Motorcycle Travel FAQ
Colombia Moto Adventures

No — our rental bikes stay in Colombia and don't cross borders. If you're planning a longer South American trip, we can help you buy a motorcycle in Medellín and resell it at the end. See our Buying a Motorcycle in Colombia guide (/buy-a-motorcycle-in-colombia)or message Jeff directly to discuss options.

Absolutely — solo riders make up a big share of our guests, and Colombia is far safer than its old reputation suggests. You'll have 24/7 WhatsApp support, reliable bikes, and guides who know every road. For extra peace of mind, many solo riders choose guided tours or pre-booked self-guided itineraries.

Yes — two-up riding is common and welcomed. The Suzuki DR650 (/dr650-south-america-colombia-motorc)is our recommended bike for pillion passengers: comfortable seat, enough power for two riders and luggage, and well-suited to mountain roads. Non-riding partners can also join guided tours riding pillion with a guide. Ask us when you inquire.

Yes, on request — Cartagena, Santa Marta, Bogotá, and Cali are all possible. A one-way drop fee applies. Contact us e(/contact-jeff)arly; we need advance notice to position a transport vehicle.

Yes, on guided tours of 6+ riders. Contact Jeff f(/contact-jeff)or a custom group quote.

Airport transfer from MDE to your hotel can be arranged for an additional fee. Just ask when you book. Many riders prefer arranging their own Uber or taxi — it's straightforward and cheap.

Our tours are built for comfortable intermediate riders — solid street experience with some dirt or gravel time. You don't need to be an expert. • New to off-road? Our paved and light-gravel tours (coffee country, scenic Andes) are perfect. • Comfortable intermediate? Most of our trips are built for you. • Experienced adventure rider? You'll love our mixed-terrain routes. Note: we don't chase single-track or hardcore technical enduro.

We normally require 1 year of recent motorcycle experience. If you're a confident street rider who hasn't done off-road, our paved-and-light-gravel tours (Classic Coffee Region, 1-Day Top of the World) are a great fit. Total first-time motorcyclists — people who don't yet have a license or who recently received ther license — aren't a good fit for our tours.

No. Our trips are about exploring Colombia — real adventure with mixed terrain, not single-track or extreme off-road. If you're looking for enduro-specific riding, we're not the right match.

No upper age limit. Our oldest rider was in his late 70s. Plenty of our guests are 60+, riding solo or two-up with a partner. Just let us know so we can recommend the right tour and pacing.

Our guides are speak some english. Most guests speak English as their first or second language, and our guides are fluent enough to handle anything that comes up.

These are the two most proven dual-sport bikes for Colombia's conditions: • Lighter and easier to control than heavy ADV bikes in mud, rivers, and mountain switchbacks • Simple and tough — minimal electronics, built for rough terrain • Air-cooled engines — no radiators to overheat in tropical heat or at altitude • 21" front wheels, long suspension travel — ready for any road • Trusted locally — Colombian police and guides ride them daily. There's a reason you don't see BMW 1250s or KTM 1290s out here.

• Honda XRE300: Our most popular choice. Lighter, easier to handle on twisty mountain roads, great for most riders. • Suzuki DR650: More power, better for larger riders, long highway stretches, two-up riding, or riders who want more muscle.

Our fleet is maintained in-house between every trip — full inspection, fresh tires as needed, and spare tubes loaded on every bike. Breakdowns are rare. When they happen, we're on call 24/7 to coordinate repairs, towing, or (rarely) a replacement bike.

Every rental includes SOAT, Colombia's mandatory emergency medical insurance — covers emergency medical care for you, your passenger, and third parties in the event of an accident. SOAT does not cover damage to the bike, theft, personal belongings, or non-emergency medical care. We strongly recommend buying your own travel insurance with motorcycle coverage. Most standard travel policies exclude motorcycling — check the fine print.

Call us immediately. If anyone is injured, call 123 (Colombian emergency services) first, then us. For minor drops or breakdowns, we'll coordinate local repairs. For bigger incidents, we'll guide you through reporting, insurance, and getting you and the bike home safely.

