Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and Zipline with Lunch Included

The best part of this outing is the change of scene. You leave Puerto Vallarta’s hotels and reach Rancho Capomo near Las Palmas, where a horse ride through the Sierra Madre leads toward a waterfall and a set of mountain zip lines. I like the quiet ranch setting and the way the day mixes riding, hiking, flying over valleys, and lunch without making you arrange four separate activities.

I also like the small maximum group of 15 and the friendly, personal feel of the operation. Driver-guide Sergio has been praised for keeping the road trip lively with jokes, while the ranch staff are described as helpful and warm. The main drawback is the journey itself: the road can take about 90 minutes each way and may be very bumpy.

Key points to know before booking

• About 90 minutes on horseback: The ride follows a roughly 1.5-mile route toward a waterfall, with a short hike near the destination.
• Around 10 zip-line routes: The zip lines cross open mountain areas, river views, and broad valleys.
• A real ranch setting: Rancho Capomo feels more rustic and local than a large, polished adventure park.
• Lunch and drinks included: You get Mexican food, national alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and an open bar for adults.
• Plan for heat and rough roads: Wear long pants and sturdy shoes, bring water, and consider a change of clothes.
• Weight and height rules apply: You must weigh at least 50 pounds and be at least 1.30 meters tall.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the Sierra Madre

This is a good choice when you need a day away from the beach but do not want a long, complicated expedition. The tour begins at 8:15 a.m. with pickup from a designated point in Puerto Vallarta, then heads inland toward the village of Las Palmas and Rancho Capomo.

The drive is part of the price, but it is also part of the trade-off. The ride to the ranch can take about an hour and a half each way, and the road is reported to be rough in places. If you get carsick, prepare carefully. The payoff is a quieter setting far from the hotel zone, with tropical forest, mountain views, and a more rural feel.

I appreciate that the day is not built around one giant commercial attraction. Rancho Capomo has a rustic character, and that can be a plus if you want an outing that feels connected to the countryside around Puerto Vallarta. It also means you should not expect the slick finish of a major adventure park.

The group limit of 15 matters here. A small group usually makes transfers, safety instructions, and lunch less hectic. It also gives you a better chance to ask questions and move at a reasonable pace, though the exact pace depends on the group and the activities running that day.

Rancho Capomo and the horse ride

The first major activity is horseback riding at Rancho Capomo. The ride lasts about 90 minutes and covers roughly 1.5 miles, according to the available details. The horses are described as gentle and well cared for, which is important if you have some riding experience but are not an expert.

Do not picture a fast trail ride across miles of open country. The ride is generally slow and can feel bumpy. One route passes through a small town, and parts of the surroundings may look untidy. That is part of the less polished, more ordinary side of the experience.

The route becomes more scenic as it heads toward the waterfall. Morning light can make the ride especially attractive, and the Sierra Madre setting gives you a clear break from Puerto Vallarta’s built-up center. You may also get a short hike near the waterfall, so this is not a ride where you sit in the saddle from start to finish.

That walk takes some effort. You should be comfortable with uneven ground and a little exertion, especially in warm weather. In the dry season, the waterfall or river may have little water or even be dry. The mountain setting is still worthwhile, but do not book this outing solely for a powerful waterfall.

The horses are one of the strongest points of the day. They are described as calm, trained, and cared for, which helps first-time riders relax. Still, the ride is not designed to be a long, fast horseback adventure. If your main goal is hours in the saddle, you may find the riding portion shorter and more basic than expected.

The waterfall walk and seasonal reality

The waterfall stop gives the horse ride a clear destination. Instead of simply circling the ranch, you have a reason to follow the trail into the Sierra Madre and stretch your legs along the way.

The route can be picturesque, with mountain scenery and a river setting. In the wet season, this part of the outing may feel more rewarding. In the dry season, conditions can change sharply, and the water feature may not look like the pictures you had in mind.

That seasonal difference is worth taking seriously. The tour still includes the horses, zip lines, lunch, and ranch visit, so a dry waterfall does not ruin the entire day. I would think of the walk as an added nature stop, not the single reason to pay $147.

Bring practical clothing. Long pants protect your legs on the horse and are useful for the trail. Closed-toe shoes are the sensible choice, and a spare set of clothes can help after the ride, hike, or zip lines. You should also carry water, even though drinks are served later, because the road, heat, and outdoor activities can leave you thirsty.

About 10 zip lines over mountain valleys

The zip-line portion supplies the day’s biggest burst of excitement. The course includes about 10 routes, with views across a river and large mountain valleys. You may find the zip-line area more exposed than the forest trail, with direct sun and limited shade.

That change in setting is useful to understand. The ride toward the waterfall can feel quiet and enclosed by trees. The zip lines open you up to wide views, heat, and more direct exposure. Wear sunscreen and bring water, but follow the operator’s instructions about what you can carry on the course.

The zip lines are a good fit if you want adventure without spending the entire day on one high-intensity activity. You move through a series of short routes instead of committing to a single long flight. The number of lines also helps justify the combined activity price.

