Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour

Leave the beach behind for a while. This half-day trip takes you into the Sierra Madre near Las Palmas, pairing a roughly 90-minute horseback ride with an ATV outing through rural roads and villages. I like the mix of activities and the chance to see a quieter side of Puerto Vallarta, far from the resort strip.

I also like that lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, taxes, and transport from designated meeting points are included. The main caution is that the waterfall requires a serious uphill walk, and the ATV portion may use regular roads rather than rugged off-road trails. That matters if you expect a full-throttle motor adventure.

Key details before you book

• Two activities in one morning: Horseback riding comes first, followed by ATV riding and lunch at Rancho Capomo.
• A real waterfall walk: Reaching the waterfall can involve a steep, tiring hike, but the setting is one of the tour’s most praised parts.
• Rural Puerto Vallarta: The route passes through small villages, farms, forest, and countryside around Las Palmas.
• Food and drinks included: Lunch, margaritas, beer, soda, and other drinks are part of the package, along with an open bar.
• About five hours door to door: The listed start time is 8:15 am, and the tour returns to the meeting point.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The maximum group size is 20 people, though the actual group may be smaller.

From Puerto Vallarta to Rancho Capomo

Your morning begins at 8:15 am, with pickup from a designated meeting point. One useful detail from the experience is that pickup may be arranged at an Oxxo near a hotel rather than directly at every property, so check the exact meeting place carefully. One group reported a five-minute walk from its hotel to the pickup spot.

The ride takes you away from Puerto Vallarta toward Rancho Capomo and the village of Las Palmas. This change of scenery is part of the appeal. Instead of spending another morning around hotels, you get farms, small communities, tropical forest, and the more rugged surroundings of the Sierra Madre.

The ranch is the base for the entire outing. It is where the activities begin and end, and where lunch is served. That single-location setup keeps the morning simple. You are not repeatedly loading into a van between separate attractions.

Pickup service is included, but allow a little patience if other people are late. One account describes a driver holding firm to the schedule so the group could reach the ranch on time. That is good news for the day’s pace, although it also means the pickup process may not feel perfectly polished every time.

Horseback riding through the Sierra Madre

The horseback ride is the heart of the experience for many people. The route takes you through forested country and along the river, with the horses carrying you over uneven ground toward the waterfall.

If you are comfortable around horses, this part should feel scenic and active without requiring a full day in the saddle. The ride has been described as lasting about 90 minutes, though the total timing can vary with the group. The route is not just a short photo stop at the ranch. You get a proper ride through the countryside.

The setting is the big reward. You may pass farms, forest, and rural paths, with the sound and shape of the river helping set the mood. It is a useful reminder that Puerto Vallarta is more than beaches and hotel pools.

You should also know that this is not a flat, gentle path all the way through. Some sections require you to keep your balance, and the route can feel rough beneath the horse. If you are new to horseback riding, tell the staff clearly. A patient guide can make a major difference, and one poor account described a guide hurrying an inexperienced rider. Most other comments describe the staff and horse handling in positive terms, but that isolated warning is worth taking seriously.

The horses have been noted as appearing well cared for, which will matter to anyone who pays attention to animal welfare. Still, horse welfare can be personal and hard to judge during a short excursion. Watch how the horses are handled, and speak up if you feel rushed or unsafe.

The waterfall walk takes real effort

The waterfall is reached during the horseback portion, but do not picture a quick stroll from the ranch. The uphill walk has been repeatedly described as a workout. One family offered a plain warning: the Mexican hike is a hike.

That effort is part of the attraction. The waterfall provides a clear payoff after the rougher climb, and it gives the morning a stronger sense of place than a simple riding loop would. You can expect uneven ground and a route that may challenge your legs, especially in warm weather.

Stretching before the tour is sensible. Wear secure shoes, bring only what you can carry comfortably, and do not assume that your riding clothes will also be ideal for a steep walk. The tour information does not specify the exact trail surface, distance, or swimming arrangements, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed swim or an easy paved path.

For me, the waterfall makes the horseback ride more than a standard ranch outing. It gives you a goal and a memorable natural stop. The tradeoff is that people seeking a relaxed morning may find the walk too demanding.

ATV riding through villages and countryside

After returning to the ranch, you move on to the ATV section. The ride has been described as lasting about 60 to 70 minutes. Rather than staying inside a purpose-built motor course, the route passes through villages and rural roads.

This is important because ATV tour can mean different things. Here, the experience appears to focus more on seeing the countryside than on racing over extreme terrain. One person liked the peaceful ride through small towns. Another felt disappointed because the vehicles stayed on roads and did not use enough off-road paths.

You should book this part for the views and local setting, not only for mud, jumps, and technical driving. You may see farms and village life along the way, giving the ride a more grounded feel than a closed track. For some people, that is the best feature. For others, it will feel too tame.

The supplied information does not promise one ATV per person. This matters because one couple found that they had to share a vehicle, even though only two people were on the tour that day. If driving your own ATV is essential, ask before booking. Do not assume that a booking for two people automatically means two machines.

The tour is advertised as suitable for most people, but the combination of riding, walking, and motor activity still calls for basic comfort with physical activity. Families have taken part with children aged 10 and 12, yet age alone does not tell you how your own group will handle the hike or horse ride.

