A dam boat ride in Medellín’s backyard. This Guatapé + Dam Boat day trip is a long one, but it swaps out a lot of sitting with real stops: Guatapé Reservoir by boat, bright town streets, and even animal encounters on the way.

I particularly like the bilingual guide and the fact that breakfast and lunch are built into the day, not something you have to hunt for mid-tour. The included dam boat time also keeps the best part of Guatapé from feeling rushed.

One thing to consider: the meal plan is heavy on standard meat options, and the day moves fast enough that the town stops can feel short if you like to linger.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Dam boat tour included for about 1 hour on the Guatapé reservoir
• Animal farm stop in Marinilla with hands-on time around ostriches, llamas, pigs, and more
• Old Peñol story points via the phoenix monument and a replica of the flooded town
• Zócalos street time for crafts, color, and souvenirs in the center of Guatapé
• Peñol Stone viewpoint time around 1 hour 20 minutes, with stairs optional for an extra fee

How the day runs: 7:00 a.m. pickup and the 10.5-hour schedule

This is a full-day outing, listed at about 10 hours 30 minutes. It starts early: 7:00 a.m. from Laureles (Carrera 70 #45e-93). If you’re staying elsewhere, you’re in luck if you’re on the morning pickup route—pickup is only offered in the morning—and the tour returns you back to the same Laureles office.

The tour is run by CHIVAS RUMBA using an air-conditioned vehicle and a professional bilingual guide (English is offered). Group size caps at 39 travelers, which matters on a day like this. You’ll still share buses, time slots, and bathrooms with other people, but the day feels more controlled than the giant, free-for-all style tours.

One practical note: because this is a long day with several short stops, it helps to bring the travel basics. Wear comfortable shoes (you’ll want them later for Peñol Stone stairs even if you don’t plan to climb) and have a light layer ready for the reservoir breezes.

Breakfast first: the easiest start from Laureles

Before the first big driving chunk, you’ll start at the tour office in Laureles and get checked in. Then the day begins with a traditional regional breakfast with arepa, egg, bread, cheese, and a drink (coffee, latte, or chocolate).

Why I like this setup: you’re fed before you’re on the bus for a while. That matters because the itinerary’s heavy on driving and a few quick windows later. If you’ve ever done a full-day tour where the first “meal” is a vending machine, you’ll appreciate that breakfast is included and actually substantial.

The downside is the timing. The breakfast stop is close to the start and then you’re moving again. If you’re hoping for a slow coffee shop morning, this tour isn’t that day.

Marinilla and the animal farm stop: quick, fun, and surprisingly memorable

Next comes the drive toward Marinilla, then the first true “activity” stop: a farm called Alto del Chocho. The focus here is simple and hands-on—interacting with animals like ostrich, dogs, llamas, cows, horses, rabbits, and pigs.

The planned stop time is about 25 minutes. It’s not a long petting-zoo session, but it’s enough to get your photos and your curiosity satisfied. If you’re traveling with kids, or if you just like seeing rural Colombia up close without a multi-day detour, this stop is a good use of time.

Possible consideration: if you’re expecting guided animal facts for a full hour, you might feel it’s brief. Still, it breaks up the driving and adds variety before you jump into the water and town highlights.

Panoramic Peñol viewpoints: small stops that set expectations

Between Marinilla and Guatapé’s reservoir area, the schedule includes a chance to appreciate Peñol panoramically. This part is more about scenery and orientation than a full stop with tickets.

I think these small viewpoint breaks are underrated. The reservoir and rock formations can look similar from far away, but once you’ve seen the area from multiple angles, Guatapé and Peñol feel more connected. It also helps you decide later whether you want the stairs on Peñol Stone—because you’ll already have a sense of the view you’re chasing.

Laguna de Guatapé: the dam boat tour is the centerpiece

This is where the day earns its keep. After you reach the Guatapé reservoir, you’ll take a boat tour of the dam that lasts about 1 hour. Admission is included.

On the boat, you’ll see:

• Farms or cabins along the reservoir
• Ruins of a house linked to Pablo Escobar, viewed from the water as a panoramic stop
• A traditional musical show tied to the region

Why this matters for your money: Guatapé’s fame isn’t just the town. It’s the geography made dramatic by the water and the dam. A bus can show you viewpoints. A boat changes the angle, and it gives you a calmer, more “travel day reward” feel.

One more practical thing: boats can get breezy. Bring something to cover your shoulders if you’re the kind of person who turns cold easily. Even if it’s warm on land, the reservoir air can feel different.

Phoenix monument and old Peñol replica: understanding what the water changed

After the boat tour, the schedule heads to Penol area sites, starting with the phoenix monument. This monument represents the rebirth of the town, which is a helpful frame for what you’re about to see next: a replica of the old Peñol.

You’ll be able to appreciate the earlier town that was flooded when the dam was built. There’s a feeling here of “place history without a museum lecture.” You’re not just snapping photos—you’re seeing the physical proof of how the landscape was altered.

Stop time is about 30 minutes (with an extended total time allotment listed). If you like taking time at monuments, this might feel a touch tight, but it’s still enough to read the cues and walk around calmly.

Lunch in Guatapé: included, filling, and meat-focused

Then you move into Guatapé for lunch. The plan includes time at a restaurant for about 40 minutes, plus the typical regional set-up: ripe plantain, rice, soup or beans, salad, and a protein you choose from options like pork, beef, chicken, chicharrón, or ground beef. For a drink, you’ll have guarapo, a traditional local beverage.

