CANYONING in Colombia
Canyoning Medellín
Canyoning is one of the most physically engaging adventure activities we offer from Medellín — rappelling down waterfalls, jumping into pools, sliding down rock chutes carved by water over centuries, and navigating jungle terrain that you can’t reach by road. We’ve been running canyoning tours since 2015 through partnerships with specialized local outfits in three different canyon locations.
Each location offers a different kind of experience. Below is a complete guide to what each canyoning tour involves, who it’s right for, and how it works.
Three Canyoning Locations, Three Different Experiences
We operate canyoning at three distinct locations near Medellín. Each offers a different blend of intensity, scenery, and activity type.
Canyoning #1 — Cocorná. The most physically demanding option. Two consecutive vertical waterfall rappels totaling 82 meters (270 feet). 1 hour 20 minutes from Medellín, 6-7 hours total door-to-door. Best for travelers who want an intense, vertical adventure and are in decent physical shape. All bundle options use this canyon.
Canyoning #2 — Guatapé / San Rafael. Pool jumps, slides, short rappels combined with a visit to the Rock of El Peñol and Guatapé town. 1 hour 45 minutes drive plus 20 minutes from Guatapé to the canyon, 9-10 hours total. Best for travelers who want canyoning as part of a sightseeing day rather than a high-intensity standalone adventure.
Canyoning #3 — San Carlos. The longest and most expeditionary option. Deep jungle canyon with rappels, pool dives, slides, and a zipline section. 2.5 hours from Medellín, 8-9 hours total. Best for travelers who want a deeper, longer canyoning experience and don’t mind the longer drive.
All three are private tours, operated by certified partner outfits, and include English-speaking transport from Medellín, lunch, and insurance.
Canyoning #1 — Cocorná: Vertical Waterfall Rappels
This is our flagship canyoning experience. The location is a deep canyon in Cocorná with two consecutive waterfall rappels totaling 82 meters (270 feet) of vertical descent — a 46-meter (150-foot) drop followed by a 36-meter (118-foot) drop. Both are full vertical rock-face rappels with water running down them.
Be honest with yourself about fitness for this one. Canyoning #1 involves jungle trekking to reach the waterfalls and significant exertion during the rappels themselves. We require all participants to be in decent physical condition. If you’re hesitant about your fitness level, Canyoning #2 or #3 are better choices.
How the Day Works
Pickup is from your hotel in El Poblado in a private SUV with English-speaking driver. The drive to Cocorná is 1 hour 20 minutes. On arrival you receive a full safety briefing from the canyoning guides, gear up with helmets and harnesses, and rehearse the rappelling technique on a practice rock before approaching the actual waterfalls.
Once you reach the first drop, a guide rappels alongside you for the full descent while a second guide manages the brake at the bottom. After the first 46-meter drop, you trek to the second waterfall and complete the 36-meter rappel.
Total activity time at the canyon is around 2.5 hours. After the canyon you have a traditional Colombian lunch before driving back to Medellín. Total door-to-door time is 6-7 hours.
Canyoning #1 pricing
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $199 |
| 3 persons | $165 |
| 4 persons | $155 |
| 5 persons | $150 |
| 6 persons | $140 |
About 6 -7 hours total door to door.
Important: What’s Provided and What You Bring
Canyoning #1 does not include wetsuits — the water is not cold enough to require one and the trek would be uncomfortable in a wetsuit. Helmets and harnesses are provided. Bring:
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes that can get wet (sneakers work fine — they will get wet and muddy)
- Synthetic clothing (cotton stays wet and cold)
- A complete change of clothes for after
- A towel
- Sunblock and insect repellent
watch this short video of canyoning #1
Canyoning #1 is pure vertical rock face rappel down a waterfall with the breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle, the towering Andes mountains, and the green valley below
Canyoning #2 — Guatapé: The Sightseeing-and-Adventure Day
Canyoning #2 is bundled with a visit to Guatapé and the Rock of El Peñol. After exploring the rock and the colorful town, you head 20 minutes toward San Rafael for the canyoning portion.
This canyon is less vertical than #1 — the activities are pool jumps from boulders, slides down rock chutes worn smooth by centuries of water, short rappels, and swimming in clear emerald pools. It’s the right choice for travelers who want canyoning as part of a sightseeing day rather than as a high-intensity standalone adventure.