This is a more primitive experience than some large Puerto Vallarta zip-line parks. That can mean less polish and fewer resort-style touches, but it also gives the ranch a more homespun character. I would choose this course for its setting and local feel, not for elaborate staging or luxury facilities.

You may also ride the horses at a faster pace toward the start of the zip lines. The available details describe a short gallop for some participants, but you should not assume every rider will gallop. Your pace can depend on the horse, guide, group, and conditions.

Mexican lunch, homemade drinks, and the open bar

Lunch is one of the clearest value points. The tour includes a Mexican meal, and the food has been praised as a memorable part of the day. Fajitas are specifically mentioned, along with homemade food prepared at the ranch.

You also get unlimited national drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices. Homemade tequila is an added feature, and the open bar may be welcome after the outdoor activities. The minimum drinking age is 18.

I like the fact that lunch is built into the schedule. After a bumpy drive, a horse ride, a hike, and zip lines, you do not have to search for a restaurant or pay again for a basic meal. The drinks also make the $147 price easier to assess, particularly if you would otherwise buy lunch and several beverages separately.

Keep your expectations practical. This is ranch food, not a carefully designed tasting menu. The appeal is the homemade Mexican meal, the setting, and the chance to sit down with the group after the activities.

Souvenir photos are not included. They are available to buy, so decide in advance if you want to pay for pictures rather than relying on your own phone. You may have limited chances to take photos during the active parts of the course.

Is $147 a fair price?

At $147 per person, this tour is not the cheapest way to spend a morning near Puerto Vallarta. It includes pickup and return transportation from select meeting points, a driver-guide, entrance fees at Rancho Capomo, horseback riding, zip lines, lunch, and drinks.

That package can offer solid value if you want several activities in one day. Booking a horse ride, a zip-line course, a meal, drinks, and transportation separately would take more planning and might cost more. The small group size adds value, too, especially if you dislike moving through a huge organized group.

The price looks less attractive if you mainly want horseback riding. The ride is about 90 minutes, can be slow and bumpy, and is not a full-day equestrian trip. It also looks less attractive if you want a polished adventure park with extensive shade, smooth roads, and a resort feel.

I would judge the price based on the mix. You are paying for a full half-day in the mountains, not just for saddle time or a single zip line. The lunch and drinks are meaningful inclusions, while the long transfer is the cost of reaching a more remote setting.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend it to active adults, couples, families with eligible children, and anyone who wants a countryside outing with several kinds of activity. You should be comfortable with heat, rough roads, basic riding, walking, and a few hours outdoors.

It works especially well for people who have already enjoyed Puerto Vallarta’s beaches and want to see a different side of the region. The village, ranch, mountain road, and forest route give the day a stronger local character than a standard hotel-zone excursion.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum height is 1.30 meters, and the minimum weight is 50 pounds. Those rules may exclude younger children, so check your group carefully before booking.

People with very limited mobility may find the combination of transfer, horseback riding, hiking, and zip lines difficult. The available details say most people can participate and that service animals are allowed, but the activity still involves several physical stages. If you need specific assistance, confirm it before paying.

Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time at booking. Since the tour begins at 8:15 a.m. and includes a long road transfer, ship visitors should check their schedule closely rather than assume the timing will work.

What to pack for Rancho Capomo

A small amount of preparation will make this day easier. I would bring:

• Long pants for the horse ride and trail
• Closed-toe shoes with a secure fit
• Water for the road and activities
• Sunscreen and protection from the sun
• A change of clothes
• Any needed motion sickness remedy for the rough transfer

Do not count on the waterfall for cooling off. Conditions vary, and the water may be low or absent during the dry season. Your clothing should work for riding, walking, and zip lines rather than for swimming.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The experience ends back at the meeting point, so arrange your return plans with that in mind.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

The activity requires a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels because that minimum is not reached, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 46 days. That does not guarantee it will sell out on your dates, but it suggests that advance planning is sensible during busy periods.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:15 a.m. Pickup is provided from a designated meeting point in Puerto Vallarta.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and ends back at the meeting point.

What does the $147 price include?

The price includes pickup and drop-off, a driver-guide, entrance fees at Rancho Capomo, Mexican lunch, and unlimited national alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback ride is about 90 minutes. The route covers roughly 1.5 miles and includes access toward a waterfall, with a hike near the destination.

Are there age, height, or weight requirements?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must be at least 1.30 meters tall and weigh at least 50 pounds. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book this Sierra Madre outing?

Book it if you want a varied mountain day with horses, about 10 zip lines, a waterfall walk, Mexican food, and drinks in one package. The calm horses, small group, friendly staff, and rustic ranch setting are strong reasons to choose it over a larger adventure park.

Think twice if you dislike long, bumpy drives, need a highly polished facility, or want an extended horseback ride. The waterfall can also be disappointing in the dry season, and the horse portion is fairly short.

For me, the best reason to book is the combination of activities and the chance to leave Puerto Vallarta’s resort strip behind. Pack for heat, accept the rough road, and treat the waterfall as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Do that, and the $147 price can make good sense.