Punta de Mita/Sayulita: Horseback Riding Tour

The best part of this ride is the changing scenery. You move from the small village of Higuera Blanca into jungle trails, then reach wide Litibú Beach, where galloping may be possible. It is more than a short loop around a ranch.

I like the gentle horses and the care taken by guides such as Ricardo and Carlos. I also like the ranch itself, with donkeys, ponies, macaws, water buffalo, deer, turkeys, peacocks, and roosters. The main drawback is the time involved: the ride lasts 1.5 hours, but pickup, transport, tequila tasting, and lunch can turn it into a much longer outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three settings in one ride: Move through Higuera Blanca, jungle, and Litibú Beach rather than staying on one trail.
• Calm, well-kept horses: The ranch says its horses are well-fed and kept in good shape by working cowboys.
• A real Mexican village: The route passes through Higuera Blanca, giving you a look at daily life beyond the resort strip.
• Beach gallop option: You may have the chance to gallop on Litibú Beach, depending on the conditions and guide’s instructions.
• More than horseback riding: The ranch visit includes many animals, tequila tasting, optional lunch, and a photo with the huge bull Soruyo.
• Plan for extra time: Some pickup routes can make this a half-day outing, especially from Puerto Vallarta.

From the ranch to Higuera Blanca

Your outing begins at the ranch, a lively property with far more to see than saddled horses. Donkeys, ponies, macaws, roosters, water buffalo, deer, turkeys, and peacocks are part of the setting. That makes the arrival feel like a visit to a working animal property, not simply a staging point for a trail ride.

You receive a short safety briefing before meeting your horse. The horses are selected for calm behavior, and the ranch keeps them fed and in good physical condition. That matters if you are new to riding, returning to the saddle after years away, or traveling with someone who feels unsure around large animals.

Guides Ricardo and Carlos are names worth remembering. Ricardo has been praised for making riders feel safe and for sharing stories about the places along the route. Carlos is associated with horse explanations, good humor, and a relaxed atmosphere. English and Spanish guiding is available.

The exact group size is not provided, so you should not assume a private ride. You will likely be part of a mixed group with different levels of riding experience. The setup is designed to accommodate beginners as well as people who ride regularly, but listen closely to the guide and follow instructions about speed and spacing.

Riding through a typical Mexican town

The route first enters Higuera Blanca, a small town that gives the ride a local feel. It is easy to spend an entire vacation around resort hotels, pools, and carefully polished tourist zones. Passing through a working Mexican village offers a different view of the region.

This portion is not a sightseeing stop with a long list of monuments. Its value is in the ordinary details: streets, homes, local movement, and the sense of a place where people live rather than simply visit. Your horse provides a slow pace, allowing you to notice more than you might from a van.

The village section also helps break up the ride. You are not spending the entire 1.5 hours on one repetitive trail. Instead, the route changes from town to vegetation to shore, which gives the experience a clear sense of progress.

For first-time riders, the town may be the most comfortable part of the route. You can settle into the saddle before reaching the more open beach. For experienced riders, it is less about speed and more about the contrast between local streets and the natural surroundings nearby.

Keep in mind that riding through town is not the same as taking a dedicated cultural walking tour. You get a brief, moving view of Higuera Blanca, not a detailed history lesson or extended time to explore on foot.

Jungle trails and the shift toward the coast

After Higuera Blanca, the route heads through jungle. The change is one of the ride’s strongest features. You leave the built-up area and move into a quieter setting, with the trail and surrounding vegetation becoming the focus.

I like this middle section because it gives the ride a sense of discovery without requiring a long hike. You remain on horseback while moving through the countryside around Punta de Mita and Sayulita. The pace lets you pay attention to the horses and the trail instead of rushing from one attraction to the next.

The jungle section may be the least predictable part of the outing. Trail conditions can vary, and the available time for each setting may depend on the group, the horses, and the day’s conditions. If you are expecting a fast, technical ride, this is probably not the right choice. The emphasis is on a guided outing suitable for mixed ability levels.

Wear comfortable clothes that can handle dust, heat, and contact with the saddle. Insect repellent is specifically recommended. Long, practical riding clothes may be more comfortable than beachwear, though you should still dress for warm Mexican weather.

Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. You also cannot bring cameras or cellphones, which is important if you normally document every part of a trip. The ranch may offer photographs for purchase, but those photos cost extra. Several riders felt the pictures were worth buying, especially the beach images, so bring your decision-making expectations rather than your phone.

Litibú Beach and the chance to gallop

The route ends at beautiful Litibú Beach in Riviera Nayarit. This is the visual payoff: after town streets and jungle trails, you reach the open coast and the sound of the Pacific.

The beach section is also where the ride can feel most exciting. You may have the option to gallop, but do not treat that as a guarantee. It depends on the conditions, the guide’s judgment, and your group’s ability. The guides remain in charge of deciding what is safe.

If you are a confident rider, this may become your favorite part. One rider called the beach gallop the best moment of the outing. If you are new to horses, you can enjoy the shore without needing to race. The tour is built around calm horses and guided riding, not a competition.

The beach also creates the best setting for photographs. A photographer may follow the group and capture the ride along the coast. The photos are not included in the $103 price, and the package can feel expensive if you are trying to keep costs down. Still, if you rarely buy tour photos, this is one of the occasions when you might want to consider them, since the combination of horse, beach, and open sky is hard to recreate with a phone.

Do not confuse this with a beach day. The stop is part of the riding route, not a separate period for swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing in the sand. The supplied details do not promise free beach time, so book it for horseback riding rather than a shoreline break.

