Medellin: Horseback Riding Adventure In Nature (Don’t Overpay)

Medellín’s city streets give way to quiet countryside and hillside trails on this three-hour horseback ride. You meet at La Makha in El Poblado, travel about 30 minutes to a farm near an old town, and spend roughly 1.5 hours on horseback.

I like two things here: the horses are generally calm and well-trained, making the outing friendly to first-time riders, and the views give you a simple way to see rural Colombia without arranging a full day trip. The farm restaurant also makes the outing easy to extend with Colombian food and drinks.

The main caution is coordination. Several bookings have suffered from missed pickups or unclear meeting instructions, and large groups can make the ride feel slow. Confirm the pickup details before you set out, and do not assume an English-speaking guide will be present.

Key points to know before you book

• About 1.5 hours in the saddle: The full outing lasts three to four hours, including transport, instructions, stops, and lunch time.
• Beginner-friendly horses: The horses are described as responsive and easy to handle, though ability levels may be mixed in one group.
• Rural scenery near Medellín: Expect hills, farm views, photo stops, and sections that may include highway crossings and uneven ground.
• Shared transport from El Poblado: Meet at La Makha, then return to the same spot, but reconfirm pickup arrangements.
• Spanish may be the working language: Ricardo is one guide named in the information, and an English interpreter is not guaranteed.
• Food costs extra: Colombian tapas, dishes, and drinks are available at the finca restaurant but are not included in the $59 price.

Leaving El Poblado for the countryside

The outing begins at La Makha, Cocina de Origen, at Cra. 25 #10-51 in El Poblado. This is a useful central meeting point, especially if you are staying in Medellín’s main hotel and restaurant district.

The planned transfer takes about 30 minutes. That sounds short, but Medellín traffic and the final approach to a rural property can affect the timing. The advertised arrangement is shared round-trip transport, with the same vehicle or transport service taking you out and bringing you back after the ride.

I would arrive early and keep the confirmation details open on your phone. A few bookings have been affected by missed pickups, last-minute meeting-point changes, or drivers who were difficult to reach. Those problems may have been corrected, but they are serious enough to deserve a practical response: confirm the exact pickup location and vehicle details before the start time.

The meeting point is listed as the restaurant itself, not a nearby parking lot. That distinction matters. If the driver sends a new instruction, make sure everyone in your party has received it and understands where to wait.

Meeting the horses at the finca

At the farm, you meet the horses and receive basic riding instructions. The setting combines a working ranch, a restaurant, and an open countryside area, so this is not a polished equestrian center built only for tourists. That can be part of the appeal. You get a more local afternoon activity, with the farm as the natural base for the ride.

The horses receive the strongest praise in the available feedback. They are described as well-trained, smart, and responsive to commands. That is important if you have never ridden before. A calm horse lets you pay attention to posture, balance, and steering instead of worrying about controlling every step.

The tour is advertised for all ability levels. Beginners should expect a guided ride at a manageable pace, while experienced riders should keep expectations in check. One account described plenty of galloping, but another found only about 40 minutes of actual riding after distance and photo stops were considered. The pace can depend heavily on the guide, the group, and the conditions that day.

There is also a safety point to clarify before mounting: one account specifically noted that no riding helmets were supplied. Since helmet provision is not stated in the tour details, ask about it ahead of time if you want one. Wear long trousers and closed shoes, and choose clothing you do not mind getting dusty.

A 1.5-hour ride through hills and farm country

The trail takes you through countryside near Medellín, with climbs, descents, open views, and a few places to stop for photographs. The terrain is not described as a flat track. It can include uneven ground and, according to one account, a highway crossing.

That mixture gives the ride some character. You are not simply circling a fenced paddock. You get a look at the rural edge of the Medellín area and spend time outside the city’s traffic and concrete.

The trail is suitable for a first ride, but all levels does not mean all riders will receive a customized route. The most serious criticism concerns group size. Groups can reach more than 20 people, with beginners and confident riders traveling together. In a long line of horses, the pace is usually set by the least experienced riders, and the guide may have less freedom to offer faster sections.

This is the central tradeoff. If you want a relaxed outing with views and a chance to sit on a horse, a large group may be manageable. If you want technical riding, independent movement, or sustained speed, you may find the experience too restrained.

Photo stops are part of the outing and can be a highlight. The countryside provides natural backdrops, and stopping gives beginners a break from concentrating on the horse. But long photo pauses also reduce the time spent moving. One account estimated that only around 3.6 kilometers were covered in total and about 40 minutes were spent actually riding.

I would think of this as a scenic country ride, not a serious horseback expedition.

What the horses and guides are like

The horses are the clearest strength of the experience. Several positive accounts describe them as gentle, intelligent, and easy for first-time riders. One especially useful detail is that the horses reportedly responded well to commands, which can make the first few minutes far less intimidating.

A guide named Ricardo is specifically identified as friendly and helpful. The guide team is also described as making people feel comfortable, even when the group included riders from several countries.

Communication is less predictable. The experience information indicates that an English interpreter may be available, but one booking did not receive one. The guide spoke Spanish, and the ride still went ahead through demonstrations and basic understanding.

You should not depend on English instruction. If you know a few Spanish words for stop, go, slow, left, right, and help, learn them before you arrive. Watch the guide’s demonstrations carefully, and ask for clarification before leaving the farm.

