The Top 7 Horseback Riding Destinations in Colombia

Updated: August 2026 · by Frank Spitzer

The Top 7 Horseback Riding Destinations in Colombia

Colombia’s cowboy culture (vaqueros and llaneros) remains alive in the Casanare llanos, the Coffee Triangle haciendas, and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Seven destinations stand out for horseback riding — from short trail rides in Salento to multi-day expeditions through the Llanos. This guide covers all seven.

I am Frank Spitzer, founder of Pelecanus Travel (RNT 51402, IAGTO member, Bogotá-based since 2017). We arrange horseback riding tours combined with broader regional itineraries. Send me a message to start planning.

This Horseback Riding in Salento video shows what a half-day trail ride in the Coffee Triangle looks like — mountains, rivers, traditional vaquero-style saddles.

Where to Horseback Ride in Colombia

Quíndio – Eje Cafetero

Location: The Hacienda Pilarica is located 25 miles from Armenia in the heart of the coffee axis.

Access: Charged.

Entre Orejas is a vacation experience that has been organizing horseback rides for 27 years. Its founder, Paul Coudenys, drew inspiration from Latin American culture to create equestrian routes through Colombia and other countries on the continent.

The journey takes you through the famous “Coffee Axis.” This 8-day tour offers two horseback routes: one through the trails of the country’s most popular coffee plantations and the other through the central trails of Colombia, where you’ll see flora and fauna.

On both routes, you’ll ride Colombian Creole horses with saddles for riding. You’ll also encounter authentic colonial haciendas and hotels for accommodation to enhance your enjoyment of the activities.

Activities and Services:

• Visit coffee farms.
• Horseback ride through the Cocora Valley.
• Explore the colorful towns of Salento and Filandia.
• Discover the Los Nevados National Natural Park.
• Accommodation and meals.

Requirements:

• Weight limit for riders: 264,5 pounds
• Riding level: You must have firmness on a horse (intermediate level).
• Minimum age: 12 years, and up to 17 years accompanied by an adult.
• Group size: Experiences are conducted with groups of a minimum of 6 riders and a maximum of 16.

How to Get There:

• From Bogotá, you can travel by car or bus service by taking the Girardot – Ibagué- Armenia route, which takes between 7 and 9 hours.
• Armenia also has an airport, so you can take a flight to the city.

It’s important to book before visiting the place through Entre Orejas.

Casanare – Los Llanos

Location: Situated on Calle 8 in Yopal, in the department of Casanare in the plains of Colombia.

Access: Charged.

Wild Llanos is a company that offers horseback riding routes with the best views of the Colombian plains landscapes.

During this journey, you’ll explore everything from farms to natural reserves, to Colombian wild habitats found in the eastern plains.

The guides will take you through the most challenging spots in the Casanare department. They really are professionals as they are very experienced locals and know the trails like the back of their hand.

Activities and Services:

• 3-day horseback rides, showcasing flora and fauna.
• 2-day horseback rides, including participation in local tasks such as cattle farming.
• Customized routes lasting 4 to 5 days tailored to your preferences.
• Accommodation in cabins and rural hotels.
• Restaurant.
• Transportation from Yopal.

How to Get There:

• From Bogotá, you can take the route north to Tunja/Sogamoso or head south from Bucaramanga and San Gil towards Duitama/Sogamoso.
• Once in Sogamoso, follow the “route to the plains” through Aguazul until you reach Yopal, approximately a 4-hour journey.
• Alternatively, you can take a direct flight from your city to Yopal.
• Upon arrival, the Wild Llanos team will be awaiting you.

For personalized assistance and further information, visit the official website.

Tabio a Zipaquirá – Cundinamarca

Location: La Isabela Centro Ecuestre is located in the municipality of Tabio, Vereda Santa Bárbara, 22.3 miles from Bogotá in Cundinamarca.

Entrance: Admission fee required.

La Isabela Centro Ecuestre is dedicated to equine tourism, horse training, equine-assisted coaching, and therapy.

Rides typically last two hours, showcasing the cultural landscapes of Cundinamarca and some of its plains.

Activities and Services

• Horse riding courses in just 10 hours.
• Horseback rides along Tabio’s rural paths.
• Customized selection of difficulty levels, routes, and landscapes.
• Equine-assisted therapy to boost self-esteem, confidence, and sensory integration.
• Sustainable accommodation (with Wi-Fi, restaurant, etc.).
• Picnic area.

How to Get There

From Bogotá, take a bus at the transport terminal to the municipality of Tabio, a journey of over an hour. Inform the driver to drop you off in front of La Isabela Centro Ecuestre, located on the left side of the road.

Visit the official website for more information.

Ubaté – Cundinamarca

Location: Situated in Ubaté, in the Villa de San Diego de Ubaté, in Cundinamarca, 51 miles from Bogotá.

Access: Charged.

Valle Verde Horse Riding stands out for offering rides on the backs of Colombian Paso Fino horses. Here, you’ll find a variety of options for horseback excursions across the country.

