ATV Adventure From Medellin: A Detailed Review
So, you’re thinking of hitting the trails around Medellin on an ATV? Like your thinking is dead on. An ATV adventure is really an awesome way to get your heart racing a bit and see parts of the Colombian countryside that most people, it’s almost a guarantee, totally miss. But before you go throttling through the mud, maybe you should get some inside information. What is that like what kind of experience can you expect? I’m talking places that really go the extra mile. So, I will give you what I know and hopefully it will paint a real clear picture.
What to Expect From an ATV Tour Around Medellin
Okay, so what does an ATV tour usually involve? That is usually how people begin these kind of adventure’s right? Typically, you will be whisked away from Medellin, maybe in an air conditioned van or something of the like. Then after that you’ll arrive at your jump-off spot, normally somewhere in the mountains outside of the city. Once you have made it there, the real fun starts when, very, your guides get you all geared up. Think helmets, maybe goggles, even a sweet looking jacket depending on where you decide to do the ATV tour.
As a matter of fact, after that, it’s learning the basics. You know, getting comfortable with your ATV. The good places usually take you through a quick safety tutorial, maybe a practice run or two, just to make sure you are not gonna end up hugging a tree too closely. The main event? Expect varied terrain, like your going to see lush green landscapes, maybe some coffee plantations (because this area is world renowned for having excellent coffee), little local villages, that, in a way, most tourists never see. Tours can last anywhere from three to five hours. And also included on a well planned tour? Snacks, drinks, and sometimes even lunch at a traditional Colombian restaurant. Basically, what I am getting at is it is a full day’s event.
The Thrill of the Ride: Terrain and Scenery
The riding experience, that truly is the star of the show. A good tour takes you, literally through diverse terrain. So think muddy trails that let you splash around and feel like you are a kid again. Very steep climbs. Those offer killer views and a bit of an adrenaline rush. Calm river crossings that you can almost picture in your mind, I am sure, where you carefully navigate through the shallow waters. And also, scenic routes, because honestly, the scenery around Medellin is jaw dropping! Just like that!
Imagine this, the Andes Mountains are all around you, you can see valleys, with houses spotted here and there. Every now and again a vista point so great that it basically screams for a photo op! The tour guides typically know these great photo spots, they tend to take you to them. Very much like professional photographers! The changing scenery keeps you on your toes too it’s almost guaranteed you won’t get bored and you have plenty of stories to tell when you head home!
Choosing the Right Tour Operator
Okay, so you’re sold on the ATV thing but here is the catch: all tour operators are, like your barber, the same, right? No! That is what I have to tell you. I mean just like there is always someone that does better work than the others. Safety? Obviously it’s gotta be top priority. That said, check that the tour operator has all its certifications and really well maintained equipment. You should see that they provide well cared for ATVs and professional-grade safety gear, is that what you expected to hear?
Then after all of the equipment, read the reviews. What did everyone else say? Take some time to read a few of the reviews, then browse a few forums. The forums and reviews, those, they will give you, really, an idea of other people’s experiences. Plus, look for those companies that actually offer small group sizes so that way the whole group of you can have a better and much more personalized experience, then once you are there, trust the guide, and be smart! If he says go right? Go right!
What to Bring and Wear for Your ATV Adventure
Alright, so, you have picked a tour, got everything lined up? Great. You want to dress for the occasion and here is a little pointer, dress smart, now, that is the most important step here! Comfortable clothes are key here. But keep in mind, you might get muddy! So do not bring those new clothes that you love so much that way they do not get messed up. Wear boots or close toed shoes. Sandals and flip-flops? Very dangerous.
Bring sunglasses and sunscreen and a hat (even under your helmet if it fits okay), Medellin is closer to the Equator and also the sun will beat down hard! You want to pack a small backpack so that way you can store the basics? Just make sure you have some water to stay hydrated (some tour guides, actually provide this, too it’s almost crazy, still better to bring your own just in case!) and don’t forget your camera or phone because the photo opportunities can come when you are not expecting them. Very much like running into someone that you haven’t seen in a long time.
