Horseback riding in the mountains of Puerto Vallarta

The biggest surprise here is the mountain setting. After an open-air ride from the Playa de Oro meeting point, you trade city traffic for horse trails, steep roads, and views around Puerto Vallarta’s backcountry. The horseback portion lasts about two hours, followed by a walk across El Jorullo Bridge and a tequila tasting.

I like the simple mix of activities: a real trail ride rather than a short photo stop, plus the chance to cross the longest vehicular suspension bridge in the world on foot. I also like the small group limit of 10 and the included fruit, purified water, and one national drink. The main caution is that some access roads are steep, the ride requires moderate fitness, and the quality of the experience may depend heavily on your guide.

Key points to know

• About two hours in the saddle: The ride is long enough to feel like a proper outing, not just a quick loop.
• Steep roads before the trail: You may need comfort with uneven and sloping terrain before reaching the main riding route.
• El Jorullo Bridge on foot: The bridge crossing adds a distinct activity after the horse ride.
• Tequila tasting with Kevin: Kevin has been praised for his friendly, informative approach and relaxed manner.
• Small groups of up to 10: This should make instructions and group movement easier to manage.
• Maximum weight of 200 pounds: Check this limit before booking, since it is part of the tour requirements.

From Playa de Oro to Puerto Vallarta’s mountain trails

Your day begins at the Canopy River office on Playa de Oro in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone. Transport is included, and the ride to the park is in an open vehicle. That is useful for keeping the outing outdoors from the start, though you should expect a less sheltered ride than you would get in a standard van.

The tour lasts about five hours from pickup through return to the same meeting point. That makes it a manageable half-day choice if you want to leave room for lunch, a beach afternoon, or another activity.

The group size is capped at 10 people. I consider that a real plus for a horseback outing. Smaller groups are easier to move through narrow sections of trail, and you have a better chance of hearing the guide when the group stops for information about plants and animals.

The tour is offered in English and includes a bilingual guide. The information provided does not name the horseback guide, so you should not book this expecting a particular person. The tequila tasting is the one part connected with a named staff member: Kevin has been described as upbeat, friendly, and willing to explain the tequila without pressuring people to buy or drink more.

Getting comfortable before the two-hour ride

Once you reach the park, the horseback ride begins. The route includes some steep roads before you arrive at the main trail. That detail matters more than it may sound. A moderate fitness level is required, and you should be comfortable with the movement of a horse on sloping ground.

You are on horseback for roughly two hours. That is enough time to make the ride the central part of your morning or afternoon, rather than a brief add-on to the bridge and tasting. If you have never ridden before, the length may feel demanding. If you already enjoy riding, the duration is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing.

The tour description does not provide a detailed riding lesson or explain the exact pace. One useful point from the experience itself is that the ride may begin with steep access roads before settling into the trail portion. I would wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and clothing you can move in. Those suggestions are practical rather than dress-code rules, since the supplied details do not list required clothing.

The listed maximum weight is 100 kilograms, or 200 pounds. This is a firm planning detail. Check it before reserving, especially if the booking is for several people and you do not want a surprise at the meeting point.

Flora, fauna, and the feel of the trail

A guide explains the flora and fauna along the route. That adds value to what could otherwise be only a scenic ride. You are not just passing through the mountains; you have someone pointing out details in the natural setting and giving the ride some context.

The information available does not identify particular plants or animals, so I would not book this expecting a specialist wildlife excursion. Think of the nature commentary as part of the ride, not a separate field study.

The route also gives you a different view of Puerto Vallarta. The city is best known for beaches, restaurants, and its waterfront. This outing shifts attention inland, where the roads become steeper and the experience depends more on terrain than on town sights. That contrast is the point.

The horses were reported to be in good condition, which is important. At the same time, concern was raised about the bits used on the horses, especially for people with little riding skill. That is a fair thing to keep in mind. If animal tack is a major concern for you, ask the operator about the equipment before booking. If you are new to horseback riding, also ask how the horses are matched to riders and how instructions are handled.

Crossing El Jorullo Bridge on foot

After the ride, you walk across Puente Colgante El Jorullo, also called El Jorullo Bridge. The bridge is described as the longest vehicular suspension bridge in the world, but on this tour you cross it walking.

That change of pace works well. You spend the first part of the outing seated on a horse, then use your own feet for a bridge crossing with a different kind of view. It gives the experience a clear second act instead of sending you straight from the trail to refreshments.

The bridge stop is also likely to be the most memorable photo opportunity. Still, anyone uneasy with height or swaying bridges should think carefully before booking. The supplied information does not give the bridge’s exact height, length, or crossing time, so I would not promise how intense it will feel. The key fact is that the walk is part of the tour, not an optional extra listed separately.

