Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the change of scene. You leave the resort area for the Sierra Madre rainforest, ride horseback toward a waterfall, then switch to an ATV for a run through small villages and country roads.

I like the mix of activities and the generous finish at Rancho Capomo: a Mexican lunch, homemade tortillas, and unlimited drinks, including beer and margaritas. I also like the sense of rural Mexico you get along the way, though you should know the ATV portion may use regular roads rather than rugged off-road trails.

• Horseback ride to a waterfall: Expect a scenic ride through forest and along the river, followed by a hike that can be steep and tiring.
• ATV ride through rural villages: The route offers countryside views and local scenery, but it may feel gentle if you want technical off-road driving.
• Rancho Capomo base: The ranch is the starting point, lunch stop, and end point for the activities.
• Lunch and open bar included: Carne asada, Mexican food, homemade tortillas, margaritas, beer, soft drinks, and other unlimited drinks are part of the package.
• Small-group format: The tour allows up to 20 people, with pickup from designated meeting points at about 8:15 a.m.
• Good value for an active half-day: At $150 per person, the price makes more sense if you use the horseback ride, ATV, meal, drinks, and transport as one package.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for Rancho Capomo

This is a half-day escape from the hotel zone, built around Rancho Capomo in the Sierra Madre area. Pickup is provided from designated meeting points, with the listed start time at 8:15 a.m., and the tour returns to that same meeting point at the end.

The ride out matters. Puerto Vallarta is known for beaches and resort streets, but this experience takes you toward Las Palmas and the forested country beyond the city. You get a look at small villages, farms, rivers, and daily life away from the main tourist strip.

The group can reach 20 people, though the feel may be smaller depending on the date. Some outings have been especially intimate, with only a couple of people taking part, while other departures may feel more organized and social.

Pickup is one detail to confirm carefully. One positive account described meeting near an Oxxo within a short walk of a hotel, while another noted a late pickup. I would arrive early, keep your phone available, and make sure you know the exact meeting point before departure.

The horseback ride through the Sierra Madre

At Rancho Capomo, the first major activity is horseback riding through tropical forest and countryside. The route has been described as roughly 90 minutes, though the exact length can depend on the group and conditions.

You should expect more than a flat trail ride. The route can pass near the river and through uneven sections where you need to keep your balance. That makes it scenic, but it also means the experience is not ideal for someone seeking a slow, perfectly smooth ride.

The horses have been well regarded for their care, and the ranch setting gives the ride a more rural feel than a short loop beside a resort. You are not simply circling an attraction for photographs. You are moving through the countryside toward the waterfall, with forest, villages, and open country along the way.

If you have little or no riding experience, tell the staff at the start. Most people can participate, but the horse ride still requires attention, balance, and comfort with an animal under you. Stretching beforehand is sensible, especially because the day includes a hike and an ATV ride after the horseback portion.

The quality of the guide matters here. Sergio and Hector have been singled out for making the ride feel safe and personal, and Berto has been praised for being punctual, funny, and conversational during the outing. Guides can shape the experience, so a good one is a real part of the value.

The waterfall hike is the day’s payoff

The waterfall is reached after the horseback portion, with a hike up a hill. Do not treat this as a quick, level walk from the ranch. The climb has been described as a real hike, and several accounts made clear that you should be in reasonable shape and ready for uneven ground.

The effort pays off with a waterfall in a forest setting. This is the most rewarding natural stop on the tour, but it is also where the physical demands become clearest. Wear shoes with a secure grip, and avoid showing up in footwear meant only for the beach.

The hike gives the tour a useful rhythm. You ride, walk, stop to enjoy the water, and then return for the motorized part of the day. If you want a purely relaxing excursion, this may feel like work. If you like an active outing with a clear destination, the waterfall gives the day a strong center.

Families can manage the experience, but age alone is not the whole question. A family outing with children aged 10 and 12 was described as enjoyable, yet the hike still demands balance and stamina. You know your group best, so consider how everyone handles hills before booking.

ATVs through villages and country roads

After the horses, you move to ATVs for a second activity. The ATV portion commonly runs for about an hour to 70 minutes, according to the timing described for the outing, and takes you through villages and rural areas near the ranch.

This section offers a different view of the region. Instead of seeing the countryside from horseback, you pass through small settlements, farms, and roads used by local residents. It is a good way to get beyond the polished Puerto Vallarta zones in a short amount of time.

The important catch is the type of riding. This is not guaranteed to be a mud-splattered, technical off-road course. Some routes use ordinary roads, and one account found the ATV portion too easy because there were no real off-road paths.

I would book this tour for scenery, variety, and the combination of activities, not for extreme ATV driving. If your priority is steep climbs, deep mud, and challenging tracks, ask the operator exactly what route is planned for your date.

Another practical question is vehicle assignment. One unhappy experience involved two people sharing a single ATV, despite expecting one vehicle per person. The supplied details do not promise a separate ATV for every participant, so confirm that point before paying if individual driving is important to you.

