Peñol Rock tour from Rionegro airport: 700-step climb

Climb Peñol rock's 700 steps, see the lake from the summit, walk through the flooded town below

A full-day private tour from Medellín's Rionegro airport (JMC) that takes advantage of a layover to climb Peñol rock and explore the Guatapé area. Your guide meets you at baggage claim, handles the round-trip transfer, and leads you through the lake views, the 700-step climb to the summit, and the submerged old town. The tour runs 8 hours total, timed so you return to the airport for your next flight.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Guatapé and Peñol area

• Arrive at Medellin airport
• Meet private guide at baggage claim
• Enjoy views of the lake
• Climb 700 steps at Peñol rock
• Discover old Peñol town history
• Enjoy more lake views in Guatapé

The experience

You land at Rionegro airport and your guide is waiting at baggage claim with a sign bearing your name. The countryside sits 45 minutes from the terminal, which means the drive itself is part of the day: long enough to settle in, short enough that the tour still fits a layover. The private transfer gets you there and back without negotiating a taxi or hunting for a rental desk, and the guide handles the timing so you don't have to calculate when to leave.

Peñol rock rises from the Guatapé lake, and the climb is the centerpiece: 700 steps painted in bright colors, each one climbing higher until you're standing on the summit looking down at the water and the landscape spreading out around it. The steps are steep and uneven (the operator calls it one of the top ten wildest stairways on earth), but the views wait at the top and the pace is yours. After the climb, the tour moves to what the old Peñol town used to be before the lake flooded it. You walk through the submerged streets and see what remains. The lake views frame the whole day, whether you're climbing or standing still.

The guide speaks English or Spanish and travels with you the entire time. The entrance fee to Peñol rock is included, so there's no separate ticket to buy at the gate. The tour is built for layovers: 8 hours total, which means you have a real morning and afternoon in the countryside instead of sitting in the airport, and you're back in time for a connection. Dress code is smart casual. The terrain is accessible to most fitness levels, and children are welcome as long as an adult is with them.

What’s included

• Private guide who meets you at baggage claim.
• round-trip private transfer from Rionegro airport to Guatapé.
• entrance to Peñol rock.
• transport by private vehicle throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcome

Operated by Medellin City Services

Is this one for you?The guide picks you up at the airport terminal itself, which settles the arrival logistics for someone without a rental car or local transport: no negotiating a taxi fare or hunting for a ride. The 45-minute drive from Rionegro means a real countryside morning and afternoon fit inside a layover, and the return timing is planned around your next flight so the day holds together without you watching the clock.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Rionegro airport to Peñol rock?

The drive is approximately 45 minutes from the airport to the Guatapé area. Exact timing depends on traffic and time of day, but the tour is scheduled so you have time at the rock and return to the airport for your next flight.

What is the 700-step climb actually like?

The stairway up Peñol rock is steep and uneven, painted in bright colors, and takes you to the summit where you see the lake and surrounding landscape. The operator describes it as one of the top ten wildest stairways on earth, but the tour is suitable for all fitness levels and you set your own pace.

What happened to the old Peñol town?

The town was flooded when the lake was created. The tour includes a walk through the submerged streets so you can see what remains of the buildings and streets that used to be there.

Does the tour include food or drinks?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase during the day if you want them.

Can I book this if I'm arriving with luggage?

Yes. Your guide meets you at baggage claim and the private transfer takes you and your luggage directly to Guatapé. The tour is designed for layover travelers, so luggage is expected and accommodated.