FAQ’s Frequently Asked Questions

Colombia is five hours behind GMT. Colombia has one time zone, COT, and they do not observe daylight saving time.

Check with your cell phone provider. Each company is different and they can give you the most up-to-date information. For unlocked phones you can purchase a local SIM CARD for your phone.

The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). For the most up-to-date exchange rates, please check out a currency converter such as https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/.

Comfort and safety during your Colombia vacation is a primary focus. Like anyplace in the world crime happens. The last thing anyone wants is stress and trouble on Vacation!! Colombia has turned the page from its violent past of the 80’s. It now has a booming tourism industry. Though we have not had any safety issues on any of our adventures or our exploratory adventure development rides, we know that crime can be a serious problem in certain parts of Colombia. Like any country there are places in Colombia where it’s not advisable to travel. We don’t go near places we know or even believe to be dangerous. We recommend all guests follow the advice of o

ur ride leaders as well as following common sense precautions. For example we never leave bikes unattended, we store them in our rooms at night along with other valuables like cameras, cellphones etc and we don’t suggest guests to wear flashy things like gold watches, necklaces or other valuable items mountain biking. This might present an opportunity for a random act of crime. We also take security precautions beyond your visibly like insuring the safety of the routes and destinations before we ride on them or change a route if we believe it’s best to ensure everyone on our adventures are safe. In the past 3 years since the pandemic, we have not once experienced a single incident with crime or the safety of our guests on their adventure with us in Colombia. 

If you want we can have someone pick you up at the Medellin MDE airport to bring you to Guatapé to your hotel. There is a small extra fee for this service, because not all our guests are on the same travel schedule for the adventure. Many come from other parts of Colombia before going on our adventures.

Typical Colombian food consists of beans, rice, plantains and arepas (cakes made of corn or wheat, somewhat similar to tortillas). Meat is quite popular in Colombia and fish is plentiful along the coastal areas. There is an abundance of fresh tropical fruits in Colombia, many of which are made into delicious fruit juices. Colombia is world renowned for its coffee, so you must try some while there! Like many countries, Colombia's cuisine differs from region to region. If you're in the right place, you might just stumble upon exotic dishes such as roasted ants or guinea pig! .

In Colombia, the climate varies according to altitude and season. Dry season typically runs from December through March, and this can be the busiest time of the year for tourism as well. The rainy season typically runs from May through July or August. The dry and rainy seasons can vary from region to region, so please note that there may be rain outside of these months, depending on the location. The lowlands can be quite warm and higher elevations can get pretty cold, especially at night.

All of our ride leaders are exceptional! They speak English and Spanish. They are from the Colombia and are among the very best riders in the region. Our tour leaders treat our travelers like friends, showing our visitors both the major highlights and the local treasures.

Your trip DEPOSIT (25% of trip cost) is fully refundable if cancelled up to 15 days after you book.  After 15 days your Deposit is non-refundable, however it is fully transferable (you may transfer to another adventure), or place your deposit on account for a future adventure prior to your final payment date.  If you need to cancel a trip please consider our cancellation policy below.

• 91+ days prior to your trip – No cancellation fees.
• 61 – 90 days prior to your trip – cancellation fee of $500 USD
• 0 – 60 days prior to your trip – NON-REFUNDABLE IF CANCELED.
• Travel/Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Once a trip is planned we will do everything in our power to respect the departure date. However if we have to cancel a trip, then you will receive a full refund for the paid portion of your trip and a credit of $500 USD towards another MOUNTAIN BIKE COLOMBIA ADVENTURE.

FINAL PAYMENT is due 60 days prior to departure.  If you cancel your trip 60 days before departure 100% of your trip cost is non-refundable.

*It is the responsibility of participants to purchase Travel Insurance to avoid loss of funds if cancellation is necessary.  All cancellations must be made via email to info@mountainbikecolombia.com.

Absolutely!  Extra days on an adventure can also be arranged in most areas if desired. Let us know how you would like to customize your adventure and we will do our best to make it happen.

YES. No problem with single day MTB adventures. For multi day adventures, it’s more complicated due to accommodations availability, if you know you are not able to travel on the set departure dates listed on our site, please let us know as soon as possible. Most of our adventures can be arranged on alternative departure dates with a minimum of 4 riders or as a private adventure with 2 riders as long as accommodations are available.

You can book your Mountain Bike Colombia adventure at any time. For most departures, 2-3 months notice is fine, though tours around the holidays generally fill up 5-6 months in advance. We usually recommend that you wait to book your international flights until after your adventure is confirmed. The sooner that we book up your adventure, the sooner you can take advantage of flight deals.

