mountain horse back riding

The mountains are the main event. This two-hour-and-15-minute horseback ride takes you above Puerto Plata, through small villages and open countryside, with wide views and a photo session along the way. I like the calm pace and the chance to see a less polished side of the Dominican Republic from the back of a horse.

I also like that the tour includes a helmet, bottled water, a professional guide, and pickup from Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, and Playa Dorada. The main drawback is the limited pickup area: Sosua, Cabarete, and cruise ships are not covered, and lunch is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Mountain route above Puerto Plata: The ride leaves the built-up coast and heads into the hills, with views over rural areas and nearby villages.
• Easygoing horses: One detailed account praised the horses as unusually calm and said the guide also trains the ranch’s horses.
• Local bar stop in Boulula: You can pause for a drink, buy souvenirs, or purchase something beyond the drink included with the tour.
• Pickup is limited: Transportation is offered from Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, and Playa Dorada, but not from Sosua, Cabarete, or cruise ships.
• A small to medium group setting: The maximum group size is 30 people, so the ride may feel social rather than private.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the tour also requires a minimum number of participants.

Riding into the hills above Puerto Plata

This is not a beach ride. The route heads into the mountains around and above Puerto Plata, where the views and rural setting are the main reward.

That change of scenery matters. Puerto Plata’s coast is easy to enjoy, but this ride gives you a look at the inland side of the province. You pass through small villages and natural areas, then continue toward higher ground. The tour does not promise a long list of named sights, and that is part of its appeal. You are there for the ride, the views, and the feel of the countryside.

I would choose this outing if you want something more active than a standard beach day but less demanding than a full-day mountain trip. The pace appears suited to enjoying the surroundings rather than racing from one attraction to another.

The published schedule gives pickup times from roughly 8:45 to 9:40 in the morning. The activity is listed as beginning around 9:30, with the riding portion running from about 9:45 until noon. Since pickup times vary by location, you should be ready before the start of that window and allow for a staggered collection.

What the 2-hour-15-minute ride feels like

The ride lasts about two hours and 15 minutes, which is long enough to make the mountain setting worthwhile without taking your whole day.

You can expect the route to combine several types of scenery: mountain roads or paths, small settlements, and natural areas. The exact sequence is not spelled out, so I would not book this expecting a tightly scripted sightseeing route. Think of it as a guided countryside ride with scenic pauses.

That format can be a plus. A horse ride is often best when you are not watching the clock every few minutes. You have time to settle into the saddle, take in the views, and enjoy the change from the resort zone.

The route also includes a photo session. This is useful because horseback photos can be difficult to arrange on your own, especially when you want the horse, rider, and mountain views in the same frame. If pictures matter to you, bring a phone or camera, but keep it secure while riding. No separate photo fee is listed, so you should clarify with the provider if you want to know exactly how the photos are handled.

The horses and the guide make a real difference

For a horseback tour, the animals and the guide matter more than fancy extras. One especially useful account describes the horses as some of the calmest the rider had encountered on similar outings. That is encouraging, particularly if you have ridden before but do not want an overly spirited horse.

The same account praised the guide as friendly and said he trains all 50 horses at the ranch. No guide’s name is provided, so I cannot tell you who will lead your group on a particular date. Still, a guide who also works as a horse trainer may offer practical knowledge about the animals and better awareness of how to match riders with horses.

You should still be honest about your riding background when you arrive. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed rider-weight policy, mounting procedure, or skill-level breakdown. If you are nervous, have never ridden before, or have a physical concern, ask the provider for current guidance before paying.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The information does not give a minimum age, so families should confirm that point directly.

Villages, nature, and the photo stop

The village portions of the ride are likely to be among the more distinctive parts of the outing. You are not simply circling a ranch. The route moves through small communities and rural areas above Puerto Plata, giving you a wider look at daily life away from the main hotel strips.

I like this kind of outing because the scenery is not limited to one postcard viewpoint. You get changing views as the horses move through the hills. The reward is less about checking off a famous attraction and more about seeing how the coast connects with the interior.

The photo session adds a planned pause. It gives you a chance to get off the moving route and focus on the views. You may also appreciate the break if you are new to horseback riding and want to stretch or adjust your position.

Keep your expectations sensible. The tour description does not identify a particular waterfall, lookout, historic building, or protected park. It promises mountain views, villages, nature, and photos. Those are the features to judge it by.

A stop at the local bar in Boulula

The break in Boulula adds a human touch to the route. At the local bar, you can stop for the included drink, buy souvenirs, or order other drinks at your own expense.

This is a simple stop, not a full meal or a formal cultural program. That is worth knowing before you go. The tour does not include lunch, and nothing indicates that food is part of the package. If you need a substantial meal in the middle of the morning, eat beforehand or plan for lunch after returning.