They have 4 different routes, and depending on the route you choose, you’ll ride with a different horse. The truth is, all their horses are sturdy, well-trained, and responsive to riders’ commands. And you don’t need to have much experience to get on one.

It is a place with very good references, since not only the services stand out, but also the clients highlight the care given to the horses in this place.

Activities and Services:

• Accommodation in traditional coffee plantations.
• Restaurant.
• 7-day, 6-night Gualivá Route through the Gualiva region in Cundinamarca.
• 7-day, 6-night Coffee Route through the Colombian coffee region.
• 7-day, 6-night route through the oldest agricultural production Haciendas in the country.
• 7-day, 6-night cattle farming route.
• Customized routes according to your preferences.

How to Get There:

It’s quite simple. From Bogotá, you should take a bus at the transport terminal heading towards the municipality of Ubaté. These buses take the route along the Northern Highway (Chía/Cajicá, Zipaquirá). The journey takes about 2 hours.

Once you arrive in Ubaté, the Horse Riding team will be waiting for you. For more information, we invite you to visit the official website.

El Rosal – Cundinamarca

Location: Located in Vereda Cruz Verde, 1,2 miles from the municipality of El Rosal and 22,3 miles from Bogotá, in Cundinamarca.

Access: Charged.

Lusitania Hatchery is an equestrian center dedicated to breeding Colombian Paso Fino horses.

It’s one of the places with the most experience in horseback riding with a legacy of more than three generations. In fact, they have three national and international recognitions, such as the Paso Fino title.

Probably the hatchery with the most personalized and demanding attention for visitors. Their excursions are private, and you’ll tour both the savannahs and the surroundings of Bogotá.

However, you must reserve first, as you cannot just arrive there and then purchase the service. You don’t need experience to ride a horse.

Activities and Services:

• Private and personalized guided tours on Paso Fino horses, a 6-hour tour around the outskirts of Bogotá.
• Sale of Paso Fino horses.
• Financing plans and personalized attention.
• Lunch and restaurant service.
• Free welcome Colombian coffee.

How to Get There:

From Bogotá, take a bus fleet at the transport terminal heading towards La Vega / El Rosal –Siberia- El Vino – La Vega- Villeta, up to the municipality of El Rosal, more than an hour’s journey.

Once in El Rosal, you can hire a transportation service to Lusitania hatchery, about an 8-minute journey. You can also walk for about 30 minutes.

You’ll know you’re close when you pass by the Benedictine Monastery El Rosal.

Make your reservation and visit Lusitania Hatchery for more offers and personalized attention.

Cartagena

Location: Near Manzanillo del Mar beach, 7,4 miles from Cartagena via Barú, in the Bolívar department.

Access: Charged.

Horse Cartagena Tours is a company that offers horseback expeditions in Cartagena and its surroundings. Here, you’ll get to know the Colombian Paso Fino breed, which is indeed one of the finest and most elegant in the world, and witness exhibitions of its different modalities.

There are many routes, but one that always catches visitors’ attention is the tour around Barú Island, where you can visit Villa Bonga, a landmark tourist spot of the local culture.

The tours last for 4 hours, and it’s not just a space for horse riding. You’ll be surrounded by incredible views comprising beaches and the Caribbean Sea.

Undoubtedly an ideal plan if you want to learn about the culture and history of the region through horseback riding, no experience is required.

Activities and Services:

• Horseback excursions along the beaches of Cartagena.
• Customized tour on Barú Island.
• Tour on Colombian Paso Fino horses with a focus on the local culture of horse riding.
• Tour through natural reserves and ecological trails in Cartagena and its surroundings.
• Guides available in Spanish and English.
• Transportation included.
• Refreshments and meals.

How to Get There:

From Cartagena, you should take a bus service or travel in your own vehicle.

Simply take the Vía al Mar, up to kilometer 12 via Barú, about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, and on the left side of the road, you’ll find a sign for Horse Cartagena Tours. We recommend using a GPS if necessary.

For more information, you can visit Horse Cartagena Tours and schedule your visit.

Medellín y Oriente Antioqueño

Location: In the Sajonia sector, near José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro, Antioquia, 15 miles from Medellín.

Access: Charged.

Cabalgatas Oriente offers horseback rides through the eastern Antioquia region, a region of Colombia known for its natural beauty and Paisa culture.

This company offers different routes and plans so that you can adapt to the preferences and level of experience of the clients, whether you are a beginner or an expert.

Some of the most popular routes are the coffee route, the river route, the waterfall route, or the mountain route. You’ll notice that prices vary according to duration and type of plan, but in general, they are affordable. The guides are not only professionals but also speak Spanish and English.

Activities and Services:

• Horseback rides through the mountains near Medellín, with different routes and durations.
• Guided tour service.
• All-risk insurance.
• Burroteca (Music during the journey)
• Transportation from Medellín.
• Option to customize your horseback riding plan with food, accommodation, party, and spa.

