ThIs is week 13 of our year out - Medallin and Guatape . The contrast of Medallin the second biggest city in Columbia and the history of the drug cartels to the vibrant colours of tiny Guatape.
Transport - Salento to Medellin - Occidental 10 hours .
Medallin to Guatape - 2 hours
Accomodation - 1) Hostal Noah in Medallin great roof terrace in El Poblado a very safe and tourist district of Medallin @noahhostelsmedellin) 2) Guatape lake view Hostel ( note when we visited there was no lake due to drought ) A good hostel with a Thai restaurant in the evening on the top floor . www.lakeviewhostel.com
Food - Mamasistas in Medallin @mamasitamedallo) and Gabo GABO (@gabo.mde) • Instagram photos and videos both great restaurants with great vibes ( average prices ) Brujal great atmosphere hidden in the streets of Guatape. You can even write on the ceiling . / brujulafoodanddrinks
Activities -
Medellin Walking tour Medellin , brilliant , taking in Metro , cable cars and communa 13 ( 3 hours ) - @thebesttoursinmedellin. . We also visited the Museo de Antioquia in La Candelaria , Ferdinand Botero on the top floor and his sculpures outside in the plaza de bertolo.
Guatape - we couldn't do any of the water activities as there was 50% less water in the lakes due to a drought. We climbed the Pedro del Penol 750 steps to the top great views . You should also take a least one trip in a tuktuk
Medellin- second biggest city in Columbia and has seen a lot of regeneration esp around commune 13 . Its history is very poignant as was the drug capital 20 years ago and many deaths . It's def worth taking the metro so clean , cable car great views of the city with one ticket you can move around the metro for 90mins as long as you don't get off
Guatape - the most vibrant and colourful town visited so far . A joy to visit just to see the bas reliefs and paintings.
Next step Minca
As a note Andy broke all his reading glasses and the opticians in Guatape saved us with 2 pairs for £5