Horseback Riding & Swim: Tequila Tasting, BBQ & Margaritas

The horses are only half the fun. This Puerto Vallarta outing pairs a countryside ride with a possible horse swim, small-batch tequila tasting, salsa making, and a generous Mexican lunch at La Dulce Vista. I especially like the calm, well-cared-for horses and the warm guides, including Fabrizio, Martin, Saul, Valeria, and Rafa. The main concern is that river conditions can change the ride completely, and the day may feel hot and long if you miss the water crossings.

At $113.26 per person, the value is strongest if you want several activities in one outing rather than a short horseback ride. You get transport, lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting, margaritas, pool access, and roughly five hours away from the resort zone. Still, bring water-friendly shoes, a hat, and patience for a warm bus ride and possible changes to the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Horse swimming depends on river conditions: You may ride through the Mascota River or swim with your horse, but dry riverbeds, rain, or strong current can change the plan.
• Several riding levels are available: The ranch matches you with a horse suited to your ability, and guides provide safety help for first-time riders.
• Lunch is a major part of the experience: Expect Mexican BBQ with chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas, plus vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian choices.
• The tequila stop is more than a quick sample: You taste Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and premium pink tequila made in small batches in Tequila.
• Pack for water and sun: Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, and shoes that stay on your feet when wet.
• The tour returns to Marina Vallarta: Pickup and drop-off are at Av Paseo de la Marina 121, with a maximum group size of 17.

A five-hour taste of rural Jalisco

This tour begins at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. A private white bus takes you toward Hacienda Doña Engracia, about 25 minutes from the meeting point. The drive is short on paper, though the ride can feel warm if the vehicle is not well ventilated.

The outing is designed as a full half-day, not a quick ride followed by a photo stop. You will spend time on horseback, at the tequila tasting, around the pool, and over lunch. Some outings have run longer than the stated five hours, so keep a little room in your schedule, especially if you are catching a cruise departure or flight.

The group limit of 17 helps keep the activity manageable. That matters during mounting, river crossings, salsa preparation, and lunch service. The experience can also feel more personal with a smaller group, though one very small booking reportedly had a less complete tequila presentation. I would ask about the group size if the tasting is especially important to you.

Choosing your horse at Hacienda Doña Engracia

At the ranch, staff match you with a horse based on your experience. The operation offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced horses, which is useful if your party includes both first-time riders and experienced equestrians.

The horses receive some of the strongest praise in the feedback. They are described as gentle, calm, healthy, and well trained. Even riders who had not been on a horse for decades felt supported. Cowboys help people get on and off, and the guides provide safety instructions before setting out.

That makes this a good choice for a mixed group. You do not need to be an expert rider, but you should be comfortable sitting on a horse for an extended period. One report described a broken stirrup, so I would not ignore equipment checks. Before leaving, make sure your stirrups and saddle feel secure, and tell the guide right away if something seems wrong.

The guide may take photos with your camera along the route. This is a nice touch if you want pictures without carrying your phone in your hand, especially near water.

Riding beside the Mascota River

The planned ride follows the Mascota River and passes through countryside, local vegetation, roads, and rural areas. The route can include river crossings and, when conditions allow, a short swim with the horse. Bareback riding in the water is the memorable centerpiece for many people.

If the water level is safe, this portion can be magical. You may get wet, so shoes that secure firmly to your feet are much safer than loose sandals. A swimsuit is essential if you plan to enter the river, and a small backpack with dry clothes is a smart addition.

The important catch is that the river is not guaranteed. During dry periods, you may pass through sandy riverbeds. During rainy periods, the current may be too strong for horses and riders. In those cases, the route can shift to town streets, dirt roads, or a shorter nature trail.

This is not a small detail. The river ride is the part most likely to shape your opinion of the day. Some outings include water crossings and mountain trails, while others have involved mostly town riding and hot, open paths. You should book this for the full combination of activities, not on the assumption that a horse swim is certain.

Heat is another factor. Some rides last around one and a half to two hours, and shade may be limited. Carry water, use sunscreen, and wear a hat with a secure fit. The supplied bottled water helps, but I would still plan to stay hydrated before the ride begins.

A stop at La Dulce Vista for tequila and salsa

After horseback riding, the group heads to La Dulce Vista. The setting includes a pool and views across the surrounding hills, giving you a more relaxed place to cool down after the ride.

The tequila tasting covers the basic styles: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. You also taste a premium pink tequila made in small batches in Tequila. One especially popular flavor in the feedback was almond tequila, while other tasters favored Blanco and mezcal.

This is a useful introduction if you are curious about how tequila changes with aging and production. Blanco is typically clear and direct, while Reposado and Añejo spend time aging, bringing different color and flavor. The guides explain what you are tasting, and the presentation has been praised as polished and entertaining.

There is one point to clarify before you go. The experience includes the listed tequila tasting and unlimited lemon margaritas with lunch, but one report described extra alcoholic drinks being charged separately and the tasting feeling like a sales pitch. That may not reflect every departure, but it is sensible to ask which drinks are included before ordering anything beyond the stated tasting and margaritas.