Lunch at Rancho Capomo

Lunch comes back at the ranch, which makes the meal a welcome finish rather than an afterthought. The most praised dishes include carne asada and homemade tortillas. Margaritas, beer, soda, and other drinks are included, with an open bar listed as part of the package.

This is one place where the tour offers solid practical value. At $150 per person, the cost covers transport from a designated meeting point, horseback riding, ATV riding, lunch, drinks, taxes, and handling charges. If you would otherwise pay separately for two activities and a meal, the package becomes easier to justify.

The food gets unusually strong praise. One couple called the carne asada and margaritas the best they had during an eight-day stay in Mexico. That is a personal judgment, of course, but it suggests the meal is a meaningful part of the day rather than a basic buffet stop.

The ranch setting also gives lunch a social feel. After several hours of riding and walking, you can sit down, eat, and have a drink without rushing to the next stop. If you do not drink alcohol, soft drinks are also included.

Souvenir photos are not included. They are available to purchase, so keep that extra cost in mind if you want official pictures from the ride or waterfall.

What the $150 price really buys you

The price is not cheap, but it covers a lot. You are paying for a half-day outing with two different activities, transport, food, and drinks. That is a stronger package than a short horseback ride with a single snack stop.

The value is best for someone who wants variety. You get the slower pace of a horse, the movement of an ATV, a waterfall walk, rural scenery, and a meal in one booking. If you have only a few days in Puerto Vallarta, that efficiency is useful.

The value is weaker if you want a specialized experience. Serious ATV riders may find the road-based route too mild. Experienced horse riders may want a longer or more technical ride. And if you do not drink, part of the package will be less useful to you, though lunch and soft drinks remain included.

The tour is also a better deal when the group enjoys both activities. If one person dislikes horses, finds the hike too hard, or expects a separate ATV for each rider, the $150 price may feel high.

Guides, pace, and the human side of the outing

Good guiding is central here because the morning combines animals, vehicles, uneven paths, and a waterfall trail. Several accounts describe friendly, watchful staff and warm service at the ranch.

Two guides named Sergio and Hector received especially strong praise for showing rural Mexico through small villages, farms, and the countryside. Berto was also praised for arriving on time, keeping conversation lively, and helping set a good tone from pickup onward.

That said, the service is not guaranteed to be identical on every date. One serious complaint described a late pickup, rude comments, and pressure placed on a rider who did not know how to handle a horse. That experience appears to be the exception rather than the general pattern, but it is still relevant. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, say so directly and ask for help.

The group limit is 20 people. A smaller group can make the activities feel more personal, while a full group may affect the pace. The experience can run smoothly when everyone arrives on time and follows the guide’s instructions.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta adventure?

I would point this tour toward active couples, friends, and families who want more than a beach morning. It suits people who enjoy variety and do not need every activity to be extreme.

It is especially useful if you want to see rural areas near Puerto Vallarta without arranging several separate bookings. The combination of transport, horses, ATVs, waterfall scenery, lunch, and drinks gives you a full morning with little planning required.

You may want to skip it if you have limited mobility, dislike steep walks, feel nervous around horses, or want challenging off-road ATV driving. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. Ask the operator about your specific needs before paying.

Families can make it work, as shown by a group that brought children aged 10 and 12. Still, parents should prepare children for a physical day, not a passive sightseeing trip.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:15 am start. Inside that window, refunds are not available, and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book Rancho Capomo?

Book it if you want a well-filled half-day with horseback riding, a waterfall, village scenery, ATV riding, and a hearty Mexican lunch. The strongest reasons are the beautiful horse route, the waterfall payoff, the food, and the chance to leave the resort zone behind.

Go in with clear expectations. The waterfall walk can be tiring, the road-based ATV route may feel gentle, and you may need to share an ATV unless you confirm otherwise. At $150, the package is good value for active people who will enjoy both rides and the included meal and drinks.

For a first taste of the Sierra Madre near Puerto Vallarta, I would consider it a strong choice. Just ask about ATV arrangements, explain your riding experience, and pack for a real outing rather than a polished amusement-park ride.

FAQ

Where does the Sierra Madre horseback riding and ATV tour take place?

The tour operates from Rancho Capomo near the village of Las Palmas, outside Puerto Vallarta. The route includes tropical forest, rural roads, farms, small villages, and a waterfall.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:15 am. Pickup is provided from designated meeting points, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately five hours. The horseback portion has been described as about 90 minutes, while the ATV ride has been described as about 60 to 70 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Rancho Capomo is included in the price. Carne asada and homemade tortillas are among the foods praised in the experience details.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks and an open bar are included, along with alcoholic beverages. Margaritas, beer, and soda are specifically mentioned.

Is the waterfall walk difficult?

The walk to the waterfall includes an uphill hike and may be strenuous. The tour information does not provide an exact distance or detailed trail description, so prepare for uneven and tiring conditions.

Can each person have a separate ATV?

That is not guaranteed by the supplied tour details. One participant reported having to share an ATV, so ask the operator before booking if each person needs an individual vehicle.