Medellin: Horseback Riding Coffee Farm Tour with Coffee Spa

The unusual hook here is the mix of horseback riding and coffee culture with a full spa treatment in the Antioquia hills. I like the hands-on coffee work, including picking beans and sometimes planting a tree with your name, and I like that the cable-car journey to Arvi is part of the day’s sense of place. The 35-minute ride is scenic, but it can feel much longer if you are new to horses or not dressed for a rough, bumpy route.

You pay $150 for roughly five hours, a small group of no more than 10, transport from Arvi Metro Cable Station, the farm visit, coffee tasting, horseback ride, steam room, and full-body coffee massage. That is a strong bundle, but the day may run past the advertised finish time, so leave your evening open.

Key points to know before you book

• The ride follows an old muleteer path: Expect mountain views, an unpaved and sometimes bumpy route, and calm horses guided by a separate riding team.
• Coffee is taught from plant to cup: You see cultivation, harvesting, bean processing, roasting or preparation methods, and taste coffee brewed several ways.
• The spa is more than a massage: The visit can include a coffee scrub, coffee steam room, natural cold plunge, and an open-air massage.
• Arvi is part of the adventure: You meet at Arvi Metro Cable Station, and reaching the farm involves Medellín’s metro and cable-car system plus ground transport.
• Bring warm layers and proper shoes: The hills can be cool, and riding clothes matter more than smart city outfits.
• Plan extra time: The stated duration is five hours, but one outing finished about two hours later than scheduled.

From Medellín’s metro to the Arvi hills

This tour begins at Arvi Metro Cable Station, where your guide holds a coffee tour sign. Some guides, especially Angelo, have met people earlier in the city and helped them through the metro and cable-car connections. The official meeting point, though, is Arvi, and hotel pickup is not included.

The ride up gives you a useful look at Medellín’s geography. The metro carries you out of the city, then the cable car climbs toward the hills and Arvi. You see the city spread below, with steep neighborhoods and changing views as the train and cable car move into greener country. Several people have called this part one of the day’s memorable moments, not just a transfer.

Allow enough time to reach the meeting point. If you are not used to Medellín’s public transport system, the route may feel like part of the tour rather than a simple commute. A guide may help with the connections, but confirm your exact meeting instructions before setting out.

From Arvi, the group continues by vehicle toward the riding area. The transfer may include an unpaved section, and one account describes a van taking the group partway before the horses take over. The exact order can vary. Some groups ride toward the farm, while others may complete the spa or farm activities before the final ride.

Horseback riding on an old muleteer path

The horse ride lasts about 35 minutes according to the activity details, but several people found the overall riding portion longer than expected. That difference matters. This is not a quick photo stop beside a horse. You spend real time in the saddle on an old muleteer route through the hills.

The path is not asphalt. Expect uneven ground and a bumpy ride in places. That is part of the rural setting, but it also means you should wear hiking shoes or sturdy closed shoes and comfortable trousers. Bring a warm jacket. The high country can feel chilly, especially when you are sitting still on a horse.

The horses are described as calm and manageable, which helps first-time riders. Guides such as Egar and Freddie have been praised for giving clear instructions and keeping the pace under control. Still, you need to be comfortable with basic riding and with being on horseback for the stated period. If you have never ridden before, tell the guide at the start and take the instructions seriously.

The best part is the view. You move through open mountain country rather than riding in a fenced ring. You may see Medellín from above, along with farm areas and thick vegetation around the route. The scenery gives the ride a real purpose, though the rough trail may not suit anyone seeking a gentle, polished outing.

Do not choose this activity if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, have a mobility impairment or recent surgery, or are over 70. It is also not suitable for babies under one year. These restrictions make sense given the horse ride, uneven paths, and spa access.

Don Leandro Coffee Farm, from cherry to cup

At Don Leandro Coffee Farm, the pace changes. You leave the saddle and walk through the growing areas while your guide explains how coffee plants are cultivated, how different varieties differ, and how ripe cherries are harvested.