You may also help make salsa. This turns the stop into more than a series of samples. It is a hands-on way to learn about ingredients and heat levels, and it gives the group something fun to do while lunch is prepared.

Mexican BBQ, pool time, and unlimited margaritas

Lunch is served after the tasting at La Dulce Vista. The standard Mexican BBQ includes chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian choices are available, but mention your needs when booking or at the start of the tour so the kitchen can prepare properly.

Food is one of the most consistently praised parts of the day. Several people singled out the meal as excellent, and the poolside setting adds to the pleasure after a hot ride. Unlimited lemon margaritas are included with lunch, along with bottled water.

The pool is a practical bonus. If the river is unsafe, it gives you another place to cool off. It is also useful if you rode through town and stayed dry. Bring your swimsuit and towel, because towels are not included. The supplied information says to bring a towel, and that advice is worth following.

Plan on feeling tired by this stage. The riding, heat, tasting, food, and swimming add up. A few people found the full day too long, particularly after spending time in the sun before reaching the tequila stop. I would view the long day as part of the package, but it may not suit anyone seeking a quiet or highly structured excursion.

Guides who shape the mood

The guides are central to this experience. Fabrizio is repeatedly praised for being helpful, friendly, and flexible. Martin is described as funny, patient, and good at making first-time riders feel comfortable. Saul, Valeria, Rafa, and Roberto also receive praise for their care and energy.

That matters because the outing includes several transitions: riding, mounting and dismounting, river decisions, tequila tasting, salsa making, lunch, and transport. A relaxed guide can make those changes feel easy. The staff also help riders who are older, out of practice, or nervous around horses.

The tone is lively rather than quiet and formal. If you enjoy jokes, group interaction, and guides who keep the mood moving, you will likely enjoy it. If you prefer a slow private ride with little talking, the social energy may feel like too much.

How the $113.26 price holds up

The price is fair if you use most of what is included. A shorter horseback ride alone may cost less, but this outing bundles transport, a substantial lunch, tequila tasting, salsa making, pool time, bottled water, and margaritas. You also get a chance to see rural areas outside Puerto Vallarta’s hotel and marina zones.

The value drops if your main goal is a guaranteed river ride. The route depends on weather and water levels, and the ride may become less scenic when the river is dry. It also drops if you dislike long days in the heat or do not drink alcohol.

At the same time, the food and setting help protect the value when the river cannot be used. You still have the horses, the countryside or town route, the tequila stop, the pool, salsa preparation, and lunch. I would consider it a good multi-part outing, not a single-purpose equestrian excursion.

Getting there from Marina Vallarta

The official meeting point is Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta, and the tour ends there. If you are arriving by cruise ship, allow extra time to get out of the port area. One account described a walk of about 30 minutes from the cruise terminal, while a taxi or rideshare may be easier.

Double-check the address before ordering an Uber or taxi. One group was taken to the wrong location because of an address issue, although they still reached the meeting point in time. The tour uses private transportation, but the exact vehicle can vary. Most reports describe a white bus, while some smaller departures involved rideshare vehicles.

The activity is offered in English and accepts mobile tickets. Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but there is a stated weight and height condition: if you weigh more than 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, your height must be above 5 feet 7 inches or 170 centimeters.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta outing?

I would choose this tour if you want variety. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and friends who like horses, Mexican food, tequila, swimming, and a lively guide. It is especially good for first-time riders because the horses are matched to ability and the staff provide hands-on support.

It also works well for people who want to see a less polished side of the Puerto Vallarta area. The route may pass through local towns and rural roads, and the experience is not limited to a resort pool or city sightseeing.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed river access, shade, air-conditioned transport, or a short, tightly timed activity. I would also think twice if you are uncomfortable with alcohol-focused stops or extended time in the sun.

Final verdict: book it for the full mix

Book this experience if the idea of riding a calm horse, possibly swimming through a river, tasting several tequilas, making salsa, and eating BBQ by a pool sounds better than spending the day on one fixed activity. The guides and horses are the biggest strengths, and the lunch stop gives the outing real substance.

Just set realistic expectations. The horse swim is weather-dependent, the ride can pass through town when water levels are wrong, and the five-hour estimate may stretch. Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, water, secure shoes, and a change of clothes. With those details in place, this is a lively and good-value way to spend a day beyond Puerto Vallarta’s resort strip.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding and tequila tour last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, though some outings have run longer. Plan extra time if you have a flight, cruise departure, or another fixed appointment.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta.

Is swimming with the horse guaranteed?

No. Horse swimming and river crossings depend on river conditions. Dry riverbeds, rain, or strong current may lead to a different riding route.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, water, and shoes that stay securely on your feet and can get wet. A change of clothes in a small backpack is also useful.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and features Mexican BBQ with chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water and lemon margaritas are included. The experience also includes a tasting of Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and premium pink tequila. Ask about any additional alcoholic drinks before ordering.

Can beginners ride?

Yes. Horses are matched to ability, and beginner, intermediate, and advanced horses are available. Guides provide safety instructions and help riders get on and off.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient group size cancels the tour, you can receive a different date, another experience, or a full refund.