Horseback Riding & Swim: Tequila Tasting, BBQ & Margaritas

Saddle up for a full Mexican day. This experience mixes a countryside horseback ride, possible river swimming, tequila tasting, salsa making, and a generous BBQ lunch at La Dulce Vista. I like the chance to see rural Jalisco beyond the hotel zone, and I like that the horses are matched to your riding ability. The main catch is that the river ride depends on weather and water levels, so the centerpiece can change.

The guides, including Fabrizio, Martin, Valeria, Rafa, Saul, and Roberto, are repeatedly praised for patience, humor, and calm handling of beginners. The horses are generally described as gentle and well cared for, but you should prepare for heat, a potentially long day, and transportation that may be less comfortable than expected.

Key points before you book

• Horse swimming is never guaranteed: River conditions determine if you can ride through the water or swim with your horse.
• The riding level suits beginners: Horses are matched to ability, and guides provide safety instructions and help with mounting and dismounting.
• La Dulce Vista is more than a tequila stop: You can make salsa, taste several tequilas, swim in a pool, and eat a full Mexican BBQ lunch.
• The day can run longer than five hours: Some departures have lasted from about 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Bring water-ready gear: Pack a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, secure shoes, and a change of clothes in a small backpack.
• The best value comes from doing the whole package: The riding alone may not satisfy you if river access is closed, but the lunch, drinks, tasting, and countryside setting add real value.

Leaving Marina Vallarta for the countryside

The tour begins at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. From there, the stated drive to Hacienda Doña Engracia is about 25 minutes, although the actual transport arrangement may vary. The activity includes private transportation in a white bus, but some departures have used rideshare-style vehicles instead, including vehicles without strong air conditioning.

That matters in Puerto Vallarta. A short drive in a cool van is easy. The same ride in a hot vehicle can make the rest of the day feel harder, especially before a two-hour horseback outing. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, allow extra time to reach the meeting point. The walk from the cruise terminal area can take about 30 minutes, and a taxi or Uber may be easier.

The group limit is 17 people. That is small enough for guides to keep an eye on riders, though the pace can still feel organized rather than private. A smaller group may also affect whether all parts of the experience operate exactly as planned, so confirm pickup details if you are booking for only two people or around an unusual schedule.

Choosing a horse at Hacienda Doña Engracia

At the ranch, the staff match you with a horse based on your ability. That is good news if you are a first-time rider or have not been on a horse in decades. Several people who arrived nervous, older, or out of practice felt supported by the staff, and first-time riders were able to participate after basic safety instructions.

The horses receive some of the strongest praise here. They are described as calm, gentle, healthy, and well trained. One rider who owns horses specifically paid close attention to their care and felt comfortable with the condition of the animals. Cowboys help riders get on and off when needed.

Still, this is not a polished English riding school. You are taking a working trail ride in rural Mexico. Saddles may not suit every body, and one account describes a stirrup breaking. That appears to be an exception, but it is a reminder to tell your guide right away if anything feels loose or unsafe. Wear long pants if you want more protection from the saddle, though the supplied information specifically emphasizes secure shoes that will not fall off.

Riding along the Mascota River

The planned ride follows the Mascota River through countryside, local vegetation, paths, and nearby communities. When water levels are suitable, you may cross the river several times and possibly swim with your horse. This is the most unusual part of the experience, and it is why a swimsuit belongs in your bag even if you think you will only ride.

The horse swim is not a simple photo stop. You may enter the water while mounted, and in suitable conditions you can enjoy a short swim with the horse. The experience has been described as magical and once-in-a-lifetime, but it requires confidence, secure footwear, and a willingness to get wet. Your guide can take photos with your camera along the route, so keep your phone or camera protected.

River conditions can change the entire ride. High current, rain, or a dry riverbed can make water crossings unsafe or impossible. In those cases, the route may pass through a local town, sandy riverbeds, roads, paths, and a short nature section. Some people found this still enjoyable. Others felt disappointed because the advertised river scenery was the main reason they booked.

This is the key decision point. If you need guaranteed horseback swimming, do not book this activity expecting certainty. If you see the water portion as a bonus and are happy to ride through rural areas even when the river is unavailable, the tour is a safer bet.

The heat also deserves respect. The ride may last roughly one and a half to two hours, with sections in direct sun and little shade. Bring bottled water, which is included, but carrying extra water is sensible. A hat and sunglasses help, and the hat should fit securely because you will be moving on horseback.

Rural scenery, local roads, and the real Puerto Vallarta

This outing shows you a side of the Puerto Vallarta area that you will not see from a resort pool or a cruise terminal. You may pass through local streets, see everyday communities, and reach countryside near the river and hills. One especially unusual detail from the ride is a stop or view connected with a local kindergarten, described humorously as one of Puerto Vallarta’s most dangerous kindergartens.

The setting is not untouched wilderness. Some routes include dry riverbeds, town roads, sandy paths, and visible trash. That can be jarring if you expect a pristine nature ride. I would frame the experience as a look at working rural Mexico, not a carefully manicured eco-tour.

That distinction helps you decide. You get a more ordinary, less polished side of Jalisco, which can feel authentic and memorable. You do not get a guaranteed postcard trail every time.

Tequila tasting at La Dulce Vista

After riding, the group heads to La Dulce Vista, a scenic venue in the hills with a pool and views over the surrounding area. This is where the day shifts from dusty trail ride to food, drinks, and demonstrations.