You should also remember that the ride and bridge crossing require different kinds of balance. Moderate fitness is listed as a requirement, and this is one reason why. You are not simply sitting in transport for five hours.

A relaxed finish with tequila and fruit

The final stop is a tequila tasting. This is included, along with a welcome drink, purified water, seasonal fruit, and one national drink. The national drink may be beer, water, or lemonade, according to the provided details.

The tequila tasting has received the clearest personal praise connected with the staff. Kevin is described as friendly, upbeat, and generous with information, while avoiding a pushy sales approach. That matters because tastings can easily feel like a sales stop. Here, Kevin’s style appears to make the final part more comfortable and useful.

Alcoholic drinks are for adults only. Food is not included, so do not treat the seasonal fruit as a meal. Drinks beyond the included items are also not included, and tips are extra.

If you do not drink tequila, the tasting may still have some interest as a cultural stop, but the tour does not describe a separate nonalcoholic presentation. You can expect the included water and a national drink, but the main focus of this final stop is tequila.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend half a day in Puerto Vallarta. The price includes transport, a bilingual guide, the horse ride, the bridge walk, water, fruit, a welcome drink, one national drink, and tequila tasting.

I think the value depends on how much you want from the horseback portion. If you are mainly interested in a quick horse photo, five hours and $85 is more than you need. If you want about two hours on horseback, plus a bridge crossing and tasting, the package is easier to justify.

Transport also adds practical value. You do not need to arrange your own way from the Playa de Oro meeting point to the park and back. The return to the same office keeps the day simple, especially if you are staying in the Hotel Zone.

The group limit of 10 is another small value point. You are not paying for a private ride, but you are also not joining a huge convoy. The trade-off is that the experience may still feel organized around the group’s pace, not your own.

For the best value, choose this tour if you genuinely want a substantial horseback ride. The bridge and tequila tasting are useful extras, but they should not be the main reason you pay the full price.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this for an active visitor who wants to get beyond Puerto Vallarta’s urban and beach areas for part of the day. It suits people who like combining several modest activities: riding, walking, scenery, nature commentary, and a tasting.

It is also a good fit for adults who want a social excursion in a small group. The English option and bilingual guide make it easier to follow the general explanations, while the maximum of 10 keeps the group from becoming unwieldy.

You should think twice if you are not comfortable on horses, have limited mobility, dislike steep roads, or want a calm sightseeing trip with little physical effort. The tour requires moderate fitness, includes about two hours on horseback, and finishes with a bridge walk.

Families need to check the details carefully. The provided information does not give a minimum age, child pricing, or rules for young riders, so those questions should be settled before booking. The 200-pound weight limit also applies to planning for every participant.

Timing, cancellation, and useful planning details

The experience starts and ends at Canopy River Oficina Playa de Oro, at Playa de Oro 126 F in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone. Transport is included from that meeting point, and the activity returns there at the end.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is offered in English, and alcoholic beverages are restricted to adults.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead, you do not receive a refund, and changes inside that same window are not accepted. Cutoff times use Puerto Vallarta local time.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Since the outing includes an open vehicle, horseback riding, and a bridge walk, checking the forecast before you leave is sensible.

Bring a little extra money for tips, additional drinks, or food before or after the activity. Food is not included, and the five-hour schedule may leave you ready for a proper meal afterward.

Should you book the Puerto Vallarta mountain ride?

Book it if you want about two hours on horseback and like the idea of adding a suspension bridge and tequila tasting to the same half-day. The included transport, small group limit, fruit, water, and drinks make the $85 price reasonable for someone who values a full package.

I would not book it solely for tequila or the bridge. Those stops are brief compared with the riding, and the ride includes steep roads and a moderate fitness requirement. I would also ask the operator about horse equipment and rider instruction if you are inexperienced or concerned about tack.

The strongest parts are the mountain setting, the length of the ride, the manageable group size, and the warm finish with Kevin at the tasting. The weak points are the lack of detail about the riding instruction, the steep access roads, and the possibility that your guide may shape the mood of the outing.

For an active visitor who wants a practical half-day outside town, this is a solid choice. For a gentle sightseeing trip, a food-focused excursion, or a very polished equestrian experience, spend your $85 elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Canopy River Oficina Playa de Oro, Playa de Oro 126 F, Zona Hotelera, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately five hours.

How long are you on horseback?

You are on the horse for about two hours.

Is transport included?

Yes. Transport from the meeting point to the park and back is included, using open transport.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English and includes a bilingual guide.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight is 100 kilograms, or 200 pounds.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.