Covid measures in Bernal

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Bernal, please refer to Mexico’s Official Travel website and the US Embassy’s COVID-19 information for Mexico . Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this adventure: An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area A full day of rock climbing depending on your chosen itinerary All technical climbing gear What’s not included: Transportation Accommodation Meals and snacks Park entrance fee (25 pesos)

How fit do I need to be?

If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.

What if I’ve never climbed before?

La Peña has a unique adventure for visitors of all skill levels. Whether you’ve never climbed before or are transitioning from the gym to outdoor climbing, your guide will customize the day to suit your skill level and objectives. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun! For intermediate to advanced climbers, Bernal has loads of routes to spend the day on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.

What about required equipment?

All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need: Helmet Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag Ropes Rock shoes (included in the price, but we recommend bringing your own if you have them) Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.) Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag) Sun hat Water bottle Food you can eat on-the-go Long-sleeved sun shirt Light puffy jacket for high-altitude approaches Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Comfortable approach shoes Sunglasses Camera — optional Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For the private single pitch climbs, the usual guest-to-guide ratio is 4:1. For the private multi-pitch climbs, the usual guest-to-guide ratio is 2:1. Costs per person decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family. Climbing days in La Pe ñ a de Bernal can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Peña de Bernal, most people fly into Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) or Ciudad de México International Airport (AICM) . Santiago de Querétaro is just over an hour away by car or bus. Ciudad de México is 3 hours away. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The exact climbing spot will be discussed after the booking as guides make that decision after considering the skill level of the group and factors such as crag traffic and weather.

Climbers at the peak of La Peña de Bernal

One of the biggest monoliths in the world, Queretaro, Mexico

Peña de Bernal | Mexico

Rock Climbing at La Peña de Bernal

5.00 ()

Season

Year-round

Nearest city

Santiago de Querétaro is an hour away; Ciudad de Mexico is 3 hours away

Duration

1 or more days

Difficulty

Guides

Simeon Heimowitz, SouthernXposure

From $370 () / 1 day

Got any questions?

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

Head to the outskirts of the picturesque town of Bernal (one of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage sites in Mexico) and you’ll find the tallest monolith on Earth. At 1,700 ft (520 m) Peña de Bernal is a gigantic granite playground with over 100 trad and sport multi-pitches, an ample supply of single-pitches and world class bouldering. The routes are vertical, technical and the bullet hard stone is littered with great edges, chickenheads, sloapers and pinches. The 360 degree views from the top of the monolith are amazing with stunning views of the Sierra Gorda mountains. The fiesta never ends at Peña de Bernal and the best part is—everyone’s invited! Find out more about climbing in Central México from Simeon Heimowitz, PCGI certified climbing guide, owner of SouthernXposure and author of several guide books covering climbing South of the Border.

Up your climbing game on one of the tallest monoliths in the world
Plenty of sunny and shaded routes available any time of year
Over 100 multi-pitches for newcomers and climbing veterans alike

Available itineraries

A Customized Day of Climbing With a Private Guide

Get ready for a full day of climbing classic routes on the tallest monolith in México! Head to the “Magical Town” of Bernal and take on a wide assortment of top-notch moderates ranging from 5.6 to 5.12C. Whether you’ve never been tied to a rope or you live in your rock shoes, your professional guide will make sure you push your skills to the next level on La Peña de Bernal’s world-class rhyolite routes.

Multi-Pitch Climbing With a Private Guide

Peña de Bernal is a focal point for world-class multi-pitch climbing in the whole of Central México. Climb from two to thirteen pitches ranging from 5.8 to 5.12a, and do it under the guidance of a professional local guide. Bernal not only offers great rock quality, but a ton of well-spaced climbs carefully cleaned and bolted all the time. Is there a better way to spend the day? Join your guide and experience the best climbing México has to offer!

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Meet your guides

5.00

Simeon Heimowitz

Simeon is a PCGI Certified Climbing Guide with over 15 years of experience in guiding in Northern & Central Mexico. He is the owner of SouthernXposure, a climbing school & guide service in Central Mexico. Simeon wrote three guidebooks on Mexico rock climbing, covering the Bernal, Aculco, and El Potrero Chico areas, where he has spent over 18 years climbing the crags!

5.00

SouthernXposure

SouthernXposure Climbing School and Guide Service is at the forefront of rock climbing in Mexico. They are a union of the best rock climbing guides from all over North America. They develop the areas, routes, and the infrastructure on terrain that is destined to become the focal point for the best climbing — not only in Mexico, but also all of the northern continent from Canada to Central America. SouthernXposure is a professional guide service that embraces the cultural heritage of the surrounding area by enlightening visitors to what makes the towns we visit so special. If you've never traveled to the breadbasket of Mexico you are in for a real treat!

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Central Mexico’s Hidden Gems of Rock Climbing

Simeon Heimowitz

Rock Climbing Guide

5.00 (3 reviews)

Bradley N. (source: Tripadvisor)

Cindy and I just spent winter break climbing in Bernal and Aculco and Simeon was incredibly helpful. He was always available to answer questions to help us put the trip together and we had an amazing time climbing with both Sim and Carlos! We couldn’t have felt safer or in better hands.

Jason T. (source: Tripadvisor)

I have had multiple outings with Simeon and each has been amazing. From climbing for the first time at Peña de Bernal to climbing with my whole family at La Concepcion to most recently learning how to set anchors. Simeon has taken climbing from something that I always had an interest in into something my whole family can enjoy together. All of the instruction is detailed and tailored to the individual skill level with safety always being the priority.

Drew W. (source: Tripadvisor)

On my first trip to Mexico for rock climbing, Simeon was gracious in showing us several local climbing destinations within an hour or so from Queretaro. Without his help, we would have been lost. Simeon is passionate about the sport of rock climbing as well as introducing Mexican culture to individuals visiting from the states. His knowledge of both is invaluable, and I would highly recommend Southern Xposure as a guide service.

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Bernal, please refer to Mexico’s Official Travel website and the US Embassy’s COVID-19 information for Mexico.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get in this adventure:
- An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- A full day of rock climbing depending on your chosen itinerary
- All technical climbing gear
What’s not included:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Meals and snacks
- Park entrance fee (25 pesos)
If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.
La Peña has a unique adventure for visitors of all skill levels. Whether you’ve never climbed before or are transitioning from the gym to outdoor climbing, your guide will customize the day to suit your skill level and objectives. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun!

For intermediate to advanced climbers, Bernal has loads of routes to spend the day on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.
All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:
- Helmet
- Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag
- Ropes
- Rock shoes (included in the price, but we recommend bringing your own if you have them)
- Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)
Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:
- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
- Sun hat
- Water bottle
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Long-sleeved sun shirt
- Light puffy jacket for high-altitude approaches
- Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Comfortable approach shoes
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
- For the private single pitch climbs, the usual guest-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
- For the private multi-pitch climbs, the usual guest-to-guide ratio is 2:1.
- Costs per person decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.
Climbing days in La Peña de Bernal can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:
- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Peña de Bernal, most people fly into Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) or Ciudad de México International Airport (AICM) . Santiago de Querétaro is just over an hour away by car or bus. Ciudad de México is 3 hours away.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The exact climbing spot will be discussed after the booking as guides make that decision after considering the skill level of the group and factors such as crag traffic and weather.