Tour Guatape with Alpaca Farm: Is It Really Worth It? A Review

Alright, so you’re thinking about heading to Guatape, Colombia, and that tour, the one that stops by a llama and alpaca farm, well, it’s caught your eye? Very understandable! Guatape, it’s almost like one of those places that screams “Instagrammable” from every brightly colored building. You know, the kind of spot that travel blogs just love. I had heard so much about it. But, is the hype very justified? Is that alpaca farm thing just a tourist trap? That is, does it deliver on the promises of cute overload and breathtaking views? Let’s break it all down, piece by piece, from my experience.

First Impressions: Getting to Guatape

So, getting there very much felt like the start of an adventure. That is, most folks will come from Medellin, and it is about a two-hour bus ride. The buses, they tend to be pretty comfy, and the views that you get along the way? Honestly, they’re worth the trip by themselves. Rolling hills, that sparkle like a shiny emerald green. Little villages dotting the landscape – it’s beautiful! anyway, pro-tip, try to snag a window seat. Really, trust me on that one. That is, it’ll be an absolute upgrade to your journey. You’ll pass the time watching Colombia unfold right before your eyes. Also, very remember to keep an eye out for the Guatape rock. That is, El Peñol begins to loom, almost as big as houses!

The Alpaca Farm: Cute Overload or Overrated?

Now, onto the main attraction, and it’s that alpaca and llama farm. That is, to be very honest, my expectations? They weren’t exactly very high. I’ve seen a bunch of animal encounters that turned out to be rather sad or kinda just underwhelming. I will admit that this place? It’s surprisingly very well kept, and the animals very seem, you know, healthy and chill. Also, you get to wander around and snap photos, but the cool part, so to speak? They give you food! These fluffy friends will follow you around like you’re the alpaca pied piper. Very cute. Especially for families or anyone needing a good dose of adorable, the farm visit it can really put a smile on your face. Just a word of warning that, like anything tour related, it does draw large groups to its grounds.

Exploring Guatape: More Than Just the Rock

Alright, so Guatape itself, it is much more than just the alpaca farm, or very that big rock everyone climbs (El Peñol). Really, I really suggest wandering the town. Every building that you see, I tell you, is painted in very bright colors, adorned with “zocalos,” which are very these raised, colorful panels that depict scenes of daily life, animals, and various designs. Just so unique! That is, you’ll find that you can very easily spend hours just wandering and snapping photos. Also, don’t miss out on the waterfront! Really, there’s that lively Malecon where you’ll find that food vendors are just waiting and offering you local treats, and you can catch some very stunning views of the lake. Grabbing an ice cream and simply watching the boats that go by? It’s, that is, surprisingly, super relaxing.

Climbing El Peñol: Views Worth the Sweat?

You know, you just can’t come to Guatape and not talk about El Peñol. That is, you’ll climb around 700-ish steps to the top. Let me say, it can very feel like a workout, especially in the midday sun. Basically, so is it worth it? A very resounding yes! I felt, and really feel that still! That 360-degree view from the top, the islands dotting the lake? Honestly, it’s pretty mind-blowing. very bring some water and maybe a snack to enjoy up top. Very give yourself some time to really soak it all in. After that kind of hike you’ve earned some views!

Food in Guatape: Trying Local Flavors

Right, you will get peckish, after all the walking and alpaca-petting that is needed. Also, lucky for you, Guatape has some pretty tempting food options. Basically, be sure to try the bandeja paisa. It is, kind of, a very traditional Colombian dish with a bit of everything which involves rice, beans, meat, avocado, and a fried egg. So yummy! You may well find, just in the town that you could get a trout meal. Really, there’s heaps of restaurants along the waterfront where they serve up very fresh trout (trucha) that is cooked a load of ways. Also, I really very enjoyed sitting down and having just simple arepas with cheese from a street vendor, which really, makes for a good, filling cheap snack.

The Guatape Boat Trip: Lakeside Views

Now, for an entirely very different perspective on Guatape. You really ought to consider a boat trip on the lake. Honestly, that is one very cool way of seeing that landscape. Most boat tours, they really offer something which involves a visit to some of the islands. Also, that’s going to give you a peak at the holiday homes of some wealthy Colombians. It may well involve stopping at places like “La Manuela” (which is the ruins of Pablo Escobar’s old mansion) where a reminder of Colombia’s darker history kind of meets this incredibly very serene surrounding. Also, the boat rides offer that peaceful break and so show you just how incredibly vast that Guatape lake actually is.

Is the Tour Guatape with Alpaca Farm Actually Worth Your Money?

So, really is it worth it? I would tell you very that, yes! very mostly yes, if you temper some of your expectations. The Alpaca farm it’s really sweet and really very nicely done and taken care of, but not too intense and not a total day activity. Guatape itself is really kind of great fun and its colourful. Also, there’s some absolutely wonderful viewpoints that I would personally say are so totally picture postcard beautiful. Just so you are completely clear, be prepared to encounter and see many other tourists doing their same thing, but that is that balance point of convenience and accessibility. Anyway, if that sounds fun, do not avoid a few alpacas!

Planning Your Trip: Some Tips

Anyway, a quick bit on tips that I find very useful for trip planning.

• Best Time to Visit: Anytime is OK really, if you like the crowds, that said if you need drier days try avoiding peak rainy season, from May to October.
• What to Wear: Get a sweat on in casual walking clothing that breathes well! Be wary that is a lot of walking to be done if the weather allows.
• Getting Around: Basically you get around on foot when in Guatape itself. Public transport for getting there, such as a coach is generally good. El Penol can be taken via a taxi or Tuk Tuk that can be easily acquired.
• Currency: you are generally expected to pay using Colombian pesos (COP). Make sure to keep a little change in hard notes to deal with some smaller establishments in the locale.
• Spanish language help!: Though quite a lot of places get by in some English for tourist types that is quite handy and courteous to know a bit more than Hola to navigate this trip to Colombia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Guatape a day trip or overnight stay?

You may well get by with a day-trip from Medellin and quite a few do just exactly this! Very however you do miss what can well be described as something which is the magic that dawns after dark. Stay at least an extra night. Wake to the views, not only the climb!

Is it difficult getting around in Guatape?

Quite not really! Quite honestly and primarily walking around Guatape it itself if fairly well manageable as compact and largely pretty flat. If very however, you want a hand with travel, or the walking is really tricky taxis and tuk-tuks area absolutely at hand and available. The coach service can well deposit and lift tourists and locals to the local points.

Are there things I should prepare beforehand visiting Guatape?

As mentioned with El Penol you do need to step a lot, so, you are needing to be of some reasonably practical health and fitness. Sun screen, drinking waters and walking boots and stuff I really think that everyone just really quite assumes one really prepares for anywhere anyway.

Is this a pricey destination in Colombia?

Very compared to quite a few other Colombian tourist hot spots Guatape if I had to, I could suggest is not that expensive at all for anything. Accommodation options of different quality levels and choices can, for many I think make it an even pretty accessible and an even more worthy destination and reason to enjoy it and why a few venture here so happily.

Hopefully that is helpful for you! Have some travel memories!

Key Takeaways:

• The alpaca farm is a surprisingly cute and well-maintained experience, suitable for families and animal lovers.
• Guatape offers more than just the rock; explore the colorful town and waterfront for a complete experience.
• Climbing El Peñol provides breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape.
• The Guatape lake offers fresh tasty treats, be it some simple arepas or even fresh Trouts!
• Taking a boat trip provides a fresh alternative outlook from a different more beautiful, serene level that can not be accessed any other way