This is a decent value feature because it removes a whole logistics headache. If you’ve been in popular towns, you know lunch can become “find a place, wait, pay too much, then feel rushed.” Here, lunch is slotted into the day and included.

The drawback is straightforward: the menu described is not built around vegan or vegetarian needs. If your diet is plant-based, I’d treat this as a signal to plan ahead (for example, bring a snack you can rely on and ask what can be accommodated if the option exists at that moment). Because the tour doesn’t list those alternatives, don’t assume you’ll find a fully vegetarian meal.

Zócalos Street: color, crafts, and a quick souvenir window

After lunch, you’ll visit Plazoleta de los Zócalos, with about 40 minutes on site. This is your classic Guatapé photo-and-shopping time: the colonial town look, the bright colors, and the street known for zócalos—those decorated fronts that make Guatapé so recognizable.

This is a smart stop for most people because it’s flexible. If you want photos, you’ll have time. If you want small gifts, you can browse. If you’re tired, this still works because you can stay in the center and keep the walking easy.

One consideration: 40 minutes is not “browse all the shops in town.” It’s enough for a souvenir round and a few photos.

Peñol Stone: 720 steps are optional, but the view plan is real

Next is the star rock: Piedra del Peñol. You’ll have about 1 hour 20 minutes on site. The big choice here is the climb.

• The climb is optional
• If you want the big viewpoint, you can climb the stairs (720 steps)
• The stairs cost 25,000 Colombian pesos and you pay that directly on site
• If you skip climbing, you’ll still likely get time at viewpoints without paying the climb fee

This stop is valuable because the rock gives you a 360° view, and it’s one of the most “worth the effort” activities in the area. But it’s also physically demanding, especially if it’s hot, humid, or you’re not used to steep stairs.

My practical advice: if you’re on the fence, decide early after you arrive. Once you’re halfway up, turning back is possible, but it’s not a fun place to reconsider.

Also, plan for slower walking back to your group. If the tour guide needs everyone reassembled by a certain time, don’t leave the rock viewpoint with only minutes to spare.

Getting your best value: what you’re really paying for

At $31 per person, this tour is priced like a solid value for what’s included—especially the dam boat tour and the two meals (breakfast and lunch). A lot of tours in the region are basically a bus + viewpoints. Here, the schedule gives you one big “paid activity” chunk (the boat) plus multiple included stops.

Here’s the value math in plain terms:

• You don’t have to pay separately for the boat time
• You avoid the “where do we eat?” scramble because breakfast and lunch are included
• You get multiple distinct settings: farm, reservoir, town center, and the rock

The trade-off is that not every stop is long. You’re not buying a slow travel day. You’re buying a well-structured highlights circuit.

Who this tour fits best (and who should pick a different style)

This day trip is a great match if you:

• Want the Guatapé highlights without organizing separate transport
• Like having meals taken care of
• Enjoy a mix of nature + town rather than only one focus
• Prefer smaller-group structure (cap at 39)

It’s less ideal if you:

• Need strict vegan or vegetarian meals and can’t eat the listed protein options
• Hate timed schedules and prefer long “stay and wander” blocks
• Want a very relaxed pace with plenty of free time

If you’re the type who likes to linger in shops, this tour might still work—just plan to hit Zócalos early during that window so you don’t feel rushed.

Quick tips to make the day easier

• Bring a light layer for the boat—reservoir air can feel cooler than the city.
• Wear shoes you can walk in easily around town and on steep rock stairs paths.
• For Peñol Stone, hydrate early; the climb is optional, but the area is still active.
• If you care about food beyond the standard menu, pack a backup snack. The tour does not list vegan/vegetarian substitutions.

Should you book the Guatapé + Dam Boat Tour from Medellín?

Yes—if you want a well-packed day that hits Guatapé’s essentials with the dam boat tour as the centerpiece and meals handled for you. The price is reasonable for the inclusions, and the mix of places (farm stop, reservoir, town square, Peñol Stone) keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

Hold off or plan carefully if you’re vegetarian or vegan, because the lunch described is not positioned that way. Also, if you dislike “stop-and-go,” know that the town time windows are brief and you’ll be moving on before you fully settle in.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where do I meet?

The tour starts at 7:00 a.m. at Cra. 70 #45e93, Laureles (Estadio), Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia.

Do they offer pickup from my hotel?

Pickup is offered only in the morning. The tour ends back at their office in Laureles (Carrera 70 #45 e 93), which is also the morning meeting area.

Is the dam boat tour included in the price?

Yes. The dam boat tour is included and lasts about 1 hour.

What meals are included?

You get breakfast (arepa, egg, bread, cheese, plus a drink) and lunch in Guatapé (plantain, rice, soup or beans, salad, a protein choice, and guarapo). Bottled water is also included.

Is the Peñol Stone climb included?

The tour includes time at Piedra del Peñol, but the 720-step climb is not included. The cost to climb is 25,000 COP, paid on site.

Is there a guide, and what language do they speak?

Yes. You travel with a professional bilingual accompanying guide, and the tour is offered in English.

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 want, tell me your travel dates and dietary needs, and I’ll help you decide whether this schedule fits you or whether you should build a slower Guatapé plan.

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