Horseback Riding & Swim: Tequila Tasting, BBQ & Margaritas

Bring a swimsuit, then expect a full day. This Puerto Vallarta outing combines a countryside horseback ride, a possible swim with your horse, small-batch tequila, salsa making, a Mexican BBQ, and margaritas. I especially like the calm, well-trained horses and the chance to see rural Jalisco beyond the resort zone. The main catch is that river riding depends on weather and water levels, so the central promise of swimming may not happen.

The tour costs $113.26 per person and runs about five hours, though several outings have lasted closer to five and a half hours. I also like that beginners receive help and can be matched with a suitable horse. You should be ready for heat, a potentially long ride, and transport that may not always be air-conditioned.

Key points to know before you book

• Horse swimming is weather-dependent: You may ride through the Mascota River and swim with your horse, but strong current, rain, or dry riverbeds can change the route.
• The horses suit different ability levels: Guides match riders with horses based on experience, and beginners receive safety instructions and help getting on and off.
• La Dulce Vista is more than a tasting stop: You can make salsa, sample several tequila styles, swim in the pool, and eat a substantial Mexican BBQ lunch.
• The ride can be hot and tiring: Bring water, a hat, sunglasses, secure shoes, and clothes that can get wet.
• Guides are a major strength: Fabrizio, Martin, Valeria, Saul, Rafael, Roberto, and other staff members are repeatedly praised for patience, humor, and care.
• Cruise passengers need extra time: The meeting point is at Marina Vallarta, and walking from the cruise terminal can take about 30 minutes before the tour even begins.

From Marina Vallarta to Hacienda Doña Engracia

The tour begins at Av. Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. From there, transportation takes about 25 minutes to Hacienda Doña Engracia, the riding area outside the resort district.

The exact vehicle can vary. The planned transport is a private white bus, but some outings have used Ubers or vans, especially with very small groups. A few people found the ride hot, so I would not count on strong air conditioning. If you are visiting from a cruise ship, leave plenty of time to reach the marina meeting point and return to the ship. The port area can involve a long walk, and one estimate puts it at about 30 minutes on foot.

This transfer is part of the value of the outing. You are not spending the whole day in a hotel compound or at a marina. You get a look at parts of the Puerto Vallarta area that are easy to miss from the beach. At the same time, the ride is not a sightseeing tour in itself, and the road trip may feel warm and tiring before the main activity begins.

The group size is capped at 17 people. That is small enough for guides to provide individual help, though your experience may feel more personal if the group is not full.

Choosing a horse for your riding ability

At Hacienda Doña Engracia, staff match you with a horse according to your experience. This is important because the outing welcomes people who have not ridden recently, including first-time riders. Safety instructions are provided before setting out, and the cowboys help riders mount and dismount.

The horses receive the strongest praise across the feedback. They are described as gentle, calm, healthy, well trained, and well cared for. One experienced horse owner specifically found the condition of the animals reassuring. That matters. A horse excursion is only enjoyable when the animals are treated properly and the staff understand how to handle them.

You should still be honest about your ability. A two-hour ride in warm weather can be demanding even if you are comfortable in the saddle. The published guidance says that if you weigh more than 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, your height must be above 5 feet 7 inches or 170 centimeters. That requirement is worth checking before you pay.

Wear shoes that stay firmly on your feet. They may get wet, so choose footwear you do not mind soaking. Loose sandals are a poor choice. A hat and sunglasses are also useful, though an extra charge for a hat has been reported at the riding location. Bring your own instead.

Riding along the Mascota River

The intended route follows the Mascota River through countryside, vegetation, and local rural areas. When conditions are right, you may cross the water several times and possibly ride into the river with your horse. This is the feature that gives the excursion its unusual appeal.

The horse swim is not guaranteed. In rainy weather, the current can become too strong for safe riding. In dry weather, riverbeds may have little or no water. When that happens, the route can shift to roads, village streets, paths, or dry river sections. Some people enjoyed this alternative and liked seeing local Mexico. Others found it disappointing because they had booked specifically for mountain trails and river crossings.

That difference is the key decision point. If swimming with a horse is your only reason for booking, this tour carries some risk. If you see the river ride as one part of a broader day, the experience is easier to enjoy. The horseback portion may also feel long in direct sun, especially before lunch and drinks.

A guide may take photographs with your camera during the ride if you want. Pack your camera or phone in a secure bag, and do not rely on a pocket that could spill its contents when you mount, dismount, or enter the water.

The possible horse swim

When river conditions permit, swimming with the horse is the most memorable part of the day. You may ride into the water bareback, according to the descriptions of the activity, which makes the moment feel very different from a standard guided trail ride.

You need a swimsuit and a towel. Towels are not included, and the property may not provide one. Water shoes or another secure pair of footwear are sensible. A small backpack with dry clothes is also useful, particularly if you plan to swim and still want to be comfortable during lunch and the return trip.

Safety depends on the river. One outing could not use the water because of high current, while another could not do the advertised crossings because the river was dry. This is not a minor detail. Weather directly changes the signature part of the ride, and the company may substitute a town and countryside route.

Arriving at La Dulce Vista

After the horseback portion, you continue to La Dulce Vista, where the pace changes from dusty trail ride to poolside meal. This stop is repeatedly praised as a pleasant surprise. The setting includes a pool, and you may swim there even when the river is unsafe or dry.