The tasting includes the provider’s small-batch artisanal tequila from the city of Tequila. You can sample Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and a premium Pink Tequila. The differences are worth noting: Blanco is usually the cleanest and most direct style, Reposado spends time resting in oak, and Añejo has a longer aging period and a deeper profile. The tour presents these as a guided tasting rather than simply handing you a shot.

Some people especially liked the almond tequila, along with the Blanco and mezcal. Mezcal is not tequila, but it is another agave spirit and makes a useful comparison during a tasting. The drinks can go down easily, particularly after a hot ride, so pace yourself. Unlimited margaritas later make moderation even more important if you want to enjoy the meal and the ride back.

The tasting also includes a sales element. Several accounts describe the tequila presentation as enjoyable and professional, while one found the free samples to be mainly a sales pitch. That is common at many regional tastings. Listen, taste, and buy only what you actually want. One account also reported unexpected charges for alcoholic drinks at one stage of the day, so ask clearly which beverages are included before ordering outside the stated package.

Making salsa before the Mexican BBQ

The food portion is one of the tour’s most consistent strengths. You may make your own salsa, often using a molcajete, before sitting down to lunch. This small activity gives the meal some local character and helps break up the schedule after the riding.

The Mexican BBQ menu includes chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available, but tell the operator in advance so the kitchen can prepare properly. The food is served at La Dulce Vista near the pool, which makes the setting feel relaxed after the heat of the trail.

The included drinks are lemon margaritas and bottled water. The margaritas are a major part of the fun, but they are also why you should not rush the tasting beforehand. This is a long, active day followed by alcohol. Eat first, drink water, and let the guides know if you need a slower pace.

Towels are not included. That is easy to overlook because the tour specifically encourages you to bring a swimsuit and includes a pool stop. Pack your own towel, along with dry clothes in a backpack. If you swim with the horse, you will be glad to have both.

Pool time and the end of the day

The pool at La Dulce Vista gives you a second chance to cool off, even if the river is too high or too dry for a swim. You can choose to swim after lunch, but there are no supplied towels. Secure footwear remains useful around wet areas.

The timing can feel generous or excessive depending on your energy. Some people love having riding, tasting, salsa, lunch, margaritas, and pool time in one outing. Others feel drained by the heat before reaching the tequila stop, and one account found the full schedule too long. A further ride segment after lunch and drinks may feel like too much if the day includes additional horseback time.

The advertised duration is about five hours, but the actual day may run longer. One departure lasted from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you have a flight, dinner reservation, or cruise departure, leave plenty of room. The company has accommodated schedule changes in at least one case, but you should not count on a late return being flexible.

Is the $113.26 price a good value?

At $113.26 per person, this is not the cheapest horseback ride in Puerto Vallarta. It is also not just a ride. The price includes transportation, the horse excursion, lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting, and lemon margaritas. The salsa activity, pool access, and possible horse swim add to the day without separate admission charges listed.

I see good value if you want a full activity rather than a short trail ride. The combination of rural scenery, trained horses, tequila education, a substantial meal, and drinks makes the cost reasonable for a five-hour package. It is especially attractive for couples, friends, and families who want several kinds of activity in one booking.

The value drops if river access is the only reason you are interested. On a dry or high-water day, you may spend much of the ride on roads, paths, and dry riverbeds. It also drops if you dislike sales presentations, hot transport, long days, or group excursions.

The experience is recommended by 94 percent of customers and carries a 4.7 rating from 230 reviews. That strong overall score fits the pattern: excellent guides, good horses, memorable food, and a fun tequila stop are the usual high points. The weaker experiences tend to involve changed river conditions, heat, transportation, uncomfortable saddles, or expectations that the ride would be more scenic than it was.

What to pack and who should book

Bring the following:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Hat and sunglasses
• Shoes that stay on your feet and can get wet
• A small backpack with dry clothes
• Extra water
• Sunscreen
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case

The tour is a good fit for beginners, casual riders, horse lovers, couples, families, and anyone who wants to mix outdoor activity with food and drinks. It can work well for riders who have not been on a horse in years because the horses are matched by ability and the guides offer help.

I would be more cautious if you have strict mobility limits, dislike heat, need a guaranteed river swim, or are uncomfortable with uneven conditions. The supplied information says most people can participate, but anyone over 220 pounds or 100 kilograms must also be taller than 5 feet 7 inches, or 170 centimeters.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta horseback tour?

Book it if you want a lively, full-day-style outing with horses, tequila, salsa, BBQ, and margaritas, and you can accept that nature controls the river portion. The best moments are the calm horses, funny guides, countryside ride, homemade salsa, and the chance to swim with a horse when conditions allow.

Skip it if you want a quiet, polished nature ride with guaranteed water crossings. For the best chance at a good day, bring the right gear, drink plenty of water, confirm the pickup vehicle, ask what drinks are included, and treat the horse swim as a lucky bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding and tequila experience last?

The stated duration is approximately five hours, but some departures have lasted from about 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Plan extra time if you have a flight, dinner booking, or cruise departure.

Is swimming with the horses guaranteed?

No. River swimming and crossings depend on water levels, current, rain, and general river conditions. If the water is unsafe, the ride may use town roads, paths, dry riverbeds, and a short nature trail instead.

Do I need horseback riding experience?

No. The staff match horses to your ability and provide safety instructions. The experience is described as suitable for beginners, and guides can help riders get on and off the horses.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes Mexican BBQ with chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian choices are available. Bottled water and lemon margaritas are included, along with the tequila tasting.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, secure shoes that can get wet, and a change of clothes. The tour does not provide towels.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, and ends back at the same meeting point.