Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour

The best part of the Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour is the change of pace. You move from a quiet horse ride through tropical forest and along the river to an ATV run through small villages and country roads. Then you sit down to a Mexican lunch at Rancho Capomo, with drinks included. It is a full half-day, not a quick photo stop.

I like the mix of rural Mexico and active fun. You see farms, villages, forest, and a waterfall instead of spending the day near Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone. I also like the value: lunch, open drinks, transportation, horses, ATVs, and the activities are bundled into the $150 price.

The main caution is that this is physical. The walk to the waterfall can be a real uphill hike, and some of the ATV riding takes place on regular roads rather than rough off-road trails. Ask about ATV arrangements if you expect one vehicle per person.

Key points to know before booking

• Horse ride to a waterfall: Expect forest paths, river scenery, uneven ground, and a hike that some people find demanding.
• ATV ride through rural communities: You may pass through villages and country roads, but this is not strictly an off-road course.
• Rancho Capomo is the base: It is the starting point, finishing point, and lunch stop, far from the main Puerto Vallarta tourist areas.
• Food and drinks are included: Lunch, unlimited drinks, beer, margaritas, soft drinks, and other alcoholic beverages are part of the package.
• Guides can shape the day: Sergio, Hector, and Berto received specific praise, but one poor experience shows that guide quality can vary.
• Small groups are possible: The maximum is 20 people, and some departures have had only a handful of participants.

A country escape from Puerto Vallarta

At $150 per person, this is not a bargain-basement excursion. It is priced as a packed half-day outing with transportation, two activities, lunch, and drinks. I think the cost makes the most sense if you want to fill one morning with several experiences instead of paying separately for a horse ride, an ATV rental, a meal, and transport into the Sierra Madre.

The experience begins with pickup from a designated meeting point at about 8:15 a.m. The tour ends back at that same meeting point. This arrangement matters because the ranch is outside the main resort areas, and getting there independently would add another layer of planning.

The drive takes you away from Puerto Vallarta toward Rancho Capomo and the village of Las Palmas. The setting is a major part of the appeal. You are not simply riding around an artificial activity park. You reach a more rural area with small communities, farms, forest, and roads used by local residents.

That also means the day can feel less polished than a hotel-zone excursion. The ranch is described as being in the middle of nowhere, which some people find wonderfully quiet and others find a little odd. If you want a carefully staged attraction with constant facilities and a tightly scripted show, this is not that kind of outing.

Horseback riding through the Sierra Madre

The horse ride is usually the gentler and more scenic half of the day, though it still requires balance and some stamina. You ride through tropical forest and along rural paths, with the Sierra Madre around you. One detailed account described roughly 90 minutes on horseback, a useful guide for your expectations, though the exact timing can vary.

The route toward the waterfall is the star of this section. The ride gives you a way to reach places that would take longer to cover on foot, and the surroundings provide a strong contrast with Puerto Vallarta’s beaches and city streets. You may pass through wooded areas and along the river, with sections that require you to pay attention to your balance.

The waterfall involves more than simply stepping off the horse for a quick picture. The uphill walk has been described as a serious hike, so you should treat it as part of the main activity, not a minor add-on. Wear shoes with a solid grip, stretch before you leave, and bring enough energy for uneven ground.

That hike is one of the clearest dividing lines between people who love this tour and people who find it too demanding. The waterfall can feel like a worthwhile reward after the climb, but you should not book this expecting a flat, easy ride from start to finish.

Horse experience is not listed as a requirement, and most people can participate. Still, if you have never ridden before, tell the staff at the start. One poor experience involved a guide rushing a beginner and making an inappropriate comment about the rider’s lack of skill. That does not match the many positive accounts of friendly staff, but it is a useful reminder to speak up if you need slower instructions or extra help.

What the ATV section is really like

After the horse ride and waterfall visit, you move to the ATVs. This adds speed and noise to a day that begins at a much slower pace. A typical account put the ATV portion at about 60 to 70 minutes, giving you enough time to get comfortable and see more of the surrounding area.

The route can take you through villages, small towns, and rural roads. You get a look at everyday surroundings rather than only a marked tourist track. That is valuable if your goal is to see how the area beyond Puerto Vallarta feels.

But do not assume this is a full off-road adventure. One clear criticism was that the ATV route used regular roads and offered little true off-road riding. Another description called the ride peaceful and easy. Those details suggest a country outing with ATVs, not a technical mud-and-rock course for expert drivers.

That difference matters. If you want a high-speed, rough-terrain experience, you may find the ride too mild. If you want a manageable activity that lets you pass through rural communities and enjoy the scenery, the route may suit you well.

Also confirm how the vehicles are assigned. Most descriptions refer to riding ATVs, but one couple expected one ATV per person and was asked to share a vehicle. The supplied details do not promise a separate ATV for every participant. Ask before booking if individual vehicles are important to you, especially if two people have different comfort levels or driving preferences.

Rancho Capomo, lunch, and the best pause of the day

Rancho Capomo is more than a meeting point. You start there, return there, and eat there. After the physical activities, that return gives the day a natural finish rather than sending you straight back into town.

