Horseback Riding & Swim: Tequila Tasting, BBQ & Margaritas

The most unusual part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the chance to swim with your horse in the Mascota River. When water levels and currents cooperate, you ride into the river for a short, memorable swim. When they do not, the route changes, sometimes to town roads and dry riverbeds, so you should treat the swim as a bonus rather than a promise.

I like the pairing of a countryside ride with tequila tasting and a poolside Mexican lunch, since you get much more than a standard trail ride. I also like the patient guides and calm, well-cared-for horses, including options for first-time riders. The main drawback is the heat, along with a route that can feel long when the river is too dry or too rough to use.

Key points to know before booking

• The horse swim depends on river conditions: High current, rain, or a dry riverbed can change the route.
• The horses suit different abilities: Guides match you with a horse based on your riding experience, and beginners receive safety instructions.
• La Dulce Vista is the second half of the day: Expect tequila tasting, salsa making, a pool, BBQ, and lemon margaritas.
• The ride can be hot and tiring: Bring water, a hat, sunglasses, secure shoes, and clothes that can get wet.
• The meeting point is in Marina Vallarta: Cruise passengers should allow about 30 minutes to walk out of the port area, or arrange a taxi or rideshare.
• The $113.26 price covers a full package: Lunch, transportation, bottled water, tequila tasting, and alcoholic drinks are included, though you should confirm the exact drink arrangements before departure.

A countryside ride with a conditional river swim

This five-hour outing begins at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. From there, the drive to Hacienda Doña Engracia takes about 25 minutes. The setting changes quickly as you leave the marina and head toward smaller communities, farmland, and the Mascota River area.

At the ranch, the staff matches you with a horse suited to your ability. That matters here. You do not need to be an expert rider, and first-time riders receive basic instructions before setting off. If you have not ridden in years, tell the guide plainly. The staff has been praised for helping people mount, dismount, and feel steady in the saddle.

The horses are one of the strongest parts of the outing. They are described as calm, gentle, trained, and well cared for. That will matter most if you are nervous, riding for the first time, or returning to horseback riding after a long break. People who already ride may find the pace fairly relaxed, but the route still gives you a look at rural Jalisco that you will not see from a resort shuttle.

The ride may last around one and a half to two hours, though the full outing can run longer than the advertised five hours. You may pass through countryside, local streets, paths, and sections near the river. In favorable conditions, the route includes river crossings and a short swim with the horse.

That last point needs clear attention. The water portion is not guaranteed. During dry periods, the riverbed may be sandy and empty. During rainy weather, the current can be too strong. In those cases, the ride can shift toward town roads and a nature trail instead. Some people will find that a fair safety decision. Others may feel disappointed if the river ride was the main reason they booked.

The route can also feel exposed. Several accounts describe hot sun, little shade, and dry sandy stretches. Bring your own drinking water in addition to the bottled water supplied by the tour. A hat and sunglasses are not decorative extras here. You will be glad to have both.

What to wear for a ride that may get wet

Wear clothes that can handle dust, sweat, and water. A swimsuit is essential if you hope to swim with the horse or use the pool later. Pack a dry change of clothes in a small backpack.

Your footwear should stay firmly on your feet. Water shoes or secure sandals are useful, but choose something with a strap rather than loose flip-flops. The provider specifically advises bringing shoes you are willing to get wet.

A towel is not included. Bring one from your hotel if possible. You should also consider a waterproof pouch for your phone, though you will need to manage it safely around the horses and water. Guides can take photos with your camera if you wish, but do not assume professional photography is part of the package.

If you weigh more than 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, the stated requirement is that you must also be taller than 5 feet 7 inches, or 170 centimeters. This is the sort of detail to check before paying, particularly if you are booking for someone else.

The guides make the riding easier

The staff names most often associated with this outing include Fabrizio, Martin, Saul, Valeria, Rafa, Roberto, and other ranch workers. The exact team can change, but the guiding style is consistent in the best accounts: friendly, funny, patient, and attentive around the horses.

That support is especially useful at the start. Mounting a horse can be awkward if you are inexperienced, and the staff helps people get on and off when needed. The guides also give safety directions before the ride and stay close enough to manage a nervous rider or an uncertain horse.

You should still be realistic about the physical side. Sitting in a saddle for two hours in hot weather can leave you tired, even if the horse does most of the work. If you are not in good shape or have not ridden for decades, you can still enjoy this, but tell the guide about your comfort level and do not feel pressure to choose a more active horse.

The tour has a maximum of 17 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach outing, though the actual group size can vary. A larger group may create more energy and make the tequila portion more lively. Very small groups can be less predictable, since some activities or transfers may be adjusted when only a few people are booked.

La Dulce Vista brings the day into focus

After the riding, you continue to La Dulce Vista. This is where the outing changes character. You leave the dust and saddle behind and settle into a more relaxed setting with a swimming pool, food, and drinks.

The property is repeatedly described as a beautiful stop, and the pool gives you a useful way to cool off after the ride. If the river swim does not happen, the pool becomes the reliable water option. You can bring your swimsuit for this part even if the river is too high, too low, or otherwise unsuitable.

There may also be a salsa-making activity. You get to prepare your own salsa, often with guidance on mixing ingredients and adjusting the heat. It is a small hands-on detail, but it makes the meal feel less like a buffet stop and more like a Mexican food lesson.

The timing is worth noting. Some people find the full sequence pleasantly packed, while others feel worn out by the time they reach the tequila tasting. If you prefer a slow half-day with lots of sitting, this may feel busy. If you want several activities in one booking, the progression works well.

