What to Expect on a Medellín Bike Tour

Short on time? In Medellin, you can take a day, night, e-bike, or mountain bike tour!

When I first arrived in Medellin, I was all about the tours. One type of tour I saw repeatedly popping up was bike tours!

There are tons (and I mean tons) of bike tours that you can take around the city. And, if you do, you’ll be in for a real treat. 

Whether you want a grueling bike ride up into the mountains or want to try biking around the city, Medellin has it all. Here’s what to expect on a bike tour.

City Bike Tours

The obvious bike tour option to try is a city bike tour. These tours are designed to take you around Medellin’s back roads and to give you a chance to get to know the city. 

Your tour is led by a guide who speaks both English and Spanish and will point out different sites along the way. It also includes your bicycle, helmet, and medical insurance so that you can stay safe on the road. 

What’s great about these tours is that they’re not just all fitness and no fun. You’ll make a few pitstops around town to take photos, try some Colombian coffee, and even try a local Colombian beer! 

In terms of what you’ll see, you’ll head to popular spots such as Pueblito Paisa and Plaza Botero. You’ll get a chance to check out the best of Medellin’s outdoor spaces in a fun, fit environment. 

Oh, and the tour lasts about 4 hours. You’ll cover quite a bit of distance, so be sure to put on your gym shorts!

Electric Bike Tours

For the lazier fitness gurus out there, electric bike tours are also an option. E-bikes are great because they take some of the work out of your journey!

Electric bike tours look much the same as standard city bike tours, except that you’ll be able to ride on an e-bike. Plus, you can choose between a foodie tour or a standard city tour.

On the city tour, you’ll take the same route as you would on a standard bike tour. On the food tour, however, you get so much more. 

The food tour takes you on a 15km ride around Medellin, treating you to 10 different Colombian foods at a total of four different locations. The tour lasts about four hours and includes drinks and water, too.

Your whole tour is led by an English-speaking guide. These guides really know the area and have a ton of information for you to learn while you’re out!

Mountain Bike Tours

If you’re anything like me, when you go on vacation you’re doing a lot of eating and not a lot of exercising. So, if you’re trying to work out and stay fit while in Medellin, I’d highly suggest taking a mountain bike tour.

This mountain bike tour lasts a whopping 8 hours and takes you up into the mountains surrounding Medellin. There, you’ll be treated to a hearty Colombian breakfast.

If you haven’t had traditional Colombian food yet, beware. Paisas like to eat and don’t leave anything off the platter in their meals!

Then it’s back on the trail for a grueling bike ride through the mountains. You’ll get chances to stop, take breaks, and take photos. Plus, you’ll be led by an English-speaking guide who has tidbits of information about the countryside you’re cycling through. 

At the end of the trail, you’ll be treated to traditional coffee as well as some delicious Colombian beer. That’s well-deserved after the kind of trek you’ve just had!

Night Bike Tours

There’s something extra fun and rebellious about going out after dark. And, instead of doing what all the tourists do and heading down to the nightclubs, why not try riding around Medellin on a bike?

This tour is a bit shorter than the other bike tours you’ll find, lasting just 3 hours. However, don’t let that fool you! Your English-speaking guide will still take you to quite a few spots in Medellin.

On your tour, you’ll check out the many different neighborhoods of Medellin. Your journey will take you all the way from Poblado to Laureles, giving you a taste of the different parts of the city. 

Your tour includes some traditional Colombian food, which you’ll try at a couple of pitstops. It also includes a glass of Colombian beer and a taste of some delicious coffee!

Other Biking Options

If the idea of a bike tour doesn’t thrill you and you’d rather check out the city on your own, that’s absolutely an option, too!

Medellin has a city bike program (that offers your first hour for free!) that allows you to rent bikes and take them around the city. 

The bike share is mostly designed for commuters, but that’s not to say you can’t use it for a tour! In fact, that’s exactly what I did when I first arrived. I took advantage of the first free hour and just went for a ride to check out the city. 

It’s a great way to see Medellin and you can bike out to some of the harder-to-reach parks and nature trails. When I went, I biked out to the cemetery to take in some history. 

If you don’t want to use the city bikes, there are plenty of bike rental companies around the place, too. Ask the concierge at your Casacol vacation rental and they’ll be able to hook you up with some good options near your hotel. 

Spend a Day on a Bike Tour Around Medellin

Whether you go out at night or stick to the classic daytime tours, you’re bound to have fun on one of Medellin’s many bike tours.

These are a great way to get some exercise, stay fit, and see the city all at the same time!

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