We are often able to accommodate last minute travelers as well (with as little as one week advanced booking!!), just give us a shout or chat us and we will do our best! Last-minute reservations, need to be flexible, well organized and ready to go. Your first choice adventure may not be available for your selected dates. In cases like this going private may be the best option. Many accommodation providers will not hold a spaces less than 30 days before departure so for last-minute bookings, you will be required to send your registration form and complete trip payment right away to secure your spaces. You’ll also need to obtain the required medical insurance before riding. We can help you!!

That depends. Some of our Colombia MTB Adventures tend to attract a diverse group of riders from around the world, so these are usually great choices for solo travelers. On multi-day adventures we pair up solo riders for accommodations, but if sharing a room is not possible then solo riders will have to purchase the solo supplement adventure option to offset for that adventure.

Our MTB adventures attract adventurous people of all ages, but mostly 20s-40s), we've also enjoy having active riders 50 to 70 who tend to like wilderness adventures more because they enjoy seeing wildlife. So don't let age discourage you, we have learned never underestimate an old guy on a bike!! If you are fit and healthy ride till you can’t! On our club adventures expect a wide range of ages! Groups on our Colombia MTB Adventures tend to be small with travelers from around the world, predominantly the US, Canada, Europe & Israel. Most of our groups are composed of adults of all ages.

Our adventures utilize a variety of transportation including private vans, comfortable buses, boats, flights, etc. We use a mix of private and public transportation to provide travelers with the safest and most efficient transportation in each area. Each adventure itinerary has a description of the transportation included on that tour.

Meals are included! Your ride leader will recommend some great restaurant options in the area will usually join the group to go out to eat together.

Since we specialize in remote off the map style MTB adventures in Colombia, we sometimes need to stay in small pueblos, villages, or towns not frequently visited by International travelers. A good example of this would be some of the indigenous communities we visit. We have selected a variety of accommodations ranging from charming bed and breakfasts to comfortable hostels and hotels. In general, we use small, family-run accommodations that are locally owned and are characteristic of the area.

For summer trips it is best to book by the beginning of March to take advantage of interesting airfares. Please contact us for tips on airfare.

Minimum age of our adventures is 15 years old. All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult family member. Please remember that all guests regardless of age must have the fitness level and technical ability as described earlier in the list of FAQs.

Mountain Bike Colombia Adventures accommodate a maximum of 8 guests to maintain the adventure and experience quality. On private and Club multi-day adventures a maximum of 10 guests are the limit. Two guides are always present on our multi-day adventures at all times to guarantee the safety of the group and a trouble free adventure. Our adventures are also accompanied by a support vehicle when not on the trail. On the trails the group is divided into two smaller riding teams. We find that a small number of riders allows everyone to feel more comfortable and a good ambiance settles in from day one.

Absolutely! We work with a travel insurance company that provides reasonably priced insurance for trip cancellation, medical expenses, medical evacuation, theft, lost bags, etc. Check out more details at: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

Bring a small amount of local currency with you and withdraw from ATMs as you need it along they way. ATMs are readily available in most towns and cities. Withdrawing local currency is done at fair exchange rates using an ATM. Traveler's checks can be more difficult to exchange and you will usually receive a poorer rate or be charged an additional fee.
Credit cards are accepted in major cities but can be challenging in smaller towns. In more remote areas there may be difficulties using credit cards, so you do not want to solely rely on them for financial transactions. It is best to have some local currency on hand when traveling to small towns or remote areas.

All travelers will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after they depart Colombia. Most travelers do not need a tourist visa for Colombia. Tourist visas are not currently required for citizens from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Israel and many other countries. If you have questions about your countries entry requirements ask us we can let you know.

Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is currently required for travelers visiting Colombia. Hepatitis A, and Typhoid are strongly recommended at least two weeks prior to your trip. Malaria exists in Colombia's lowland areas. Guests visiting the Andes and Cartagena generally do not take malaria prophylaxis.

We always use bottled water because is readily available and more practical for riders. In general the water is safe, however in some smaller towns and villages we choose to be cautious. We don’t want anyone getting sick on an adventure. We also recommend using bottled water when brushing your teeth as well! Ice too can introduce a bacteria so out of habit we order drinks “sin hielo” without ice.

You will receive a detailed packing list after you book your MTB adventure, also in the Adventure Preparation section of our website you can find more information.

Electricity in Colombia is 110 volts, the same as the US. Visitors from outside of the US should bring an adapter. Plugs are either two flat prongs or two flat prongs with an additional round grounding pin.