Tequila tasting from Blanco to Añejo

The tasting focuses on La Dulce Vista’s small-batch artisanal tequila made in the city of Tequila. You sample Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo, along with a premium pink tequila. Each style gives you a different point of comparison.

Blanco is the clearest expression of the spirit, with no barrel aging. Reposado spends time resting in oak, while Añejo is aged longer and usually has a rounder, deeper profile. The pink tequila adds a sweeter and more unusual option to the lineup. One especially memorable pour mentioned in connection with the tasting is almond tequila, though the listed core tasting is Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and pink tequila.

The guides explain what separates the bottles, which helps if tequila is new to you. Take your time and drink water between samples. The heat, horseback riding, and open pours can catch up with you quickly. One useful practical lesson from this outing is that the tasting is not a reason to skip breakfast or arrive dehydrated.

The tequila stop can also have a sales element. Tastings at Mexican distilleries and boutique shops often lead naturally toward bottle purchases, and this one may feel like more than a simple educational sample. You are not required to buy a bottle based on the information provided, so enjoy the tasting and treat any shopping as optional.

There is one point worth confirming before you go. The tour information includes alcoholic drinks and unlimited lemon margaritas, while one account describes being asked to pay for drinks at an earlier stop. The included margaritas and lunch appear to be part of the main La Dulce Vista meal, but ask the operator what is included at each location so there are no surprises.

Mexican BBQ, salsa, and unlimited lemon margaritas

Lunch is a traditional Mexican BBQ served with chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian choices are available, but you should state your preference when booking or before the meal begins.

The food is a major reason this tour offers better value than a basic horseback ride. You are not simply handed a snack after the trail. You get a substantial meal in a pleasant setting, with time to sit, swim, and enjoy the atmosphere.

The unlimited lemon margaritas are included, along with bottled water. They are an easy match for the BBQ, but pace yourself. After riding in the sun and tasting several tequilas, it is sensible to alternate margaritas with water. You want the meal to be the finish of the day, not the point where you suddenly realize the return ride will be difficult.

If you have a food allergy or a strict dietary need, ask for details before you arrive. The available vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are helpful, but the exact ingredients and preparation are not provided.

Transport, timing, and the Marina Vallarta meeting point

The listed transportation is a private white bus, with the activity beginning and ending at the Marina Vallarta meeting point. The drive to Hacienda Doña Engracia is about 25 minutes, but the total day can run beyond five hours. Some outings have lasted from about 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., and delays can matter if you have a flight, dinner booking, or cruise departure.

The vehicle has been described as hot by some people, and transport arrangements may vary, especially for very small groups. A few accounts describe van or rideshare-style transfers rather than the expected bus. If air conditioning and exact transport matter to you, confirm the vehicle before the day of the tour.

Cruise passengers need to plan carefully. The meeting point is not right at the ship. Walking from the cruise terminal area can take about 30 minutes, although the route is flat and mostly paved. A taxi or rideshare is easier, but enter the address carefully. One incorrect hotel or mirror-map location can send you well away from the meeting point.

The maximum group size is 17, and mobile tickets are accepted. Confirmation arrives when you book. Public transportation is nearby, though the supplied information does not give a specific bus route.

Is $113.26 good value?

At $113.26 per person, this is not the cheapest horseback ride around Puerto Vallarta. It is also not priced like a simple trail excursion. Your fee covers transportation, the horse ride, lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting, and alcoholic drinks, including lemon margaritas.

I think the price makes sense if you use the whole package. You are paying for a full day of activity rather than only time in the saddle. The food, pool, salsa preparation, and tequila tasting add several hours of entertainment, and the ranch route gives you access to rural areas that are difficult to visit independently.

The value drops if the river swim is your only goal. Since water conditions can cancel that part, you should book this for the entire combination of riding, food, tequila, and pool time. If dry weather changes the route to roads and dry riverbeds, the outing may feel expensive compared with your expectations.

The tour is best for couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who want an active cultural day. It is also a good match for a first-time rider, provided you are comfortable with heat and a long period on horseback. It is less suitable if you need guaranteed river access, dislike tequila tastings, or want a short and highly polished resort activity.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and the operator may offer a new date or full refund if poor weather or insufficient bookings force cancellation.

Should you book the horseback riding and tequila tour?

Book it if you want a varied Puerto Vallarta day with horses, Mexican food, tequila, salsa, margaritas, and a pool. The calm horses and supportive staff make it approachable for beginners, while the route offers a welcome look beyond the marina and resort zone.

Go in with the right expectation: the horse swim is conditional, the sun can be intense, and the ride may use town roads or dry riverbeds when conditions change. Bring a swimsuit, towel, secure shoes, hat, sunglasses, water, and a change of clothes.

I would choose this tour for the complete package, not for a guaranteed river adventure. If that combination sounds good to you, the $113.26 price is reasonable. If the river crossing is the whole point, wait for a wetter season or choose an activity that promises water access without the same weather limits.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately five hours. Some outings have lasted longer, including one reported schedule from about 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., so avoid booking a tight appointment afterward.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Av Paseo de la Marina 121, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is swimming with the horse guaranteed?

No. The river swim and crossings depend on river conditions. High current, rain, or dry riverbeds can lead to a different riding route.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, secure shoes that can get wet, water, and a change of clothes. Towels are not included.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting, and alcoholic drinks are included. The meal includes Mexican BBQ, and vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available. Lemon margaritas are listed as unlimited.

Can beginners ride?

Yes. Most people can participate, and the staff matches you with a horse suited to your ability. Safety instructions are provided, and guides can assist with mounting and dismounting. If you weigh more than 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, you must also be taller than 5 feet 7 inches or 170 centimeters.