Every small town develops its own internal shorthand, and Guatapé is no exception — a lot of it centers, unsurprisingly, on the thing the town is proudest of: its painted zócalos.
Pride in "los zócalos"
Ask almost anyone in town about the painted relief tiles lining building facades and you'll get genuine enthusiasm, not tourist-script politeness. The town holds public recognition ceremonies honoring "la memoria cultural del zócalo" (the cultural memory of the zócalo tradition) during its biggest annual festival — this isn't just decoration to locals, it's identity.
"Guatapé Territorio del Agua y Rocas"
You'll occasionally hear the town referred to with this fuller phrase — "Guatapé, Territory of Water and Rocks" — a nod to the two things that define it: the reservoir and El Peñón. It shows up in local promotional material and town branding more than in everyday casual conversation, but it captures how locals see their own home.
The founding story locals are proud of
Guatapé marked 214 years since its founding in 2025 (dating back to roughly 1811), and the town takes its founding anniversary seriously — with a formal Mass of thanksgiving at the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen, a commemorative ceremony, and even the occasional unveiling of a founder's bust in the main plaza during anniversary years.
Community pride over polish
What stands out about Guatapé's inside references is how community-oriented they are — parades honoring "guatapense identity," senior-citizen social events built into the town's biggest festival, local sports tournaments and billiards competitions that draw a real crowd. It's less about clever wordplay and more about a town that clearly still feels connected to itself, tourism boom notwithstanding.