Hot Springs Horseback Riding Adventure

The best part of this Puerto Escondido outing is the change of pace: you leave town by minivan, meet your horse near a small rural community, then ride across farmland and along country paths to Manialtepec’s hot springs. I like the mix of riding, swimming, local scenery, and time with guides who care about the area. The included transport and snacks also make this much easier than arranging a rural visit on your own.

I especially like two things here: the route reaches places a car cannot, and the guides adjust their help for nervous or first-time riders. Efrain is praised for his bird knowledge and local stories, while Jessie has helped a worried 11-year-old enjoy the ride. One caution: the tour needs a moderate fitness level, and one account describes horses becoming more excited on the return, with some galloping.

Key points before you book

• Ride through working countryside: Expect farmland, farm animals, mountain views, and rural paths rather than a polished equestrian center.
• Reach the thermal pools on horseback: The ride to the springs takes about an hour in one account, followed by roughly two hours in the hot water.
• Good support for beginners: Guides have helped first-time riders and people nervous around horses.
• Useful five-hour format: Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, bottled water, snacks, riding, and swimming are all folded into one half-day outing.
• Small-group feel: The maximum group size is 14 people, which leaves room for personal help without promising a private tour.
• Bring a camera and sensible expectations: Photos are not included, and the ride requires enough stamina for several hours in the saddle.

Leaving Puerto Escondido for the countryside

The day begins with hotel pickup in Puerto Escondido. Your driver and guide take you in an air-conditioned minivan toward the rural area where the horses are based. One account describes a drive of about 30 minutes to a small village, followed by an introduction to local people and a farm before the ride starts.

That short transfer matters. You do not have to find an isolated meeting point, arrange a taxi, or worry about getting back after soaking in the springs. The vehicle also gives you a comfortable start and finish to a day that becomes more physical once you are in the saddle.

The provider offers morning and afternoon departures. A morning start may give you cooler riding conditions, while an afternoon departure can make the outing fit better around a relaxed Puerto Escondido schedule. The exact feel of the ride will depend on the season, weather, and departure time, so ask when booking if you have a strong preference.

Meeting the horses and getting comfortable in the saddle

At the rural starting point, you are paired with one of the local horses and given help before setting off. The horses are described as trained and steady, but you should not treat this as a casual photo stop with a short pony ride. The active riding portion can last for hours.

That said, the experience appears friendly to newcomers. One rider had never ridden before and found that the horse followed the group at a calm pace. Another person arrived afraid of horses and received patient help from Neufrain and the horse owner. Jessie also gave close attention to a child who felt uneasy about riding.

This is where your own comfort level matters. Tell the guide clearly if you are inexperienced, anxious, or need a slower pace. The staff can help you get settled, but the tour still asks you to sit in the saddle, follow instructions, and manage a longer rural ride.

Wear clothes that can handle dust, heat, and contact with a horse. Closed shoes are the sensible choice. You will also want swimwear under your riding clothes or packed for the hot springs. The supplied details specifically suggest bringing a camera, but protect it from water and keep it secure during the ride.

Riding past farms, animals, and mountain views

Once you leave the village, the route passes through local farmland. You may see farm animals along the way, including the cows and horses that help give the area its working-country character. The mountain views provide a strong backdrop, but this is not a staged scenic drive. The appeal is seeing ordinary rural life from a horse.

I like this part because it gives the excursion a local shape. You are not simply being carried to a thermal pool, soaking, and returning. The horse connects the separate parts of the day, and the slower pace lets you notice fields, paths, animals, and changing views that disappear from a minivan window.

The route may include river crossings. One couple described those crossings as a highlight, and they add a little adventure without turning the outing into an extreme activity. Conditions can change, so the exact ride may feel different after rain or during a dry spell.

Guides also add more than basic horse handling. Efrain has shared information about birds, the local economy, and the nearby town. Jaciel has shown interest in regional ecology projects, including a garden growing medicinal herbs and vegetables. Those details help connect the ride to the place itself, rather than making it feel like a generic horseback excursion.

Reaching Manialtepec’s volcanic hot springs

After about an hour on horseback in one reported schedule, you reach the thermal pools. The water is described as very hot, so enter carefully and give yourself time to adjust. The main reward here is simple: you can get off the horse, swim, rest, and let the warm water take over for a while.

The stay at the springs can last about two hours, depending on the day’s timing. That is enough time to enjoy the water without rushing straight back into the saddle. The guide can show you around and explain the local story of the healing waters, but the experience is still informal and outdoorsy rather than a spa treatment.

