Guatape Tour Review: Chiva & Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda

Guatape, with its strikingly picturesque landscapes and the almost mythical El Peñol rock, is often viewed as a must-see destination if you find yourself knocking about Medellin. What tends to make this destination much more fascinating for some, maybe even somewhat controversial for others, is the addition of a visit to the former Hacienda of Pablo Escobar during a pretty conventional “Chiva” tour. So, really, how exactly does this type of tour measure up? Very, very let’s have a good look at what’s involved and help you to decide whether or not it’s actually a solid match for your travel style.

What is the ‘Chiva’ Guatape Tour All About?

Right then, picture this: you’re going along twisting mountain roads in, like, a brightly decked-out bus referred to as a “Chiva.” These buses are, sort of, well-known in Colombia for their party-on-wheels atmosphere. Usually there’s very loud music, heaps of dancing, and that free-flowing local liquor known as aguardiente. Now, the Guatape tour adds into the usual high spirits a visit to the Hacienda Nápoles, once owned by Pablo Escobar. Basically this Hacienda, you see, it’s really a reminder of a particularly turbulent moment in Colombian history, and, that is, that depending upon who you talk to, elicits all different kinds of reactions and even strong feelings.

Setting off and Experiencing the Chiva

So, anyway, setting off pretty early is generally necessary because the journey to Guatape takes a chunk of time – could be around two hours from Medellin, very approximately, give or take depending on traffic. Often the vibe on the bus, in some ways, it’s like a party even before you have managed to escape the city limits, honestly. People are mingling, drinks are being poured, that is, that music is blaring… You, could be forgiven for imagining you’ve just hopped onto a mobile nightclub. Actually, that driver navigates those curvy roads, like your tour guide usually steps into his or her role, really that is sharing stories and offering commentary, blending anecdotes about the region with a tiny bit of insight into, well, the somewhat, checkered legacy of Escobar. This mixture, very, very it gives the tour that, kind of, strange atmosphere – something halfway between a celebration and something much more sober reflection.

El Peñol: Scaling the Giant Rock

Eventually you actually get to El Peñol. In a way it is a massive granite monolith that’s literally impossible to, well, possibly overlook. Preparing yourself, maybe get ready to climb those 700-plus steps to the very top. That effort is rather worth it for, you know, seriously breathtaking 360-degree panoramas. From this particular vantage point, this view of the lake, which is an unbelievably attractive expanse of blue speckled with tiny islands, really that is stretching out as far as you can make out. Typically folks spend roughly about an hour here, usually that’s more than enough to drink in those vistas and capture some genuinely awesome photographs.

Guatape: A Walk Through a Colourful Town

After El Peñol, right, that tour continues to Guatape. Really, that little town is renowned for, like, brightly painted buildings adorned with “zócalos”. You see, zócalos, they are vibrantly coloured panels depicting scenes of everyday life, animals, as well as geometric designs. Walking, as a matter of fact, that is along those cobblestone streets it genuinely feels like wandering right into a living, breathing art gallery. Lunch, so it’s normally at some local restaurant – that offers you, like your chances to savour proper Colombian cuisine. It’s almost that bandeja paisa is a common pick, I’m guessing, as are the fresh fish dishes thanks to Guatape’s proximity, so it is to the lake.

Hacienda Nápoles: Contronting Pablo Escobar’s Past

The next point, really that could be regarded as the most thought-provoking part of the tour, by the way, so it is to the visit to Hacienda Nápoles. What, years ago, that had been Pablo Escobar’s expansive estate has today actually morphed into a theme park of kinds. That original residence was literally left in ruins, a monument, right that is, so it is to that excess and, arguably, even violence. While that estate now actually features a zoo (with animals, you know, that were rescued), plus swimming pools, and various other attractions, a vibe that is, just a little bit, sombre generally hangs over this location. Very often it serves as an stark reminder of the really strong effect Escobar still keeps on Colombian society, regardless of the time that has passed. Whether this addition elevates or perhaps detracts out of the whole experience probably hinges somewhat upon what you think; your tolerance level to these themes is actually, to a great extent what tips that particular scale.

What you might experience at Hacienda Nápoles

At the park that, these days, is open to the general public, some original installations are carefully kept as landmarks, giving a look into Escobar’s extravagant lifestyle. Yet, a bit more than simply wandering amongst relics, that hacienda invites, you know, actually more profound reflection on Colombia’s uneasy story with the drug trade, violent episodes, plus their lasting effects. Usually travelers see:

The wrecked car collection, where there’s a display of automobiles wrecked during clashes, a very physical pointer of those quite dark times.
Pablo Escobar’s Private Zoo, quite a few animals remain that had been initially section of his, so it is to his private collection. While conservation is truly a aim now, a moral debate continues as a matter of fact, so it is surrounding keeping such creatures within, not quite, a conventional sanctuary setting.
The main house ruins: the shell that, that had previously been the house continues standing actually. Any guide is ready to offer facts, or very, really speculation, about life around this once hectic compound.

