Antigua Guatemala: Half-Day Mountain Bike Tour With Guide

Antigua Guatemala is a picturesque colonial city nestled in the highlands of Central America. Adventurous travelers can experience this stunning region on a half-day mountain bike tour led by a knowledgeable guide. Riders will descend over 14 miles through agricultural landscapes and technical terrain, taking in breathtaking vistas of three nearby volcanoes. With a full-suspension bike and helmet provided, thrill-seekers will navigate creek crossings and challenging sections, making for an exhilarating ride in a truly one-of-a-kind setting. For those seeking an unforgettable adventure off the beaten path, this tour offers an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Antigua from a unique perspective.

Key Points

• A half-day mountain bike tour in Antigua Guatemala, offering a thrilling descent from an 8,300-foot trailhead with technical terrain and scenic views.
• Participants will experience a 2,500-foot descent through agricultural paths, steep sections, and creek crossings on a 14-mile ride.
• The tour includes a 4×4 road segment past 16th-century San Andres ruins and a final descent with panoramic views of Antigua valley and three volcanoes.
• The tour provides full-suspension mountain bikes, helmets, and shuttle service, but excludes food, drinks, and tips for the guide.
• The tour has specific participant requirements, including a minimum age of 13 and the ability to handle strenuous hiking and technical trail sections.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

This half-day mountain bike tour takes participants on an exhilarating descent through the stunning landscapes surrounding Antigua Guatemala.

The 4.5-hour adventure starts with a shuttle to the trailhead at 8,300 feet, followed by a brief climb and thrilling singletrack descent covering 2,500 feet.

Along the way, riders will encounter agricultural paths, steep technical sections, and creek crossings before climbing back up a 4×4 road past the San Andres ruins.

The final descent weaves through a lush forest with views of three volcanoes and the Antigua valley.

This limited-group tour provides full-suspension bikes, helmets, and hotel pickup and drop-off, making it an unforgettable way to explore the region’s natural beauty.

Itinerary Details

The tour kicks off with a shuttle from Antigua to the trailhead situated at an elevation of 8,300 feet (2,600 meters).

After a brief climb, riders embark on a thrilling singletrack descent, covering a total drop of 2,500 feet (760 meters). The trail weaves through agricultural paths, steep technical sections, and creek crossings.

The return leg includes a 4×4 road through farmlands, passing the 16th-century San Andres ruins. The final descent winds through a lush forest with sweeping views of three volcanoes and the Antigua valley.

Throughout the 14-mile (23-kilometer) ride, adventurers will encounter fast volcanic soil, fun rocks, drops, switchbacks, and an aqueduct trail.

Trail Statistics

The Trail Statistics indicates that the mountain bike tour covers a total riding distance of 14 miles (23 kilometers).

The ascent is 3,185 feet (971 meters), and the descent is 6,217 feet (1,895 meters).

The riding time is approximately 4 hours, allowing participants to fully experience the diverse trail characteristics.

The volcanic soil provides a fast surface, complemented by fun rocks, drops, switchbacks, and an aqueduct trail.

This challenging yet exhilarating descent showcases the natural beauty of the Antigua valley, with views of 3 volcanoes along the way.

Included in Tour

Included in the mountain bike tour are a full-suspension mountain bike and a helmet, ensuring participants have the necessary equipment for the thrilling descent. Plus, a water bottle is provided for each guest to keep. The tour also includes shuttle service to the trailhead, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off, allowing for a seamless experience.

Included	Not Included
Full-suspension mountain bike	Food
Helmet	Drinks
Water bottle (to keep)	Tips for guides
Shuttle service to trailhead
Hotel pickup and drop-off

The tour give you a well-equipped and hassle-free adventure for participants to enjoy the stunning scenery and exhilarating ride.

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Participant Requirements

This mountain bike tour in Antigua Guatemala isn’t suitable for certain individuals due to safety and health considerations.

Children under 13, pregnant women, wheelchair users, visually impaired individuals, those with low fitness levels, motion sickness sufferers, babies under 1 year, and hearing-impaired individuals aren’t allowed to participate.

The terrain and physical demands of the tour pose risks for these groups. For a safe and enjoyable experience, the tour operator requires participants to meet specific criteria.

Participants must be able to handle the strenuous hiking, technical trail sections, and rapid descents on a mountain bike.

What to Bring

Participants should bring sunglasses to protect their eyes from the bright sun and glare. In addition, sunscreen is essential to prevent sunburns during the outdoor adventure. Comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement is recommended, as the trail includes technical sections. For safety and navigation, a charged smartphone is advised. Personal medication should also be brought, especially for those with specific health conditions. Finally, participants must sign a waiver before the tour begins.

Essentials	Recommended	Optional
Sunglasses	Comfortable clothing	Charged smartphone
Sunscreen	–	Personal medication
Signed waiver	–	–

Meeting Point

Where do participants meet to begin the mountain bike tour in Antigua Guatemala? The meeting point for this adventure is the Old Town Outfitters shop, located at Avenida Sur No.12 in Antigua.

The shop is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM, providing a convenient starting point for the tour. Participants will want to arrive at the shop a few minutes before the scheduled departure time to check-in, collect their gear, and get ready for an exhilarating day on the trails.

From the shop, the group will be shuttled to the trailhead at an elevation of 8,300 feet, kicking off their half-day mountain biking exploration of the stunning Acatenango Volcano region near Antigua, Guatemala.

Customer Reviews

Two positive customer reviews have been left for this mountain bike tour in Antigua Guatemala.

Riders praised the tour guide’s expertise, describing them as knowledgeable and attentive to the group’s needs.

The exhilarating descent was a highlight, with comments about the fast volcanic soil, technical rocks, and switchbacks providing an adrenaline-filled ride.

Reviewers also appreciated the stunning views of the Antigua valley and surrounding volcanoes during the tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for Participants?

The minimum age requirement for participants is 13 years old. The tour is not suitable for children under 13, as it involves challenging terrain and activities that may not be appropriate for younger individuals.

Are There Any Weight or Height Restrictions for the Bikes?

There are no specific weight or height restrictions for the bikes used in this mountain bike tour. The full-suspension bikes can accommodate a range of rider sizes and weights to ensure a comfortable and safe ride.

Can I Bring My Own Bike Instead of Renting One?

Yes, participants can bring their own mountain bikes instead of renting one. However, the tour operator recommends using the provided full-suspension bikes for the best experience on the challenging terrain.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Unfortunately, there’s no option to extend the tour duration. The tour is structured as a half-day excursion, with a fixed 4.5-hour itinerary. Extending the length would require booking a separate full-day mountain biking tour instead.

Do the Guides Provide Any Basic Bike Maintenance During the Tour?

The guides provide basic bike maintenance during the tour, assisting participants with minor adjustments and repairs to ensure their equipment is functioning properly throughout the experience. This helps keep the bikes in optimal condition for the ride.

Recap

The Antigua Guatemala Half-Day Mountain Bike Tour offers an exhilarating experience for adventure-seekers. With a 14-mile descent through stunning landscapes, riders will navigate technical sections, creek crossings, and breathtaking views of volcanoes and the Antigua valley. Equipped with full-suspension mountain bikes and helmets, participants can enjoy this picturesque setting for an unforgettable ride.

You can check if your dates are available here: