Guatapé

Let me be clear, we are NOT city people. After a month in bustling Medellín, we were in dire need of natural surroundings. It was time to head to Guatapé, a very popular lakeside town just a two hour drive away.

The main attraction is El Peñol, a 656ft tall rock that can be climbed for breathtaking views. 

From the top you have a fantastic view of the emerald lake with numerous islands.

I was unsure how our children (8yrs old)  would do climbing its 649 stairs, but they had no problem. On the way up, the stairway is plenty wide enough to stop and enjoy the view while catching your breath while allowing people to pass. 

On the way down, you're on an inside staircase which is much narrower with fewer places to pass, but it's much less strenuous.

Once you reach the top, you can reward yourself with ice cream or a drink. For those who prefer not to climb the rock, you can still enjoying this spectacular view from the outdoor cafe balcony at the base of El Peñol. 

The village of Guatape is a fun place to walk around. The buildings there are as colorful as a box of crayons and the shop owners are super friendly.

We discovered this restaurant and it was so good we are there twice. Their limonada de cocós were SO GOOD! 

After climbing El Peñol we decided to return the following day for a boat tour. Our guide pointed out some fun rental cottages on an island and lakehouses owned by rich and famous Colombians.

We were on a pontoon boat, but there were many different boats to choose from.

In Guatapé we stayed at El Remanso Del Agua, the guesthouse of a Colombian couple. They took great care of us, fed us breakfast each day, drove us to and from the village and even dropped us off at the airport. Their property, a gorgeous retreat, is just what we needed after the culture shock of Medellín. This is their yard. Asher and Journey loved the tree swing. You can even see the top of El Peñol! Birding on the property and along their road was fantastic! I saw 37 species of birds there.