I see the bar stop as a useful pause rather than a major attraction. It gives you a chance to sit, talk with the guide, look at souvenirs, and take a breather before heading back. The option to buy something local also makes it more personal than stopping only at a rest area built for tour groups.

Bring some spending money if you like souvenirs or want a drink beyond what is included. The price of those extras is not provided.

What you get for $69

At $69 per person, the value depends largely on whether you need transportation and how much you value the mountain setting.

The price covers the guided ride, helmet use, bottled water, and pickup from four service areas: Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, and Playa Dorada. For someone staying in one of those locations, included pickup removes the need to arrange a taxi or rental car to the ranch.

The ride itself lasts more than two hours, so this is not a quick photo stop with a short loop around the property. You are paying for a fuller outing that combines riding, views, village scenery, a photo session, and a bar break.

The value is weaker if you are staying outside the pickup zone or arriving by cruise ship. Since there is no cruise-ship pickup and no pickup from Sosua or Cabarete, you would need to solve transportation separately, and the information provided does not say if the provider accepts guests who make their own way to the meeting point.

Lunch is another cost to plan for. You receive bottled water, but not a meal. The Boulula stop may offer other drinks, but there is no promise of lunch there.

Pickup areas and meeting details

The listed meeting point is in Puerto Plata at postal code 57000, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered from Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, and Playa Dorada.

The schedule needs a careful reading. Pickup is shown as running from 8:45 to 9:40, while the activity has a listed start time around 9:30 and the riding period begins around 9:45. That likely reflects different pickup times by hotel or area, but you should rely on your booking confirmation for your exact collection time.

Mobile tickets are offered, and confirmation is received when you book. I would save the ticket on your phone and keep the meeting details available, especially if your accommodation is in a large resort area.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not an intimate private ride, but it is also not an enormous operation. The actual number on your date may be smaller. If you want a private guide or a very quiet outing, this tour does not promise either.

Safety, comfort, and useful preparation

A helmet is included, which is the most important listed safety item. A professional guide leads the ride, and the detailed account of the horses being calm is another positive sign.

Still, horseback riding is an active outing. Wear clothes that allow movement and shoes that feel secure. The supplied information does not specify a dress code, footwear rule, weight limit, or riding skill requirement, so ask the provider if any of those affect your booking.

Bottled water is included, but I would not treat that as a substitute for preparing for a morning outdoors. Sun protection may be useful, though the tour details do not specify how much shade the route offers.

One account praises the horses and guide but includes a caution that is cut off in the available text. Since the actual warning is not provided, I cannot responsibly explain what it concerned. The sensible approach is to listen closely to the guide, follow mounting and riding instructions, and raise any concern before leaving the ranch.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions are poor, you can be offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason may result in a new date, another activity, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A morning activity away from the beach and resort zone
• Mountain views without committing to a full-day excursion
• A relaxed horseback ride with a guide
• A taste of rural scenery and small villages near Puerto Plata
• Included pickup from Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, or Playa Dorada
• A simple, social outing rather than a private luxury tour

It may not suit you if you want a private ride, a beach route, a full meal, or a tightly specified sightseeing itinerary. It is also a poor fit if your only practical pickup option is Sosua, Cabarete, or a cruise ship terminal.

Families can consider it, but children must have an adult with them, and the minimum age is not stated. If your group includes first-time riders, ask how the horses are assigned and what support is available before booking.

Booking, cancellation, and the final decision

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes made inside it are not accepted. Weather and minimum-participant cancellations are handled with a new date, another option, or a full refund.

I would book this ride if you are staying in the included pickup area and want a genuine change of pace from Puerto Plata’s coast. The calm horses, experienced horse trainer, mountain route, and local bar stop give the outing more character than a short ranch loop.

I would pause before booking if transportation, lunch, or a private setting is essential. For most suitable guests, though, $69 is a fair price for a guided mountain ride of more than two hours with transport, water, a helmet, views, and a photo stop. It is a straightforward morning outing, and that is exactly why it works.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. The listed riding period is from about 9:45 am to noon.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 am, with the tour portion beginning around 9:45 am. Pickup times are listed between 8:45 and 9:40, depending on location.

Where does the horseback ride take place?

The ride takes place in the mountains and hills around and above Puerto Plata Province. The route includes small villages, natural areas, and scenic views.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered from Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Costambar, and Playa Dorada. Pickup is not available from Sosua, Cabarete, or cruise ships.

What is included in the price?

The price includes helmet use, a professional guide, bottled water, and pickup from the listed service areas.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The tour does stop at a local bar in Boulula, where you can buy souvenirs or drinks beyond the included drink.

Can children join the ride?

Yes, children can participate with an accompanying adult. The minimum age is not provided.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can be offered a different date or a full refund.