The ranch animals add real character

The ranch is a major part of the experience, especially if you enjoy animals. You may see donkeys, ponies, macaws, roosters, water buffalo, deer, turkeys, and peacocks around the property.

That mix gives the outing a slightly old-fashioned ranch feel. It also makes the tour appealing to people who are not seasoned riders. Even if the horseback portion feels brief to you, the surrounding property gives you more to see before or after the ride.

One memorable feature is Soruyo, a bull weighing more than one ton. You can take a picture with him before leaving. This is not an everyday travel photo, but use common sense around any large animal and follow the staff’s instructions.

The animal collection is also useful for families, but the riding restrictions still apply. Pregnant people, anyone with back problems, and people over 260 pounds, or 118 kilograms, should not take this tour.

Tequila tasting and lunch after the ride

After the ride, the experience shifts from countryside activity to ranch hospitality. A tequila tasting is included, and Nico leads this part. The tasting has been described as funny and lively, making it a social finish rather than a quiet sample at a counter.

You do not need to be a tequila expert to enjoy it. The value is in learning a little about the drink while relaxing after the ride. It also gives you time to look around the ranch instead of climbing straight into the return vehicle.

Lunch is not included, but you can buy food at a Mexican restaurant on the property. This arrangement gives you a choice. You can eat there and extend the ranch visit, or keep the cost down by skipping the meal. Since the total outing may already take much of your day, buying lunch can be convenient.

The tequila tasting deserves one practical note: if you are driving yourself, drink responsibly. Round-trip transportation is included from certain pickup points, and that makes the included tasting easier to enjoy without worrying about the drive.

Is $103 a fair price?

At $103 per person, this is not the cheapest horseback ride in the Puerto Vallarta area. The price makes more sense when you count the full package: selected round-trip transportation, bottled water, a 1.5-hour ride through three distinct settings, ranch animals, a tequila tasting, and the option to buy lunch onsite.

The experience offers more variety than a basic trail ride that leaves from a stable and returns along the same route. You get Higuera Blanca, jungle, and Litibú Beach in one outing. The guides and ranch staff also add value, particularly for beginners who want help feeling secure on the horse.

The cost is harder to justify if your only goal is a long beach gallop. The riding time is 1.5 hours, and transportation can add a good deal of time. One rider traveling from Puerto Vallarta reported nearly six hours from pickup to return, partly because the pickup location was farther from the hotel. Check your pickup point carefully and leave room in your schedule.

Photos, lunch, and any extra purchases are not included. If you want the full experience, your final cost can rise above the advertised price. I would treat the $103 as the base price for a ranch-and-riding outing, not an all-inclusive day.

Transportation, timing, and what to bring

Pickup is included from certain locations. After booking, the activity partner contacts you to confirm the pickup point and time. Be ready at the pickup point 10 minutes early.

This detail matters in the Punta de Mita, Sayulita, Nuevo Vallarta, and Puerto Vallarta area, where a nearby-looking destination can still involve a long transfer. The tour is listed as 1.5 hours, but the entire outing may take much longer once transport, the ranch, tasting, photographs, and lunch are added.

Bring comfortable clothing and insect repellent. Closed-toe shoes are required because sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Bottled water is included, but you should still dress for a warm outdoor activity.

Cameras and cellphones are not allowed. That rule may surprise you, especially on a beach ride, but it means you should decide in advance if professional tour photos matter to you. If they do, budget for them.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your travel plans around Riviera Nayarit are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this horseback ride?

I would recommend this tour to several kinds of visitors:

• First-time riders who want calm horses, a safety briefing, and close guidance.
• Casual riders who value scenery and variety more than a long, fast ride.
• Couples looking for a beach setting and the option to purchase memorable photos.
• Solo visitors who are comfortable joining a mixed group.
• Animal lovers who will enjoy the ranch as much as the trail.
• Repeat visitors to Puerto Vallarta who want to see a less polished side of the region.

It may not suit you if you want a private ride, guaranteed galloping, or a full day at the beach. It is also not appropriate for pregnant people, anyone with back problems, or anyone above the stated weight limit.

Should you book the Higuera Blanca horseback ride?

Book it if you want a well-rounded countryside outing rather than a simple horse loop. The strongest combination is the route itself: Higuera Blanca, jungle, and Litibú Beach. Add calm horses, guides such as Ricardo and Carlos, the unusual ranch animals, and Nico’s tequila tasting, and the $103 price becomes easier to defend.

Think twice if your schedule is tight or your hotel is in Puerto Vallarta and far from the pickup point. The ride is only 1.5 hours, but transport and the ranch activities can occupy much of your day. Also budget separately for lunch and photos.

For a first or second horseback experience, this is a sensible choice. You get help when you need it, enough variety to keep the ride interesting, and a chance to see a local town and Pacific beach in one trip.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding portion last?

The horseback riding activity lasts 1.5 hours. Transportation, the ranch visit, tequila tasting, lunch, and photographs can make the full outing longer.

What locations does the horse ride visit?

The route passes through Higuera Blanca, continues through jungle, and reaches Litibú Beach in Riviera Nayarit.

Can I gallop on Litibú Beach?

You may have the option to gallop on the beach. Galloping is not guaranteed and depends on the conditions and the guide’s instructions.

Are meals included?

No. Food is not included, but you can purchase lunch at a Mexican restaurant on the property.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. A tequila tasting is included after the horseback ride.

Are pickup and transportation included?

Round-trip transportation is included from certain pickup points. The activity partner confirms your pickup location and time after booking.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes and insect repellent. Wear closed-toe shoes, since sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

Can I bring my cellphone or camera?

No. Cameras and cellphones are not allowed during the activity. Tour photographs may be available to purchase separately.