How to get from Medellin to Guatape or El Peñol on a Cheap Bus

Posted on by gabby

Medellin to Guatape Bus:

From Helicopter Rides and Pablo Escobar to Colorful Streets and Hotels. Medellin to Guatape by Bus: A Convenient and Scenic Journey with the option to climb El Peñol Rock!

Cost: $4 per way

Author: Gabriella Grace

Guatape is a popular day trip destinations in Colombia known for unique colorful streets, great food, Pablo Escobar, and hiking El Peñol. While there are several ways to travel from one place to the other, taking a bus is one of the most convenient, affordable, and scenic options. I will discuss everything you need to know about taking the bus from Medellin to Guatape.

Getting to the Bus Station:

The first step is to get yourself to the bus station. You’ll have a few options:

-By Taxi: From wherever your staying hail a cab to Terminal de transporte Norte. Taxis are 16,000-25,000 from El Poblado.

-By Didi or Uber: You can order via the apps. They are usually less expensive than the taxi drivers. Set the destination too: Terminal de transporte Norte, rides are 7,000 -18,000 from El Poblado.

-By the Metro: Take the metro to Caribe Station. Its a walking bridge away from the Bus Station. Rides are 2,500 COP each way, you’ll need to get a Cívica card (Metro Card).

The city has several bus terminals, and the one I chose was in the north. Most buses from Medellin to Guatape depart from Terminal Norte (on Google maps: Terminal de transporte Norte) which is located in the north of the city and is easily accessible.

The Bus Terminal in Medellin:

The second step of your journey is to book your trip out of the bus terminal in Medellin. This station is HUGE and has dozens of ticket windows. It takes a bit to navigate it especially during rush hour. I’d suggest to be there 20-30 min before you want to leave to get snacks, wait in line, use the restroom and find the right bus slot. Busses leave on the hour (…ish…) we arrived at 8:45 to buy a ticket for the 9:00am bus. We got the last two seats and were pretty rushed.

Taking the Bus from Medellin to Guatape

At 8:45 am the station was packed. If you get stressed easily allow extra time for the crowds. Look for number 14.
Window number 14. This is where you get tickets 🙂

Once you arrive at the bus terminal, you can purchase your ticket at window 14 and board the bus to Guatape. NOTE***use the bathroom before the bus ride *** the bus doesn’t stop for any breaks.

Puesto is your seat number we were seats 11 and 12.
Very comfy seats!
Your ticket will have a seat number and you sit in your assigned seat. I was in seat 17 on the return trip. The numbers are stitched into the headrests.

The journey takes approximately two hours, and during this time, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views of the Andes Mountains and the countryside. Most busses have comfortable seating and windows that open.

Arrival in Guatape

When you arrive in Guatape, you will be dropped off at the bus terminal near the town center. From here, you can walk or take a taxi to wander the city. Guatape is known for its stunning architecture and colorful houses, as well as its beautiful lake.

Tips for Taking the Bus from Medellin to Guatape

  • Purchase your bus ticket in advance to ensure that you get a seat at your time preferences.
  • Pack for the weather, there’s no bus a/c. The bus was cold at night and I wish I packed a sweatshirt. It was hot during the day and I’m glad I brought cold water.
  • Bring snacks and drinks, as the journey can be long and you may get hungry.
  • USE THE RESTROOM BEFORE YOU GO!
  • Bring sunscreen!
  • Bring bug repellent if you are prone to bug bites.
  • Download a Netflix movie or show for the ride if you get bored easily.

Option:

You can ride the bus all the way past El Peñol and towards Guatape. If you don’t want to see or hike the rock stay on the bus. But I’d suggest to get off at El Peñol first, hike it and then take a 3 wheel tuktuk into the city of Guatape for the last part of the trip. The trip cost 15,000 COP and too about 15 min. It was easy to catch the returning bus from the terminal in Guatape back to Medellin. The last bus runs at about 6-7pm. Check this and buy your ticket early so you know when to be back at the bus station.

Taking the bus from Medellin to Guatape is an easy and convenient way to travel between these two popular destinations. With comfortable seating, scenic views, and affordable prices, it’s no wonder that taking the bus is one of the most popular ways to travel in Colombia. So why not book your ticket today and enjoy the journey?