Question 1

Can I ride into Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, or other countries?

Accepted Answer

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 or message Jeff directly to discuss options.

Question 2

I'm traveling solo. Is that OK?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Can my partner ride on the back?

Accepted Answer

Yes — two-up riding is common and welcomed. The Suzuki DR650 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.

Question 4

Can I pick up in Medellín and drop off somewhere else?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Do you have group discounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on guided tours of 6+ riders. Contact Jeff for a custom group quote.

Question 6

Do you do airport pickup from Medellín?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

What skill level do I need?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Can beginners or first-time riders join?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Are the tours hardcore / technical enduro?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

I'm older / in my 60s or 70s. Am I too old?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Do your guides speak English?

Accepted Answer

Our guides speak some english. Most guests speak English as their second language but are fluent enough to handle anything that comes up.

Question 12

Why do you use Suzuki DR650 and Honda XRE300?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

Which bike should I choose?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

How reliable are the bikes?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

What insurance is included?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

What if I crash or drop the bike?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

What documents do I need?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

What's the deposit and cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

What currency should I carry? Are ATMs easy to find?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 20

What gear is included?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 21

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 22

Can I store my luggage while I ride?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 23

How does navigation work on self-guided trips?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 24

What are the roads like in Colombia?

Accepted Answer

Road conditions in Colombia 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.

Question 25

Do motorcycles pay tolls?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 26

How do I buy fuel? Which type should I use?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 27

What about police and military checkpoints?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 28

When's the best time to ride in Colombia?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 29

Will rain ruin my trip?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 30

What about altitude?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 31

What's the difference between a tour, a self-guided trip, and just renting a bike?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 32

Can I just rent a bike without a tour?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Daily rental rates apply, no itinerary required.

Question 33

Can you customize a tour?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 34

Are there fixed start dates?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 35

What if something goes wrong with the bike?

Accepted Answer

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.

Motorcycle Travel FAQ Colombia Moto Adventures