Jungle HorseBack Adventure to Las Palmas Waterfall All Included

Puerto Vallarta’s Sierra Madre foothills are the real attraction here. You leave the resort strip behind, ride beside the Cuale River, pass through one of the city’s older rustic neighborhoods, and head into thick tropical country toward Las Palmas Waterfall. I like the river route and the chance to see a quieter side of Puerto Vallarta without needing riding experience. I also like that lunch and drinks are included, so the outing feels like a full half-day rather than a short horseback photo stop.

The main drawback is reliability. This experience requires a minimum number of people, and one booking was canceled with only overnight notice because too few people signed up. You should keep a backup plan, especially if your Puerto Vallarta schedule is tight.

Key points to know before booking

• Follow the Cuale River into the Sierra Madre: The ride gives you countryside, river scenery, and mountain views rather than another beachside activity.
• Las Palmas Waterfall is the payoff: The outing combines horseback riding with a short hike and time at a waterfall.
• No riding background is required: Horse, saddle, and necessary gear are supplied.
• A small group of up to 12: You should receive more personal attention than on a large ranch excursion.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The meal and alcoholic beverages are part of the outing, not an extra purchase.
• Pickup begins early: Meeting points are in Conchas Chinas, near Marina Vallarta, and in Las Juntas, with return to the original meeting point.

A quieter ride beyond Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone

This tour works because it changes the pace. Puerto Vallarta is often sold through beaches, nightlife, and resort pools, but the city rises quickly toward the Sierra Madre. On horseback, you get a slower look at the river corridor and rural edges of town.

The route follows the Cuale River and passes through one of Puerto Vallarta’s oldest rustic neighborhoods. That detail matters. You are not simply being driven to a ranch and placed on a horse for a loop around a fenced property. The route connects the city with the countryside, giving the outing a stronger sense of place.

The ride lasts about four hours, while the complete activity takes roughly six hours. That leaves room for the waterfall visit, short hike, food, drinks, and transport. I would plan for most of the morning and early afternoon, rather than treating this as a quick add-on.

No prior horseback riding experience is required. The tour supplies the horse, saddle, and necessary gear. You still need a moderate level of physical fitness, since sitting on a horse for several hours and taking a short hike can be tiring even if the pace is relaxed.

Starting from one of three pickup points

The practical setup is simple, but you need to choose the pickup point closest to your hotel. The listed meeting locations are:

• OXXO in Conchas Chinas, pickup at 8:30 am
• La Europea, Collage and Marina area, pickup at 9:00 am
• Starbucks Las Juntas, pickup at 9:15 am

The activity itself is listed with a 10:00 am start, so do not arrive at the meeting point at 10:00 and expect transport. The pickup schedule begins well before then.

Private transportation is included, and the activity returns to the meeting point at the end. That is useful in Puerto Vallarta, where a hotel may be far from the trailhead and public transport can add needless hassle. The meeting points are also near public transportation if you need to reach one without hotel pickup.

Confirmation is sent at booking, and the experience is offered in English. The maximum group size is 12 people. That is small enough to make questions and requests easier, though the exact amount of guide attention can depend on the group and the pace of the ride.

Riding beside the Cuale River

The Cuale River section gives the tour its character. You begin in a settled part of Puerto Vallarta, then move toward greener surroundings as the route follows the water and heads into the mountains.

A river route can be more interesting than a straight trail because the scenery changes along the way. You get the contrast of homes and older neighborhood streets near town, followed by tropical vegetation and wider views farther out. The route is also a good fit for someone who wants more than a standard riding lesson or a short circuit.

The tour description calls this a mellow ride. That suggests a relaxed outing rather than a high-speed horseback adventure. Still, you should expect the physical demands of riding: balance, steady posture, and several hours in the saddle. If you have never ridden before, tell the guide at the start and follow the instructions about handling the horse and using the gear.

The small group is another plus here. With no more than 12 people, the guide has a better chance of keeping the group together and helping riders who need extra direction. The supplied information does not name the guides, so do not book this expecting a particular person.

The Sierra Madre lookout and tropical views

As you continue, the route reaches a lookout with views across the entire Bay of Banderas, surrounded by tropical vegetation. This is one of the best reasons to choose the tour over a simple city excursion.

Puerto Vallarta’s bay is easy to admire from the waterfront, but the mountain angle changes your view. From higher ground, the city and water become part of a wider scene, while the vegetation around you reminds you how quickly the built-up area gives way to the Sierra Madre.

Bring a phone or camera if you want photographs, but keep your hands free while riding. The supplied information does not promise professional photos, lockers, or special photo stops, so your own small device is the safest assumption. You should also expect outdoor conditions and dress for a physical activity, rather than for a restaurant lunch.

The lookout is valuable because it breaks up the ride. Four hours on horseback can feel long if the scenery never changes. A broad bay view gives you a clear pause and a memorable point along the route.

Reaching Las Palmas Waterfall by horse and on foot

The waterfall is the tour’s main finish. The experience combines horseback riding with a short hike, so you are not only watching the countryside from the saddle. You get a closer look at the setting around Las Palmas Waterfall before settling in for food and drinks.

