Punta de Mita/Sayulita: Horseback Riding Tour

This ride takes you from a working ranch to a small Mexican town, then through jungle and out onto Litibú Beach. That changing scenery is the real appeal: you are not simply circling a corral or following one sandy stretch.

I like the calm, well-fed horses and the careful guides, especially Ricardo and Carlos, who help nervous or first-time riders feel secure. I also like the ranch itself, where you may see donkeys, macaws, peacocks, deer, water buffalo, and the enormous bull Soruyo.

The ride lasts 1.5 hours, but transportation and the ranch stop can make this a much longer outing. Photos cost extra, lunch is not included, and the no-camera rule means you will need to decide in advance if professional pictures are worth buying.

Key points at a glance

• Three kinds of scenery in one ride: Pass through Higuera Blanca, wooded trails, and Litibú Beach.
• Gentle horses and attentive guides: Ricardo, Carlos, and other guides help riders of mixed experience.
• A real ranch visit: Meet donkeys, ponies, macaws, roosters, water buffalo, deer, turkeys, peacocks, and Soruyo the bull.
• Beach gallop option: You may have the chance to gallop on the sand, depending on conditions and guide instructions.
• Tequila tasting included: Nico leads the tasting after the ride, making a lively finish to the outing.
• Plan for a long day: The riding portion is 1.5 hours, but pickup, the ranch visit, tasting, and return trip add substantial time.

From ranch animals to the road through Higuera Blanca

The experience begins at a ranch near Punta de Mita and Sayulita, in the countryside of Riviera Nayarit. Round-trip transportation is included from certain pickup points, but the operator confirms your exact meeting place and time after booking. Be ready 10 minutes early, and keep in mind that one recent outing took close to six hours from pickup to return.

That longer timing matters. The horseback ride itself is short enough for a first try, but this is not a quick hotel-side activity. You are setting aside a good part of your day for transport, preparation, the ride, and time at the ranch.

Before mounting, you receive a safety briefing and meet your horse. The horses are described as calm, well-fed, and kept in good condition by the ranch cowboys. That is important here because the group can include complete beginners, occasional riders, and people who ride regularly at home.

The opening section takes you through Higuera Blanca, a small inland town with a more everyday feel than the resort areas along the coast. You are not just looking at palms and hotel grounds. You get a glimpse of a typical local community, with the horse ride providing a slower way to move through it.

Your guide may share stories about the horses and the places along the route. Carlos has been especially helpful for explaining horse behavior, while Ricardo has been praised for attentive guidance and a steady manner. English and Spanish tours are available.

A ranch full of animals before the saddle

The ranch is part of the attraction, not merely the place where you wait for your horse. It has a large property with a surprisingly varied collection of animals, including donkeys, ponies, macaws, roosters, water buffalo, deer, turkeys, and peacocks.

You will also have a chance to see Soruyo, a bull weighing more than one ton. The planned photo with him is a memorable final ranch moment, although this is not a hands-on animal encounter. Treat the bull with respect and follow the staff’s directions.

The ranch has a restaurant area, too. Food is not included in the tour price, but you can purchase lunch there after the ride. That gives you some flexibility. You can eat on the property, or simply enjoy the ranch atmosphere and the tequila tasting without adding a meal.

If you are traveling with someone who likes animals but is not eager to spend a long time in the saddle, this ranch setting adds value. The activity is not only about riding from one point to another.

Through jungle trails toward Litibú Beach

After leaving town, the route heads through jungle and countryside before reaching Litibú Beach. The wooded section gives the ride a different character from the open shoreline. You trade broad ocean views for shade, vegetation, and the quiet rhythm of moving along on horseback.

The route is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a basic beach ride. You see three distinct settings in a compact riding program: town, jungle, and coast. That variety also means the ride feels more like an introduction to the area than a single scenic photo stop.

The trail guides remain with the group, helping riders manage the horses and keeping the pace suitable for the group. If you have ridden only once or twice, tell the guide what you need. Several parts of the experience are designed to help mixed groups ride together, and the horses are selected for their calm character.

The main practical drawback is that a horse ride can feel tiring even when the route is easy. You spend time mounting, staying balanced, and following the horse’s movement. Comfortable clothing and insect repellent are recommended, and you should not wear sandals or flip-flops.

Litibú Beach and the optional gallop

Litibú Beach is the big payoff. After the town and jungle, the open coast gives you room to enjoy the sea and the shoreline from horseback. For riders who have only seen the Riviera Nayarit from a car or resort, this is a pleasant change of pace.

You may have the option to gallop on the beach. This is not a promise that every rider will gallop, and the guide decides how to handle the group. Your own riding experience, the horse, conditions, and the guide’s instructions all matter.

If you are new to horses, do not feel pressured to gallop. A walking ride beside the water is still the central experience, and a calm pace lets you look around instead of concentrating only on staying aboard. More experienced riders may find the faster section the most exciting part.

The beach also creates the best photo opportunities. A photographer may follow the ride and offer pictures for an additional charge. The photo package has been worth buying for some riders, especially because cameras and cellphones are not allowed during the activity. Bring insect repellent and comfortable clothes, but leave your camera and phone behind as required.

