Piedra del Peñol Entrance Fee 2026: Price, Hours & How to Beat the Crowds

The entrance fee to climb Piedra del Peñol is $35,000 COP per person in 2026 — roughly US$9. The new price took effect on January 1, 2026, and it is now a single flat rate all year round: the operators scrapped the old high-season/low-season pricing, under which tickets ranged from $25,000 to $30,000 COP in 2025. Your ticket covers the famous 740-step staircase wedged into the rock and the viewpoint at the top, home to what many consider the best panorama in Colombia: the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir and its maze of green islands.

Last updated: July 2026. We are the hosts of Finca Conejo Blanco, a vacation rental 10-15 minutes from the rock, and we climb it regularly — often with our guests. This guide covers the verified 2026 prices plus everything we tell visitors before they go: when to climb, what the stairs are really like, and how to have the summit nearly to yourself.

Piedra del Peñol ticket prices in 2026

Item	2026 price
General admission (per person)	$35,000 COP (about US$9)
Children	Same flat per-person rate (no official child discount was published for 2026)
How to pay	Ticket booth at the base of the stairs; bring Colombian pesos in cash

You buy your ticket in person at the booth at the foot of the staircase — there is no need to book ahead. One practical tip we give every guest: bring cash. The ticket booth and most of the stalls around the rock run primarily on cash, so do not count on paying by card for this outing.

How the price has changed over the years

The 2026 increase sparked plenty of debate on social media, but it follows a decade-long trend. Based on press records, the fee has evolved like this:

• 2013: $10,000 COP
• 2016: $15,000 COP
• 2022: $20,000-$25,000 COP
• 2025: $25,000-$30,000 COP depending on the season
• 2026: $35,000 COP, one flat rate year-round

The site's management points to operating costs as the reason: maintaining the staircase, restrooms, visitor-service staff, and the rescue personnel who remain on site throughout visiting hours.

Opening hours and the best time to climb

Piedra del Peñol is open every day of the year, including holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Light rain does not close the stairs, though a heavy downpour makes the climb unpleasant and can hide the view behind clouds.

Here is the single most valuable piece of advice we give: climb right at opening, between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. The day-trip buses from Medellín arrive in waves between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. From then on, the ticket line grows, the staircase gets congested, and the mid-morning sun hits you head-on. Go early and you will have the steps nearly to yourself, softer light for photos, and you will be walking down just as the buses pull in. The only realistic way to do that is to sleep nearby the night before — which is exactly why so many travelers look for accommodation near El Peñol and the rock instead of making the pre-dawn drive from Medellín.

What the climb is like: 740 steps

The staircase zigzags up a natural crack in the monolith and counts 740 steps. The climb takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your pace and fitness. You do not need to be an athlete — we regularly see whole families go up, from young kids to grandparents, simply taking their time. There are handrails the entire way and spots where you can step aside, catch your breath, and let others pass.

A few basics for the climb:

• Wear comfortable shoes with decent grip; the steps can be damp early in the morning.
• Bring water, especially if you are climbing with children.
• Do not race it. The viewpoint is not going anywhere, and the view at the top will raise your heart rate more than the stairs do.
• Trained attention and rescue staff are on site during visiting hours — reassuring if you are traveling with older family members.

For the full visit — ticket line, climb, photos at the top, a snack, and the walk down — plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours.

What you'll find at the top

The summit rewards you with a 360-degree view over the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir: dozens of green islands and peninsulas scattered across blue water, one of the most photographed landscapes in Colombia. Up top there are kiosks selling snacks, fresh juices, micheladas, and ice cream, plus souvenir stands and restrooms. Our personal ritual is a cold mango juice with the reservoir spread out below before heading down. The descent uses a separate staircase, so you never fight against oncoming traffic. If you want the full story of the rock itself, see our page on the Guatapé Rock (El Peñón de Guatapé).

How to get there

From Guatapé town

The rock sits about 10 minutes by car from Guatapé's town center. From the main plaza you can grab a mototaxi or tuk-tuk, or take a taxi; some visitors walk, though the final hill up to the base of the stairs is a warm-up in itself. If you are driving, there is parking near the base.

From Medellín

Buses to Guatapé leave Medellín's Terminal del Norte throughout the day; the ride takes around two hours, and you can ask the driver to drop you at the entrance to the rock just before town. By car, follow the Medellín-Bogotá highway and turn off at Marinilla toward El Peñol and Guatapé. If you are staying more than a day — which we always recommend — our guide to visiting Guatapé in 2 days lays out how to combine the rock, the town, and the lake without rushing.

Insider tips from local hosts

After sending dozens of guests up the rock, these are the tips we repeat most often:

• Climb on a weekday if you can. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Colombian holidays the ticket line can take longer than the climb itself.
• Sleep close, climb early. Our guests at Finca Conejo Blanco have a slow breakfast and still reach the ticket booth by 8:00 a.m., because the finca is 10-15 minutes from the rock. By the time they come down, the tour buses are just arriving.
• Carry cash for the whole outing: entrance fee, snacks at the top, mototaxi rides, and tips.
• Watch the sky, not the forecast. Weather around Guatapé changes fast. If the morning dawns clear, climb that day and save the boat ride for the afternoon.
• Make it more than the rock. Pair the climb with the malecón, the painted zócalos of Guatapé's streets, and a sunset over the reservoir.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to climb Piedra del Peñol in 2026?

The entrance fee is $35,000 COP per person (about US$9) as of January 1, 2026. It is a single flat rate that applies every day of the year, with no high-season or low-season pricing.

How long does the climb take?

Climbing the 740 steps takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your pace. For the whole visit — including photos at the top and the walk down — plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Can I pay by card?

Tickets are sold at the booth at the base of the stairs, which runs primarily on cash. Bring Colombian pesos in cash for the entrance fee and for the snack kiosks at the summit.

What is the best time to climb?

Right at opening, between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Tour buses from Medellín arrive between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., so an early start means no lines, cooler temperatures, and an uncrowded staircase.

Is the climb suitable for kids?

Yes. The 740 steps have handrails and places to rest, and families with children climb it every day at their own pace. Attention and rescue staff are on site during visiting hours. The 2026 fee is charged per person.

Plan your climb — and stay next door

Piedra del Peñol is worth every peso and every step, especially if you climb early and skip the crowds. The easiest way to do that is to stay nearby: at Finca Conejo Blanco you are 10-15 minutes from the base of the rock, with room for 9 guests, a private jacuzzi, lake access, and a 4.9-star rating across 70+ reviews, from $850,000 COP per night. Check available dates and book your stay, or learn more about our accommodation near El Peñol. The most famous view in Antioquia will be waiting just around the corner.