

Your first real experience stop after the drive is in Marinilla, at a farm called Alto del Chocho. This is one of those moments where the tour shifts from scenic sightseeing into something hands-on.

You get about 25 minutes on site, with an opportunity to interact with animals, including ostriches, llamas, cows, horses, rabbits, pigs, plus dogs. This is not marketed as a long visit, so treat it like a quick taste of farm life rather than a full farm tour.

Why I like this stop for first-timers

Guatapé and Peñol can be view-heavy. Adding a farm break gives your eyes a rest and gives the day variety, especially if you are traveling with kids or you just want something different than another viewpoint.

What to consider

Twenty-five minutes is brief. If you are hoping for long interactions, this timing may feel short. The upside is it keeps the rest of the day on schedule.

Peñol viewpoint moments before the boat: building the wow factor

Between Marinilla and the reservoir portion, you get a chance to appreciate Peñol from a panoramic perspective. The exact viewpoint timing is wrapped into the drive and handoff, but the idea is clear: you are warming up for the best visuals.

This matters because the boat tour later is the kind of activity where you want your expectations set. You are going from land views to water views, and that change is where the day clicks.

Laguna de Guatapé and the Dam Boat Tour: the day’s centerpiece

The highlight is the boat tour on the Guatapé reservoir, scheduled for about 1 hour. This is not a quick loop. It is the core activity that makes the trip feel like more than a “bus ride to a town.”

On the water, you will see:

• Farms and cabins along the reservoir
• The ruins of a house connected to Pablo Escobar, shared as a panoramic look
• A traditional musical show from the region during the tour

Why this is worth doing with a guide

You could technically visit Guatapé on your own, but the dam boat tour is one of the easiest parts to get wrong logistically. Here, the timing and transfer are built in. Plus, the guide helps you make sense of what you are seeing from the water, including the reservoir’s dramatic changes.

Consideration

The boat portion is included, so it is a big value driver, but you are still on a fixed schedule. If you prefer total freedom and long stays, this structured approach may not match your style.

Phoenix monument and old Peñol replica: learning what the dam changed

After the boat tour, you head toward Penol and make two key stops.

First is the phoenix monument, which represents the rebirth of the town. Nearby, you also visit a replica of the old Peñol, which helps you visualize what was flooded when the dam was built. This is one of those stops where the “why” behind the reservoir becomes easier to grasp.

Then you get additional time to enjoy the surrounding views. The stop time listed is around 30 minutes, with 45 minutes associated with admission items at this point, so give yourself enough space to wander and photograph without rushing.

What to pay attention to

Even if you are not into explanations, look for how the replica layout shows the old town shape. It gives context to the reservoir and makes the boat visuals feel less random.

Guatapé lunch and guarapo: included comfort food, not a gourmet meal

Next comes Guatapé for lunch at a restaurant. The day pauses long enough to refuel, then sends you back into sightseeing.

Lunch includes:

• ripe plantain
• rice
• soup or beans
• salad
• a protein choice (pork, beef, chicken, chicharrón, or ground beef)
• a drink, typically guarapo, which is a traditional regional drink

The time on site is about 40 minutes. That is usually enough time to eat and reset your energy before the zócalos area.

Food reality check (from the reviews and the menu)

The tour has gotten mixed feedback on food. The menu is set, and several reviews mention that the food is not the best. If you care a lot about dietary variety, note that the listed protein options are meat-based, and there is no vegetarian or vegan option stated.

If you are vegetarian, ask ahead of time if substitutions are possible. If you are vegan, do not assume. A backup snack can save your mood.

Plazoleta de los Zócalos: the town colors and craft shopping time

After lunch, you visit the Plazoleta de los Zócalos for about 40 minutes. This is one of Guatapé’s most fun pedestrian areas, known for colorful façades and the iconic painted stonework known as zócalos.

This slot is your chance to:

• walk for photos
• browse crafts
• pick up a souvenir before the day gets tighter

My practical advice

Use this time to decide what you actually want to buy. At the start of the day, you might think you will remember later, but you will not. Forty minutes goes faster than you expect, especially if you stop for photos every few steps.

Piedra del Peñol: optional stairs, optional cost, big payoff

Then you visit Piedra del Peñol, with about 1 hour and 20 minutes on site. This is the iconic cliff viewpoint. The tour also notes that climbing involves 720 steps, and the climb has an extra cost of 25,000 Colombian pesos, paid directly there.

The important thing is that the climb is optional. If your goal is the main view and you want to avoid stairs, you can still enjoy the area without paying extra, but you might miss the best 360-degree panorama from the top.

Timing and comfort

Even without climbing, expect walking time and crowds. With the day already long, wear comfortable shoes. If stairs are part of your plan, pace yourself. That is a lot of steps for a day that started at 7:00 am.

Value math: why the price works, and what to budget for extras

The price is $31.00 per person, and it includes a lot that normally costs extra on separate bookings:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Breakfast (arepa, egg, bread, cheese, plus a drink)
• Lunch (plantain, rice, soup or beans, salad, protein choice, plus guarapo)
• Bottled water
• Dam boat tour (about 1 hour)
• Medical assistance card
• Professional bilingual accompanying guide
• Entrance to key stops where listed as included

The main extra you should budget is the optional Peñol stone rise/climb cost of 25,000 COP.

Is $31 a bargain?

It can be, if you value the included boat tour and you want a guided day that handles transfers for you. If you care deeply about food quality or you need vegetarian or vegan meals, the value can feel weaker because the lunch is set and the menu is meat-based.

Who this tour fits best

I think this tour works best if you want a first-timer friendly overview of Guatapé and Peñol with minimal planning. You get:

• the dam boat tour experience
• short but varied stops (farm, monument, town, viewpoint)
• enough time in Guatapé to enjoy the zócalos area

It is also a good fit if you prefer guided English support and you like having meals included on a long travel day.

Who should be cautious

Be cautious if your must-haves are:

• strong vegetarian or vegan options (the lunch protein list is meat-focused)
• long free time at each stop (several stops are short, including the farm and viewpoint windows)
• zero stairs at all (the stone climb is optional, but the day still involves walking)

The tour notes that most travelers can participate, but your comfort level with walking and optional stairs will make or break the experience.

Should you book CHIVAS RUMBA’s Guatapé and Dam Boat Tour?

If you are visiting Medellín and you only have one day for Guatapé, I would book it for the included dam boat tour and the organized route. It gives you the big sights without the hassle of figuring out multiple transfers.

Do book with a small strategy: plan your expectations. Treat the farm and viewpoints as quick hits, use the zócalos window for real shopping and photos, and decide in advance if you will pay the extra for the 720-step Peñol climb. And if food is a big deal for you, bring a snack and ask questions early about dietary needs, since the lunch menu is clearly set.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Guatapé tour from Medellín?

The tour runs about 10 hours 30 minutes on average.

What does the $31.00 per person price include?

It includes an air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast items (arepa, egg, bread, cheese, and a drink option), lunch (plantain, rice, soup or beans, salad, protein choice, and guarapo), bottled water, the dam boat tour, medical assistance card, and a professional bilingual guide.

Is pickup available from Medellín?

Yes, pickup is available only in the morning. The service ends back at the meeting point at the tour office in Laureles.

Does the tour offer English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Do I have to pay extra for the Peñol stone?

Yes. The rise of Peñol stone (the 720 steps) costs 25,000 Colombian pesos and is paid directly there. Admission to the site is not included for that climb.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount is not refunded.