white water rafting medellin
Guatapé Day Trips from Medellín
Guatapé is a colorful town on a man-made reservoir about 2 hours from Medellín, best known for El Peñol Rock — a 220-meter monolith you can climb for panoramic views over the islands and water. A Guatapé day trip is the most popular full-day excursion for visitors to Medellín. We’ve been running private Guatapé day trips since 2015, pairing the Rock and the town with an adventure activity in the same region: paragliding, ATV, canyoning, white water rafting, jet ski, horseback riding, or a local helicopter ride.
What a Guatapé Day Trip Includes
Every Guatapé day trip we run includes the same core Guatapé experience. The adventure activity is what changes.
The Guatapé portion:
- 7 AM pickup from your hotel in El Poblado, Laureles, or Envigado (other neighborhoods on request)
- 1h 50min drive from Medellín to Guatapé
- El Peñol Rock — a 70-million-year-old granite monolith with a 740-step climb to a 360° viewing platform. Climbing is optional; there are restaurants and waiting areas at the base for travelers who’d rather skip the steps.
- The town of Guatapé — known for its colorful zócalos, the painted 3D reliefs that decorate the lower half of every house façade, depicting local trades, animals, and cultural symbols.
- Traditional Colombian lunch — menú del día style: rice, plantain, fried egg, salad, and your choice of protein (beef, pork, grilled chicken, sausage, chicharrón, or ground beef). Vegetarian and vegan options available.
Then the adventure activity, typically about an hour from Guatapé (canyoning is closer).
Return to Medellín. Return time depends on the bundle; see options below.
About El Peñol Rock
El Peñol Rock is a 70-million-year-old granite monolith that juts 722 feet straight up from the surrounding landscape. It was first climbed publicly on July 16, 1954 by Luis Eduardo Villegas López, whose family has owned and operated it as a tourist attraction ever since.
The 740 steps to the summit zigzag up a fissure cut into the rock face. The view from the top is the standard Guatapé postcard: the reservoir spreading out in every direction, dotted with hundreds of tiny islands.
Climbing isn’t required. If you’d rather take in the Rock from below, there are restaurants and shops at the base.
Guatapé Day Trip Pricing
Choose a single-activity bundle or a multi-activity bundle. All prices per person, in USD.
Single-Activity Bundles
Full-day private tours pairing Guatapé with one adventure activity.
Guatapé / Paragliding
Tandem paragliding flight off the Andes mountains with certified instructors. Flight lasts 15-20 minutes. Return to Medellín approximately 4 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $230 |
| 3 persons | $200 |
| 4 persons | $185 |
| 5 persons | $180 |
| 6 persons | $175 |
Learn more about our paragliding tours
Guatapé / Rafting
White-water rafting on the Calderas river, class III/IV rapids with certified guides. Wet suits and full gear provided. Return to Medellín approximately 7 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $325 |
| 3 persons | $275 |
| 4 persons | $260 |
| 5 persons | $255 |
| 6 persons | $235 |
Learn more about our white water rafting tours
Guatapé / Canyoning
Canyoning at one of three jungle waterfall locations near Guatapé. Rappels, jumps, and slides through river canyons. Return to Medellín approximately 4 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $290 |
| 3 persons | $220 |
| 4 persons | $210 |
| 5 persons | $200 |
| 6 persons | $195 |
Learn more about our canyoning tours
Guatapé / ATV
2-hour ATV ride through coffee country and mountain trails. No prior experience required. Return to Medellín approximately 5 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $265 |
| 3 persons | $225 |
| 4 persons | $215 |
| 5 persons | $205 |
| 6 persons | $199 |
Learn more about our off-road ATV tours
Guatapé / Jet Ski
1-hour jet ski session on the Guatapé reservoir. Solo or shared options. Return to Medellín approximately 6 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $250 |
| 3 persons | $220 |
| 4 persons | $205 |
| 5 persons | $195 |
| 6 persons | $190 |
Guatapé / Horseback
30-minute Gypsy Vanner, Friesian, & Baroque Pinto breeds. Return to Medellín approximately 5 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $250 |
| 3 persons | $220 |
| 4 persons | $205 |
| 5 persons | $195 |
| 6 persons | $190 |
Guatapé / 8-Minute Helicopter Ride
Brief helicopter ride directly over the Guatapé reservoir and Rock . Return to Medellín approximately 5 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $335 |
| 3 persons | $295 |
| 4 persons | $290 |
| 5 persons | $285 |
| 6 persons | $280 |
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.
