Aruba Private, 2 Hour Horseback Riding Tour For Advanced Riders

Aruba’s dry northeast side gives you a very different view of the island from the resort strip. On this private two-hour horseback ride, you follow countryside trails toward the coast, with the guide adjusting the pace and route to your riding ability. Beach riding may be included, and advanced riders have sometimes been allowed to gallop along the sand.

I like two things here: the horse matching and the flexible route. Staff learn the horses’ personalities and pair them with riders, while the guide checks your control before deciding how much freedom and speed make sense. The main consideration is price: at $285 per person, this is a serious splurge, especially since at least two people must book.

Key points to know before booking

• Private ride for your group: You do not share the activity with strangers, so the guide can shape the pace and trail around your ability.
• Beach access is possible: The route can include the coast and a beach, but the exact trail depends on conditions, skill levels, and guide judgment.
• Advanced riders may gallop: A past ride allowed experienced riders to gallop across the beach, but speed is not promised for every outing.
• Choose your tack: You can request English or western equipment when arranging the tour.
• Pickup timing needs confirmation: Hotel or port pickup usually comes 45 to 20 minutes before departure, and you should call or email to confirm the exact time.
• The 200-pound limit is firm: Each rider’s weight must be provided at booking, and the maximum is 200 pounds.

Riding Beyond Aruba’s Resort Strip

Many visitors see Aruba as a line of hotels, beaches, and sunny pool decks. This ride takes you in the other direction, toward the typical countryside and the rough northeast coast. The setting is less polished and more open, with trails that pass through dry terrain and areas where you may spot wild donkeys, parakeets, and iguanas.

The ride lasts about two hours, which is enough time to settle into the horse without turning the outing into an all-day commitment. I see that as a good fit for a cruise stop or a beach-heavy vacation. You get a real change of pace, but you still have most of the day free.

The coast is the main prize. The northeastern shore is rugged rather than resort-perfect, and the ride lets you see it from a saddle instead of from a tour van window. Depending on your route, the guide may include a beach or another point of interest along the trail.

Do not treat the beach as a guaranteed stop. The route changes according to your skill level and the group’s ability to control the horses. A private booking gives you more say, but safety and the guide’s judgment come first.

Meeting Your Horse at Rancho Notorious

Your ride begins at Rancho Notorious in Boroncana, near Noord. If you use the included transport, an air-conditioned minivan collects you from your Aruba hotel or port and brings you to the ranch. If you drive yourself, arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

At the ranch, you complete the required waivers, meet the guide, and get introduced to your horse. The staff then help you mount and explain how to handle the animal. You receive a helmet, and you can choose between English and western tack.

The horse match matters more than the saddle style. Riders with their own horses appreciated that the staff understood individual horse personalities and paired riders carefully. That is a good sign for an advanced outing, where the right horse can make the difference between a relaxed ride and a tense one.

Guide names appearing with this experience include Nestor and Nelson. Nestor receives especially strong praise for teaching riders at different ability levels and for allowing experienced couples to ride at their own pace during a private tour. Nelson is also described as attentive to safety. One practical point: the English-language request was not handled perfectly on one outing, so if clear English instruction is important to you, confirm that request directly before departure.

How the Guide Sets the Pace

This is not a ride where everyone automatically follows the same slow line. After you mount, the guide checks how well you control your horse. The group’s pace and route then develop from that assessment.

That approach is useful for advanced riders. If you are confident in the saddle, you may receive more room to set your pace. A past advanced ride included a gallop across the beach, which is a memorable possibility. Still, you should not book expecting a guaranteed gallop. The guide decides what is suitable for the horses, the route, and the people riding that day.

The title describes the outing as being for advanced riders, but the information also asks participants to have moderate physical fitness. The guide adjusts trails for different skill levels, so the practical question is not only how long you have ridden. It is how well you can control a trail horse in an outdoor setting.

If you are an experienced rider who dislikes nose-to-tail rides, the private format is the biggest advantage. You can explain your preferred pace and experience level before setting out. If your group includes mixed abilities, tell the ranch in advance so the guide can plan accordingly.

Country Trails, Wildlife, and the Northeast Coast

Once the ride leaves the ranch, the countryside becomes the focus. The trails offer a look at Aruba that you will not get from a resort beach or air-conditioned sightseeing bus. Keep your eyes open for wild donkeys, parakeets, and iguanas, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The terrain is part of the appeal. You are not riding through a manicured park. The northeastern side feels exposed and rugged, with open views and a coast shaped by wind and water. Bring a camera if you want pictures, but keep it secure and use it only when the guide gives you a safe moment.

The guide may include a beach or other places of interest where the trails pass. That wording is important. The ride is not sold as a fixed sequence of named sights. It is a flexible route, shaped by the riders and the horses.

That flexibility makes the experience more personal, but it also means you should not expect a detailed sightseeing program. If you want a guide to stop frequently for explanations about geology, local history, or wildlife, ask before booking. The strongest feature here is riding through the setting, not a lecture at a series of formal stops.