How the Day Works
Early pickup from El Poblado (around 7 AM) for the drive to Guatapé. You spend the morning visiting the Rock of El Peñol and exploring the town, then transfer 20 minutes to the canyoning location. The canyoning portion lasts about 3 hours and includes a series of jumps, slides, and short rappels through the canyon. Lunch follows the canyon, and you return to Medellín in the late afternoon.
Total door-to-door time is 9-10 hours. This is a long day, but the variety — sightseeing in the morning, adventure in the afternoon — keeps it engaging throughout.
Canyoning #2 pricing
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $295 |
| 3 persons | $220 |
| 4 persons | $210 |
| 5 persons | $200 |
| 6 persons | $195 |
About 9 – 10 hours total door to door.
Included:
- Doorstep transportation from Medellin in company SUVs with English-speaking team members.
- Visit to the Rock of El Peñol (entry fees included).
- Visit to the town of Guatapé.
- English-speaking canyoning guides.
- Traditional Colombian lunch.
- Wetsuits, helmets, flotation devices.
- Risk insurance
watch this short video of canyoning #2 Guatapé
Canyoning #2 is crystal green pools, smooth rock slides, jumping, and short rappels. This canyoning trip involves more water immersions.
Canyoning #3 — San Carlos: Deep Jungle Adventure
San Carlos is our longest canyoning route — about 4 hours of activity through deep jungle terrain. The canyon features rappels of around 12 meters (40 feet), pool dives, natural water-carved slides, and a zipline section. It’s a more immersive, expeditionary experience than #1 or #2 — you spend more time in the canyon, see more remote terrain, and hike further between features.
How the Day Works
Pickup from El Poblado for the 2.5-hour drive to San Carlos. After a safety briefing and gear-up, you spend approximately 4 hours navigating the canyon. The route combines rappels, slides, jumps into pools, swimming, and a zipline section, with significant trekking between features through tropical jungle. Lunch follows the canyon. Total door-to-door time is 8-9 hours.
This is the right choice for travelers who want a deeper, longer canyoning experience and don’t mind the longer drive.
What’s Included
Wetsuits, helmets, and flotation devices provided. Lunch included.
Canyoning #3 pricing
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $305 |
| 3 persons | $200 |
| 4 persons | $190 |
| 5 persons | $180 |
| 6 persons | $175 |
About 12 hours door to door.
Included:
- Doorstep transportation from Medellin in company SUVs with English-speaking team members.
- English-speaking canyoning guides.
- Traditional Colombian lunch.
- Wetsuits, helmets, flotation devices.
- Risk insurance
We reserve the right to change our prices at any time without prior notice. Prices are subject to change based on market conditions, currency exchange rates, and other factors. Please check back regularly for the most current pricing information.
watch this short video of canyoning #3 San carlos
Canyoning #3 is deep immersion into the jungle down a rocky creek with natural slides, emerald green pools, exciting jumps, rappels, and zip line, an adventure of a lifetime!
Canyoning Bundles, More Adventure in One Day
Canyoning works particularly well bundled with other activities because Cocorná (where Canyoning #1 happens) is the same general region as our paragliding site, the Calderas River for rafting, and our ATV trails. All bundles below use Canyoning #1 (Cocorná) unless noted.
Canyoning + Paragliding
Canyoning and paragliding in the same day, both in Cocorná. The paragliding launch site is just 15 minutes from the canyoning location, which means you add a full paragliding flight to your day with minimal extra driving. About 6-7 hours total.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $245 |
| 3 persons | $225 |
| 4 persons | $210 |
| 5 persons | $205 |
| 6 persons | $195 |
Canyoning + ATV
Canyoning in the morning, 2-hour ATV ride in the afternoon. The ATV trails are in the same eastern Antioquia region. Min age ATV: 15. About 9-10 hours total.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $295 |
| 3 persons | $270 |
| 4 persons | $265 |
| 5 persons | $260 |
| 6 persons | $255 |
Canyoning + Rafting
Canyoning Cocorná in the morning, white water rafting on the Calderas River in the afternoon, or the reverse, depending on river conditions. Min age rafting: 14. About 10-11 hours total.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $315 |
| 3 persons | $270 |
| 4 persons | $260 |
| 5 persons | $255 |
| 6 persons | $245 |
Triple Bundles, The Full Adventure Days
For travelers who want maximum activity in a single day, we offer four triple bundle options. All are 12-hour days with three distinct adventures.
