2-Day Coastal Motorcycle Tour

This kind of trip is interesting because it mixes motorbikes with real nature time on the Caribbean coast, not just sightseeing. The route is built around Palomino, Buritaca, and Tayrona National Park, so your two days feel like you left Santa Marta and actually went somewhere. The small groups help too, and in the feedback, guides like Oscar, Max, and Santiago are named for keeping people relaxed and on track.

I especially like that meals and admission tickets are wrapped into the price, so you are not doing mental math all day. I also like that the tour keeps the riding social, with a group cap of six riders per group, which makes it easier for a first-timer to learn the basics. One possible drawback is that you are looking at two full days of activity, each around 8 hours, with offroad riding and optional excitement like waterfall cliff jumps.

Key things to know before you go

• Small groups of six, even though the overall cap is 18, so the pace stays human
• All meals included, plus a wood-fired Italian pizza stop in Palomino
• Buritaca tubing includes all-you-can-drink, so plan for a wet and fun day
• Tayrona time goes beyond viewpoints, with a jungle hike to a secret beach
• Offroad riding intro on the trail to The Lost City, ideal if you want confidence fast
• Hotel night in El Rio hostel, with lunch handled at The Journey Hostel in Tayrona

Santa Marta by motorcycle: why this 2-day route feels worth it

If you are in Santa Marta and you want more than beach time, this tour is designed like a sampler platter of the region. You start with coastal riding up and down hills to Palomino, then switch to river fun in Buritaca. Day two leans into nature heavyweights, with Tayrona National Park and an offroad-style trail segment.

What makes it click is the mix of motion and breaks. You ride to earn your scenery, then you cool off in the water, then you hike inside the park. It is a lot for two days, but it is not scattered. Each block has a purpose.

Meeting point, timing, and group size (so you get real attention)

You meet at Cra. 21 #16-54, Comuna 4, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia, and the start time is 9:30 am. The day runs for about 8 hours, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Logistically, the tour is described as near public transportation, which matters if you are arriving late or need to reposition around town. The overall maximum is 18 travelers, but the experience is also designed for a more personal ride with groups capped at six. In practical terms, that helps if you are still learning your balance or your braking habits.

If you like having a guide close by, this is the right setup. Multiple reviews highlight patient, attentive guides, including guide names Oscar, Max, and Santiago, and that kind of support matters most when the route gets bumpy or the group gets spread out.

What $359 really covers, and why the value feels real

At $359.00 per person for about two days, the value is not just the riding. The price includes all meals, accommodation, river tubing, and admission tickets tied to the activities.

That is important because coastal day trips often turn into a surprise pile of extras. Here, the big costs you would normally pay separately are already handled. You will still want spending money for personal snacks or souvenirs, but you are not relying on your luck to find food options at the right moments.

A typical day looks like this:

• Day 1 is built around a food stop, then tubing, then an overnight at El Rio hostel
• Day 2 includes lunch at The Journey Hostel in Tayrona, plus park time and activities

For first-time visitors, having meals included also simplifies timing. It means you do not scramble around mid-ride for lunch, which keeps the route moving.

Day 1: Beach Life Palomino, Prima Luna pizza, and Buritaca tubing

Day one starts with cruising seaside up and down the hills on a motorbike to Palomino. This is not flat cruising. You get those coastal bends and slope moments that build confidence quickly, especially if you are new to two wheels.

Once you reach Palomino, your food stop is a wood-fired, Italian-style pizza meal at Prima Luna Restaurant. This is a great place to fuel up, because after pizza you will likely be doing something wet and physical.

Then comes the water play: all-you-can-drink river tubing in Buritaca. Tubing is included, and the all-you-can-drink element is a clear sign the organizers expect people to have fun, not just “look but don’t touch.” The practical side for you is to plan for soaked gear and a day where you might not want to carry fragile items.

If you enjoy a mix, this day has it: riding, a sit-down meal, then a long, playful river block that keeps the energy high.

Night at El Rio hostel: where the day resets

You spend the night at El Rio hostel. The tour info notes it has been recognized as Colombia’s best in 2018, and that matters for you in one simple way, it usually means the basics are handled well.

Even if you do not care about awards, the real value is the reset between days. Day two involves park hiking plus offroad riding. A comfortable hostel night can make the difference between enjoying the next day and feeling washed out.