Lunch is one of the most praised parts of the experience. The meal has included Mexican food such as carne asada, along with homemade tortillas. Several descriptions singled out the food as memorable, which is a good sign for anyone who sees lunch as part of the reason to book rather than a basic meal added to the ticket.

Drinks are included as well. The package lists unlimited drinks and alcoholic beverages, and specific descriptions mention margaritas, beer, soda, and tequila tasting. This can make the $150 price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise spend extra on lunch and drinks after an excursion.

Use some judgment here. Because the morning includes horseback riding, hiking, and ATV driving, drinking heavily before the active parts would be unwise. The included beverages are best enjoyed after the riding, when you are back at the ranch and finished with the driving portion.

The ranch itself gives you a chance to slow down. You are not rushed from one attraction to another without a meal. Staff members have been praised for making people feel welcome, and the combination of food, drinks, and a relaxed setting helps round out what could otherwise be a demanding morning.

Guides can make or break the experience

Several guides received specific praise, including Sergio, Hector, and Berto. Berto was described as punctual, funny, and conversational during pickup. Sergio and Hector were praised for showing guests small villages, farms, and rural areas, rather than treating the tour as a simple equipment ride.

That personal element matters in an experience like this. The scenery is pleasant, but a guide who explains the route, watches the group, and gives clear instructions can make the horse and ATV portions much safer and more enjoyable.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 35 reviews, with 91 percent recommending the experience. That is strong, but it is not a perfect guarantee. One two-star account described a late pickup, rude behavior, and poor handling of a beginner rider. The guide was also described as rushing the horse ride.

I would not ignore that criticism. It points to two practical questions worth asking at pickup: how much riding experience do you need, and how are the ATVs assigned? If you feel rushed or uncomfortable, say so early. Most of the feedback describes friendly, helpful staff, but the quality of a small-group activity can depend heavily on the person leading your departure.

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is still small enough for the day to feel manageable, especially when compared with a large bus excursion. Some departures have been much smaller, including one with only two participants.

Is five hours enough?

Five hours is a useful length for this tour. You get transportation, a horse ride, the waterfall visit, an ATV ride, lunch, and time at the ranch without giving up an entire day in Puerto Vallarta.

The schedule starts around 8:15 a.m., making it a practical choice if you want your afternoon free. You could return with time for the beach, shopping, or a relaxed meal in town, though the exact return time may depend on pickup and group pace.

The tradeoff is that the day has several moving parts. Pickup delays, late arrivals, the pace of the horse group, the waterfall hike, and the ATV section all affect the schedule. One positive account noted that the driver stayed focused on getting the group to the ranch despite latecomers at the pickup point. That suggests the operation can handle small delays, but you should still arrive at your meeting point early.

A mobile ticket is provided, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking. Most people can participate, but the physical demands make this a poor choice for anyone who cannot comfortably manage horseback riding, uneven paths, or an uphill hike.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing if you want variety. You get forest, a waterfall, horses, ATVs, rural communities, a ranch meal, and drinks in one package. It suits couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors looking for something beyond the beach.

Families should think about the activity level. One family completed the tour with children aged 10 and 12, but the waterfall hike and horse ride still require attention. The age range alone does not tell you whether the day will feel easy, so consider each child’s balance, confidence, and stamina.

This is also a good fit for first-time riders who want an introduction rather than an expert challenge. The horse portion is scenic, and the ATV route has been described as low-key and easy. If you are an experienced ATV rider searching for steep technical trails, you may want a more specialized outing.

You should also like the idea of spending time in a rural setting. The ranch is away from the tourist center, and the road-based ATV route may feel ordinary to someone expecting nonstop thrills. I see that as a strength for a visitor who wants a glimpse of local surroundings, but a weakness for anyone shopping for an extreme motorsports day.

Souvenir photos are not included, though they are available to buy. All taxes, fees, handling charges, lunch, drinks, and pickup from designated points are included. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the booking is nonrefundable and changes are not accepted.

Should you book Rancho Capomo?

I would book this tour if you want a full, active morning with strong food and a taste of rural life near Puerto Vallarta. The best reasons are the waterfall setting, the horse ride through the forest, the village and country-road scenery, and the included lunch with drinks.

I would skip it if you want a serious off-road ATV course, a flat and easy nature walk, or a guaranteed private vehicle for every rider. Before paying, confirm the ATV setup and mention any beginner riding concerns.

For most people who value variety over perfection, the $150 price is reasonable. You are paying for a complete outing, not just an hour on an animal or a short ATV loop. Just bring sturdy footwear, expect a real hike, and keep your expectations focused on a friendly country adventure rather than an extreme sports course.

FAQ

Where does the Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour take place?

The tour takes place at Rancho Capomo, near the village of Las Palmas outside Puerto Vallarta. The activities reach tropical forest, rural roads, villages, and a waterfall.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 8:15 a.m.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Rancho Capomo is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks and alcoholic beverages are included. Specific drinks described for the experience include margaritas, beer, soda, and tequila.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

The tour information says most people can participate, and it does not list previous riding experience as a requirement. If you are a beginner, tell the staff so they know your experience level.

Are souvenir photos included?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase separately.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.