Puerto Vallarta: Horseback Riding, Lunch & Unlimited Drinks

The unusual hook here is the chance to swim with your horse in the Mascota River, when river conditions permit. The day also folds a countryside ride, a tequila tasting, a Mexican BBQ, and unlimited drinks into one five-hour outing from Puerto Vallarta.

I like the easy mix of scenery and food, especially the river ride and the chance to see village life beyond the resort zone. I also like the careful horse matching, since a ride is far more enjoyable when your horse fits your ability. The main consideration is that this is a short, social package rather than a long, serious horseback expedition, and alcohol comes after the riding.

Key points at a glance

• Horse matching at Hacienda Doña Engracia: You are paired with a horse suited to your riding ability.
• Mascota River ride: The route offers mountain views, countryside scenery, and lush vegetation.
• Optional horse swim: Bring a swimsuit if conditions allow a dip in the river with your horse.
• Four tequila styles: Taste Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and small-batch Pink Tequila.
• Mexican BBQ and open bar: Lunch includes traditional food, water, soft drinks, margaritas, and unlimited drinks.
• Convenient five-hour format: Private transportation and a short drive make this manageable as a half-day outing.

Riding out from Puerto Vallarta to Hacienda Doña Engracia

The experience begins with private transportation and a drive of about 25 minutes to Hacienda Doña Engracia. That short transfer matters. You get out of Puerto Vallarta’s built-up areas quickly without spending half the day in a vehicle.

Your exact meeting point is the big mirror on the wall at the NIMA BAY car entrance. This detail is easy to miss: the main door is on the opposite side of Nima. I would allow a little extra time to find the correct entrance, especially if you are unfamiliar with the complex.

Once you arrive, the staff matches you with a horse based on your riding ability. That is a useful touch for a mixed group. A confident rider and a first-timer do not necessarily need the same kind of horse, and a good match helps everyone relax before setting off.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Fabricio is one guide connected with the experience, and his name is worth noting if you want a friendly point of contact during the day. The guide also takes photographs with your camera during the ride, so you can keep your hands free and enjoy the route.

Along the Mascota River with mountain views

The ride follows the Mascota River through the countryside. This is the scenic heart of the outing. Instead of spending the whole day inside a tasting room or at a restaurant, you get time among vegetation, open views, and local village life.

The route is valuable less for technical riding than for the setting. You are there to see a quieter side of Jalisco and enjoy the pace of a horse moving beside the river. The views stretch toward the mountains, and the setting gives the day a stronger sense of place than a standard meal-and-tasting excursion.

I would keep your expectations sensible. The advertised duration is five hours for the whole package, including transportation, riding, tasting, lunch, and drinks. That means the horseback portion is not likely to fill the entire day. If you want hours in the saddle or advanced riding, this may feel too brief. If you want a gentle countryside outing with several activities in one package, the format makes good sense.

The optional river swim is the most distinctive part. If conditions allow, you may bring a swimsuit and take a refreshing dip with your horse. This depends on the river, so it should be treated as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Pack swimwear only if you are comfortable with that uncertainty, and follow the guide’s instructions about when and where it is safe.

The photography option is practical. You can hand over your camera or phone for pictures during the ride rather than trying to manage it from the saddle. The supplied details do not specify how many photos are taken or whether professional images are sold separately, so ask your guide if that matters to you.

Tasting Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Pink Tequila

After the ride, the group heads to La Dulce Vista for tequila tasting. The lineup includes four styles: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and premium Pink Tequila. The tequilas are described as artisanal, made in small batches in the city of Tequila using traditional recipes.

For someone new to tequila, tasting several styles side by side is more useful than ordering one random glass at a bar. Blanco is generally the unaged style, while Reposado and Añejo spend time resting in wood. Here, the point is to notice how the character changes from one pour to the next, with expert guidance helping you compare them.

The Pink Tequila gives the tasting a less familiar twist. It is the sort of detail that makes this more than a standard horseback ride followed by lunch. You are not only drinking; you are getting an introduction to different expressions of one of Mexico’s best-known spirits.

The order of activities is sensible. You ride first, then taste tequila and enjoy the open bar. I would not treat the unlimited drinks as a reason to rush. The countryside and the tasting are the parts that make the outing distinctive, while the drinks work best as a relaxed addition to lunch.

