Colombia

How to get from Medellin to Guatape (and back)

In this in-depth route guide, you can compare the best ways to travel the 83 kilometers (52 miles) from Medellin to Guatape. Our team of indpendent travel experts researched each route — breaking down each option by travel time, price, and comfort. Plus, we’ll share the best booking options to help you get the best deal.

Written by Ela - Senior Travel WriterLast updated: November 25, 2024

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What are the 4 ways to travel from Medellin to Guatape?

There are 4 ways to travel the 83 kilometers (52 miles) from Medellin to Guatape. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, private transport and bus (the way back). The journey takes 2 to 4 hours and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 22,000 COP ($5.10).

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Bus

From 22,000 COP ($5.10)

Bus (the way back)

From 22,000 COP ($5.10)

Shared Minivan

From 333,000 COP ($79)

Book Tickets

Private Transport

2h 20m

From 467,000 COP ($110)

Book Tickets

Medellin to Guatape by Bus

Duration: 2h

Costs: 22,000 COP ($5.10)

Duration: 2h

Costs: 22,000 COP ($5.10)

To get from Medellin to Guatape, you can take a bus departing from Terminal del Norte in Medellin.

The bus terminal can be easily reached from Medellin city centre using line A on the metro. The closest station, right in front of the bus terminal, is called ‘Caribe’.

Buses from Medellin to Guatape depart every half hour from 05:00 to 18:00 with the bus companies, Sotrasanvicente and Sotrapeñol, both of which are very similar in terms of quality.

You can buy the tickets directly at the bus station for 22,000 COP ($5.10), just look for counters #9 or #14.

Bus schedules from Medellin to Guatape

Medellin

Standard

Guatape

06:00

08:00

06:45

08:45

07:45

09:45

08:30

10:30

09:00

11:00

09:30

11:30

10:00

12:00

10:30

12:30

11:00

13:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

15:00

17:00

16:00

18:00

17:00

19:00

18:00

20:00

18:15

20:15

Sotrasanvicente

22,000 COP ($5.10)

Get Your Tickets

Medellin

Standard

Guatape

11:10

13:10

11:30

13:30

13:00

15:00

13:30

15:30

17:30

19:30

Sotrapeñol

22,000 COP ($5.10)

Get Your Tickets

The bus will drop you at Guatape bus terminal, but you can also choose to get off in front of the Piedra del Peñol entrance, which is 10 minutes before you would arrive in the town. Just let the driver know you want to stop there beforehand.

Medellin to Guatape by Bus (the way back)

Duration: 2h

Costs: 22,000 COP ($5.10)

Duration: 2h

Costs: 22,000 COP ($5.10)

When travelling back from Guatape to Medellin, you have to go to the main bus terminal in Guatape. You can easily get to this bus terminal as it is walking distance from most parts of the town.

If you are at Piedra del Peñol, you can go to the main road and just stop the bus. However, there is no guarantee you will get a seat, so it is better to go to Guatape first and take the bus from Guatape to Medellin from the bus station.

Buses to Medellin depart every half hour from 04:00 to 20:00. You can buy the tickets at the bus station or pay directly to the bus driver if you board the bus from the road. The price is 22,000 COP ($5.10).

Bus schedule from Guatape to Medellin (the way back)

Guatape

Standard

Medellin

06:30

08:30

07:30

09:30

08:30

10:30

12:30

11:30

13:30

12:30

14:30

13:30

15:30

14:30

16:30

15:30

17:30

16:30

18:30

17:00

19:00

17:30

19:30

Sotrasanvicente

22,000 COP ($5.10)

Get Your Tickets

When arriving in Medellin, the bus will drop you at Terminal del Norte. To get to the city centre of Medellin, you can either take a taxi for around 8,000 COP ($1.90), Uber starting at 6,000 COP ($1.40) or the metro for 3,000 COP ($0.60).

The closest metro station, ‘Caribe’, is right in front of the bus terminal. You’ll need to take line A in the direction of La Estrella and get off at ‘San Antonio’ Station to reach the city centre.

Medellin to Guatape by Shared Minivan

Duration: 4h

Costs: 333,000 COP ($79)

Duration: 4h

Costs: 333,000 COP ($79)

A minivan ride from Medellin to Guatape costs around 333,000 COP ($79). The minivan journey takes about 4 hours, depending on traffic.

Destino Colombia operates on this route.

What we like about this option is that the minivan company offers free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.

Minivan schedules from Medellin to Guatape

Medellin Airport (MDE)

Shuttle

Guatape - Any hotel

08:00

12:00

10:00

14:00

12:00

16:00

Destino Colombia

333,000 COP ($79)

Get Your Tickets

Medellin - Any hotel in city center

Shuttle

Guatape - Any hotel

00:00

04:00

01:00

05:00

02:00

06:00

03:00

07:00

04:00

08:00

05:00

09:00

06:00

10:00

07:00

11:00

08:00

12:00

09:00

13:00

10:00

14:00

11:00

15:00

12:00

16:00

13:00

17:00

14:00

18:00

15:00

19:00

16:00

20:00

17:00

21:00

18:00

22:00

19:00

23:00

20:00

00:00

21:00

01:00

22:00

02:00

23:00

03:00

Destino Colombia

From 381,000 COP ($91)

Medellin to Guatape by Private Transport

Duration: 2h 20m

Costs: 467,000 COP ($110)

Duration: 2h 20m

Costs: 467,000 COP ($110)

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Medellin to Guatape.

Rates start from 467,000 COP ($110) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 156,000 COP ($37) per person. Travel time is around 2 hours 20 minutes.

Private Transport options from Medellin to Guatape (and back)

Standard

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 156,000 COP ($37)

Gran Colombia Tours

467,000 COP ($110)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 5 PAX

Price per person = 137,000 COP ($32.50)

Gran Colombia Tours

686,000 COP ($165)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 8 PAX

Price per person = 95,000 COP ($22.50)

Gran Colombia Tours

758,000 COP ($180)

Get Your Tickets

Frequently Asked Questions about Medellin to Guatape

What is the distance from Medellin to Guatape?

The distance from Medellin to Guatape is 83 kilometers (52 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Medellin to Guatape?

The fastest way to get from Medellin to Guatape is by bus and takes 2 hours.

What is the cheapest way to get from Medellin to Guatape?

The cheapest way to get from Medellin to Guatape is by bus with ticket costs starting from 22,000 COP ($5.10).

Rounding 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!

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About the author(s)

Ela

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.