A Reflection on the Ethical Questions

Visiting a website, I would say, as closely linked with someone similar to Escobar always ignites quite tricky ethical questions. Actually, that tour in particular tends to prompt folks to take into account the effect of narco-tourism. Is visiting these types of locations a proper way of showing curiosity about very important history, or could it be perceived as glorifying figures really linked to deep suffering in that country? Often your answers likely reflect, like, personal ethical codes in a way, as well as your private method of weighing respectfulness with exploration on your trips.

How to decide if the Guatape Chiva Tour is for you?

Figuring, alright, whether the Guatape Chiva tour with a visit, you see, to Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda, such as, is the proper call literally hangs so much on your interests plus your expectations for any travel experiences. Should you, actually, love energetic group tours, pretty incredible views, as well as history – even those quite dark sections – maybe this sounds absolutely ideal. Although, very honestly, when you typically shun crowds, or whether a celebration of some narco culture makes someone feel uncomfortable, like, you are able to consider perhaps a separate day trip to Guatape which basically skips that Hacienda totally.

Positive sides from the tour:

It blends culture, stunning landscapes and proper Colombian history directly into just one handy package.
For anyone limited by having not much time, taking the bus literally eliminates logistics regarding travel between a few web sites.
Perfect if, like, your style leans further towards outgoing. Actually, the onboard ambiance fosters relationships between those aboard.

Points to, that is, give consideration to before reserving:

The bus party atmosphere is not for everyone.
Traveling, honestly, this way ensures that you lose quite a bit when it comes to autonomy compared to going it alone – schedules become pretty rigid.
Moral arguments surrounding actually promoting “narco-tourism”.

Maximizing the Guatape Visit: Some Suggestions

Supposing that, basically, you feel all enthusiastic about moving forward this way, keeping just a few handy tips at heart could make all those experiences that much more rewarding. Actually, being all properly ready allows travelers the room actually to interact far more totally alongside exactly what the landscapes offer, whilst staying conscious during all interactions:

Figure out Spanish terms before moving around to basically enhance all interactions or ask the tour company if it’s almost a certainty someone, for instance, is bilingual.
Consider packing requirements regarding sunshine blockout lotions. Any climbing that Peñol monolith under intense sunshine often requires high levels from sunscreens plus, almost, potentially sunglasses.
Have money readily available meant for meals, souvenirs from Guatape’s little stores in addition to any tiny costs within Hacienda Nápoles.
Be cautious along those themes displayed – approach subjects requiring great cultural or ethical understanding by getting lots more knowledge beforehand that way interactions display much more sensitivity.

Alternative options, you know, in case a Chiva is not right:

When a party-type bus mixed a famous criminal is not just a great idea for day outing then look closely at individual itineraries rather. It could be just a little much easier simply reserving that bus directly back and forth out from Medellin then seeing Guatape by itself and preventing entirely most locations tied specifically for Señor Escobar’s former assets. Those visiting alone find these trips quieter and potentially allowing room that you have an itinerary best aligning closely alongside, you know, any personal sensibility you cherish deeply.

Experiences near Guatape worth Considering

When extending visit or really are trying to find just one day activities offering unique depth look toward these types. They will blend pretty good for adding richness!

Helicopter Trip: Check into, well, potentially witnessing exactly Guatape plus surrounding areas literally with air should they remain available; various angles through great altitudes include special standpoints in this already dramatic areas visually.
Go Paragliding- Consider going along hills close alongside Medellin plus consider potentially going up throughout Medellin experiencing valleys visually using wings when conditions stay, so it is ideal. It becomes both peaceful but thrilling particularly due beautiful surrounds when ascending or descending; a must whether thrill exists in their vocabulary or otherwise anyway..
Spend several hours at Santa Fe- Just find small beautiful Colombian colony nearby Medellin demonstrating fantastic examples via architectural masterpieces

Guatape Chiva Tour – Final thoughts

Going onto the Chiva around Guatape combined beside exploring Hacienda Nápoles stands literally among plenty regarding memorable examples in close proximity, as a matter of fact, just outside Medellin – provided most are aware both upsides right next to aspects linked by visiting all former properties – what’s that mixture: celebrations plus serious ponderations- which either enhances depth throughout an Colombian escape if not just may really prove incongruent based just only around a tourists view after what one attempts literally for travel escapades in reality..