Jungle HorseBack Adventure to Las Palmas Waterfall All Included

The most appealing part of this outing is the way it leaves Puerto Vallarta behind without asking you to be an experienced rider. You follow the Cuale River into the Sierra Madre, pass through one of the city’s older rustic areas, and continue toward tropical countryside, mountain views, and Las Palmas Waterfall.

I especially like the small maximum group of 12, which should give your guide more time to help with the horses and pace the ride sensibly. I also like that lunch, drinks, transport, the horse, and riding gear are included. The main caution is reliability: the minimum group requirement means the tour can be canceled if too few people book, sometimes with limited notice.

Key points at a glance

• Four hours on horseback: The main ride follows the Cuale River and climbs into the Sierra Madre countryside.
• Las Palmas Waterfall: The ride ends with a short hike and a waterfall stop, described as a private waterfall in the tour feedback.
• No riding background needed: The experience is designed for beginners, though you should have moderate physical fitness.
• Lunch and drinks included: Typical Mexican food and alcoholic beverages are part of the package.
• Three pickup choices: Meet at OXXO in Conchas Chinas, La Europea at Collage or Marina, or Starbucks in Las Juntas.
• A small group setting: No more than 12 people are accepted, giving the outing a more personal feel.

Following the Cuale River into the Sierra Madre

This is not a quick photo stop beside a road. The horseback portion lasts about four hours, and the route takes you away from the hotel strip and into a quieter side of Puerto Vallarta.

You begin by riding along the Cuale River. That matters because the river gives the route a natural guide through the area. Instead of spending the whole outing on a wide road or at a purpose-built ranch, you pass through one of Puerto Vallarta’s oldest rustic neighborhoods before reaching the countryside.

I like this mix of town edge and rural riding. It gives you a better sense of how the city changes as it reaches the mountains. The route is not simply a scenic backdrop. It connects the older, rougher parts of Puerto Vallarta with the green mountain country behind the city.

The exact riding pace can depend on the horses, the group, and the trail conditions. You should expect a mellow ride rather than a fast horseback excursion. That makes the tour a sensible choice for a first ride, a couple seeking a relaxed outing, or anyone who wants a countryside view without booking a highly demanding trek.

A beginner-friendly ride with real physical demands

No previous horseback riding experience is required. That removes one of the biggest worries for first-time riders, especially if you are unsure how comfortable you will feel handling a horse.

Still, do not read beginner-friendly as effortless. The ride lasts around four hours, followed by a short hike to the waterfall. The tour asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, so you should be comfortable spending a long stretch in the saddle and walking on an outdoor route.

You may find that the hardest part is not controlling the horse but simply getting used to the saddle. Wear practical clothes and shoes suitable for riding and walking. The supplied information does not specify a dress code or footwear policy, so it is best to choose comfort over resort style.

The smaller group size helps here. With a maximum of 12 people, your guide should have a better chance to notice if someone is nervous, uncomfortable, or struggling to keep pace. The group limit does not guarantee a private ride, but it is much more appealing than being placed in a large line of riders.

The lookout over the entire bay

As the route continues through tropical vegetation, you reach a lookout with views across the full bay. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose the outing instead of a simple horseback ride near town.

The view gives you a different angle on Puerto Vallarta. From the water and downtown, the bay feels like the main attraction. From the Sierra Madre, you see how the city sits between the coast and the mountains. The contrast is the point: one moment you are near the river and rustic homes, and later you are looking across a broad sweep of coast from above.

The lookout is also a useful break in a ride that lasts several hours. You can take in the scenery without rushing through it. The tour information does not provide a precise viewpoint name, elevation, or guaranteed viewing conditions, so keep expectations practical. Weather and visibility will affect the view.

Reaching Las Palmas Waterfall

The waterfall is the outing’s main reward. The route includes a short hike, then brings you to Las Palmas Waterfall, described as a private waterfall in the experience feedback.

That combination of horse ride, walk, and waterfall gives the day a good sense of movement. You are not sitting in transport all day, and you are not repeating the same activity from start to finish. The ride gets you into the mountain area, the hike adds a little exertion, and the waterfall provides a clear destination.

The information does not state whether swimming is allowed, how deep the water is, or how long you stay there. Do not book this specifically expecting a swimming excursion. Think of the waterfall as a scenic mountain stop unless the guide tells you otherwise.

The waterfall also helps explain why this tour works well for couples. One review described it as a honeymoon activity, combining a horseback ride along the river with a waterfall finish. You get a shared outdoor day without needing to plan several separate bookings.

Lunch, Mexican food, and included drinks

Lunch is included, along with alcoholic beverages. The tour also highlights typical Mexican fare and drinks, so this is more than a ride followed by finding your own meal in town.

That inclusion improves the value of a six-hour outing. You do not need to arrange lunch while you are away from Puerto Vallarta, and the meal gives the day a natural pause after the ride and waterfall visit.

The supplied details do not name the menu, specify dietary options, or identify the alcoholic drinks. If you have food restrictions, contact Nakawe Adventures before booking. You should not assume that the meal can be changed unless the operator confirms it.