La Dulce Vista gives the outing its second half of personality. You are not simply handed a drink and sent to a buffet. The program includes a salsa-making activity, which adds a hands-on touch and gives you a better feel for familiar Mexican ingredients. It is a small detail, but it helps break up the tasting and makes lunch feel more social.

There can also be local vendors at one of the stops. One unhappy account described the sales pressure as intrusive, particularly around the tequila tasting. That is worth keeping in mind. The company presents the tastings as part of the day, but tequila presentations often include bottles for sale, and you may want to listen without feeling obligated to buy.

Tasting blanco, reposado, añejo, and pink tequila

The tasting focuses on La Dulce Vista’s own artisanal boutique tequila, made in small batches in the city of Tequila. You are scheduled to try blanco, reposado, añejo, and premium pink tequila.

This is a useful lineup because it lets you compare styles. Blanco is unaged and direct. Reposado spends time resting in barrels, while añejo is aged longer and usually has a rounder, deeper character. The pink tequila provides something different from the standard three-part progression. One person particularly liked an almond tequila, and mezcal also appeared in at least one tasting.

The guides and hosts help explain what separates the bottles. Fabrizio, Martin, Valeria, Saul, Rafael, and other staff members are often praised for making the presentation fun rather than stiff. That makes a difference after a hot ride.

Drink carefully here. The tequila is followed by lunch and unlimited lemon margaritas, and one margarita can become several before you notice. Water is included, so use it. Bottled water is listed as part of the tour, but carrying extra water is still a sensible choice for the riding portion.

There is one point to clarify before booking: the main inclusions list lunch and alcoholic beverages, specifically lemon margaritas, while one account described having to pay for drinks at an earlier stop. Ask your guide which beverages are included and which are optional. That avoids an unpleasant surprise.

Mexican BBQ, homemade salsa, and pool time

The meal is a traditional Mexican BBQ with chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available, so tell the operator your needs when you book.

Food is one of the most consistently praised parts of the outing. It is described as delicious and substantial, which you will appreciate after a long ride in the heat. The salsa activity comes first or alongside the meal and gives you something to do beyond sitting at the table.

Unlimited lemon margaritas are included according to the tour details. You can also swim in the pool, making this a good time to cool off. Since towels are not included, bring your own. If you swim with the horse earlier, a dry change of clothes becomes especially useful.

One isolated complaint involved a hair in a lunch dish. That is not something anyone should accept, and it shows why it is wise to speak up immediately if there is a food problem. Still, the wider pattern points to lunch as a strong part of the value.

How the $113.26 price measures up

At $113.26 per person, this is not a cheap horseback ride. It includes transportation, lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting, pool access, and alcoholic beverages, with unlimited lemon margaritas listed among the inclusions. You are paying for a package that lasts roughly five hours and combines several separate activities.

The value is strongest if you take part in the full day: ride, taste, make salsa, eat, and use the pool. The price feels less attractive if the river is dry, the ride stays on hot roads and paths, and you are mainly interested in horseback swimming.

The small maximum group of 17 also helps. Private one-on-one attention is not guaranteed, but the guides can still assist riders who need help. A larger group might make the tasting and lunch feel livelier, while a very small group can create problems if the operator changes the transport or tasting arrangements. One couple on a two-person outing found the service disappointing after the scheduled tasting host declined to lead the presentation.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want several Mexican activities in one day and do not mind a bit of uncertainty around the river. It suits first-time riders, families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who likes the idea of combining animals, food, tequila, and a pool.

It is especially good for riders who want reassurance. The horses are generally described as gentle, and the staff are patient when people are nervous or out of practice. Guides such as Martin, Fabrizio, Valeria, Saul, and Rafael receive repeated praise for their humor, care, and ability to keep the group moving safely.

I would be more cautious if you dislike heat, long rides, informal transport, or sales presentations. You should also reconsider if a river swim is essential. The company cannot control the water, and the substitute route may not match the description you had in mind.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size may lead to a different date, another activity, or a full refund.

Should you book Horseback Riding and Swim?

Book it if you want a lively, multi-part day rather than a pure riding excursion. The best parts are the well-cared-for horses, the friendly guides, the salsa and tequila stop, and the filling lunch at La Dulce Vista. The horse swim can be magical, but treat it as a bonus rather than a promise.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, dry clothes, secure shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and extra water. Confirm the pickup details and drink inclusions, especially if you are traveling from a cruise ship. If those conditions suit you, this is a good-value way to get beyond Puerto Vallarta’s resort strip and spend a memorable day in the countryside.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding and tequila tour last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, although some outings have run longer and ended around five and a half hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Av. Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is swimming with the horse guaranteed?

No. River swimming and crossings depend on water and weather conditions. Strong current or dry riverbeds can lead to a different horseback route.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, secure shoes that can get wet, and a change of clothes. Towels are not included.

Are meals and drinks included?

Lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included. The listed alcoholic beverage is lemon margaritas, with unlimited margaritas specified in the tour details. The tequila tasting is also part of the experience.

Are vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available alongside the Mexican BBQ.

Can beginners ride the horses?

Yes. Most people can participate, and the staff provide safety instructions, match horses to ability, and help riders mount and dismount. If you weigh more than 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, your height must be above 5 feet 7 inches or 170 centimeters.