Guatapé / Paragliding / Canyoning
Visit the Rock of El Peñol and Guatapé town, plus paragliding flight and canyoning, all in one day. About 12 hours total.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $280 |
| 3 persons | $250 |
| 4 persons | $245 |
| 5 persons | $235 |
| 6 persons | $230 |
Guatapé / Canyoning / ATV
Guatapé sightseeing, canyoning, and 2-hour ATV — three distinct experiences in one day. Min age ATV: 15. About 12 hours total.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $390 |
| 3 persons | $330 |
| 4 persons | $320 |
| 5 persons | $315 |
| 6 persons | $305 |
Canyoning / Paragliding / Rafting
The full eastern-Antioquia adventure trifecta with Canyoning #1, paragliding flight in Cocorná, then Class III/IV rafting on the Calderas River. Min age rafting: 14. About 12 hours total.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $405 |
| 3 persons | $360 |
| 4 persons | $340 |
| 5 persons | $330 |
| 6 persons | $320 |
Canyoning / Paragliding / ATV
ATV trails, paragliding flight, and canyoning, three distinct adventures with no driving back to Medellín between activities. Min age ATV: 15. About 12 hours total.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $365 |
| 3 persons | $345 |
| 4 persons | $335 |
| 5 persons | $325 |
| 6 persons | $320 |
Who Can Go Canyoning
- Minimum age: 8 years old
- Swimming requirement: Not required, though basic comfort in water helps. Helmets and (where applicable) flotation devices are provided.
- Fitness level: For Canyoning #1, you need to be in decent physical shape — the trek and rappels are physically demanding. Canyoning #2 and #3 are more accessible but still require general mobility.
- Footwear: Sturdy closed-toe shoes that can get wet. Sneakers work. No flip-flops, no sandals.
- Health considerations: Pregnant travelers shouldn’t canyoning. Recent surgery (within 3 months), serious heart or back conditions, or significant recent injuries should be discussed with us before booking. If you’re uncertain whether you’re fit for canyoning, contact us and we’ll talk it through.
Weather and Conditions Policy
Canyoning depends on appropriate water conditions. Heavy recent rain can make canyons unsafe due to flash flood risk; very low water can change the experience. Our partner outfits monitor conditions daily and make safety calls based on real-time information.
If conditions don’t allow safe canyoning on your scheduled date, we either reschedule for another day or issue a full refund — your choice. We don’t push trips in marginal conditions.
Our Canyoning Partners
Guanabana has run canyoning tours since our founding in 2015. The on-canyon operations are run by specialized local partners — one outfit handles Cocorná (Canyoning #1), and another handles Guatapé/San Rafael (#2) and San Carlos (#3). All guides are certified, the equipment is in good condition, and these are companies whose entire business is canyoning operations.
In a decade of running canyoning tours through these partners, we’ve had zero incidents. No injuries, no equipment failures. That track record reflects both our partners’ professionalism and our discipline about scheduling — we don’t run trips in marginal conditions.
watch this 40-second video and see what it’s like to rappel inside a waterfall!
Canyoning #1 is pure adrenaline and fun coupled with the breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle, the towering Andes mountains around, and the green valley below!
Why Book Canyoning with Guanabana
- Operating canyoning tours since 2015. Ten years of running these trips through trusted partner outfits with zero incidents.
- Long-term partner relationships. Same Cocorná outfit, same Guatapé/San Carlos outfit — no subcontracting roulette.
- Three distinct canyoning experiences. Pick the one that fits your travel style — high-intensity vertical rappels (#1), sightseeing-with-canyoning (#2), or deep jungle adventure (#3).
- Bundle integration. Canyoning works particularly well combined with paragliding, rafting, ATV, or Guatapé sightseeing because Cocorná is the same eastern-Antioquia region as our other adventure activities.
- Private tours only. You canyoning with your group and nobody else.
- Registered operator. Guanabana Tours S.A.S., RNT 47842 — legally registered Colombian tour operator.
- Full refund on weather cancellations. If conditions don’t allow safe canyoning, you reschedule or get refunded.
- Direct communication. Real humans answering email and WhatsApp in native, culturally attuned English. No chatbots, no agency middleman.
Ready to Book?
Contact us with your dates, group size, and which canyoning option (or bundle) you’re interested in, and we’ll send you booking details and answer any questions about which experience fits your travel style.
All prices are subject to change based on exchange rates and market conditions.
Definitely go canyoning!
We had an incredible time!! Definitely recommend this trip- our driver was amazing and our canyon guides had the perfect balance of making us feel safe and getting us to push ourselves. Perfect amount of tourism and adventure. The river was insanely gorgeous too.
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