Horseback Riding & Swim: Tequila Tasting, BBQ & Margaritas

The most unusual part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the chance to swim with your horse. When river conditions allow, you ride into the water for a short swim. The rest of the day combines a countryside ride, tequila tasting, salsa making, Mexican BBQ, and margaritas at La Dulce Vista.

I like the mix of active time and relaxed food stops, and I like that the horses are matched to your riding ability. Guides such as Fabrizio, Martin, Saul, Valeria, and Rafa are often praised for patience and good humor. The main caution is weather: dry riverbeds, high currents, heat, or rain can change the ride considerably.

Key points to know before you book

• Horse swimming depends on river conditions: Safe water levels matter, so the ride may use town roads and nature paths instead.
• The horses suit beginners: Staff provide safety instructions and offer horses for different riding abilities.
• La Dulce Vista is more than a tasting stop: You can make salsa, swim in the pool, eat BBQ, and sample Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and pink tequila.
• Heat is part of the deal: Bring water, a hat, sunglasses, and secure shoes that can get wet.
• The advertised five hours can stretch: Some outings run from about 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., so allow extra time.
• The $113.26 price covers a full package: Transportation, lunch, bottled water, tequila, and lemon margaritas are included, but towels are not.

The unusual promise: a horse ride that can end in the river

Most horseback outings near Puerto Vallarta offer a ride through rural scenery and stop there. This one adds a memorable twist. If the Mascota River is safe, you may ride through the water and possibly swim with the horse for a short stretch. You need a swimsuit, and you should expect your shoes and lower clothing to get wet.

That promise needs a little fine print. River conditions control the route. During dry periods, you may find dry riverbeds instead of flowing water. During heavy rain, the current may be too strong for horses and riders. In those cases, the route can shift toward local roads, a town, and a shorter nature trail.

I would book this for the full mix of activities, not just for the river swim. If the swim is the only reason you are interested, you are taking a gamble. If you enjoy horses, Mexican food, tequila, and a day outside, the tour still has plenty to offer when the river is closed.

The ride from Marina Vallarta to Hacienda Doña Engracia

The meeting point is at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. From there, the ride to Hacienda Doña Engracia takes about 25 minutes by private white bus, though the actual transport setup can vary. Some outings have used other vehicles for part of the transfer, and the ride has been described as hot when air conditioning is limited.

If you are arriving from a cruise ship, plan carefully. The meeting point is not right beside the terminal, and getting out of the port area can involve a walk of roughly 30 minutes. A taxi or ride service may be easier, especially if you have a firm return time. Enter the meeting address carefully if using Uber or a taxi, since a mistaken destination can send you well away from the pickup point.

The tour has a maximum of 17 people. That is small enough for guides to give personal help, but it is still a group outing. If your booking has only two people, the tasting may feel less formal or less lively than it would with a full group.

Choosing a horse and getting comfortable in the saddle

At the ranch, staff match you with a horse based on your height, weight, and riding ability. The horses are described as calm, gentle, healthy, and well cared for. That matters here, since many riders are beginners or have not ridden in years.

You receive basic safety instructions before setting out. Guides help riders mount and dismount, and the staff stay close to anyone who needs extra support. First-time riders have taken part, but you should still expect a real ride rather than a brief photo opportunity.

The published restriction 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 is worth checking before you pay. The experience is not described as wheelchair accessible, and the riding itself requires you to mount a horse and remain in the saddle.

Wear shoes that will not slip off. Water shoes or sturdy sandals may work better than loose flip-flops, especially if you enter the river. Bring a hat and sunglasses, but do not assume you need to buy a bandana or other items at the ranch. Pack your own if you want one.

What the countryside ride is really like

The ideal route follows the Mascota River through countryside, with local plants, hills, and rural scenery along the way. Some outings include river crossings and a climb toward the hills. For a rider who wants to see a less polished side of the Puerto Vallarta area, this is one of the tour’s strongest features.

The route is not guaranteed to be a remote mountain trail. When the river is dry, the ride may include roads, sandy riverbeds, local homes, and a section of nature trail. That can feel less scenic than the description suggests, particularly under strong sun. One especially unusual sight mentioned from the route is a local kindergarten that guides jokingly call the most dangerous kindergarten in Puerto Vallarta, a reminder that this is a working community rather than a staged ranch attraction.

The ride can last around two hours, and several outings have felt long because of the heat. Take water even though bottled water is included. It is also wise to pace yourself early, since tequila tasting, lunch, and a pool stop come later, and the total day may run longer than the stated five hours.

Guides are a major part of the experience. Fabrizio is often singled out for being helpful and flexible, while Martin, Saul, Valeria, Rafa, Roberto, and others are praised for humor, patience, and safe handling of the group. The guides also take photos with your camera if you want them to, which saves you from trying to manage a phone while riding.

Swimming with a horse, if nature cooperates

The horse swim is the experience’s headline feature, but it is not automatic. The river must be safe, and the guide makes the call. High water or strong current can cancel the swim even during a rainy season, while low water can leave you riding beside or across dry sections.

When it happens, you should expect a short, supervised swim rather than a long open-water ride. You remain with the horse, and the guides help riders through the process. The experience can be magical, but it also means you need clothes and footwear that are fine getting soaked.

Bring a swimsuit and a towel. Towels are not included, despite the pool and possible river swim. A small backpack with dry clothes is useful, and one rider specifically recommends carrying a change of clothing. A hat is especially helpful because much of the ride can be exposed to the sun.

