Colourful and scenic region of Guatape, Colombia
Colourful streets of Guatape, Colombia
Colour, colour, colour everywhere! This is the South America I imagined!
Guatape is an easy day trip (or overnight trip) from Medellin in Colombia. After just 2 hours on a bus you can be in the most colourful town I’ve ever seen.
Guatape shops in the town square
It is a small town, but lovely to wander around and stop at the odd cafe for a fresh juice (and carrot cake if you’re me). The houses and shops are decorated with base-relief scenes known as ‘zocalos’.
The base-reliefs used to be used to stop chickens pecking at the walls and children ruining them with ball games, but today it’s all just stunning to see with hanging flower baskets to boot!
Colourful houses in Guatape
Church in Guatape
La Piedra del Penol
Nearby there is the giant La Piedra del Penol, a 200m tall granite monolith that rises high above Guatape. It’s a motor-taxi ride from town and a decent 740 steps up (if you go right to the very top). From the top you’re rewarded with stunning views overlooking the region and it’s vast amount of lakes.
Motor taxi in Guatape
La Piedra del Penol, Guatape
Stairs up La Piedra del Penol, Guatape
View over Guatape region from La Piedra del Penol
This was one of my favourite stops in Colombia, the people were super friendly (highly recommend stopping at the healthy food cafe) and the streets and scenery were stunning.
Me at the top of La Piedra del Penol
This is how I’d imagine South American to be as well – Guatape is going straight on my dream travel list!
Totally awesome! Colombia is definitely worth the visit for this spot and a few others like Cartagena and Salento!
What a lovely place! I hope I can visit there one day!