What the Private Format Adds

The private setup is the clearest reason to consider the price. Only your group participates, so you are not tied to the pace of a large mixed party. The guide can spend more time checking your control, matching the route to your ability, and letting experienced riders enjoy a quicker pace when appropriate.

For two people, the base cost is $570 before any other purchases. That is expensive compared with a basic group horseback ride, but the comparison is not quite fair. You are paying for privacy, a tailored trail, transport, equipment, and the chance to ride with a guide who can respond to your group rather than manage a large line of horses.

I think the price makes more sense for a couple or small group of serious riders than for a casual first-time rider looking for a short novelty activity. It also works better when you value privacy and control over the itinerary. If your main goal is simply to sit on a horse for a while, a less costly group outing may serve you just as well.

The price is per person, and a minimum of two people is required per booking. You cannot reserve this as a solo activity under the stated rules.

Pickup, Timing, and the Small Details That Matter

Pickup is offered from hotels and ports, with an air-conditioned minivan included. The pickup window is usually 45 to 20 minutes before the ride’s departure time, but the exact hour can vary by season. Call or email to confirm both the pickup location and time.

This is one of those tours where a confirmed pickup time matters. The driver will wait no longer than five minutes after the agreed pickup time. A late arrival can lead to rescheduling charges, and a missed activity because of a late arrival or no-show is not refunded.

Cruise passengers should be especially careful. The operator does not refund a missed ride caused by a late or non-arriving cruise ship. I would book this only when the ship schedule gives you a generous margin, not when the ride depends on a perfect connection from the gangway.

Driving yourself is possible. Go to Rancho Notorious in Boroncana, Noord, and arrive 20 minutes before departure. Confirm your arrival time in advance, since the schedule can change with the season.

The meeting point is also the end point. After the ride, you return to the ranch rather than finishing at a separate beach or attraction.

A Simple Ranch Stop Before and After the Ride

The ranch has a small country bar where you can buy cold drinks, coffee, and tea before or after riding. You can also order one of the Dutch grilled sandwiches, a useful touch if your excursion falls near breakfast or lunch.

Bottled water is not included, so plan accordingly. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase but are also not included. Since horseback riding in Aruba means sun, heat, and physical effort, I would arrange water before you arrive rather than assume the ranch supplies it as part of the tour.

The bar adds a local, informal feel. It is not a polished resort lounge, and that is part of the charm. Use it as a place to gather yourself before mounting or cool down after returning. The ride itself remains the main event.

Who Will Get the Most From This Ride

This outing suits an experienced rider who wants more than a standard beach photo opportunity. You should be comfortable handling a horse outdoors and have a moderate level of physical fitness. The guide will assess your control, but you still need to be honest about your ability.

It is also a strong choice for couples or families who want a private activity. The guide can adjust the outing to your group instead of forcing you into a fixed public schedule. The experience is particularly appealing if you want a chance at faster riding on the beach.

I would be more cautious if you are a complete beginner, have trouble mounting or controlling a horse, or are mainly interested in a guaranteed beach ride. The route can include a beach, but it may instead focus on countryside trails and other coastal areas.

The weight limit is 200 pounds per person. You must provide each rider’s weight when booking. This is not a minor formality, since the ranch needs that information for horse and equipment planning.

Booking, Cancellation, and Communication Tips

Confirmation normally arrives at booking. If you reserve within four hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability. For that reason, last-minute booking is risky, even though the activity is often reserved about five days ahead.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that 24-hour window, you receive no refund, and changes are not accepted. Keep the local time in mind if you are arranging the ride from another country.

Before paying, confirm four details: the pickup time, the language of instruction, the requested tack, and the weight of each rider. These small checks can prevent the most common problems, especially since pickup times change by season and English communication has not always been perfect.

If you have a cruise schedule, leave extra time. The no-refund rule for a missed cruise connection is strict.

Should You Book the Rancho Notorious Ride?

Book it if you are an experienced rider who values privacy, wants a countryside and coastal route, and likes the possibility of a faster beach ride. The careful horse matching, flexible trail selection, and attentive guides such as Nestor and Nelson are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Think twice if you want a cheap, guaranteed beach activity or a fixed sightseeing route. At $285 per person, this is best treated as a special Aruba outing, not a casual add-on. Confirm your pickup, tack, language, and riding level before you go, and the private format can make the cost worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The horseback ride lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Rancho Notorious, HXM9+W8R, Boroncana, Noord, Aruba. It ends back at the ranch.

Is hotel or port pickup available?

Yes. Hotel and port pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned minivan. Pickup usually takes place between 45 and 20 minutes before departure, and you should call or email to confirm the exact time and location.

Can I drive to the ranch myself?

Yes. If you arrange your own transportation, arrive at the ranch 20 minutes before the scheduled departure and confirm your arrival time in advance.

Is this a private horseback ride?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum weight is 200 pounds per person. You must provide each rider’s weight when booking.

Can I choose English or western tack?

Yes. You can choose between English and western tack.

Is beach riding guaranteed?

No. The route may include a beach or other points of interest, but the guide selects trails based on rider ability and preferences.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded.