Combo Horseback Riding in Vallarta with ATV and Ziplines.

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the change of scene. You leave the city, ride through rivers and tropical forest, pass through the rural village of Las Palmas, then trade your horse for an ATV and seven zip lines. It feels more like a day in the Sierra Madre than a quick resort activity.

I like the variety and the human touch. You get nearly two hours on horseback, a waterfall stop, a small jungle walk, ATV time, and a fresh meal at Rancho Capomo. I also like that guides such as Beto, Rimi, and Hector are described as patient and attentive, especially with children and first-time riders.

The main caution is physical effort. You’ll cross streams, walk to the waterfall, hike toward the zip lines, and spend a long stretch in the saddle. Bring sturdy or water-friendly shoes, and understand that this is a full active morning, not a gentle sightseeing ride.

Key points at a glance

• Nearly two hours on horseback: Ride through rivers, forest, and the countryside near Las Palmas, with horses matched to each rider’s pace.
• Seven jungle zip lines: The course is aimed at beginners as well as more confident flyers, with broad views over trees and rivers.
• ATV ride through a rural village: Spend roughly 45 minutes to an hour on newer four-wheelers, passing through Las Palmas and nearby country roads.
• Waterfall stop with optional swimming: Walk from the riding route to a cascade and pools, with time for photos or a swim.
• Homemade Mexican lunch: Finish with fajitas or chicken, guacamole, drinks, and a tequila tasting at the ranch.
• Small maximum group: The tour accepts no more than 20 people, which helps keep the activities organized.

From Puerto Vallarta to Rancho Capomo

Your morning begins at 8:15 am at the OXXO on the corner of Carretera Barra de Navidad and Púlpito in the Zona Romántica area. The tour ends at this same meeting point. A van takes you from town to the ranch, and the ride takes about 45 minutes according to the activity details and firsthand accounts.

That transfer matters. Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone can make the jungle feel far away, but this outing gets you into the Sierra Madre foothills and rural Jalisco. The drive is part of the transition from city streets to small villages, river country, and forest.

The group can reach 20 people, though the exact size on your date may be smaller. Guides speak English, and confirmation arrives when you book. The meeting spot is near public transportation, but the included van is the simplest way to reach the ranch.

I’d arrive ready to go rather than treating the pickup as a casual departure. Wear clothes you can get wet and dusty, and keep valuables to a minimum. Free lockers are available at the ranch, according to the experience details shared by participants.

Riding through rivers and tropical forest

The first major activity is horseback riding. You receive your own horse and follow a route beside the river, through tropical forest and toward Las Palmas. This is not a short photo ride around a corral. Allow close to two hours in the saddle, with the route crossing streams and passing through the countryside.

For a first-time rider, the length is worth noting. A horse can feel comfortable at the start, but several hours of riding asks more from your hips and legs. The guides are reported to match horses carefully to riders, and one family described a guide staying beside a young child throughout the ride. Still, you should be comfortable spending a long morning on horseback.

The setting is the reason to choose this tour over a standard ranch ride. You pass through water, trees, and rural roads instead of simply circling a fenced area. The route also gives you a look at Las Palmas, a small community far removed from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel strip.

Water shoes are a smart choice because you may ride through streams. Comfortable footwear is essential, but flip-flops are a poor match for the trail and the waterfall walk. Bring sunscreen, insect protection, and a change of clothes if you plan to swim.

The waterfall walk and fresh pools

At the waterfall, you can stop for photos and swim in the pools below the cascades. The swim is optional, so you can enjoy the stop without getting in the water. The walk from the horses to the waterfall adds another physical element, but it also breaks up the riding and gives you a closer look at the forest.

Do not expect a large developed bathing area. The appeal is the natural setting, with fresh water, tropical foliage, and a quieter stop away from the city. Conditions can vary, so use care around wet rocks and follow the guide’s directions.

This is one of the tour’s better pacing choices. You get time to slow down before the faster activities begin. If you are traveling with children, the waterfall gives them a chance to enjoy the morning without needing to commit to every activity.

One useful point comes from the way the staff handled an actual change of plan. A participant who felt too tired after the ride and waterfall walk chose not to hike up to the zip lines and was offered more ATV time instead. That does not mean every substitution is guaranteed, but it shows that you should speak up if the planned sequence is too much.

Seven zip lines through the trees

After the horse route, the tour shifts into its most aerial section: seven zip lines through the jungle. The lines cross above trees and rivers, offering a different view of the same country you just traveled through on horseback.

Seven lines provide more than a single quick flight. You have several chances to get used to the equipment, your position, and the sensation of moving between platforms. The course has been described as suitable for beginners, though anyone uneasy with heights should think carefully before booking.

You will likely want photographs, but this is not the easiest part of the day for taking your own video. Your hands are needed for the ride, and participants noted that staff can help record you if you ask. Phones can be used for photos and video, but protect them from water and drops.

The guides receive especially strong marks for keeping nervous children calm. One family with daughters aged seven and eleven said the staff helped both children try the lines, even though one was afraid of heights and the other was hesitant about new activities. That is encouraging for families, but it does not remove the need to judge your own child’s comfort level.