Tequila tasting at La Dulce Vista

After the ride, the day shifts from saddle time to food and drink at La Dulce Vista. The setting includes a pool and views from the property, giving you a place to cool down after the hot ride. You may want to swim in the pool, but you still need your own towel.

The tasting focuses on small-batch artisanal tequila made in the city of Tequila. You sample Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and a premium pink tequila. The tasting gives you a simple way to compare styles: Blanco is clear and direct, Reposado has time in wood, and Añejo has a longer aging period and a rounder taste. The pink tequila provides a sweeter, more unusual option. One especially popular flavor mentioned is almond tequila, and mezcal may also appear in the tasting lineup.

This is not just a quick pour before lunch. Guides explain what makes the different tequilas distinct, and the tasting can be one of the day’s best parts for anyone curious about Mexican spirits. It is also easy to drink more than planned, particularly once margaritas begin. Eat lunch, pace yourself, and remember that you still need to return to the meeting point.

There is one point I would clarify before booking. The package says alcoholic drinks and unlimited lemon margaritas are included, while one account describes a separate stop where some alcoholic drinks required payment and the tasting felt like a sales pitch. The included drinks at La Dulce Vista appear to be part of the main package, but ask the operator what is included at every stop and avoid feeling pressured to buy bottles or souvenirs.

Making salsa, then sitting down to Mexican BBQ

The food stop is not limited to a plate placed in front of you. You can make your own salsa, often using a molcajete, before lunch. This small hands-on activity adds a local cooking lesson and gives the group something to do while the meal is prepared.

The sample menu includes Mexican BBQ chicken and meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Lunch is served with margaritas, and bottled water is included. The meal has earned especially strong praise, with several people describing it as a highlight rather than a basic excursion lunch.

Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian choices are available, but state your needs when booking or before departure. The menu provided does not spell out the exact alternative dishes, so do not assume every substitution will be available without advance notice.

The pool makes this stop more than a tequila counter. You can cool off before or after eating, though the combination of sun, riding, alcohol, and swimming calls for common sense. If you are tired by this stage, you can simply enjoy the meal and setting instead of trying to fit in every activity.

How the $113.26 price holds up

At $113.26 per person, the cost is reasonable if you use the whole package. You are paying for transportation from Marina Vallarta, horse handling, a countryside ride, lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting, and lemon margaritas. The pool, salsa activity, and possible horse swim add value, though the swim is weather dependent.

The price is less attractive if your ride is shortened or moved mainly onto hot roads and dry riverbeds. It is also less satisfying if you do not drink alcohol, since tequila and margaritas are central to the second half of the outing. Non-drinkers can still enjoy the food, salsa, horses, and pool, but they will not receive the full value of the drink program.

The tour is recommended by 94 percent of customers and carries a 4.7 rating from 230 ratings. That overall response fits the strongest parts of the experience: friendly staff, gentle horses, excellent lunch, and a fun mix of activities. The weaker experiences tend to center on transport comfort, heat, route changes, sales pressure, and food or service problems on small-group departures.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta excursion?

I would recommend it most to:

• First-time riders who want patient staff and a calm horse.
• Couples looking for an unusual day outside the hotel zone.
• Families with older children who can manage a five-hour outing.
• Horse lovers who want to see how the animals are handled.
• People who enjoy tequila, Mexican food, salsa, and pool time.
• Cruise passengers who can allow extra time for transport and possible delays.

I would think twice if you dislike heat, long road transfers, alcohol-focused activities, or uncertain plans. You should also reconsider if the horse swim is your only goal. Nature controls that part, and the alternate route may be much less scenic.

The activity is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and most people can participate. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a new date, a different activity, or a full refund.

My practical packing list

Bring these items and you will be much more comfortable:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Dry change of clothes
• Hat and sunglasses
• Secure shoes that can get wet
• Small backpack
• Water, even though bottled water is supplied
• Sunscreen
• Phone or camera if you want the guides to take photos

Do not wear loose sandals or anything you would hate to soak. Keep valuables to a minimum, since riding, swimming, and food activities make bags awkward to manage.

Should you book this horse ride and tequila day?

Book it if you want a full, social outing that mixes horses, rural Jalisco, tequila, Mexican food, and pool time. The best version includes a safe river crossing or horse swim, but the tour remains worthwhile for the ranch ride, salsa making, tasting, and generous lunch when the river route changes.

I would not book it solely for a guaranteed swim or a quiet luxury transfer. The van may be hot, the ride can run long, and weather can replace the river with roads and dry riverbeds. For the right person, though, the combination feels far more varied than a standard horseback tour. Pack for heat and water, confirm the drink details, allow more than five hours, and you will know exactly what kind of day you are buying.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Av Paseo de la Marina 121, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

How long does the experience take?

The stated duration is approximately five hours. Some outings have lasted from around 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., so allow extra time.

Is swimming with the horse guaranteed?

No. A short swim with the horse is offered only if river conditions permit. High current, rain, or dry riverbeds can change the route.

What should I wear for horseback riding?

Wear a swimsuit, a hat, sunglasses, and shoes that stay securely on your feet and can get wet. Bring a towel and a change of clothes.

Are towels included?

No. Towels are not included, so you need to bring your own.

What food is served?

The sample meal includes Mexican BBQ chicken and meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

Lunch, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and lemon margaritas are included. The package describes unlimited margaritas, but you should confirm which drinks are included at each tasting or stop.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 17 travelers. The experience is offered in English and uses mobile tickets.