The lack of a guaranteed English guide is not automatically a dealbreaker. Horseback riding instructions are often shown physically, and the setting is informal. Still, if you are nervous about riding or need detailed verbal instruction, this point deserves extra weight in your decision.

The restaurant stop and Colombian food

The ride finishes at the same farm restaurant. You can sit down for Colombian tapas, dishes, and drinks, but these cost extra. This is convenient because you do not need to find another place to eat after returning from the trail.

I like the idea of ending here rather than rushing straight back to Medellín. A farm restaurant gives the outing a social finish, and you can take a little more time with the countryside before the return transfer.

The price and quality of the food deserve caution. One account described the restaurant as overpriced and criticized the arepas. That may reflect a particular meal or a disagreement over the bill, but it is enough reason to check menu prices before ordering.

There was also a reported confusion over transport payment, with one amount in the email and a higher amount requested later. The advertised tour price is $59, while food and drinks are separate. Ask clearly what is included in your booking and what you will pay at the farm. Keep any confirmation of the price available.

You can also skip the meal and simply return with the group, but the timing may be built around the restaurant stop. If you are not eating, confirm how much free time remains before the return vehicle leaves.

Is $59 good value?

At $59, the outing can be a fair buy if you want a short countryside activity with transport from El Poblado. The price covers the organized ride, the horse, basic guidance, and round-trip transport from the listed meeting point.

The value is strongest for beginners and for anyone who wants a half-day break without arranging taxis, rural directions, or a private ranch visit. You get a taste of riding and rural scenery in a compact outing.

The value is weaker for experienced riders. The actual riding time may be shorter than the three-hour headline suggests, and a large group can limit speed and independence. If you are paying mainly for saddle time, compare the advertised 1.5-hour ride with the possibility of long stops and a slow pace.

Also remember the extras. Food and drinks are not included, and there may be a transport or payment clarification to settle. The $59 price is not the full cost of every part of the afternoon.

I would call it reasonable value for a casual horseback experience, not a bargain for a dedicated riding holiday.

Group size changes the experience

The maximum group size is 25 people. That is large for a horseback outing, especially when the horses travel together on a narrow or uneven trail.

A large group has one benefit: it can feel social. People from different countries may end up sharing the same afternoon, and the relaxed pace gives everyone time to talk and take photographs.

The drawback is control. Beginners need more attention, while confident riders may spend much of the ride walking behind a long line of horses. One account specifically criticized keeping more than 20 people together rather than splitting the group.

If group size matters to you, ask whether a smaller departure is available. The supplied information does not promise private rides or separate groups by ability, so you should assume the standard experience may be shared and mixed.

This is also why the tour suits a couple, a family, or a small group of friends who want an easy outing better than it suits riders seeking a polished, fast-moving trail ride.

Practical preparation for the ride

Bring a phone or camera for the photo stops, but protect it from dust and drops. You may be riding uphill and downhill, so a secure pocket or strap is more useful than holding your phone loosely.

Wear clothes that allow movement. Long trousers are more comfortable against a saddle than shorts, and sturdy closed shoes make more sense than sandals. The tour details do not list helmets, so ask in advance if helmet use is important to you.

Plan for changing weather. The activity can be canceled because of poor weather, with a different date or a full refund offered. A minimum number of participants is also required, and a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date, another activity, or a refund.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and cancellations are not accepted for a refund. Keep the local Medellín time in mind when making changes.

Most people can participate, but the tour details do not provide a detailed medical, weight, or mobility policy. If you have a condition that affects balance, mounting, or sitting for an extended time, contact the provider before booking.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it most to:

• First-time riders who want calm horses and basic instruction
• Couples and small groups looking for a rural afternoon
• Visitors staying in El Poblado who value included round-trip transport
• People who prefer scenery, photos, and a relaxed pace over technical riding
• Anyone willing to manage a Spanish-speaking guide and a potentially large group

I would be more careful recommending it to experienced riders who want long, fast stretches in the saddle. I would also hesitate if you need flawless transport coordination, guaranteed English instruction, or a small private group.

The horses and scenery give the outing real appeal. The weak points are not the basic idea of riding through the countryside, but the practical details around communication, group size, ride length, and extra costs.

Should you book the Medellín horseback ride?

Book it if you want a short, accessible countryside ride and can accept a shared group, Spanish-led instruction, and flexible timing. The well-trained horses and views are good reasons to choose it, especially if this is your first time on horseback.

Before paying, confirm the La Makha pickup, ask if an English-speaking guide and helmet will be available, and clarify the price of any transport or restaurant charges. If the operator confirms those points, the $59 experience can be a pleasant break from Medellín.

Skip it if you want a small-group riding lesson, a long trail ride, or reliable high-touch logistics. In that case, look for a private ride with a stated group limit and clearly included transport.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour begin?

It begins at La Makha, Cocina de Origen, at Cra. 25 #10-51 in El Poblado, Medellín. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The complete outing is expected to take about three to four hours. The horseback portion is advertised as approximately 1.5 hours, with transport, instructions, stops, and optional restaurant time included in the overall schedule.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for beginners and experienced riders, with riding instructions and additional guidance provided at the farm.

Is food included in the price?

No. Colombian tapas, dishes, and drinks at the finca restaurant are available at your own expense.

Is an English-speaking guide guaranteed?

No. An English interpreter is mentioned in the tour information, but English assistance is not guaranteed. At least one guide, Ricardo, is identified by name, and Spanish may be the main language during the ride.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and cancellation for that reason brings the same options.