Multi-Activity Bundles
For travelers who want maximum adventure in one day. These are long days — typically 12+ hours total — but they pack two adventure activities plus the full Guatapé experience.
Guatapé / Paragliding / Rafting
Tandem paragliding flight plus class III/IV rafting. Return to Medellín approximately 7 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $360 |
| 3 persons | $330 |
| 4 persons | $310 |
| 5 persons | $305 |
| 6 persons | $300 |
Rafting details
Paragliding details
Guatapé / Paragliding / Canyoning
Tandem paragliding flight plus jungle canyoning. Return to Medellín approximately 5 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $280 |
| 3 persons | $250 |
| 4 persons | $245 |
| 5 persons | $235 |
| 6 persons | $230 |
Paragliding details
Canyoning details
Guatapé / Paragliding / ATV
Tandem paragliding flight plus 2-hour ATV ride. Return to Medellín approximately 6 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $345 |
| 3 persons | $305 |
| 4 persons | $295 |
| 5 persons | $290 |
| 6 persons | $280 |
Paragliding details
ATV details
Guatapé / Paragliding / Jet Ski
Tandem paragliding flight plus 1-hour jet ski session. Return to Medellín approximately 6 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $315 |
| 3 persons | $295 |
| 4 persons | $290 |
| 5 persons | $280 |
| 6 persons | $270 |
Paragliding details
Guatapé / Rafting / ATV
For travelers who want to feel it the next morning. Return to Medellín approximately 7 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $395 |
| 3 persons | $370 |
| 4 persons | $360 |
| 5 persons | $355 |
| 6 persons | $340 |
Guatapé / Jet Ski/ ATV
1-hour jet ski plus 2-hour ATV ride. Return to Medellín approximately 6 PM.
| Group size | Price per person USD |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $345 |
| 3 persons | $320 |
| 4 persons | $310 |
| 5 persons | $310 |
| 6 persons | $305 |
ATV details
What’s Included in All Bundles
- Private tour — only you and your party, no shared groups
- Doorstep transportation in private SUV with English-speaking driver
- Communications in fluent, culturally-aware English with real humans (not chatbots) by email or WhatsApp
- Entry fees to the Rock of El Peñol
- Traditional Colombian lunch in Guatapé
- All adventure activity costs (instruction, gear, equipment, certified guides)
- GoPro photos and videos for paragliding and rafting
- Risk insurance
Not included:
- Tips for guides (optional, appreciated)
- Personal souvenirs
Why Choose Guanabana
We started running adventure bundles from Medellín in 2015 and added Guatapé to the format in early 2017. Our first Guatapé bundle review on TripAdvisor dates to January 2017. The first competitor copy of the format showed up in mid-2018.
A few things worth knowing:
- Private tours only. You travel with your group and nobody else.
- Registered operator. Guanabana Tours S.A.S., RNT 47842, legally registered in Colombia.
- English communication. Real people on email and WhatsApp from inquiry to drop-off.
- Doorstep service. SUV pickup from your hotel, drop-off at the end.
- Operating since 2015. The logistics show it.
Our first Guatapé review, 2017
Why We Pair Guatapé With an Adventure Activity
The standard Guatapé day looks like this: 7 AM pickup, two hours of driving, the Rock, the town, lunch, then three or four hours of waiting before the drive back to Medellín. Most operators fill that gap with a boat ride, stretching a 2-hour experience over a full day.
We use those hours for an adventure activity instead — a paragliding flight, a rafting run, an ATV ride, or one of the other options in the same region. Same pickup, similar return window, much more day.
This is the bundle format we’ve been running since 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book?
Guatapé days fill up quickly in peak season, especially weekends. Contact us with your preferred date, group size, and activity preferences. We’ll confirm availability and send booking details.
Planning Your Colombia Trip?
Read these before you come:
- Is It Safe for Americans to Travel to Colombia in 2026?
- How Tourists Get Around Colombia Without Public Buses
- Medellín vs Cartagena — Which Colombian City Should You Visit?
- Unique Things To Do in Medellín
- Visiting Medellín in August? Check out our complete guide to the Flower Festival 2026 to make the most of your trip.
And don’t forget all our other cool stuff!