The exact swimming conditions, water depth, and facilities are not specified, so do not assume that swimming is guaranteed. Weather can affect the waterfall experience and the decision to operate the tour. The booking terms state that poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

The short hike should be taken seriously, even though it is not described as strenuous. Wear practical footwear and expect uneven outdoor ground. Good physical fitness is recommended, and the combination of riding and walking may be more demanding than the six-hour duration first suggests.

The best part is the sequence: ride through the mountains, walk a little farther, reach a waterfall, then enjoy lunch and drinks. That progression gives the outing a natural sense of reward without requiring a full-day trek.

Mexican food and drinks after the ride

Lunch and alcoholic beverages are included. The tour highlights typical Mexican fare and drinks, though it does not provide a menu or say what nonalcoholic choices are available.

That lack of detail matters if you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences. Ask the operator before booking if you need a particular meal. Do not assume the lunch can be changed unless Nakawe Adventures confirms it.

Still, including food is a real value. You do not need to find a restaurant after several hours outdoors, and the meal gives the group time to relax after the ride and waterfall visit. The food and drinks also make this more suitable for a special outing, including a honeymoon or couples’ day.

The experience has received especially strong praise for the combination of horseback riding, the short waterfall hike, and the meal waiting at the end. That is the core package to judge. If you want a serious riding lesson, this is not the right focus. If you want an active half-day with scenery, a waterfall, and lunch, the mix makes good sense.

What the included features are worth

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact dollar value. I can assess what you receive for the fee: private transportation, horse, saddle, necessary gear, lunch, and alcoholic beverages.

That is a useful bundle. Separate transportation to a rural trail, a riding session, a waterfall visit, and lunch could cost more than expected if arranged independently. The small maximum group also adds value, since you are not paying for a large coach-style outing.

Souvenirs are not included. That is a minor point, but bring a little extra money if you want a keepsake. The tour does not say that photos, special equipment, or other extras are included, so treat those as separate unless confirmed.

The cancellation terms are generous if you plan carefully. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the activity needs good weather and a minimum number of people, the operator can also cancel and offer another date, another experience, or a full refund.

The minimum-group rule is the biggest practical concern. One cancellation happened because too few people booked, and the notice was short. I would avoid scheduling this on the final day of your trip or on a day tied to a flight.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta horseback tour

I would recommend it to couples who want an active outing with a scenic finish. The waterfall, bay lookout, lunch, and drinks give the day a relaxed romantic shape, and the experience has already been used for honeymoon plans.

It also suits first-time riders. You do not need previous experience, and the small group should make basic guidance easier. That said, beginners should be comfortable spending several hours on a horse and walking briefly on outdoor terrain.

Families and friends may enjoy it too, provided everyone meets the moderate fitness requirement. The maximum group of 12 keeps it more personal, but the tour is not designed around a private itinerary for every booking.

I would not choose it if you want guaranteed departure, a highly polished luxury experience, or a detailed riding program. The short-notice cancellation issue is important, and the information does not promise a specific guide, menu, swimming access, or exact trail conditions.

Simple preparation for a better ride

Choose the pickup location closest to your hotel and confirm the time carefully. The three listed pickups are 8:30 am, 9:00 am, and 9:15 am, so this is an early start despite the 10:00 am activity time.

Wear clothing suited to riding and a short hike. You want comfort in the saddle and shoes that can handle a natural trail. Keep valuables limited, since the activity is outdoors and the tour does not list storage facilities.

Tell the operator in advance about food needs or concerns about alcohol. Lunch and alcoholic beverages are included, but the menu and alternative drink choices are not described.

Finally, leave room in your schedule for weather or minimum-group changes. If this is your only planned mountain outing, ask for confirmation close to departure and keep a second activity in mind.

Should you book the Las Palmas Waterfall ride?

Book it if you want a relaxed mountain adventure that combines horseback riding, river scenery, a bay lookout, a waterfall, and a meal. The strongest part is the complete sequence, not any single stop. You get a genuine change of scene from central Puerto Vallarta, and no riding experience is required.

Think twice if your plans cannot absorb a last-minute cancellation. The minimum number of people is a real condition, not fine print to ignore. For a honeymoon, a couples’ day, or a flexible vacation morning, I think the tour is a good fit. For a tightly scheduled trip, confirm the departure and keep a backup plan.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately six hours. The horseback riding portion is described as lasting about four hours, with time also allowed for the waterfall visit, short hike, lunch, drinks, and transportation.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup is scheduled for 8:30 am at the OXXO in Conchas Chinas, 9:00 am at La Europea in the Collage and Marina area, and 9:15 am at Starbucks Las Juntas. The activity itself is listed with a 10:00 am start.

Where are the meeting points?

The meeting points are the OXXO in Conchas Chinas, La Europea near Collage and Marina, and Starbucks Las Juntas. You should use the location closest to your hotel.

Does the tour provide transportation?

Yes. Private transportation is included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

No. Previous horseback riding experience is not required.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes the horse, saddle, and necessary riding gear.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with alcoholic beverages. The specific menu is not provided.

How many people can join the group?

The activity has a maximum of 12 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is bad or too few people book?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.