All Inclusive Beach Club, Water Sports, Horse Ride, Food & Drinks

Sun, sand, and a short ride await. This Mazatlan shore excursion combines Stone Island beach time with lunch, drinks, and a choice of water or horseback activities. I like the simple all-in-one setup, and I like that cruise pickup times are adjusted to fit your ship’s schedule. The main catch is that the included activities can be very brief, and the horseback ride may amount to only a few blocks.

You get about five hours for $59, including transportation, lunch, alcoholic drinks, bottled water during transfers, and selected activities. That is a fair price if you want an easy beach day rather than a polished resort experience. Still, expect a casual public beach setting, limited food and drink choices, possible vendors, and basic furniture.

Key Points Before You Book

• Stone Island is the main event: You spend the day at a beach restaurant on Isla de las Piedras, with shade, food, drinks, and time by the water.
• Choose activities carefully: The package describes a choice of two activities from horseback riding, banana boat riding, boogie boarding, or a horse wagon ride.
• Activities are short: Expect roughly 10 to 15 minutes per activity, with some horseback rides reported as only a few blocks.
• Cruise timing gets personal attention: Pickup and return times are adjusted around your ship’s schedule, which is important in Mazatlan.
• Food and drinks are basic but included: Lunch has limited choices, while the open bar focuses on a small selection of rum, vodka, piña coladas, and lime margaritas.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not included, and early arrival may help you get a lounge chair.

Why This Mazatlan Beach Day Works

Mazatlan has plenty of excursions that ask you to choose between sightseeing and relaxing. This one tries to give you both, though the beach time clearly takes center stage. You get transportation from the cruise terminal, a ride toward Stone Island, access to a beach restaurant, lunch, drinks, and a few short activities.

I like that you do not have to arrange separate transportation, rent beach equipment, and find lunch on your own. Once you reach the beach area, the day is fairly simple: settle in, order or collect food, have a drink, and use your selected activities when called.

This is not a luxury beach club. The setting is casual, and the included food and drinks are designed for convenience rather than variety. If you want a comfortable day in the sun with very little planning, that can be a good trade.

The $59 price is most attractive if you use several parts of the package. A beach transfer, lunch, alcoholic drinks, and two activities can add up quickly when booked separately. If you plan to skip the activities and drink little, the value becomes less clear. In that case, you are mainly paying for transportation, food, shade, and a place to spend the day.

Getting from the Cruise Terminal to Stone Island

Cruise passengers meet at a clearly described spot inside the terminal. Look for the Green Bar before the gazebo, then exit the building and check the first umbrella. The pickup time is listed as 9:00 a.m., but cruise schedules can change.

The operator receives ship information from the National Maritime Authority before arrival and sets pickup and drop-off times around your port schedule. That is one of the strongest practical points here. A shore excursion is not much use if it leaves you watching the ship pull away, so the effort to adjust the return time matters.

The exact route can involve a vehicle transfer and a boat connection. Reports describe a van ride to a catamaran, followed by an open-air bus ride to the beach. The transportation is air-conditioned during the vehicle portions, while the later island transfer may be much more basic.

Do not expect a luxury coach at every stage. One account described open-air buses with worn seats. I would treat the transport as functional rather than part of the attraction. It gets you to the beach, but it may not be the smoothest part of the day.

If your ship changes its schedule, pay close attention to the updated instructions sent the evening before. The company has shown flexibility with changed ship times and even with a booking made for the wrong day. That does not remove your responsibility to check the message and arrive on time.

Stone Island Beach: What the Day Feels Like

Stone Island, also called Isla de las Piedras, gives you a broad beach setting tied to a restaurant. You can sit in a shaded area, use the beach, take part in activities, and return to the restaurant for food and drinks.

The beach itself is the most dependable part of the experience. The water has waves, though they are not described as too rough for swimming. Water temperature is more personal. Some people may find it comfortable, while others may find it cold, so do not assume you will get warm Caribbean-style water.

The beach club uses plastic tables and chairs. This makes sense for a sandy, tidal environment, but it does not create a resort feel. Lounge chairs can be limited, especially for people arriving later. If a chair matters to you, arrive promptly and ask about seating right away.

Shade is available near the restaurant, which helps during a five-hour stop. You can escape the sun without leaving the beach area. The waiter may bring food to your spot, but service appears to depend on the pace and organization of the day.

You should also prepare for vendors approaching on the beach. The staff tries to keep them away, but they may still come by offering goods or services. If you prefer a quiet, controlled beach setting with no interruptions, this may wear on you. If you are comfortable giving a firm no and returning to your book or drink, it is easier to manage.

Choosing Between Horses, Boats, and Boards

The package description presents a choice of two activities from horseback riding, banana boat riding, boogie boarding, or a horse wagon ride. The wording is important: you should confirm which two are available and how the selection works when you arrive.

The activities are guided, and the guides speak English. That is useful for safety instructions and for asking questions before getting on a boat, horse, or board. The company says the activities normally run for about 10 to 15 minutes.

That duration is the biggest point to understand before booking. You are not signing up for a long horseback trek or an extended water-sports session. Think of each activity as a quick taste, followed by more time on the beach.

Horseback Riding

The horseback ride has received the most criticism. Some riders found it worthwhile as a short novelty, while others described traveling only six blocks or half a block down a back street. That is far removed from a scenic ride along a long stretch of shoreline.