A Mexican BBQ with plenty of drink choices

Lunch is a traditional Mexican meal with a Mexican BBQ component. You can pair it with margaritas, water, soft drinks, and other unlimited drinks. That makes the package easy for a group with different preferences, since not everyone wants tequila or alcohol after a ride.

Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available. You should state your dietary needs when booking or before the meal, since the tour information confirms the options but does not list the exact dishes. That flexibility is a real advantage for mixed groups.

The food has earned some of the strongest praise attached to this outing. The BBQ and margaritas are repeatedly singled out as highlights, with one rating specifically calling both a 10 out of 10. Another highly positive account praised the lunch along with the ride, tasting, and horse swim.

That said, the meal is part of a packaged excursion, not a dedicated culinary tour. You book this for the full combination of horse riding, tequila, food, and scenery. If your main goal is a serious food experience, Puerto Vallarta has more focused restaurant options. If you want a satisfying lunch included without another reservation, this arrangement is convenient.

Is the $145 price good value?

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest horseback ride near Puerto Vallarta. The price includes several pieces that are often charged separately: private transportation, the ride, lunch, tequila tasting, margaritas, soft drinks, water, and unlimited drinks.

I see the value in the all-in format. You do not need to arrange transport to the hacienda, find a separate lunch, or pay extra for the tasting. The horse swim, if conditions allow it, adds a memorable possibility without requiring another excursion.

The value depends on how much of the package you will use. A person who wants only a quiet trail ride may find the price high. A group that wants a full half-day with food, alcohol, countryside views, and a few unusual moments may find it reasonable.

The five-hour duration also helps. You get a substantial outing without giving up an entire day in Puerto Vallarta. It fits well on a trip where you want one active morning or afternoon but still have time for the beach, town, or dinner.

Who will enjoy this five-hour outing?

This experience suits families, friends, couples, and first-time riders who want a relaxed day outside the resort areas. The horse matching is reassuring for people with different riding backgrounds, and the optional nature of the river swim means you can enjoy the ride even if you do not want to get wet.

It is also a good fit for a group with varied interests. One person can focus on the scenery, another on tequila, and another on the BBQ and margaritas. The food choices make it easier to include vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian diners.

You may want to choose another activity if you are seeking a long-distance ride, a technical equestrian lesson, or a quiet excursion without alcohol. Unlimited drinks create a festive mood, but they also make this more of a social day than a reflective nature trip.

Families should think about the age and riding comfort of everyone in the group. The provided information does not state age limits, weight limits, or riding requirements, so ask the provider before booking if those details affect your party.

Practical details that shape the day

Wear clothing that can handle a rural ride and bring a swimsuit if you would like to try the river. The supplied information does not give a packing list, so I would keep it simple: comfortable clothing, sun protection, and something suitable for getting wet.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish. Transportation is included, and the initial drive takes about 25 minutes. The meeting point is not simply the main NIMA BAY entrance. Look for the large mirror at the car entrance, on the side opposite the main door.

The experience has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Puerto Vallarta schedule is still changing. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from the available ratings, with the most enthusiastic praise focused on the horse ride, swimming with the horse, tequila tasting, BBQ, margaritas, and lunch. Fabricio is specifically praised by name for guiding the day well.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta horseback ride?

Book it if you want a well-packed countryside half-day rather than a single-purpose riding lesson. The Mascota River setting, possible horse swim, four-part tequila tasting, Mexican BBQ, and unlimited margaritas give the outing a clear personality.

I would especially recommend it for first-time riders, mixed groups, and anyone who likes an active morning followed by a generous meal and drinks. At $145, the package earns its price only if you value most of what it includes.

Skip it if you want a long ride, a quiet alcohol-free nature experience, or a tightly focused tequila tour. For everyone else, this is a lively and practical way to trade Puerto Vallarta’s beach scene for mountain views, village life, and a memorable ride beside the river.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts five hours, including transportation, horseback riding, tequila tasting, lunch, and drinks.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the big mirror on the wall at the NIMA BAY car entrance. The main door is on the other side of Nima.

How long is the drive to Hacienda Doña Engracia?

The drive takes about 25 minutes.

Can I swim with my horse?

You may swim with your horse if river conditions allow. Bring a swimsuit if you would like to take part.

What tequila will I taste?

The tasting includes Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and premium Pink Tequila made in small batches in the city of Tequila.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a traditional Mexican meal with a Mexican BBQ component. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes unlimited drinks, margaritas, water, and soft drinks.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.