I also like the practical simplicity here. Horse, saddle, necessary gear, private transportation, lunch, and alcoholic beverages are all part of the package. The only listed extra is souvenirs, so you should not need to budget for basic tour elements separately.

Pickup choices and the early start

Although the activity lists a 10:00 am start, the available pickup times begin earlier. You choose the meeting point closest to your hotel:

• OXXO in Conchas Chinas at 8:30 am
• La Europea at Collage or Marina at 9:00 am
• Starbucks Las Juntas at 9:15 am

Private transportation is included, and the tour returns to the meeting point at the end. This setup is useful if your hotel is spread along the coast or outside the immediate center, but you need to choose the pickup point carefully. The meeting locations are not interchangeable in terms of convenience.

Allow extra time to reach your selected meeting point. The details do not say that hotel-door pickup is available, only that pickup is offered from these three places. Ask Nakawe Adventures if you are uncertain which location is closest to your accommodation.

The early pickup also affects how you plan your morning. This is not a late brunch activity that fits easily between a hotel breakfast and an afternoon at the beach. You will want to organize breakfast beforehand and arrive ready for a full outdoor day.

What the six-hour schedule means for value

The tour lasts about six hours, with roughly four hours on horseback. That is a substantial amount of time for a package that also includes transportation, lunch, drinks, gear, a lookout, a short hike, and a waterfall.

No price is provided here, so I cannot make a fair peso-for-peso comparison. The right way to judge the cost is to add up what you would otherwise pay for transport into the mountains, horse rental, riding equipment, a guide, lunch, drinks, and a waterfall outing. If the tour price is close to the combined cost of those separate pieces, the package offers sound value.

The value is also about ease. You do not have to find a ranch, negotiate a ride, plan a route to Las Palmas, or work out where to eat afterward. For you, the main tradeoff is less control over the schedule. You follow the operator’s route and timing rather than building a private day around your own interests.

The package is strongest for people who want several outdoor elements in one booking. It is less appealing if you only want a short ride, dislike group schedules, or have limited time in Puerto Vallarta.

The small-group advantage

A maximum of 12 people is a useful middle ground. You get the social feel of a group outing without the scale of a large parade of riders.

For a beginner, this can make a real difference. The guide has fewer horses and people to manage, and there is a better chance to receive basic help when mounting, adjusting gear, or getting comfortable. It should also make stops at the lookout and waterfall easier to manage.

The group limit does not mean you receive a private guide or a fully customized itinerary. The tour is still shared, and the pace must suit the whole group. If you want a completely private ride, confirm that option directly with the operator rather than assuming the 12-person cap means exclusivity.

The main concern: minimum numbers and cancellations

The most important practical warning is the minimum group requirement. If too few people book, Nakawe Adventures may cancel the outing and offer another date, another experience, or a full refund.

One cancellation caused disappointment because notice came only overnight and no useful alternative was offered. That does not tell you that every booking will have the same problem, but it does show why you should keep a backup plan if the ride is central to your vacation.

The normal cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The operator can also cancel for poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

If you are booking this for a honeymoon, an anniversary, or your final day in Puerto Vallarta, consider the risk carefully. It may be wise to schedule it early enough in your trip to leave room for a replacement date.

Who should book this ride?

I would point this tour toward you if you want a relaxed mountain outing with several parts to the day. It suits:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction
• Couples looking for a shared outdoor activity
• People who prefer countryside and river views to a busy city schedule
• Visitors who like having lunch and drinks included
• Anyone who wants a waterfall visit without planning separate transport
• Small groups that value a more personal guide-to-rider ratio

I would be more cautious if you have very limited mobility, dislike spending hours in a saddle, or want a fast and adventurous ride. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness, and the four-hour horseback segment is not a minor part of the day.

Families should also consider each rider individually. The supplied details do not state a minimum age, weight limit, or rules for children, so ask the provider before booking for minors.

Should you book the Las Palmas Waterfall ride?

Book it if you want the full combination: river riding, Sierra Madre countryside, a bay lookout, a short hike, Las Palmas Waterfall, Mexican food, and drinks in one six-hour outing. The strongest features are the scenic route, beginner-friendly format, included meal, and group cap of 12.

I would not book it as your only major plan unless Nakawe Adventures confirms the departure close to your date. The minimum-group cancellation rule is the clear weakness, especially because one cancellation was reported with short notice.

For most people, this is best treated as a relaxed, well-packed day outside Puerto Vallarta rather than a serious riding expedition. If that matches what you want, the combination of scenery and convenience makes it a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the horseback adventure last?

The complete activity lasts approximately six hours. About four hours are devoted to horseback riding, with a short hike and a visit to Las Palmas Waterfall included.

Where can I meet the tour?

Pickup is offered from OXXO in Conchas Chinas at 8:30 am, La Europea at Collage or Marina at 9:00 am, or Starbucks Las Juntas at 9:15 am. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with alcoholic beverages. The tour also includes the horse, saddle, necessary gear, and private transportation.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

No. Previous experience is not required, though you should have a moderate level of physical fitness for the long ride and short hike.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.