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Looking to experience Colombia’s coffee culture to the fullest? A coffee tour is a must for any Medellin itinerary, and luckily, there are tons of good options.
You likely already know how famous Colombian coffee is, and Medellin is at the heart of it. When we lived in Medellin, we went on a few coffee tours because there was such a variety. It makes sense that you may have trouble choosing which coffee tour is best for you!
We’ve narrowed down our top three coffee tours from Medellin, and all are a bit different. Whether you are looking for a full-day adventure, a crash course on Coffee Production 101, or a little bit of both – we’ve got you covered!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this private coffee plantation tour! This private experience took us to an authentic Colombian coffee farm where we learned so much about the coffee-making process and even tried some delicious brews ourselves!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- 1. PRIVATE Half-Day Coffee Plantation Tour
- 2. One-Day Guatapé & Coffee Farm Tour
- 3. Coffee Tour with Horse Riding and Lunch
- Other Things to do While You're in Medellin
- Where to Stay in Medellin, Colombia
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
1. PRIVATE Half-Day Coffee Plantation Tour
If you hate the idea of taking big, impersonal tours, this half-day PRIVATE coffee plantation trip from Medellin is perfect for you. Not only does this private tour bring you up close and personal with an active coffee plantation, but it’s also close enough that you can squeeze it into any itinerary.
Sabaneta is only a 30-minute drive from Medellin, but it feels like a world away when you visit. The views of the Colombian countryside were so beautiful, and before I knew it, we arrived at Nina and Jose’s farm! Even though we didn’t speak the language, we still felt super welcomed – and the translators who tagged along were really helpful!
While getting to know your hosts, we had the opportunity to sample some of their coffee brewed in four different ways. Then they taught us how the beans were planted, de-pulped, dried, fermented, and ground into our favorite brews. Afterward, we got to de-skin and dry the beans before they’re roasted into a batch you can purchase for the best souvenir ever.
This really was a fantastic experience, and with over 900 5-star reviews, we can see why it’s popular – read all the raving reviews here! We also love that there is the option when booking to combine the coffee experience with different activities like ATVing, a Communa 13 tour, or even a food tour – making this a full day of fun!
Book our FAVORITE coffee tour from Medellin here before it sells out!
Related Read: Don’t stop at coffee! Our 3-day Medellín itinerary will show you the city’s top sights, cultural gems, and the best local tours to fill out your trip.
2. One-Day Guatapé & Coffee Farm Tour
Visiting Guatapé from Medellin is popular for a reason! The town’s colorful streets and iconic rock (that you can climb!) have made it a social media star. It’s also a prime place to learn about the history of coffee on this full-day tour.
There are so many add-ons to this tour, like sampling unique fruits at a local market, climbing the famous Piedra del Peñol rock, and exploring the city. This is one of the most colorful cities I’ve ever seen, so having time to wander around is a huge bonus.
One of the major highlights of this tour is visiting a locally run coffee farm and learning about the entire process. In addition to a farm tour, you’ll meet the family who runs it and pick coffee beans. Some people in our group also bought some of the organic coffee to take home, so bring cash if you plan to do that too! Oh, and we sampled lots of coffee, of course – so much I got the caffeine jitters!
Having time to explore Guatapé is another unique reason this tour is one of our top choices. You have a professional guide along to give you a bit of a city tour. Not to mention climbing the famous Piedra del Peñol rock (all 740 steps!) for incredible views.
This full-day tour is a great option if you’re on a time crunch and want to hit a coffee farm and see Guatapé in an easy day trip! You can choose between the small-group tour or a private option if you want a more personalized experience, and you can even add on an ATV ride, boat cruise, or horseback riding session to round out the perfect Medellin day trip.
Book this tour with over 400 5-star reviews here with FREE cancellation options!
Related Read: Still need a place to stay before your tour? Have a look at our Where to Stay in Medellin guide for our tips on the areas and hotels we love!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Coffee Tour with Horse Riding and Lunch
Think history is boring? This coffee tour is almost guaranteed to change your mind. We love this one because it combines a fun history lesson about coffee with a sampling of the tasty drink. Plus, you’ll get a chance to end your day on horseback!
This tour leaves from Medellin and takes you about 45 minutes outside of the city to San Sebastián de Palmitas. There, you’ll spend the next few hours learning about the extensive history of coffee in the region.
If you take the tour in English, there’s a good chance you’ll be with Amelia, who’s incredibly knowledgeable about the history of coffee here and how those beans get from the plant to your cup. Her passion for the craft is infectious!
