Are you ready to pedal through the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires and uncover its hidden gems on two wheels? Whether you’re a digital nomad, traveler, or expat, our guide to the best bike rental services in Buenos Aires has everything you need for an unforgettable cycling adventure.
From flexible rentals to guided tours, discover how these top services, curated by ExpatPathways, can transform your experience of Argentina’s bustling capital.
The Best Bike Rental Services in Buenos Aires
1. Rental Bike
Rental Bike Argentina offers both guided tours and flexible bike rentals, catering to visitors who prefer either structure or spontaneity.
Their guided tours provide insightful commentary on Buenos Aires’ history, culture, and landmarks, while those who opt to explore independently can create their own itineraries with the help of provided maps and tourist recommendations.
Rental Bike’s passion for their hometown shines through in every aspect of their service, whether offering advice or leading a tour.
Bike Options and Routes
Rental Bike provides city bikes, road bikes, and mountain bikes for different preferences. Every rental includes a helmet, lock, map, and personalized recommendations.
Their city bike rentals are perfect for leisurely rides through iconic neighborhoods like San Telmo, Caminito, and Palermo, while their road bikes cater to adventurers seeking longer rides to destinations like Tigre.
Mountain bike enthusiasts can explore parks and trails like Parque Lezama and Belgrano. With strategically placed rental points across Buenos Aires, this service ensures easy access to cycling adventures for expats and tourists alike.
2. La Bicicleta Naranja
Founded in 2004 by José María Oyharbide, La Bicicleta Naranja is known for its guided bike tours and private cycling experiences. Their bilingual guides lead organized itineraries lasting 3-4 hours, offering deep insights into Buenos Aires’ stories and secrets.
The tours are suitable for all fitness levels and include stops at major landmarks. For those seeking a personalized touch, private tours blend cycling with tailored experiences, like exclusive visits to bodegones and other hidden city gems.
Flexible Bike Rentals
La Bicicleta Naranja also caters to visitors who prefer to explore independently. Their urban-adapted fleet can be rented without a guide, with detailed maps to help riders discover Buenos Aires at their own pace.
With convenient rental points in San Telmo and Palermo, the service offers hourly, daily, and weekly rates. The flexibility of their rentals allows expats and tourists to craft personalized itineraries while enjoying the city’s distinctive neighborhoods.
3. Bici Urbana
Bici Urbana is a one-stop shop for all things cycling, offering not only professional mechanical services and bike accessories but also rentals and painting services.
Visitors can rent a bike directly at the store in Belgrano or Palermo by providing valid identification (passport for foreigners) and leaving a $150 deposit.
Rentals can be paid in cash or by credit card, and prices are quoted based on the exchange rate of the day. Rental periods range from 5-9 hours, 24 hours, or up to a full week.
Bike Options and Urban Exploration
Bici Urbana’s fleet caters to a variety of cyclists, with city bikes, mountain bikes, and road bikes available. The rental includes helmets, locks, and personalized maps to help travelers navigate Buenos Aires safely and efficiently.
The store’s strategic locations in Belgrano and Palermo provide convenient access to popular cycling paths, including routes leading to landmarks such as Plaza de Mayo, the Ecological Reserve, and Recoleta Cemetery.
Whether cycling for leisure or exercise, visitors can easily explore the city’s most captivating spots with Bici Urbana’s flexible rental options.
4. Manawa Bike Rental
Located in Palermo, Manawa Bike Rental provides a comprehensive bike rental experience, offering guided tours led by trilingual guides specializing in Buenos Aires’ history and culture.
With personalized attention, each tour is curated to match visitors’ preferences, whether it’s uncovering iconic landmarks or hidden neighborhood gems.
Their three main tour routes — North Green Tour, South Urban Tour, and West Cultural and Historical Tour — reveal the city’s diverse landscapes and cultural richness.
Extensive Fleet and Interactive Maps
Manawa’s diverse fleet includes adult and children’s city bikes, mountain bikes, and BMX bikes, each designed for a comfortable and safe ride. Rentals include locks, digital and paper maps, and optional helmets.
Manawa has also developed interactive maps for Google Maps that help visitors plan their routes offline, ensuring cyclists have access to over 250 km of bike paths and cultural hotspots even without internet connectivity.
With rental points in Palermo and a fleet of 15 ready-to-ride bicycles, they provide hourly, daily, and weekly rates to cater to all travel plans.
Notable Routes and Neighborhoods
Some of the routes and circuits offered by Manawa are:
- Green North Tour: Family-friendly exploration of aristocratic neighborhoods like Belgrano and Núñez, as well as the natural beauty of the Río de la Plata coastline and the vibrant Chinatown.
- Urban South Tour: Dive into the city’s bohemian culture with stops at Caminito, Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, and more.
- Tigre Tour: A unique journey through the Paraná Delta via Tren de la Costa, including romantic riverside promenades, rowing clubs, and historical landmarks.
Payment and Guarantees
Manawa accepts payments in all forms, including USD and Euros, and requires a form of identification or a $200 deposit as a guarantee.
Rentals can be by the hour, for five hours, a full day, 24 hours, or a whole week, with extras like helmets and guides available for a small additional fee.
5. BA Bikes
BA Bikes offers a flexible and customer-friendly bike rental service with locations in downtown Buenos Aires.
Visitors can rent bikes for 24 hours, half a day, or 48 hours, and each rental includes a helmet, lock, bike basket, and a map with recommended circuits and travel tips.
For added convenience, the service allows renters to drop off their bikes at either of their two central locations or take advantage of the free bike delivery and pickup service. A refundable deposit is required as insurance.
Guided and Special Tours
In addition to bike rentals, BA Bikes is known for its daily guided tours that take cyclists through picturesque neighborhoods and hidden streets, offering a relaxed way to see the best of Buenos Aires.
Their knowledgeable guides provide fascinating insights into the city’s culture and history, ensuring an engaging experience.
For those looking for more specific interests, they also offer special tours, including culinary, wine, market, and private tours. The varied thematic circuits provide a unique perspective on Buenos Aires’ vibrant lifestyle.
BA Bikes is one of the top choices among tourists and expats, and even the legendary Paul McCartney once enjoyed their service.
6. Ecobici
Ecobici is Buenos Aires’ public bike-sharing system, managed by the city government in partnership with the private sector. With strategically placed stations throughout the city, it’s designed for both locals and tourists, making it accessible to everyone.
To use the service, riders simply need to register through the app, which allows them to unlock bikes via a QR code scan.
Convenient and Accessible
The bikes are comfortable and of high quality, with stations distributed across Buenos Aires to ensure easy access for renting and returning.
Users can ride for a designated period, making it a convenient option for short trips or commuting.
Whether you’re a native or a foreigner, Ecobici provides a simple and eco-friendly way to explore Buenos Aires’ distinctive neighborhoods.
Last Considerations
Exploring Buenos Aires by bike is a unique and exciting way to uncover the city’s hidden gems, iconic landmarks, and vibrant neighborhoods.
With an extensive network of protected bike lanes, keep you safe from traffic while offering a seamless journey through the city. Whether you opt for Ecobici’s economical public bike service or the comprehensive rental options provided by private agencies, each offers a unique way to explore the Argentine capital.
Remember to keep your bike secure and avoid parking it on the street unattended. By choosing cycling as your preferred mode of transportation, you’ll enjoy the freedom to visit all the tourist attractions you desire.
Visit ExpatPathways for more tips and insights into the best bike rental services in Buenos Aires and embark on your two-wheeled adventure today!
(Featured Image Source: Robin Capper/flickr.com)
