The Best Hot Air Balloon Tour in Santa Fe de Antioquia

TLDR? In Santa Fe de Antioquia you can take a hot air balloon ride and check out the village from above.

Colombia’s Medellin area have countless activities for all kinds of tourists to enjoy. 

If you’re the kind of tourist who prefers to live in luxury and experience the more lavish sides of life, I recommend taking a tour in a hot air balloon. Sound up your alley? 

You can enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the tropical landscapes and colonial atmosphere of Santa Fe de Antioquia, only an hour and a half away from Medellin.  

You don’t need to to travel to Cappadocia for an amazing hot air balloon expedition, Santa Fe de Antioquia’s got you covered! Read ahead to get to know the best hot air balloon tours in Santa Fe de Antioquia and get ready for your next adventure! 

Hot Air Balloon Tours in Santa Fe de Antioquia

The warm town of Santa Fe de Antioquia is all about hiking, history, delicious food, and relaxing resorts. 

But things to do in Santa Fe de Antioquia don’t end there: you can find some truly unique and exciting activities there as well, such as experiencing a gorgeous panoramic view of the area while flying high in a colorful balloon.  

The town is home to a number of tourism agencies dedicated to providing unforgettable hot air balloon flights, including all the security measures you need to feel safe. 

Here are a few of these agencies: 

• Flotte
• Paragliding Colombia
• Antioquia de Aventura 
• Premium Tours Medellín

After doing a bit of research, I decided to go with the Premium Tours Medellín agency. It was my first experience in a hot air balloon and I had an amazing time! This tour is absolutely one I would recommend and repeat. 

The Best Hot Air Balloon Experience in Santa Fe de Antioquia – What to Expect

Why Choose Premium Tours Medellin? 

Premium Tours Medellin is perfect for tourists looking to get the full Santa Fe de Antioquia experience. They provide a hot air balloon ride as well as a guided tour of the town of Santa Fe de Antioquia and the well-known Puente de Occidente suspension bridge. 

If you’ve already toured Santa Fe de Antioquia, no worries! You can choose to just take the balloon flight service and skip the town tour. 

The tour departs from Medellin or from the Rionegro Airport, about 20km or 12 miles from Medellin. I was staying in an Airbnb in El Poblado, so I decided to leave from Medellin. 

Nightowls be warned: the departure time for the tour is at 4:30 in the morning, so make sure to go to bed early the night before to ensure you’re well rested for the trip. The pick-up is so early because the hot air balloon flights are early, between 6 and 8 in the morning. 

Although the tour is very early, I promise it’s worth it to watch the sun rise around you as you drift higher and higher into the sky. 

The Hot Air Balloon Ride Options

The first thing I did once I arrived was choose the kind of hot air balloon trip I wanted to take. I picked from a four different options: 

• Captive: During a captive trip, the hot air balloon rises to heights of 150 feet while remaining anchored to the ground. 

• Free: On a free trip, the balloon rises to 1,200 flies depending on air currents without no defined routes. 

• Shared flights: Available on Sundays

• Exclusive flights: Available from Monday to Saturday.

Next, I had to decide whether to take a 15 or 30 minute flight time. 

I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, so I took the free trip and fly by air currents. However, I was still a little nervous about going up in an airballoon for the first time, so I decided to pair the free trip with a 15-minute flight time. 

The Flight Experience

To start the flight, an expert personnel introduces heat into the balloon with fire until the balloon is completely tense. 

After everything is ready, passengers get into a basket-style cabin and prepare for take off! The balloon takes off with the help of a piolet trained in controlling the flame that provides the necessary heat  for flight. 

Seeing the mountains of Antioquia from a bird’s eye view was a truly priceless experience. It’s an entirely different experience than flying on a plane. In the open basket of the hot air balloon, I was able to feel and breathe the fresh morning air, and felt like I was apart of the gorgeous sunrise. 

After my experience, I wished I’d gone on the 30 minute flight! I feel like I could spend hours in a hot air balloon flying over Santa Fe de Antioquia.  

The cost of the tour starts at $138 USD or 580,000 COP. Prices may vary depending on the number of guests taking the tour, if it’s a shared or exclusive flight, the type of trip you choose, and how long you spend in the air. 

Other Perks of this Tour Package

After experiencing a memorable ride in the hot air balloon, I went with the tour staff directly to the town of Santa Fe de Antioquia. It’s a beautiful colonial style town full of parks, churches, and rich history. 

We ate a traditional Colombian lunch, then I decided to take a short tour of the artisanal candy stands in the town’s main square. My favorite was the tamarind candy. It had the best sweet-and-sour mix. 

Finally, it was time to visit the amazing Puente de Occidente. This famous suspension bridge stretches over the Cauca River, one of Colombia’s most important waterways, and is known for its length, structure, and history. 

Once we finished marvelling at the bridge, the tour was complete! 

Final Things to Keep in Mind

• For their safety, pregnant women are not allowed on the hot air balloons. 

• The maximum weight for a four person flight is about 300 kilograms or about 660 pounds. 

• When hiring an agency for your hot air balloon trip, I recommend making sure the agency provides risk insurance. 

• Children ages four and above are allowed to fly, but you must inform the agency of them at the time of reservation. 

• Pets of any kind are not allowed inside the balloon. 

Take a Hot Air Balloon Tour in Santa Fe de Antioquia

Hot air balloon tours are still a bit of rarity of in Colombia, so take advantage of this amazing opportunity in Santa Fe de Antioquia, and enjoy some adventure tourism in complete safety. So get ready for your balloon trip: I promise you won’t regret it! 

If you like this blog, you might like the Casacol Instagram page to keep up with all the new articles. Anything we need to update or correct? Care to contribute? Email us at blog@casacol.co.