Tequila with Nico after the ride

After returning to the ranch, the tour shifts from riding to tequila tasting. Nico leads the tasting and brings a playful, social mood to the finish. You can sample tequila, learn a bit about what you are tasting, and relax after the ride.

This part is included in the $103 price, along with bottled water and transportation from certain pickup points. It helps explain why the tour costs more than a simple one-hour horseback outing. You are paying for a guided ride, ranch access, staff, transport, and a tasting rather than only time in the saddle.

Still, value depends on what you want. If your goal is strictly to ride along the beach and return quickly, the price may feel high, especially once you add paid photos or lunch. If you want a fuller half-day-style activity with animals, town scenery, jungle, beach, and tequila, the package makes better sense.

You should pace yourself at the tasting, particularly if you have a long drive back to your hotel. Water is included, and it is wise to use it.

What the $103 price really covers

At $103 per person, this is not the cheapest horseback ride in the Puerto Vallarta and Punta de Mita area. The value comes from the combination of elements:

• A route through town, jungle, and beach
• Calm horses cared for by the ranch staff
• Guides who speak English and Spanish
• Round-trip transportation from selected pickup points
• Bottled water
• Tequila tasting
• Time at a ranch with many animals

Lunch and professional photos are extra. Those add-ons can raise the final cost, so decide before booking how much you want to spend beyond the advertised price.

The transport details deserve special attention. Pickup is included only from certain points, and the activity partner contacts you after booking to confirm where and when to meet. If your hotel is not close to a listed pickup area, you may need to reach the meeting point yourself. Allow more time than the 1.5-hour ride duration suggests.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. Those terms are useful if your beach holiday schedule is still shifting.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want more than a resort activity and like the idea of seeing rural surroundings at a slow pace. It suits couples, solo riders, and mixed-experience groups. One solo participant found it easy to join the group, while riders ranging from first-timers to experienced horse owners were able to take part.

It is also a good match if you value animal care and want a ranch visit included. The horses are the center of the activity, but the other animals and the ranch setting add texture before and after the ride.

You should skip it if you are pregnant, have back problems, or weigh more than 260 pounds, or 118 kilograms. The activity is also not a good fit if you need to keep your phone or camera with you during the ride.

The beach gallop sounds appealing, but do not book solely for that feature. It is an option, not the entire tour. The strongest reason to go is the mix of environments and the chance to see the area from horseback.

Practical advice before you book

Wear long, comfortable clothing that allows you to sit and move easily. Closed shoes are required because sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Insect repellent is specifically recommended for the ranch and jungle portions.

Leave cameras and cellphones behind. This rule may surprise you, especially on a beach ride, but the tour provides a photographer who may sell images afterward. If you care about having pictures, ask about the photo cost at the ranch before deciding.

Arrive at your pickup point 10 minutes early. Since the activity partner confirms pickup after booking, check your messages and do not assume your hotel lobby is the meeting spot.

Expect guides to help with horse handling and safety. Ricardo has been noted for being attentive and reassuring, while Carlos has helped explain the horses and kept the mood light. Your guide may be different, but the tour operates in English and Spanish.

Finally, leave room in your schedule. The ride is listed as 1.5 hours, but transportation, preparation, the animals, lunch, the tasting, photos, and the trip home can turn it into a much longer outing.

Should you book the Higuera Blanca horseback ride?

Book it if you want a varied countryside experience rather than a short ride beside a hotel. The route through Higuera Blanca, jungle, and Litibú Beach gives you a better sense of the area, and the calm horses make it approachable for riders with limited experience.

The tour is also worth considering for the ranch itself. The animals, tequila tasting, restaurant, and guide interaction create a fuller outing than the riding time alone suggests.

Skip it if you want a quick, low-cost activity, need to carry your phone, or are uncomfortable with paid photos and an optional lunch. For everyone else, the combination of well-cared-for horses, friendly staff, local scenery, and a beach ride makes this one of the stronger horseback options around Punta de Mita and Sayulita.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding portion?

The horseback riding portion lasts 1.5 hours. Transportation, preparation, time at the ranch, the tequila tasting, and the return trip can make the full outing much longer.

Where does the ride take place?

The tour takes place around Higuera Blanca and Litibú Beach in Riviera Nayarit, near the Punta de Mita and Sayulita area. The route includes a town, jungle, and beach.

Is transportation included?

Round-trip transportation is included from certain pickup points. The activity partner contacts you after booking to confirm your pickup location and time.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The horses are selected for their calm character, and the guides assist riders during the experience. The group may include first-time riders and people with substantial riding experience.

Can I gallop on the beach?

You may have the option to gallop at Litibú Beach. The guide will determine how the beach riding is handled for the group.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is available for purchase at a Mexican restaurant on the property.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. A tequila tasting is included in the activity, and Nico leads the tasting after the ride.

What should I bring and what is prohibited?

Wear comfortable clothes and bring insect repellent. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and cameras and cellphones cannot be taken on the activity.