The activity is hands-on rather than just a talk. You may pick coffee beans and work through some traditional steps in the process. Several outings have also included planting a coffee tree with the participant’s name attached. That small act gives you a better feel for the time involved: your morning coffee begins as a plant that needs care long before anyone grinds a bean.

The farm experience is valuable because it puts the final drink in context. You see that coffee is not simply roasted, ground, and poured. There are stages between the plant and the cup, and the guide explains how the farm handles them. The tour also gives you a chance to ask questions instead of moving through a display at a fixed distance.

The setting is one of the day’s main pleasures. The farm has a welcoming rural area with broad views over the hills, and the property includes a small village-style section. The staff may personalize parts of the visit with named trees or coffee bags, which adds a friendly touch without turning the farm into a staged theme park.

The pace and order are not always predictable. One person had the massage before the coffee tour, while another group began with the farm activities. If you want to know exactly when the spa or horse ride will happen, ask at the start. The guides may adjust the schedule around the size of the group and the farm’s operations.

Coffee tasting with several brewing methods

The tasting is not an afterthought. You try coffee prepared in different ways and compare how the brewing method changes the drink. This is a good place to slow down and notice differences in aroma, body, strength, and flavor.

You may also get to make a few cups yourself. That makes the tasting more useful than simply drinking a sample handed across a table. If you enjoy coffee, bring cash. The farm sells coffee and coffee-based products, including soap and shampoo, and you may want to take something home.

Food is not clearly included as part of the standard package. One outing included lunch, but other information specifically says food is not included, and one person wished for more food and drink choices. I would eat before leaving or carry a snack unless your confirmation clearly states that a meal is provided.

The farm coffee is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a basic horseback outing. You get the story behind Colombian coffee, then taste the result in several forms. Even if you are not a serious coffee drinker, the process gives the rest of the day more meaning.

The coffee spa: steam, scrub, cold water, and massage

The spa is the tour’s biggest twist. After time on the horse and around the farm, you move into a wellness setting built around coffee. The experience can include a coffee steam room, a coffee scrub, a natural cold plunge, and a full-body massage.

The steam room is designed for slow breathing and relaxation. The coffee theme continues through the scent and products, but this is not a medical treatment and should not be booked as one. It is a simple rural spa experience paired with the farm visit.

The massage takes place in a comfortable setting, sometimes outdoors with mountain views, breeze, and birds nearby. Many people describe it as the highlight of the day. The treatment is generally intended to relax your muscles after riding, rather than provide intense sports massage.

There is some variation in comfort. One person found the massage too light and felt cold during the treatment, so tell the therapist if you want more pressure or need a warmer covering. The open-air setting is attractive, but mountain air can be cool. Keep your jacket close and ask what you should wear between the steam room, plunge pool, and massage.

The cold plunge is not for everyone, but it is optional in spirit if you prefer not to use it. The contrast between heat, cold water, and massage gives the spa a full sequence rather than a single treatment. If cold water is not your thing, you can still enjoy the steam room and massage, but ask the staff how the schedule works that day.

One practical point deserves attention: some groups have done the spa before the horse ride. That is not ideal for everyone. A long massage can leave you wonderfully relaxed, but it may also make you less alert in the saddle. If you are given a choice, riding first and relaxing afterward makes more sense.

How the $150 price holds up

At $150 per person, this is not a cheap half-day activity. It is a bundled experience that covers several services usually sold separately: transport from the Arvi meeting point, a horseback ride, a coffee farm tour, coffee tasting, spa access, and a full-body massage.

The small-group limit of 10 helps the price. You are not joining a large bus group that rushes through each stop. The size also makes it easier to ask questions, get help with the horse, and receive attention during the coffee activities.

The best value comes if you want variety. You get outdoor scenery, a rural farm visit, hands-on coffee activities, and a spa treatment in one day. If you only want a serious coffee education, a focused farm tour may cost less and offer more time for tasting. If you only want horseback riding, this package includes a lot you may not care about.

