Medellin Coffee Tour & Horseback Ride with Lunch Pickup

Summary

Palmitas hills, horses and coffee aromas near Medellin

You’ll ride horses through Palmitas’ green hills outside Medellín, pick coffee cherries straight from the bush with locals, taste fresh brews at a family finca, and share a rustic lunch—all with pickup included. Expect laughter over ponchos, earthy scents in your nose, and maybe a new appreciation for Colombian coffee culture by day’s end.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what real Colombian coffee tastes like before it hits the fancy cafés? That was running through my mind as we bumped along the road out of Medellín—only 45 minutes but it felt like another world by the time we reached San Sebastián de Palmitas. The air changed: cooler, sharper, and I swear you could smell green leaves and something sweet even before the guide, Jorge, started talking about the coffee plants. He handed us ponchos and hats—apparently that’s how muleteers dressed. I looked ridiculous but everyone laughed (me included), so it broke the ice.

I didn’t expect to actually ride a horse that day. The finca’s owner, Señora Marta, gave me this look like “don’t worry”—and then her horse snorted at me. We set off slowly between rows of shiny coffee bushes. It was quiet except for birds and the occasional hoof thud on muddy ground. Jorge pointed out which beans were ready for picking; he let us try one right off the branch—sticky and sweet, nothing like brewed coffee at all. I still think about that first taste.

Lunch was at a place called Fiambre—a proper spread of rice, plantain, something stewed in banana leaves (I never caught the name). Everyone just dug in with their hands or spoons; there was no fussing over manners. Coffee tasting came after, back at the finca: tiny cups, each one a little different. Jorge explained every step but honestly I lost track—I just remember feeling wide awake and oddly content sitting under those trees while rain started tapping on the tin roof above us. Guess I could’ve stayed there longer if they’d let me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Coffee tour with horseback riding

• Travel from Medellín to Palmitas
• Learn about Colombian coffee culture
• Enjoy guided coffee tastings
• Discover coffee making processes
• Dress as a local muleteer
• Take a horseback ride through scenery

Top questions

How far is Palmitas from Medellín?

About 45 minutes by car from central Medellín.

Is hotel pickup included in this Medellin coffee tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Do you really get to ride horses during the tour?

Yes, horseback riding is part of the experience on the farm.

Is lunch provided on this day trip?

Yes, lunch is included at Fiambre during the tour.

Are English-speaking guides available?

A basic English guide is provided; some guides may be multilingual.

What should I wear for the horseback riding?

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for slippery terrain; avoid shorts or flip-flops.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for people with mobility issues.

What is included in the coffee tasting?

You’ll taste several coffees prepared at the finca after learning about processing steps.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Medellín, guided horseback riding around a working coffee farm in Palmitas, hands-on lessons about Colombian coffee production with tastings at the finca itself, snacks along the way plus a hearty local lunch at Fiambre before heading back to town in the afternoon.