Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and Zipline with Lunch Included

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the change of scene: you leave the beach behind and reach Rancho Capomo, a rural property in the Sierra Madre near Las Palmas. The day combines horseback riding, a waterfall walk, ziplines, Mexican food, and drinks, so you get a full mountain excursion without arranging several separate activities.

I like the small maximum group of 15, which should make the ride and zipline briefing less rushed. I also like the homemade lunch and included national drinks, with tequila tasting mentioned as an added treat. The main drawback is the road journey. The ranch is far from town, and the ride can take about 90 minutes each way on a rough, bumpy road.

Key points to know before booking

• About 90 minutes on horseback: The ride can include a hike toward a waterfall, though the water level depends on the season.
• Around 10 zipline routes: The lines cross open mountain terrain, valleys, and river country.
• A rural, less polished setting: Rancho Capomo feels more local and basic than a large commercial adventure park.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect Mexican food, national alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and possible tequila tasting.
• Morning departure: Pickup begins at 8:15 am from select Puerto Vallarta meeting points.
• Plan for outdoor conditions: Wear long pants and closed shoes, and bring water plus a change of clothes.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for Rancho Capomo

This is not a quick activity tucked beside the hotel zone. You travel inland toward the Sierra Madre and the village of Las Palmas, away from the main tourist districts. That distance is part of the appeal, but it is also the biggest practical issue.

The listed activity lasts about five hours, yet the full day can feel much longer once transportation is included. One account puts the drive at roughly 90 minutes each way, with rough road conditions making the trip bumpy. If you dislike long transfers, motion sickness, or sitting in a vehicle on mountain roads, think carefully before booking.

The morning start time is 8:15 am. Pickup and drop-off are included at selected meeting points, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. The driver also serves as a guide, and Sergio is specifically noted as a friendly driver with plenty of jokes for the journey.

That transfer gives you a look at a less developed side of the Puerto Vallarta area. You are not simply being delivered to a polished zipline complex. You are heading to a ranch in a mountain setting, where the experience feels tied to the countryside around the city.

Rancho Capomo and the Sierra Madre setting

The first stop is Rancho Capomo, a rural base surrounded by tropical forest and mountain country. The property is reached after leaving the city behind, and its appeal comes from quiet, open surroundings rather than elaborate facilities.

You can expect a more primitive setup than the large adventure companies operating closer to Puerto Vallarta. That has advantages. The group may feel more personal, the staff can be informal and friendly, and the day has a stronger connection to ranch life.

It also means you should adjust your expectations. This is not a luxury nature retreat, and parts of the route may look rough or untidy. One horseback route passes through a small town where roadside rubbish was visible. For some people, that will feel less scenic than expected. For others, it is part of seeing a working rural area rather than a carefully staged attraction.

The quiet is a major reward. The ranch sits far enough from town to give you a clear break from Puerto Vallarta’s traffic, hotels, and beach crowds. The morning light over the hills can be especially attractive during the horse ride.

The horseback ride toward the waterfall

The horseback portion lasts about 90 minutes in some schedules and covers a route of roughly 1.5 miles toward a waterfall. The ride is described as slow and bumpy, with horses walking at an easy pace rather than racing along the trail.

That pace suits beginners. The horses are described as gentle, well trained, and well cared for, which matters more than speed on a route with uneven ground. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum weight is 50 pounds. The required minimum height is 1.30 meters.

You should not book this expecting an advanced riding lesson or a fast ranch gallop. The basic ride is the point: you sit back, follow the guide, and take in the forest, hills, and village surroundings. At one point, riders were able to gallop briefly toward the start of the zipline section, but you should not assume that every group or route will include this.

The ride may include a hike to the waterfall. That walk requires some effort, and the terrain can be uneven. In the wet season, the water may add a strong finish to the route. During dry periods, the river and waterfall can be nearly or completely dry, so the destination may be more about the setting than the water itself.

I would wear long trousers and sturdy closed shoes. Shorts can leave your legs exposed to brush and saddle rubbing, while sandals are a poor match for both the horse ride and the waterfall walk. Bring water even though drinks are included later, since the outdoor sections can be hot.

Ziplining above valleys and river country

The zipline section is the more thrilling half of the day. The combined package includes about 10 separate routes, with lines crossing open mountain areas, large valleys, and views toward the river.

The setting is not uniformly shaded. One account describes the zipline area as hot and dry, with limited shade. That makes a hat, sunscreen, and water useful, especially if you visit during a bright, dry spell.

You may find the zipline setup more basic than the equipment and platforms at a major commercial park. That can be a positive if you prefer a less packaged outing, but it may not suit someone looking for a highly polished, resort-style operation. Listen closely to the safety instructions and follow the guides’ directions at each platform.

The combination with horseback riding is smart for a five-hour outing. The horse section gives you a slower look at the countryside, while the ziplines add height and speed. You are not spending the whole day doing one repetitive activity.

The minimum height and weight rules matter here as well. The stated requirements are at least 50 pounds and 1.30 meters tall. Children need adult supervision, and the minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages is 18.

A Mexican lunch with national drinks

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. Mexican food is included, with fajitas specifically praised as a satisfying meal. The lunch is described as homemade, and that fits the ranch setting better than a standard buffet would.

National alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, with an open bar listed as part of the package. Tequila tasting, including homemade tequila, can also be part of the stop. The drinks add value, but remember that the active parts of the day come first. Pace yourself, drink water, and save the alcohol for after the riding and ziplines.

The lunch helps justify the $147 price. You are paying not only for admission to the activities, but also for transportation, a driver-guide, entrance fees, food, and drinks. Buying horseback riding, ziplining, lunch, and transfers separately could easily become more expensive, while also requiring more planning.

Still, value depends on how much of the day you want to spend getting there. If you want a short activity close to your hotel, the price may feel high once you consider the long drive. If you want a full countryside outing with several parts included, the package makes more sense.

What makes this different from a large adventure park

Puerto Vallarta has large zipline operators with more polished facilities and a more standardized feel. Rancho Capomo offers a different kind of day. The setting is more rural, the operation feels smaller, and the ranch, horse ride, lunch, and local drinks all form one outing.

That informal character is a strength for people who want an authentic-feeling escape from the resort zone. The guides and ranch staff are often described as friendly, helpful, funny, and professional. The small group limit also helps preserve that personal feel.

The tradeoff is consistency. A larger park may offer smoother roads, more shade, clearer infrastructure, and a more uniform service style. At Rancho Capomo, the road may be rough, the horse route may be basic, and communication may occasionally be difficult with a staff member.

I see this as a choice between polish and character. Choose the large park if your main goal is a slick zipline facility. Choose Rancho Capomo if you want horses, food, mountain scenery, and a rural setting in the same day.

Group size, timing, and physical demands

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is small enough to avoid the feel of a huge convoy, though the exact pace still depends on the group and the time needed to organize each activity.

Most people can participate, but this is not a passive sightseeing trip. You need to manage a horse ride, a hike, zipline platforms, and outdoor heat. The waterfall walk can require effort, and the road transfer may be tiring before you even reach the ranch.

The minimum height is 1.30 meters and the minimum weight is 50 pounds. Children must have an adult with them. Service animals are allowed, although the horse and zipline portions may still require you to confirm practical arrangements when booking.

Cruise ship passengers need to provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time at the time of booking. That information is important because the long transfer leaves less room for schedule changes.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is received at booking. A mobile ticket is available, which makes check-in easier if you keep your phone charged.

What to pack for the ranch

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Long pants or trousers
• Closed-toe shoes with a good grip
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A bottle or two of water
• A change of clothes
• Your mobile ticket
• Some cash or a card if you want souvenir photos

The ranch sells souvenir photos separately, so those are not part of the $147 price. Avoid bringing anything loose that could fall during the zipline portion. A small secure bag is more useful than a large backpack.

You might want a light layer for the early morning transfer, but conditions can turn warm and dry once you reach the open mountain area. The exact weather and water level at the waterfall will vary by season.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want more than a beach day and enjoy mixing gentle outdoor activity with a good meal. It suits beginners who like the idea of horseback riding but do not need a fast or technical ride. It also works well for couples, families with older children who meet the height and weight rules, and small groups looking for several activities in one booking.

The tour is especially appealing if you care about the setting. You get mountain roads, a rural village, forest, valley views, horses, and a ranch lunch, not just a zipline platform near the city.

I would be cautious if you have limited time in Puerto Vallarta, dislike bumpy transfers, or want a highly polished adventure facility. The route to the ranch is a real part of the outing, not a minor inconvenience. The horse ride is also fairly basic, so experienced riders may wish it lasted longer.

The 4.9 rating from 28 reviews and 96 percent recommendation rate suggest strong overall satisfaction, but the lower-scoring details are useful too. The best parts are the staff, food, horses, mountain views, and zipline routes. The weak points are the road, heat, dry-season waterfall, and occasional uneven communication.

Is Rancho Capomo worth $147?

For the right person, yes. The fee includes round-trip transfers from selected meeting points, admission to Rancho Capomo, a driver-guide, horseback riding, ziplining, lunch, and unlimited national drinks. That is a solid bundle for a five-hour mountain outing.

The real question is not simply the price. It is how you value your time. You may spend about three hours on the road if the 90-minute transfer each way applies to your pickup and return. The day is worthwhile if you see that drive as part of reaching a quieter Sierra Madre setting. It is less attractive if you want maximum activity time with minimal transit.

The free cancellation policy gives you flexibility up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation for that reason results in another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book Rancho Capomo if you want a friendly, small-group day with gentle horses, multiple ziplines, homemade Mexican food, and a rural mountain setting. Pack for heat and rough roads, and accept that the waterfall may be dry during the dry season.

Skip it if your priority is a short transfer, a fast horseback ride, or a polished commercial zipline park. For everyone else, this is a useful way to trade one day of beach time for a fuller look at the Sierra Madre.

FAQ

What time does the Rancho Capomo tour start?

The stated start time is 8:15 am. Pickup is provided from selected meeting points in Puerto Vallarta.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours. The drive to Rancho Capomo can take about 90 minutes each way, depending on the pickup and road conditions.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Mexican lunch and unlimited national alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What are the physical requirements?

The minimum weight is 50 pounds, and the required minimum height is 1.30 meters. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate.

Are souvenir photos included?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase separately.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.