I would call the price fair for someone who would otherwise pay for a massage and a separate day trip. It is especially attractive for couples, small groups, and first-time visitors who want one organized day outside the city. The value is weaker if you dislike horses, cannot handle rough paths, or want a tightly timed itinerary.

Timing, language, and group size

The advertised duration is five hours, with starting times based on availability. In practice, allow a full day. The journey to Arvi, cable-car connections, road transfers, riding, coffee activities, and spa schedule can stretch the day.

One person expected to finish around 3 p.m. but returned closer to 5 p.m. That is a serious planning note. Do not book a dance class, dinner reservation, flight, or other fixed activity immediately afterward.

Guiding is available in English and Spanish, and an English audio guide is included. Angelo is one guide frequently associated with the experience, and other outings have involved Julio, Will, Maria, Egar, and Freddie. Guide assignments can change, but clear English support is available based on the stated language options and guide arrangements.

The group is limited to 10 people. That is small enough to feel personal, though different activities may involve different staff. The horse team, farm staff, spa therapists, and main guide each have their own role. Communication about the exact order may be brief, so go with some flexibility.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Medellín schedule is still moving, but check the final booking conditions before paying.

What to wear and carry to Don Leandro

Wear comfortable clothes that can handle a horse ride and a farm walk. Hiking shoes are listed as essential, and sturdy footwear is much better than sandals or city sneakers on an uneven trail.

Bring a warm layer. Arvi and the farm are in the hills, and several people found the weather cool. A jacket is also useful after the steam room or massage, when you may feel chilled outside.

I would also carry:

• Water and a small snack, since food is not part of the standard inclusions
• Cash for coffee, soap, shampoo, or other farm products
• A phone or camera, if you want to record the cable-car views and farm scenery
• Comfortable clothing that can get dusty or damp
• Any personal items you need for the spa portion

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour also involves animals, uneven ground, and a long sequence of activities, so arrive ready for an active day rather than a short farm visit.

Who should book this Medellín coffee farm tour?

This suits you if you want a day that mixes nature, local food culture, gentle adventure, and relaxation. It is a good choice for people who like learning by doing, especially if you want to pick coffee, prepare a cup, or plant a tree instead of only listening to a guide.

It also works well for first-time riders. The horses are described as calm, and the riding staff provide instructions. Still, first-time riders should not assume the route will be effortless. The surface is rough, and the time in the saddle may feel long.

Coffee fans get the clearest special benefit. You can taste different brewing methods, buy farm coffee, and understand the work behind Colombian beans. Spa fans also get good value, especially if the thought of a coffee scrub and mountain-view massage appeals to you.

I would skip it if you need wheelchair access, cannot ride, have a recent surgery, are pregnant, or need a precise end time. I would also think twice if you want a quiet spa day with no physical activity. The horse ride comes with real bumps, and the day can be tiring.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want one unusual day outside Medellín that combines coffee, horses, and a spa without arranging several separate activities. The cable-car journey, mountain views, interactive farm work, and massage give it more range than a standard coffee tasting.

Before you commit, accept three things: the ride may be rough, food may not be included, and the five-hour estimate may run long. Bring warm clothes, proper shoes, cash, and an open evening. If those details suit your plans, Don Leandro offers a memorable and unusually complete introduction to Antioquia’s coffee country.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide at Arvi Metro Cable Station. The guide will be holding a coffee tour sign.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Pickup and return transport to the Arvi Metro Cable Station meeting point are included.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is five hours. You should allow extra time because the full day may finish later than the stated schedule.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English and Spanish. An English audio guide is also included.

How long is the horseback ride?

The activity information specifies a 35-minute horseback ride. Some people found the overall riding portion longer, so plan for meaningful time in the saddle.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing and hiking shoes. Comfortable riding clothes are especially important because the route is uneven and can be bumpy.

Is food included?

Food is not listed among the standard inclusions. It is sensible to eat beforehand or bring a snack unless your booking details say otherwise.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with recent surgeries, babies under one year, or people over 70.