Also, by ending day one with lodging in place, you avoid the usual hassle of trying to line up a last-minute check-in while you are already tired from the ride.

Day 2: Tayrona National Park, the Lost City trail, and a secret beach hike

Day two is where the tour turns from coastal fun into full nature mode. Your first major stop is Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona. You get an introduction to offroad riding on the trail to The Lost City, which is a strong way to build skills without pretending every rider is an expert.

The Lost City mention is key for your expectations. This part of the route is about getting you onto more challenging terrain, not just following a paved scenic road. That is exactly why the guides matter. In the reviews, people singled out guides for pushing just enough comfort without losing the adventure.

After the offroad intro comes a jungle hike to a secret beach inside Tayrona National Park. This is not the kind of beach stop where you park, snap photos, and leave. A hike implies effort, and that is what usually makes the payoff feel real once you reach the shore.

You also get lunch at The Journey Hostel, Tayrona. This is a nice rhythm break. You ride and hike, then you eat, then you continue park time. It keeps your energy from crashing during the most physically demanding moments.

Quebrada Valencia waterfall cliff jumping, plus pacing inside the park

Another highlight on day two is cliff jumping at Quebrada Valencia waterfall. The tour includes it as an activity block, so if you are cautious with heights, you will want to think about your comfort level early in the day.

This part also tells you how the organizers think about adventure. They are not just offering gentle optional activities. They include at least one moment that is clearly for people who want to feel the thrill.

Weather can affect water activities. One review mentions that weather was not perfect, but the guide still made sure the planned activities happened. That is a good sign. It suggests you are not stuck if conditions change. Instead, the guide adapts so the day stays full.

Time-wise, day two is still listed as about 8 hours, so you should expect a long day with limited downtime. If you like steady activity and you are not trying to keep your plans super relaxed, this format tends to work well.

Guides, safety vibe, and the multilingual support you’ll notice

What stands out most across the feedback is the way guides manage beginners and keep people feeling safe. Names that show up include Oscar, Max, Santiago, Brandon, and also Jack and John in one case. The point for you is not who your guide is, it is that the operator has a track record of support.

People specifically mention feeling safe and being helped to get more riding experience. One review praises a guide for speaking French, English, and Spanish, which is useful in Colombia where your confidence can jump fast if instructions land clearly.

This is also where the small group size matters again. When the group is capped and the guide is attentive, you get corrections before bad habits stick.

Riding expectations for beginners, and how to prepare yourself

You do not need to be a seasoned rider to enjoy this. Multiple reviews talk about people going in with little or no experience and still building confidence, including someone who said they had not driven a bike before coming to Colombia and figured it out quickly.

That said, you should still go in with the right mindset. This tour includes an intro to offroad riding and involves hills and trails. So you are not just learning to turn a bike, you are also dealing with changing traction and a more active riding posture.

For preparation, keep it simple:

• Wear closed shoes that can handle getting wet
• Bring sunscreen and a hat, because the coast and park time can add up fast
• Plan for at least one outfit that can get soggy
• If you are worried about heights, decide in advance if you want to attempt the Quebrada Valencia jump

The tour is described as “most travelers can participate,” which is broad. If you have mobility limits or you want a strictly easy, paved-road ride, this might not match your style.

Final thoughts: should you book the 2-day Santa Marta coast motorcycle tour?

I would book it if you want a high-activity Santa Marta experience that actually uses the region. The combination of riding to Palomino, Prima Luna pizza, Buritaca tubing, then Tayrona National Park riding plus a hike to a secret beach is a smart use of two days. And because meals, lodging, tubing, and admission tickets are included, the price feels more predictable than many “adventure lite” tours.

I would think twice if you dislike long days or you know you hate cliff jumping and offroad terrain. This is not a quiet sit-and-watch tour.

If your goal is to leave Santa Marta with stories, water time, park time, and new riding confidence, this one is a strong match.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Cra. 21 #16-54, Comuna 4, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:30 am.

What is included in the price?

The price includes all meals, accommodation, river tubing, and admission tickets. Lunch on day two is at The Journey Hostel, Tayrona.

How many people are in the groups?

The overall maximum is 18 travelers. Group sizes are capped at six participants for a more personal experience.

How long is the tour?

It is a 2-day tour, approximately 8 hours each day.

What is the cancellation window for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund, and changes within 3 days of the start time are not accepted for refund.