The zip lines are not the entire point of the tour. They work well here because they follow the slower horse ride and waterfall stop. You get speed and height without giving up the rural setting that makes the morning distinctive.

ATV riding through Las Palmas

The ATV portion usually lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. You ride through Las Palmas and out toward the surrounding countryside, seeing village streets and open country from a faster, more powerful vehicle.

This section brings a cultural element that can be missing from standard adventure parks. You are not only racing around a closed course. You pass through a small Mexican town and get a sense of how the area changes once you leave Puerto Vallarta.

The ATVs are described as new, and the activity is led by staff who keep the group together. Even so, you should expect dust, bumps, and a different kind of exertion than the zip lines. If you have never driven an ATV, listen closely to the instructions and keep a sensible pace.

The activity also gives the tour some flexibility. If the waterfall walk or zip-line access feels too demanding, you may be able to spend extra time on the ATVs, depending on the day and the staff’s plan. Ask early rather than waiting until the last minute.

Lunch, drinks, and tequila at the ranch

After the outdoor activities, you return to Rancho Capomo for a Mexican lunch. The meal includes a choice such as fajitas or chicken, with guacamole. The food receives unusually high praise, with several people calling it one of the best meals they had near Puerto Vallarta.

That is important when judging the $152 price. You are not paying for three short activities and then buying lunch separately. The package includes transportation from the meeting point, horseback riding, the waterfall stop, seven zip lines, ATV riding, and a prepared meal at the ranch.

Drinks are also available, and the ranch offers tequila tasting. One account describes tequila made at the ranch, including flavored bottles such as coffee and pineapple tequila available for purchase. Treat the tasting as an optional finish, not the main reason to book. You still have a ride back to town, and the active part of the day comes first.

The meal gives you a chance to sit down and cool off. After a long time on horseback, a walk, zip lines, and ATVs, that pause is welcome. It also helps the day feel connected to local food rather than packaged as a string of unrelated rides.

Is $152 a fair price?

At $152 per person, this is not the cheapest activity around Puerto Vallarta. It can be good value if you genuinely want all three main activities. Booking horseback riding, zip lines, ATV time, transport, lunch, and a tasting separately would likely cost more and require more planning, though no separate prices are provided here for a precise comparison.

The stronger value is time. In roughly five hours, you get a full morning and lunch without arranging your own route into the mountains. The tour also keeps the day moving, which suits you if you want an active schedule rather than a single two-hour attraction.

The value drops if you plan to skip much of the program. Someone who dislikes horses, heights, or motor vehicles may find the package too broad. You can sometimes adjust the schedule, but you should choose this tour because the combination appeals to you, not because the price looks attractive alone.

A maximum of 20 people is another positive factor. This is not a private outing, but the group limit should make transfers and activity changes easier to manage. The strongest praise goes to the staff’s patience, the care shown toward the horses, the clean facilities, and the quality of the meal.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this for families with active children, couples who want a full morning outside the resort zone, and small work groups looking for a shared activity. The combination creates natural variety: one person may prefer horses, another the zip lines, and another the ATVs.

It also suits first-timers. The staff is described as patient with inexperienced riders and children, and the zip lines are presented as approachable for beginners. That said, you still need enough stamina for a long, active morning.

I would be cautious about booking this for anyone with limited mobility, a strong fear of heights, or difficulty sitting on a horse for an extended period. The tour description says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information or age requirements.

What to pack and what to expect

Keep your clothing simple and practical. You should bring:

• Water-friendly or sturdy shoes
• Comfortable clothes that can get wet and dusty
• Swimwear and a dry change of clothes
• Sunscreen and insect protection
• Cash for tips
• A phone or camera you can secure during the zip lines

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. The staff can take photos or help record parts of the activity, but there is no indication that a separate professional photo package is required.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:15 am start. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local Puerto Vallarta time.

Should you book Rancho Capomo?

Book it if you want one active half-day with several kinds of adventure and you like the idea of seeing rural Jalisco rather than staying inside Puerto Vallarta. The best reasons are the long horseback route, the waterfall, the seven zip lines, the village ATV ride, and the meal at the ranch.

Skip it if you want a slow morning, a short ride, or a single focused activity. The combination is the selling point, but it is also the demand. For an active family or couple willing to get wet, dusty, and tired, $152 buys a well-filled day with a local setting and thoughtful staff.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the OXXO on the corner of Carretera Barra de Navidad and Púlpito 242 in Zona Romántica, Amapas, Puerto Vallarta.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:15 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Puerto Vallarta.

How long does the tour last?

The total experience lasts about five hours.

What activities are included?

The tour includes horseback riding, a waterfall visit, seven zip lines, ATV riding, and lunch at Rancho Capomo.

Can I swim at the waterfall?

Yes. You are invited to swim in the fresh cascades and pools, though swimming is optional.

What food is served?

Lunch includes options such as fajitas or chicken with guacamole.

Is tequila tasting included?

A tequila tasting is offered at the ranch, and drinks are available during the experience.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.