Safety First: Rules and Guidelines
Here is the low down, ATV’s are powerful machines. Respect them and treat them like they need respect or the trip, well, it could go sour very fast. The golden rule is listening to your guide, very closely. Pay extra attention to the pre-ride safety instructions, there are usually certain ways the group leader expects for the pack to behave. Keep a safe distance between you and the rider in front of you. In order to prevent, let’s say any collisions, and only pass, only if it’s absolutely safe and with your guide’s okay.
Stay on the marked trails! You want to protect yourself, the environment, and also prevent ending up in a place you, for sure, should not be in, and that is always smart thing to do! Most tours, just like they say with drinking, advise against the consumption of drugs or drinking, is that so crazy? Some groups also ask you to do a quick breathalyzer, some don’t so if this does happen just keep in mind, safety, your’s, and everyones elses! Also don’t do any reckless behavior that will obviously, cause harm to either the others or yourself! Remember to really have a good time! Do not forget it, it might just be one of the very best adventures you have ever done in your life!
Beyond the Ride: Exploring the Surroundings
Now, here is the little secret nobody likes to talk about! Your ATV adventure does not just start and end with you on that thing, right? Nope. While it will be what makes you want to jump and down with excitement, it could be an opening to experience other things that Colombia has to offer you. Many tours take place in areas around coffee farms or near small pueblos. Take advantage, that would be my advice, so that way you get to learn about local coffee production, like when they harvest.
Really think about it and let me describe this! Sample fresh-brewed coffee. Then imagine getting a little bit involved in the community life, maybe grabbing a bite at a local eatery, something you should do anyways because local eats are the best thing in every place I have ever been! Your adventure becomes far more enriching because your able to blend that amazing heart stopping adrenaline with a bit of Colombia’s local culture. The same like people mixing milk with oreos, just incredible! When doing anything, there is that moment, or maybe many moments. You realize and appreciate how beautiful other cultures are compared to our own!
Costs and Budgeting for Your ATV Experience
Planning the perfect budget can sometimes be really tough, very similar to a kid who just really wants to buy all the things in a candy shop. The prices on these Medellin ATV tours can be affected by a number of things! To mention some: The time frame for the adventure, some of those luxury add-on’s some of the tours boast (believe it or not), what it entails to get from A to B for transportations. Keep in mind that they usually, I mean normally, all do involve transportations in one shape or another!
What would an expected average be? Tour operators usually price it around eighty to three hundred US dollars, but that is tour based! In other words what comes with the experience (snack’s drinks lunch the whole shebang) the duration and if the operators have their ducks in a row as an actual professional place! To provide a comparison from tour group to tour group can prove quite helpful to see what will and will not work. Sometimes a place boasts lower then everyone! You know, the low ball approach but be wary that often can mean, the operator is cutting corners with equipment, service, safety standards and things like that.
Booking Tips and Recommendations
For booking any great Medellin ATV tour there are things you should and very much could do, almost like checking all the ingredients on a burger! It has been noticed that many travelers advise, especially for people traveling during heavy times of the year, to book early as humanely possible! Almost like securing a seat on one of those planes you are hoping for, those adventures are likely to be secured with the same level of intensity, so do make the effort as well, the only one whom can really do this is you, my friend!
See if you can shop around, if it aligns of course! Booking, for the most part, online, that really is usually going to present many options, as that means there is often options for online reviews for one, some may offer sweet deals/ packages while going direct and there may be promotional prices being made available and that goes often at different points of the year to accommodate with a time line your trying to budget yourself with. Always cross ref, and have your information triple checked. And of course review every refund possibility!
What Makes ATV Tours Special in Medellin?
Why Medellin specifically, might one think of doing an ATV tour, good question there bud! What an interesting point! To many many vacationers or maybe just the average joe, ATV adventure, may sound like all it is (doing donuts around an empty parking lot lol), that couldn’t be farthest from true because what could otherwise of been mentioned as that kind of vacation/adventure? You are blending with the locals! Getting familiarized, on levels you would otherwise not get involved. Its an immersive kind of thing, ATV or not!
It may, to those adrenaline junkies be able to reach, in more literal terms terrain they wouldn’t ever expect to get close too because otherwise they wouldn’t be getting a view any public transportation could ever have afforded! It’s about making personal experience that isn’t mass market. What makes this a bit better then everything I described previously and others described across their adventure stories in travel blogs! The experience has levels! An entry ticket of all the reasons travel itself has appeal.