If horseback riding is your main reason for booking, I would not choose this excursion without confirming the route and duration first. The horse ride may suit a first-timer who simply wants to sit on a horse for a few minutes. It is less suitable if you picture a relaxed beach ride or a real countryside excursion.

The horse wagon option may be a better fit for people who prefer not to ride, but the available length and route are not specified. Ask before committing.

Banana Boat Ride

The banana boat is a better choice if you want a quick, playful burst of activity. It is likely to appeal to families and groups who enjoy getting wet and laughing together. The tradeoff is that the ride is still short, so do not expect a long water outing.

You should listen closely to the guide and understand the safety instructions before boarding. The package includes guided support, which is reassuring, but it does not turn a 10-minute ride into a full water-sports session.

Boogie Boarding

Boogie boarding offers a simpler way to enjoy the waves. It requires less coordination than a banana boat and lets you stay close to shore. If the water feels cold, a short board session may be easier to enjoy than a long swim.

As with the other choices, the included time is limited. I would select boogie boarding if you want a low-key activity and do not care about speed or a group thrill ride.

Lunch, Open Bar, and the Real Meaning of All-Inclusive

Lunch is included, but the menu is limited. You may find around five choices, and the food has been described as average by some people and flavorful by others. That tells you what to expect: this is practical beach food, not a meal-focused tour.

I like having lunch built into the day because it removes one more decision. You can eat without leaving the beach or searching for a restaurant. Just keep your expectations in check, especially if you have dietary needs or want a wide range of dishes.

The open bar also comes with a narrow menu. Available drinks have been described as cheap rum, vodka, piña coladas, and lime margaritas. The drinks can be strong, but you should not expect a full premium bar or a long list of cocktails.

Bottled water and complementary drinks are provided during transfers, while water at the beach has been reported as costing extra. I would bring some cash and confirm what is included before ordering. The phrase all-inclusive sounds broad, but here it means the listed package items, not every drink or beach purchase.

One unusual tip comes from a person who skipped the activities and received a coconut with alcohol instead. That may not be a standard substitute, so do not count on it, but it shows that the staff may try to keep the day enjoyable when someone chooses not to participate.

Timing, Group Size, and Comfort

The excursion lasts about five hours and can hold up to 99 people. That is a fairly large possible group, even if the actual number on your date is smaller. Expect a shared operation rather than a private beach outing.

A larger group can explain some of the reported confusion around activity scheduling, seating, and transfers. I would keep your plans flexible and avoid assuming that every activity will start exactly when you want.

The air-conditioned vehicle is helpful in Mazatlan’s heat. The transfer can still feel long or uneven once you move to boats and open-air buses, so wear light clothing and practical shoes. You will want footwear that works for sand, boarding, and walking between transport points.

Service seems to be one of the stronger parts of the package. A driver named Rickie received special praise for staying with the group and making sure everything was handled. Staff have also helped correct booking-date mistakes and adjust pickup times when ship schedules changed.

That personal attention is valuable on a port day. It does not guarantee a perfect operation, but it gives you someone to approach if you are unsure where to go or when your activity begins.

Who Should Book This Beach Club

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want:

• A simple beach day with transportation included
• Lunch and selected alcoholic drinks in one price
• A few short activities rather than a full day of water sports
• A shaded place to sit near the beach
• English-speaking guides
• Pickup and return planning tied to a cruise schedule

Families may enjoy the mix of swimming, banana boats, boogie boards, and food. Couples who want a quiet beach escape can also have a pleasant day, especially if they are comfortable ignoring vendors and do not need a lounge chair.

I would be more cautious if you want a long horseback ride, a polished resort, a broad lunch menu, premium cocktails, or a quiet private beach. People with mobility needs should provide full details in advance, especially if using a motorized wheelchair. The company has responded to a concern about a late arrival and wheelchair arrangements, which suggests that advance communication is important.

The excursion permits service animals, is near public transportation, and says most people can participate. Those facts do not describe every activity’s physical demands, so ask specific questions before booking if you have limitations.

Booking Details and Cancellation

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered in English. Cruise passengers should watch for the final pickup and drop-off instructions sent the night before.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation. If the minimum number is not met and the company cancels, you will be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

My Verdict on This $59 Mazatlan Excursion

Book it if you want a casual, value-minded beach day and will treat the activities as short extras. The best parts are the easy cruise pickup, flexible ship timing, beach access, included lunch, drinks, and friendly staff such as Rickie.

Skip it if the horseback ride is your priority or if you expect a luxury beach club. The horse activity may be only a few blocks, the food and drink menus are limited, vendors can approach you, and the transportation may feel basic.

For me, this is a decent choice for someone who wants to get off the ship, sit by the ocean, have lunch, and sample a few activities without planning every detail. Go for the beach day. Think of the horse ride and water sports as brief add-ons, not the main attraction.

FAQ

How long does the Mazatlan beach club experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

What time does pickup begin?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m. Cruise pickup and drop-off times may be adjusted to fit your ship’s schedule.

Where do cruise passengers meet?

Meet inside the terminal at the Green Bar, located before the gazebo. After exiting the building, look for the first umbrella.

What activities are included?

The package describes a choice of two activities from horseback riding, banana boat riding, boogie boarding, or a horse wagon ride. Confirm the available choices when you arrive.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, though the food selection is limited.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included, with a limited selection that has been described as including rum, vodka, piña coladas, and lime margaritas.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so bring your own.