How to Get There:

First, make sure to get to Medellín. You can use a bus in the fleet of terminals in your city or take a flight to José María Córdova Airport.

Once you arrive, we recommend using the transportation service you hired with Cabalgatas Oriente. They will pick you up at the location and take you to the farm, where your expedition will begin.

For that, you can first contact Cabalgatas Oriente and make your reservation.

2026 update: Paso Fino Colombiano — Ley 1842 de 14 Julio 2017 (NOT Ley 105/1993) + Fedequinas 143-event 2026 calendar + Colombia 71-athlete delegation to XV Confepaso Dominican Republic + Fedequinas ≠ Fedecuestre (native breeds vs FEI Olympic) + Feria Flores 2026 cabalgata

The 2026 legal and federation-level context for Colombian horseback tourism. The Paso Fino Colombiano was declared an official autochthonous Colombian breed and genetic heritage of the nation via Ley 1842 of 14 July 2017 (MinAgricultura) — a correction to older publications that cited “Ley 105 de 1993” (that reference is incorrect). Fedequinas (Federación Colombiana de Asociaciones Equinas) promoted the law. On the 2026 competitive calendar: Fedequinas confirmed 143 major equine events for 2026, and Colombia sends a 71-athlete delegation to the XV Confepaso World Championship 2026 in the Dominican Republic after a 9-round domestic qualifying circuit run 2024-2026 (Colombia won the 2022 championship when it was hosted in Cali). MinDeporte formally recognises Paso Fino as a native Colombian sport discipline. Institutional note: Fedequinas and Fedecuestre are two DIFFERENT federations — Fedequinas governs native-breed associations (paso fino/paso colombiano); Fedecuestre governs FEI Olympic disciplines (show jumping, dressage, eventing). Don’t conflate them.

The 2026 anchor events and destinations for cabalgata tourism. Colombia’s most iconic annual horse parade is the Cabalgata during Medellín’s Feria de las Flores. The Feria de las Flores 2026 (69th edition) runs 31 July – 9 August 2026 under the lema “Medellín te quiere y florece para ti”, and the Cabalgata is included in the main events programme (verify the exact 2026 date via the Alcaldía calendar the month of). Beyond the ferias, Colombia’s strongest horseback-trekking destinations for 2026 remain the Coffee Region (Salento / Valle de Cocora, Filandia — a 3-hour cocora canopy ride is the classic circuit), Boyacá páramos (day rides from Villa de Leyva), and Antioquia haciendas (paisa arriero-style day rides around Rionegro and Guatapé). For serious paso-fino experiences, book haciendas that hold Fedequinas association membership — that is the credential that separates authentic paso-fino tourism from generic trail riding.

FAQ

Where is the best horseback riding in Colombia?

Casanare llanos (multi-day expeditions on cattle ranches), Salento/Coffee Triangle (day trails through coffee farms), Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (mountain trails), and Villavicencio (llanero culture immersion).

Can beginners ride?

Yes — Salento and Cocora Valley operate gentle horses suitable for first-timers. Multi-day Casanare expeditions require some prior riding experience.

How long is a typical ride?

Half-day: 3-4 hours, $40-70 USD. Full day: 6-8 hours, $80-120 USD. Multi-day Casanare safaris: $200-400/day all-inclusive.

Is horseback riding safe?

Yes with licensed operators. Helmets provided. Stay with guides. Most operators use trained, well-mannered horses suitable for tourists.

What should I wear?

Long pants (mandatory), closed-toe shoes (not sandals), light long-sleeve shirt. Hat. Sunscreen. Helmet provided.

When is the best season?

Year-round but dry seasons preferred (December-March, June-August). Avoid rainy season for Llanos rides (May-October) due to flooded plains.

References

• Entre Orejas – Horseback riding tours through Colombia’s Coffee Axis
• Wild Llanos – Horseback expeditions in the Colombian Llanos
• La Isabela Centro Ecuestre – Equine tourism in Cundinamarca
• Valle Verde Horse Riding – Paso Fino horse riding tours
• Criadero Lusitania – Paso Fino horse breeding and private tours
• Cabalgatas Oriente – Horseback rides in eastern Antioquia

About the Author

I’m Frank Spitzer — Swiss-born, Bogotá-resident since 2015, founder of Pelecanus. From first inquiry through return flight, you deal with me personally — not a handoff team. I’ve driven across 30 of Colombia’s 32 departments to inspect roads, hotels, guides and routes myself, and documented it in 400+ first-hand videos on the COLOMBIAFRANK YouTube channel. Before a destination goes into a trip, I’ve been there, often more than once, and I’ve slept in the bed I’d recommend. That field scouting sits on top of a 20-year background in finance, an MBA from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, and a First-Lieutenant commission in the Swiss Army. I work in German, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, which is why luxury, golf, eco and wildlife travellers from Switzerland, Germany, the US and Latin America trust us to build trips that feel custom — not catalogued. Pelecanus operates under Colombian RNT 51402 and is an active IAGTO member.

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