We’re more than happy to help you with any travel related activities in Colombia, and can recommend many places in the country. We can also store your bike for you, securing it free of charge after your MBC adventure while you visit other parts of the country. Arrangements to transport your bike to another place can also be made, fees for this service will apply. Please contact us to take advantage of our longtime experience in Colombia travel.

All Inspired Mountain Bike Adventure guests are require to have valid medical insurance. Upon registration it is necessary to fill in the Medical Release and Information form with information from your medical insurance policy. It is also necessary to include any information regarding allergies and other medical conditions of concern. All information will stay confidential. For more questions about medical insurance overseas please contact us for more information?

We send out our ‘Let's Pack’ dossier full of useful information. It includes everything from:

• Recommended personal items
• Bike preparation checklist
• How to pack your bike
• Pre-departure training tips and guidelines.
• A list of important phone numbers
• Currency conversion rates
• Tips on Airfare
• Cultural and Tourist information about the region
• Other travel tips

Yes, contact us for more information if you need to rent a bike. But we recommend bringing your own, theres nothing like having your own bike on the trails!

We recommend a dual suspension bike, generally our rides are designed for All Mountain (enduro) style riding. They are a mix of cross country and trail riding adventures. So a bike with least 5 inches of travel and all-around disk brakes is best. To ensure your safety, make sure your bike is in excellent mechanical order. It is best to arrive with fresh rubber and newly broken in brake pads as we’ll be doing more riding and descending in one week than most people do in a season. Make sure to pack away an extra set of brake pads as they are often appreciated halfway through the trip. Helmets are required at all times during riding and other protective gear is optional. All riders should have a small day pack to carry the supplied snacks and other gear to keep warm and dry in the case of changing mountain weather. Don’t forget a pocket a headlamp to get through some of the mountain tunnels we’ll be exploring. We’ll send you a complete list of recommended gear in the ‘Let’s pack!!!’ dossier once your registered for a trip.

We strongly encourage you to do it!! All airlines allow packed bikes on board. Please contact your airline of choice for details and additional fees. The Adventure Preparations section of our website offers bike packaging suggestions and other advice you will find helpful as you prepare for your trip.

Due to the profile of the Andes Mountains, it is strongly recommended that all participants have at least an intermediate level of technical ability. The trails we encounter can range from smooth trails with amazing flow to very technical trails with exposure at times. At all times our guides will support you and help you improve your riding skills. But only you can judge if a portion of the trail should be walked. All riders should be fit and able to ride a bike for over 4 hours per day for seven consecutive days. Some days can require long climbs of over an hour. Other parts of a ride might have short steep climbs with some hike-a-bike portions of a trail to access lone summits and remote mountain passes. Contact us for a specifically designed training program to ensure you’ll enjoy every moment on the bike.

Tips are not required on any of our tours. However, it is customary for exceptional service. Tipping amounts vary widely, with ~$5-$10/ day for your guide and ~$1-$5/ day for your driver. Other travelers opt to bring small gifts from their home like cycling shirts, hats etc which is also grateful received.

• Alcoholic beverages are not covered.
• Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance. Medical Insurance is required in order to take part in our MTB Adventures. Travel Insurance is highly recommended in the case of a cancellation from your side. If we are forced to cancel a trip you will receive a complete refund plus a $500 credit toward another adventure.

• Transfer from Medellin MDE airport to Guatapé
• All accommodations during the adventure are included in the adventure. Because of the nature of off the beaten path MTB adventures, we are often traveling from town to town and may be staying in lesser known remote towns, pueblos or wilderness spaces not often frequented by international travelers. Accommodations in these places can be limited and humble. We scout out all options in the areas we will be visiting and select the best quality facilities in each of these locations.
• All meals are included as well as trail snacks, sports hydration and water. Alcoholic beverages are never included.
• Private & Public transportation throughout the adventure (buses, trains, gondolas, etc).
• All riding with our professional multi-lingual guides.
• A Mountain Bike Colombia MTB style riding shirt.
• Cultural excursions to typical villages and natural features.
• Bike mechanical support.
• If our adventure requires a domestic flights for travel then we do include that in the adventure cost.
• Detailed “Let's Pack” information to help you prepare for departure.
• Access to laundry services in various towns we visit.
• Assistance from our staff to help you extend your trip if you want in Colombia. Take advantage of our local knowledge to make the most of your time in the country.
• Bike rentals – We strongly suggest you bring your own bike!! Seriously, if you are coming all this way to ride do it on a bike you love!! Nothing rides like a bike you have dialed in and truly love! But if you must leave your baby at home we will happily provide you with a good quality well maintained hardtail cross country style bike rental to use on your adventure.