Piedra del Peñol is the number one reason why people visit Guatape, Colombia. This massive rock gets all the attention from both tourists and locals.
The reason is quite simple, the views you get from here are just breathtaking. After you walk up the over 700 steps, you will get incredible views of the archipelago that surrounds Guatape.
We're here to share all of the details for visiting Piedra del Peñol in Guatape. Let's jump right in!
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Main Expenses & Data
- Transportation: Tuk Tuk COL 16,000 ($3.50 USD)
- Entrance: COL 20,000 ($4.50 USD)
- Steps: 740
- Height: 220 meters (660 feet)
- Above sea level (at its highest part): 2,135 meters (7,005 feet)
- Timetable: 7 days a week, 8 am to 6 pm
Where is Piedra del Peñol
Piedra del Peñol is located in the town of Guatape, Colombia. Guatapé is a municipality in Colombia, located in the department of Antioquia, 2 hours from Medellín. It is a world famous destination for being the town of the zócalos and the home of Piedra del Peñol.
Piedra del Peñol is located just outside of Guatape.
Piedra del Peñol is undoubtedly one of the best viewpoints in Colombia and in the entire world.
How to Get to Piedra del Peñol
Piedra del Peñol Is located next to Guatape, the town that leads to a beautiful archipelago filled with gorgeous houses and landscapes.
There's even a tour around them, where the boat driver will show you houses that belong to people you probably know like Reggaeton singer Maluma, Shakira, and even some that used to belong to drug lord Pablo Escobar.
There are basically two ways to get to Piedra del Peñol from Guatape. You can walk, or you can take a Tuk Tuk from Guatape.
How to Get to Guatape
The closest big city to Guatape is Medellin. At just 74 kilometers away, Guatape, Colombia is very accessible. In order to get here there a few different options. You can either rent a car from the airport or the city, take a bus from the city, or get private transportation.
Looking to rent a car in Medellin? Here is a site we use to book affordable rentals:
Want to book a bus to Guatape from Medellin instead? Here are some options to book in advance:
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Walking to Piedra del Peñol
Once you are in the town of Guatape, you can easily get there by foot. By walking it will take you around 50 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace. The upside is that you will walk by pretty buildings and bodies of water. The downside is that you will be walking literally by the road, so you have to pay attention.
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Taking a Tuk Tuk to Piedra del Peñol
The most popular option is to get a TukTuk. This form of transportation consists of a carriage (kind-of) with three wheels. There's a little space for your luggage, and a set that can fit two people (three if you squeeze).
What's amazing about Tuk Tuks in Guatape is that they have taken the time to customize every single corner of them. And not only that, but they also have a story behind. It could be a story about the most beautiful landscapes in the area, the story of the craft man, or even a religious story in some cases. The point here is that taking one of them is a whole experience itself.
Taking a tuk tuk is a fun way to go from Guatape to Piedra del Peñol.
Tuk Tuks charge a fixed rate of COL 10.000 ($3 USD approx.) for a roundtrip ride, and they take you up to the entrance in 5 minutes. To know exactly how to get there, you can check it out in a map by clicking here.
Update: The most recent time I visited (September 2022) the rate changed. Since then it has gone up to 1,600 pesos each way.
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Tours to Piedra del Peñol
There are also plenty of tours that you can book for a guided tour to Piedra del Peñol, as well as some other attractions in the area. Here are a few different options that you can choose from.
What to Expect While Visiting Piedra del Peñol
After you get to the entrance, you will find yourself in front of a set of hand-made stairs with 740 steps. There is no shortcut around it. The cost of the entrance is COL 20.000 ($6 USD).
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Walking up the stairs takes less than you may be thinking. Looking so prominent from far, you would think it's a one-hour hike, but it actually take between 15-20 minutes, depending on how many stops you do along the way.
There are 740 steps to the top of Piedra del Peñol.
Amenities at Pedra del Peñol
There is a souvenir shop at the bottom AND at the top as well. You will also find in both ends places to hidrate and eat. Our recommendation for these type of experiences is to always carry water with you.
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Once you get to the very top, you will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the archipelago. There is a dedicated area that takes a few more steps to get to, if you want to see the whole place. Otherwise, you can enjoy a coffee, ice-cream, or a fresh fruit juice while you get a souvenir of Piedra del Peñol.
There is a great restaurant at the bottom of Piedra del Peñol tucked in the corner.
Since the first time we visited Piedra del Peñol, a lot has changed! They have actually expanded greatly, and now there are a ton of different restaurants lined up right outside the entrance. You can find small shops inside, and balconies facing the beautiful views of Guatape below.
There is even a three or four story building that has different activities. For example, you can climb a net on the side of a building, or you can relax on a large net jutting out from the side of the building to have a cup of coffee with an epic view.
One of the restaurants next to el Peñon de Guatape has a net to sit on and enjoy the view!
Things to Consider for Visiting Piedra del Peñol
- It's open 7 days a week.
If you're on a tight schedule, or if you want to plan ahead of time, this may be a relief for you. From 8 in the morning until 6 in the afternoon you can access Piedra del Peñol without a problem.
- Consider time if you want to go back in a Tuk Tuk. If you visit Piedra del Peñol too late, you may find yourself waiting for a Tuk Tuk back to Guatape for a long time. Drivers are pretty good timing the activity, so they won't bother going to the entrance when it's close to 6 pm, since most people will be gone by then. So if you're going late, make sure to arrange with a driver at the entrance to wait for you to go back.
- There's a hidden restaurant with stunning views at the bottom.
Even though the views at the top are incredible, the entrance to Piedra del Peñol is pretty high as well. Before (or after) going up, check for a small restaurant to the right that has set some tables with great open-air views of the archipelago. Sit & relax, and enjoy a good cup of Colombian coffee.
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Packing For a Trip to Piedra del Peñol
Here are a few things you should bring while visiting Piedra del Peñol:
- Sneakers or comfortable shoes
- Light Clothing
- Sunscreen
- Power bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
- Water Bottle (we use the Cafago Insulated Water Bottle, as it holds the temperature well)
- Insta 360 X3 with the long selfie stick to get drone looking shots
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Piedra del Peñol Is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience. It's not every day you run into a massive rock emerging from the Earth, with a chance for you to climb it.
If you're looking for more awesome activities you can do in Colombia, make sure to check out our Colombia travel guides. If your travels are wider and want to discover South America, then you can look at all of our different South America Travel Guides to see all you can do throughout the continent!
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