From there, you’ll get to dress like traditional coffee pickers as a way to honor the workers who have spent their lives harvesting beans. After all that hard work picking coffee beans, you’ll sample the finished product in a few different forms, then head to the ranch for lunch!
The most unique part of this coffee tour is ending the day riding by the mountains where the beans typically grow. It’s an incredible experience to be able to go to the more remote areas of the region and see where coffee beans have been growing for centuries.
This tour is well-priced at $89 USD, including everything mentioned for the day, and lasts about 7 hours.
Don’t miss out on this unique tour – secure your spot before you go here!
Other Things to do While You’re in Medellin
While getting out of the city on a coffee tour is a must, don’t leave without discovering all the things to do in Medellin. I even moved here for six weeks after my first visit because I loved it so much! These are just a few of our favorite activities in Medellin.
- City tour – Get your bearings and explore Medellin with a local guide. We loved this bike tour of Medellin, which covers lots of ground with plenty of stops for photos as you explore back roads, quiet parks, and colorful neighborhoods.
- See Comuna 13 – What used to be one of the most dangerous places in the world, Comuna 13 has transformed into a vibrant neighborhood! Graffiti art and street food are two main attractions, and this Comuna 13 tour includes both. The guides also share personal stories of life here, giving you a window into its dark past. We learned so much, and it was one of our favorite tours in Medellin.
- Eat amazing food – There are flavors galore here, so get a taste of Medellin by joining a private food tour! You get to try traditional Colombian food and drinks as your guide helps you order at some of the best local spots. If you’re looking for a great meal on your own, the vegetarian pizza at Cafe Zorba is a personal favorite of mine!
- Learn to salsa dance – If you’ve always wanted to learn how to salsa, this is the place! We loved the live salsa music at Son Havana Bar for a night out. If you want to learn a few moves beforehand, this salsa and bachata class is a great way to find your rhythm and get those hips moving!
Where to Stay in Medellin, Colombia
Now that you’ve got your Medellín coffee tour sorted, it’s time to find the perfect place to stay. We recommend basing yourself in El Poblado, the city’s most popular neighborhood for visitors, thanks to its lively restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. It’s also a safe, central area that makes getting around easy, so it works perfectly with this itinerary. If these hotels are still available when you’re ready to book, they’re some of the best options for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay!
Elcielo Hotel Luxury Medellin – $$$
Elcielo Hotel Luxury Medellin is a sleek 5-star option in El Poblado, blending modern elegance with plenty of comfort. The rooftop pool and sun terrace are perfect for soaking up city views, while the fitness center and spa make it easy to relax after a day out. Guests also love the on-site restaurant, which serves creative international cuisine with vegetarian and vegan options.
Rooms here start around $320 USD and go up to $550 USD per night. Check availability and book this luxury stay on Booking.com.
Hotel Dann Carlton Medellín – $$
Hotel Dann Carlton Medellín is a polished mid-range choice in El Poblado, just a short walk from shops, dining, and nightlife. The outdoor pool and sun terrace are great for relaxing, and the spa offers massages and beauty treatments if you’re in need of extra pampering. With three on-site restaurants, you can try both regional specialties and international dishes without leaving the property.
Rooms here typically range from $75 to $330 USD per night. Find up-to-date availability and reserve your stay on Booking.com.
Nomada Hotel Origen – $
Nomada Hotel Origen is a stylish yet affordable stay in El Poblado, just a short walk from El Poblado and Lleras Parks. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with air-conditioning, private balconies, and free WiFi. Guests can enjoy the hot tub, a sunny terrace, and a cozy restaurant serving American and vegetarian options. It’s a great base for couples or families looking for value in a central location.
Rooms here generally range from $70 to $100 USD per night. Head over to Booking.com to secure this affordable stay.
For even more great options, check out all of Medellín’s hotels listed on Booking.com here!
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Thanks for reading!
Colombia is famous for its coffee and Medellin is one of the best destinations to find out why! There are some fantastic coffee farms nearby that will let you trace your favorite cup of coffee to the source. Plus, many of the tours on our list also include fun extras like exploring another town or horseback riding through the mountains. Choose your own adventure and find the best tour for you!
Before you leave on your travels, have a look at our other blogs about South America. We’ve spent a lot of time exploring this part of the world and have lots of tips to pass along. Here are a few other popular posts to get you started:
10 BEST Day Trips from Cartagena, Colombia to Explore Breathtaking Places
30 FUN Things to do in Bogota, Colombia + Complete Guide!
6 BEST Minca Tours to See Wildlife, Waterfalls, Coffee and Cacao!