Tejo & Beer Private Tour in Medellín

Tejo in Medellín is one of the most hands-on ways to experience Colombian culture — and it comes with cold beer and a lot of noise. On this private tejo and beer tour, you step into a local neighborhood, grab a heavy steel disc, and try to land it on small gunpowder targets wedged into a clay-packed board. When the disc hits the mecha, it explodes with a sharp crack. Your friends cheer. Your guide hands you another beer. That’s tejo.

A Sport Born in the Colombian Countryside

Tejo has deep roots in Colombia. The game originated as an indigenous tradition of throwing gold discs at targets as part of ceremonial rituals. Over the centuries, the sport evolved into the version played today — steel projectiles, gunpowder mechas, clay boards, and a culture of communal drinking that surrounds every match. In 2000, the Colombian government officially declared tejo the national sport. It remains one of the few competitive games in the world where drinking beer is not just allowed but considered part of the experience.

Playing tejo in Medellín means stepping into working-class neighborhoods where locals gather after work to throw, score, and celebrate. This is not a polished tourist attraction — it is a loud, clay-stained, beer-soaked pastime that has survived centuries because people keep coming back for more.

What Happens During This Private Tour

Your experience starts with a hotel pickup in a private vehicle. Your driver brings you to a tejo field in a popular neighborhood of Medellín’s downtown area. Unlike a shared group tour, this is a private experience — the field is reserved for you and your group, and your guide is focused entirely on making sure you understand the game and have a great time.

Your English-speaking guide introduces the history and rules of tejo before you throw your first disc. The game is straightforward: stand several meters from the target board, aim for the gunpowder mechas arranged around a metal ring in the center of the clay, and throw. If your disc triggers an explosion, you score. The player with the most hits wins — and earns bragging rights and a round of cheers from the group.

Four local beers per person are included in the tour. The connection between tejo and beer is not accidental — the sport was traditionally designed as a social activity where drinking and competition go hand in hand. The more you play, the looser your throwing arm gets, and the funnier the game becomes. This is exactly how the game was originally designed.

Why Go Private Instead of Solo

You can technically walk into a tejo field on your own, but booking a private tejo in Medellín tour gives you something different. Most fields cater to Spanish-speaking locals, and the rules of tejo — while simple — have nuances that a guide can explain in real time. A private tour means your guide teaches you proper throwing technique, explains the scoring system, and keeps the competitive energy going between rounds.

There is also the logistics factor. Tejo fields are often in neighborhoods that visitors would not find on their own. Your private driver handles the pickup and drop-off, so you do not need to worry about navigation or transportation — especially after a few beers.

Beer Culture Alongside the Game

A beer tour in Medellín naturally fits alongside tejo. Colombian beer culture leans toward light, easy-drinking lagers that pair well with outdoor activities and warm weather. During the tour, your four included beers come from local brands that you will find across Antioquia. If you want to extend the tasting, extra beers and food are available for purchase at the venue.

For travelers interested in nightlife, this also works well as a night tour in Medellín. Tejo fields come alive in the evenings, when local groups arrive to play after work. Playing alongside that energy — even in your own reserved court — adds atmosphere to the experience that you simply cannot get during the daytime hours.

Practical Details Worth Knowing

Tejo involves clay, and you will get your hands dirty. Wear comfortable clothes you do not mind getting messy, and leave the white sneakers at the hotel. The game is physically easy — no special fitness is required — but you will be standing and throwing for about two hours. The tour lasts approximately three hours total, including transportation.

You need to be over 18 to book this tour, since it includes alcoholic drinks. The minimum group size is one person, so solo travelers are welcome. Cancellation is free up to 12 hours before the start time.

If you are looking to explore more of Medellín during your trip, consider pairing this tour with a visit to Graffiti Tour Comuna 13 Medellín for a completely different side of the city. For a full-day adventure outside the city, the Guatapé Tour — El Peñol Rock from Medellín is one of the most popular options. And if you want an adrenaline rush to match your tejo explosions, try Flying Paragliding Over Medellín.

Ready to throw some steel and pop some mechas? Book the Tejo & Beer Private Tour in Medellín above and we’ll take care of everything.