Rancho Capomo lunch, tortillas, and drinks

The ranch is not just a staging area. It is where you begin, return between activities, and eat lunch. The meal is included, along with unlimited drinks and an open bar.

Food is one of the strongest parts of the package. Carne asada, Mexican dishes, homemade tortillas, margaritas, beer, and soft drinks have all been part of the experience described. You may also have the chance to taste barrel-aged tequila.

That matters when you compare this tour with cheaper activity-only outings. You are paying for transportation, two activities, lunch, alcoholic drinks, nonalcoholic drinks, taxes, and handling fees. If you plan to enjoy the meal and drinks, the $150 price becomes easier to justify.

The open bar also changes how you should plan the day. The activities come before the lunch and drinks, so pace yourself and keep safety in mind. The tour is active first and social afterward, which is a sensible order for a horseback and ATV outing.

The ranch itself is described as attractive and friendly, though its remote setting can feel unusual if you expect a polished resort facility. That is part of the appeal for some people and part of the adjustment for others.

What the $150 price really buys you

At $150 per person, this is not the least expensive way to ride a horse or drive an ATV in Puerto Vallarta. The value comes from combining several costs into one half-day package.

Your price includes:

• Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
• Horseback riding
• A waterfall visit and hike
• ATV riding
• Lunch at Rancho Capomo
• Unlimited drinks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Taxes, fees, and handling charges

You also avoid spending separate time arranging transport to a ranch, finding lunch afterward, and booking a second activity. For someone with limited time in Puerto Vallarta, that efficiency is useful.

The value is weaker if you want only serious ATV riding, dislike group activities, or will not drink alcohol and prefer a long, quiet horse ride. You should also clarify the ATV arrangement and expected route before booking, since those details can affect your sense of fairness.

The experience is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 54 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last morning of a short trip, especially if you need a particular date.

Who will enjoy this Sierra Madre outing

I would point this tour toward active couples, friends, and families who want several activities in one day. It works especially well for people who have already had enough beach time and want a look at the countryside around Puerto Vallarta.

You will probably enjoy it if you like:

• Horseback riding on uneven rural trails
• A waterfall reached by a genuine hike
• Country roads, villages, and forest scenery
• A full Mexican meal after outdoor activities
• Having drinks included in the price
• A guided outing instead of arranging transport and activities yourself

I would be more cautious if you are a beginner expecting gentle instruction from a patient riding coach. Most people can participate, but one poor guide interaction was described as rushed and disrespectful toward inexperienced riders. Staff quality can vary, so speak up if you need help.

This is also not the best fit for someone with limited mobility or little tolerance for hills. The tour description says most people can participate, but the hike and horseback route still require physical effort.

How to prepare for the five-hour tour

Wear closed-toe shoes with a solid grip. You will need something suitable for riding, walking uphill, and moving around the ranch, so beach sandals are a poor choice.

Stretch before leaving, particularly your legs and lower back. The riding, climb, and ATV portion create a more active day than the five-hour duration may suggest.

Bring only what you need and protect anything sensitive to dust or water. The supplied information does not specify storage arrangements, so a small secure bag is the safest approach.

Plan to arrive early at the pickup point. The listed departure is 8:15 a.m., and pickup delays have happened, so being ready ahead of time gives you a better chance of starting without stress.

If you want your own ATV, ask before booking. Also ask how much of the route is off-road, since some departures have used regular roads through villages rather than rough tracks.

The cancellation terms are simple but strict close to departure. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, while cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The strongest reasons to book

The tour’s greatest strength is variety. In about five hours, you get a horse ride, waterfall visit, ATV outing, countryside views, ranch lunch, drinks, and transport.

The second strength is the setting. Las Palmas and the Sierra Madre area offer a more grounded view of the region than a day spent only inside Puerto Vallarta’s resort districts. You see small villages and country roads without giving up the convenience of a guided package.

The third strength is the meal. A good lunch can rescue an average excursion, but here it is part of the reason to go. The combination of Mexican food, homemade tortillas, and included drinks gives the afternoon a satisfying finish.

The weak points are just as clear. The hike is harder than the word waterfall may suggest, the ATV route may be mild, and the individual guide can make a major difference. Confirm the ATV setup, arrive early, and tell the staff about your riding experience.

Should you book Rancho Capomo?

Book it if you want an active, social half-day that combines horseback riding, a waterfall hike, ATV riding, and a substantial lunch. At $150, it offers fair value when you use the full package, especially if you want transportation and drinks included.

Skip it if your main goal is advanced ATV driving, a very gentle horse ride, or a quiet nature walk. The best match is an adventurous visitor who enjoys variety, accepts a real uphill hike, and wants to see the rural side of Puerto Vallarta without organizing every piece separately.

FAQ

How long does the Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the tour take place?

The experience is based at Rancho Capomo, with riding in the Sierra Madre area and near the village of Las Palmas.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:15 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Rancho Capomo is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks and alcoholic beverages are included, with options described as including margaritas, beer, and soft drinks.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted and are not refunded.