The hot springs are the emotional center of the trip. You get the effort and motion of the ride first, then a long pause in a natural setting. A small snack or piece of local fruit may appear along the way. One account mentions eating star fruit before the return ride, while another praises the food served during the day.

Do not expect a resort pool with changing rooms and a full menu based on the information provided. The value is in the setting and the journey. Bring only what you need, and keep valuables limited. Bottled water and snacks are included, but a camera, towel, and personal swim items are your responsibility.

The return ride and what to watch for

You return by horse and then by minivan to your hotel. In one account, the ride back took the same general route, but the horses became more anxious and galloped at points. That does not mean every departure will include galloping, but it is a useful warning for anyone who wants a completely calm, controlled ride.

If you are new to horses, tell your guide before the return begins that you prefer a steady pace. Stay attentive to instructions, keep your hands relaxed, and do not assume the horse will behave exactly as it did earlier in the day. The guides are there to help, but you remain part of the riding team.

The return can also be beautiful. One outing ended after dark, with stars visible overhead. Morning and afternoon departures create different moods, though the precise timing will depend on the season and schedule. An afternoon ride may offer a quieter, cooler finish, but it also makes the return timing less predictable.

Once you are back at the vehicle, the included hotel drop-off removes the final hassle. That is especially useful after several hours outside, when arranging a taxi from a rural location would be inconvenient.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the day

The experience is operated by Eco Adventures Puerto Escondido, with guides including Efrain, Jessie, Javier, Jaciel, and Neufrain mentioned in connection with different outings. Efrain is noted for sharing facts about local birds and the economy. Jessie has been particularly attentive with a young rider. Javier and Jaciel have helped with local logistics as well as the tour itself, including assistance with onward travel.

You should not assume you will receive a particular guide unless the provider confirms it. Still, the pattern is encouraging: the staff are not limited to leading horses from point A to point B. They may explain local nature, help with riding technique, and answer practical questions about the area.

The maximum group size is 14. That is small enough for a guide to notice a nervous rider, though it is not the same as a private ride. If your priority is individual pacing or a custom route, ask about group composition before paying.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, and pickup and drop-off are included. Public transportation is nearby, but you should not need it for the main tour because the supplied transport covers the hotel connection.

What the included value really means

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost against competing rides. I can judge what you receive for the fee: hotel transportation, an air-conditioned minivan, a driver-guide, bottled water, snacks, the horseback experience, and time at the springs.

That combination makes the outing more valuable than a simple riding lesson or a basic transfer to hot pools. You are paying for a full half-day with several moving parts, including rural transport and support from a guide familiar with the area.

Food is not described in a fixed menu. Some outings have included a substantial breakfast or meal, while the official inclusions list only snacks and water. Treat any larger meal as something to confirm rather than a guaranteed feature.

Souvenir photos are not included, though they may be available to purchase. Bring your own camera if you want personal photos and video, but keep it protected around the water and during the ride.

Who should book this horseback adventure?

This is a strong choice for you if you want an active outing beyond Puerto Escondido’s beaches, enjoy rural scenery, and like the idea of combining a horse ride with a hot spring swim. It also suits first-time riders who are open to instruction and willing to communicate clearly with the guide.

Families can consider it, but each rider needs enough physical ability and comfort to handle a horse. The experience has helped a child who was afraid of riding, yet the moderate fitness requirement still matters. Ask about age and riding suitability before booking because those details are not supplied here.

You may want to skip it if you dislike animals, struggle with sitting in a saddle for an extended period, or want a highly polished spa visit. The hot water is very warm, the route is rural, and the ride can become more lively on the return.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund. Since the activity depends on good weather, keep that rule in mind when planning tightly connected travel.

My call: a worthwhile half-day outside town

I would book this if I wanted a genuine change from Puerto Escondido’s beach routine and felt comfortable with a several-hour horseback ride. The strongest reasons are the rural route, the long stop at the thermal pools, the included transport, and the guides’ apparent ability to help nervous or inexperienced riders.

Go in expecting an outdoor adventure, not a luxury spa and not a perfectly predictable trail ride. Ask about the day’s pace, what food is included, and whether your departure is likely to return after dark. If those details suit you, this is one of the more memorable ways to reach Manialtepec’s hot springs.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding hot springs tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including transportation, horseback riding, and time at the thermal pools.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Transport by air-conditioned minivan, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off are included.

Are morning and afternoon departures available?

Yes. The experience offers both morning and afternoon departure options.

Is this tour suitable for first-time riders?

Yes, the guides have helped people who had never ridden before and riders who were nervous around horses. You should still have a moderate level of physical fitness.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes bottled water, snacks, transport by air-conditioned minivan, a driver-guide, horseback riding, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.