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Guatape is a lake town a couple of hours east of Medellin. It's famous for its rainbow-painted streets and the giant rock of El Peñol, which you can climb for sweeping views. The bus is the budget pick for the trip from Medellin to Guatape at 22,000 COP ($6.40), and the ride takes around 2h. A shared minivan costs more at 187,000 COP ($54), and a private transfer more again.
Below you'll find every option with schedules, prices, and pick-up points.
4 ways to travel from Medellin to Guatape
There are four ways to travel the 83 km distance from Medellin to Guatape. You can choose between the bus, bus (the way back), minivan, and private.
Distance from Medellin to Guatape
Medellin and Guatape are about 45 km (28 miles) apart as the crow flies, but the journey itself covers around 83 km by road.
Where to stay in Guatape?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Guatape.
Or, before you go
More routes from Medellin
We haven't researched any routes out of Guatape yet. Here's where else you can go from Medellin.
Medellin to Guatape by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Medellin to Guatape. Bus fares start from 22,000 COP ($6.40), and the journey takes around 2h.
You can choose from two bus companies operating on this route: Sotrasanvicente and Sotrapeñol.
Departure station
Buses operating from Medellin to Guatape depart from Terminal del Norte.
You can get there by Metro for 3,000 COP ($1.00) using a Cívica card. It’s a rechargeable card used for public transport in Medellín. Hop off at Caribe Station, which is directly connected to the terminal by a pedestrian bridge.
Bus schedule from Medellin to Guatape
Arrival station
Buses from Medellín drop passengers off at the Guatape Bus Terminal in the town centre. Before reaching the town, they pass by Piedra del Peñol (El Peñon), a massive granite monolith and one of the area’s main attractions. You can ask the driver to let you off near the entrance to the rock if you want to climb it first.
Note that some buses continue to nearby towns, so Guatapé isn’t always the final stop.
Medellin to Guatape by Bus (the way back)
When travelling back from Guatapé to Medellín, you’ll need to go to the town’s main bus terminal. It’s a small terminal, less than 500 metres from the central plaza and most hostels and guesthouses in town.
If you’re at Piedra del Peñol, you can also wait by the main road and flag down a bus heading to Medellín. Just note that there’s no guarantee of getting a seat if you board from there. Buses can get crowded, especially during rush hour.
You can buy tickets at the bus station or pay directly to the bus driver if you board the bus from the road. When departing from Guatape Bus Terminal, you can also book your tickets online beforehand through Redbus. The price is 22,000 COP ($6.40).
Bus schedule from Guatape to Medellin (the way back)
Booking Tip
All buses arrive at Terminal del Norte de Medellin. To get to the city centre, you can take an Uber with fares starting from around 25,000 COP ($7.20). It’s a few dollars more expensive than a regular taxi, but well worth it for the convenience, upfront pricing and peace of mind.
Taxi rates start from 15,000 COP ($4.30), but drivers often overcharge tourists — especially if you don’t speak Spanish. If you do take a taxi, agree on the fare before the ride or make sure the meter is running
Another option is to take the Metro at Caribe Station, right in front of the bus terminal. Stay on Line A towards La Estrella and get off at San Antonio Station in the city centre. Fares start from 3,000 COP ($1.00) with a Cívica card.
Medellin to Guatape by Shared Minivan
A minivan ride from Medellin to Guatape costs around 187,000 COP ($54).
Some minivan companies offer door-to-door service, which saves you the hassle and extra cost of getting to and from bus stations. Just keep in mind that this can extend your travel time, as the minivan may stop to collect or drop off other passengers.
The minivan journey takes about 4h, depending on traffic and the number of stops.
There are also minivans that depart straight from José María Córdova Airport.
Shared Minivan schedule from Medellin to Guatape
Medellin to Guatape by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Medellin to Guatape.
Rates start from 402,000 COP ($115) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost, and that’s about 128,000 COP ($37) per person. Travel time is around 2h 20m.
Ready to book your private transport?
From 402,000 COP ($115) · 2h 20m
Where to Stay
See our accommodation guide for ColombiaRounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Medellin to Guatape. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance from Medellin to Guatape is 83 km.
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
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