Guatapé, Colombia – A Colourful Town but what about the lake !!

After the hustle and bustle of Medellín, we were ready for a change of pace, and Guatapé certainly delivered.

Just two hours by bus from Medellín, Guatapé is a small town famous for its brightly painted buildings, decorative wall panels and beautiful lakeside setting.

It turned out to be one of the most colourful and cheerful places we'd visited on our travels so far. There was, however, one rather unexpected problem – the lake had almost disappeared!

Arriving in Guatapé

Our journey from Medellín was straightforward, although we managed to get off the bus at the wrong stop!

Fortunately, a local tuk-tuk came to the rescue and whisked us into town. As we soon discovered, tuk-tuks are a brilliant way to get around Guatapé, and we'd definitely recommend taking at least one ride.

We checked into Lake View Hostel, situated in a quieter part of town.

It was a lovely hostel with spacious communal areas, a comfortable room, a balcony and a great top-floor space complete with hammocks. In the evenings, the upper floor also operated as a Thai restaurant.

There was just one problem with our lakeside accommodation.

There was no lake to look at!

Where Has All the Water Gone?

Guatapé is normally surrounded by a spectacular network of lakes and waterways, making it a popular destination for kayaking, boat trips and other water activities.

Unfortunately, when we visited, the region was experiencing a severe drought, and we were told that water levels were around 50% below normal.

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From our hostel, instead of looking out over sparkling blue water, we were looking across what was effectively a field.

We had planned several water-based activities, but none was possible during our visit. It was disappointing, particularly as we hadn't known about the situation before arriving.

Still, Guatapé had plenty of other surprises in store.

Exploring Colombia's Most Colourful Town

If ever a town could brighten your day, it would be Guatapé.

Everywhere we looked, there were brightly painted houses, colourful balconies, decorative doors and beautiful little streets.

What makes Guatapé particularly special are its zócalos, the decorative bas-relief panels found along the lower walls of many buildings.

These depict everything from animals and flowers to local traditions, businesses and everyday life.

Wandering around the town was an absolute joy. Every corner seemed to reveal another colourful scene, and we spent hours simply exploring, taking photographs and soaking up the atmosphere.

We particularly loved the pretty streets around the main square, including the famous Calle del Recuerdo.

The town's church was also worth a visit. Preparations were underway for Easter when we arrived, adding to the atmosphere.

Guatapé really is a place where you don't need a packed itinerary. Just wandering around is an experience in itself.

Climbing El Peñol – 750 Steps to the Top!

One activity we certainly weren't going to miss was climbing the enormous rock that towers above the surrounding countryside.

Known as Piedra del Peñol, this giant granite formation is one of the area's most famous landmarks.

Getting to the top involves climbing approximately 750 steps, winding their way up a staircase built into the side of the rock.

We counted every single one!

By the time we reached the summit, we were certainly ready to catch our breath, but the views were absolutely spectacular.

From the top, we could see the extraordinary network of islands, peninsulas and waterways that make up the Guatapé reservoir.

The drought was particularly obvious from this height, with vast areas of exposed shoreline showing just how far the water had receded.

Despite the lack of water, the panoramic views were stunning and made every step worthwhile.

Food, Fun and a Little Bit of Hostel Life

One of our favourite places to eat was Brújula, a quirky little restaurant tucked away in the colourful streets of Guatapé.

It had a fantastic atmosphere, and one of its more unusual features was that visitors could leave messages on the ceiling!

We also enjoyed the Thai restaurant at Lake View Hostel, although sharing the top-floor communal space with restaurant customers meant that hostel guests couldn't always make full use of it.

After weeks of travelling and eating out, we decided it was time to make use of the hostel kitchen.

Andy took charge and cooked a spaghetti bolognese, which made a welcome change from restaurant meals.

Of course, travelling isn't always glamorous.

The hostel's laundry service wasn't operating, so we ended up washing our clothes by hand in the shower. Then, just as we were hoping to get everything dry, the heavens opened!

The rain was desperately needed in Guatapé, although our freshly washed clothes weren't quite so appreciative.

The Great Reading Glasses Rescue

One of the funniest little memories from Guatapé involved Andy's reading glasses.

Somehow, he'd managed to break every pair he had brought with him!

Fortunately, we found a local optician who came to the rescue, supplying two pairs of reading glasses for the grand total of £5.

A small travel victory, but a very welcome one!

It's often these unexpected little moments that we remember just as fondly as the big attractions.

Our Thoughts on Guatapé

Guatapé was quite unlike anywhere else we'd visited in Colombia.

Although we were disappointed not to experience the lake and its water activities, the town itself more than made up for it.

The colours, decorative buildings, relaxed atmosphere and spectacular views from El Peñol made this a really memorable stop.

It was also a wonderful contrast to Medellín. In just two hours, we'd gone from a bustling city with a complicated history to a tiny town bursting with colour and charm.

Guatapé is somewhere we'd happily return to – although next time, we'd rather like to see the lake!

Our Guatapé Travel Tips

• Getting there: Approximately two hours by bus from Medellín.

• Where we stayed: Lake View Hostel – comfortable rooms, communal areas and a Thai restaurant upstairs. Website: http://www.lakeviewhostel.com

• Best experience: Climbing Piedra del Peñol for the panoramic views.

• Don't miss: Wandering the colourful streets and admiring the traditional zócalos.

• Where we ate: Brújula – quirky, friendly and full of character. Instagram: @brujulafoodanddrinks.

• Getting around: Take a tuk-tuk at least once. They're a fun and convenient way to explore.

• Something to check: Reservoir water levels if you're planning kayaking, boat trips or other water activities.

• Our favourite memory: The colourful streets, the views from the rock and Andy's £5 reading glasses rescue!

Next stop: Minca!

After our colourful few days in Guatapé, we headed back to Medellín to catch an overnight bus towards our next Colombian adventure in Minca.

Another journey, another destination and another chapter in our year out.