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip • Motorcycle license from your home country (physical card, not a photo) • Credit card for the damage deposit • Your bike documents (registration, SOAT insurance, inspection) are stored in the top box on every rental. If you lose them, a $150 USD replacement fee applies.

• Deposit: Required to confirm your booking • Cancellations: No refunds for cancellations after booking, including for illness, flight delays, or changed plans • Once the rental starts: No refunds for unused days or early return

Colombian pesos (COP) for fuel and local purchases — USD and EUR are not accepted at gas stations or most restaurants. ATMs are widely available in every town. Carry 200,000–400,000 pesos (~$50–100 USD) in small bills for rural stops.

• Full-face helmet (ECE 22.05 standard) with sun visor • Armored riding jacket • Gloves • Knee pads • Rain gear • 40L waterproof dry bag • Locking 48L top box • Phone mount and USB charger

• Riding pants and boots — bring your own. These are the two items we don't rent. If you need them, we can point you to a local shop. • Motorcycle license, passport, credit card • Personal clothing and toiletries • Travel insurance documents • Any medications you take regularly

Yes — free luggage storage at our office for anything you don't want on the bike.

Every self-guided rider gets: • Pre-loaded Google Maps tracks for each day's route, tested and ridden by our team • Daily route notes with viewpoints, fuel stops, and lunch recommendations • Hotel addresses and check-in details sent in advance • 24/7 WhatsApp support if you get lost or have questions

Road conditions in Colombia (/colombia-off-road-riding-conditions)are everything from smooth mountain twisties to rural gravel tracks. Most tours are 50–80% paved with optional off-road sections. The Andean switchbacks are some of the best riding roads in the world.

No — motorcycles are exempt from tolls in Colombia. Use the narrow lane on the far right of toll booths to pass through.

Say "Lleno de Extra, por favor" (fill it up with Extra, please). • Extra: Higher octane, cleaner — better for motorcycles. Available in larger towns. • Regular: Lower octane, more common in rural areas. Safe to use when Extra isn't available. Always dismount before refueling. Return the bike with a full tank to avoid refueling charges.

Colombian police and military are friendly and helpful to foreign riders. Stop, smile, show your documents, and you'll be waved through in under a minute. Speed cameras are clearly marked and mostly in towns — fines are around $200 USD if you trigger one. Follow the Colombian saying: "No dar papaya" — don't make yourself an easy target. Use common sense and you'll be fine.

Colombia is a year-round riding destination. The Andes have mild, spring-like weather almost every day. • Dry seasons: December–March and June–August • Rainy seasons: April–May and September–November Rainy season doesn't mean non-stop rain — it's usually short, predictable afternoon showers. Mornings are almost always clear. Just bring rain gear (included on every rental) and you can ride comfortably any month.

No. Afternoon rain in the rainy season typically lasts 30–90 minutes. Most of our guests during rainy season ride comfortably with the included rain gear. The upside: fewer tourists and greener landscapes.

Most of our tours reach 2,500–4,100 meters (8,000–13,500 ft) at some point. Altitude sickness is rare at these elevations — most riders feel fine. Stay hydrated, take it easy on day one, and let us know if you have existing heart or lung conditions.

• Guided tour: Private guide + mechanic riding with you every day. All logistics, hotels, and repairs handled. Best for first-time visitors or riders who want zero stress. • Self-guided: Bikes, routes, GPS tracks, and hotels all pre-arranged — you ride at your own pace. 24/7 WhatsApp support. • Rental only: Just the bike and gear. You plan everything yourself.

Yes. Daily rental rates apply, no itinerary required.

Absolutely. We regularly build custom itineraries for couples, photography groups, bachelor parties, and mixed-ability groups.

No. You pick the dates — we book around you. Most tours can start any day of the week, subject to bike availability.

Call us immediately. We're on call 24/7. We'll coordinate the fastest fix possible — local repairs, towing, or in rare cases a replacement bike. In remote areas, help may take longer to arrive, but we'll walk you through every step.