Horseback Riding & Swim: Tequila Tasting, BBQ & Margaritas

The memorable hook here is the chance to ride a horse through the countryside and possibly swim with it. Afterward, you head to La Dulce Vista for small-batch tequila, salsa making, a Mexican BBQ, pool time, and margaritas. It is a full taste of rural Jalisco, not just a quick horseback loop.

I like the calm, well-trained horses and the patient help from guides such as Fabrizio, Martin, Saul, Valeria, and Rafa. I also like the mix of activities: you get a ride, a tequila lesson, food, and time by a pool in one outing. The main drawback is the heat and the uncertainty of the river section. If conditions are wrong, the ride may follow roads, town streets, or dry riverbeds instead.

Key points to know before you book

• Horse swimming depends on river conditions: High current, rain, or dry riverbeds can change the route.
• The horses suit different riding abilities: Beginners receive instruction, and staff help with mounting and dismounting.
• La Dulce Vista is more than a tasting stop: You can make salsa, sample several tequilas, eat lunch, and use the pool.
• The day can run longer than five hours: Some outings last roughly from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Bring proper gear: Pack a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, water-friendly shoes, and a change of clothes.
• The $113.26 price covers a lot: Lunch, transportation, bottled water, tequila tasting, and lemon margaritas are included, but confirm any extra purchases on site.

A horse ride with a tequila finish

This Puerto Vallarta excursion works because it combines two very different sides of Jalisco. The first half takes you into rural country on horseback. The second brings you to a pleasant poolside setting for tequila and food.

You meet at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. From there, the drive to Hacienda Doña Engracia takes about 25 minutes in the planned arrangement. The group can reach 17 people, so this is not a private ride for two, but it is still small enough for guides to provide individual help.

The horses are matched to your ability. That matters if you have not ridden in years, or if this is your first time. The staff provide basic safety instructions and help you get on and off. Several guides, including Fabrizio, Martin, Saul, Valeria, and Rafa, are praised for being friendly, patient, and attentive around the horses.

I would not book this expecting a fast, independent gallop. It is a guided ride, with the pace shaped by the group and by the condition of the route. That is a good thing for beginners, families, and older riders who want support. Experienced riders may find the pace less exciting, but the countryside setting and river section add interest.

Riding beside the Mascota River

The planned ride follows the Mascota River and passes local vegetation, roads, paths, and rural settlements. Depending on the season, you may cross the river several times or ride through a section of dry riverbed. When the water is at a safe level, the highlight is a short swim with the horse.

This is the part that requires the most realistic expectations. River access is not guaranteed. Heavy rain can make the current too strong, while dry conditions can leave the riverbed without enough water. In those cases, the route changes. You may spend more time on roads, through town, or on hot, sandy paths with little shade.

That change can affect the whole feel of the ride. On a good water day, the horse swim is unusual and memorable. On a dry or rainy day, the ride can feel more like a rural trail outing. Some riders have found the alternate route enjoyable, while others felt it did not match the promised river setting.

You should also prepare for heat. One outing was described as roughly two hours on horseback, and the sun can be tiring before you reach the tequila stop. Bring water, even though bottled water is included, and wear a hat with a secure strap. Sunglasses help, too.

The horses receive some of the strongest praise in this excursion. They are described as gentle, healthy, calm, and well trained. That does not remove the normal risks of riding. One account describes a broken stirrup and a fall, so check your tack before setting off and tell the guide if anything feels loose or uncomfortable.

What the possible horse swim is really like

If the river conditions allow it, you may enter the water with the horse. Some rides include a short swim, while others only cross shallow water or skip the river entirely.

You need a swimsuit, and you should wear shoes that stay securely on your feet. Water shoes are a smart choice. Avoid loose sandals or anything that could slip off in the water. Pack a towel and a dry change of clothes in a small backpack, since towels are not supplied.

Your guide can take photos with your camera if you want. That is useful during the water portion, when handling a phone yourself is awkward. Ask about photos before you get wet, and protect any electronics you carry.

The pool at La Dulce Vista provides a second chance to cool down. Even if you miss the horse swim, you can still use the pool after lunch, though you remain responsible for bringing your own towel.

La Dulce Vista, tequila, and salsa making

After the ride, the day shifts from dust and saddles to food and drink at La Dulce Vista. The setting includes a pool and a pleasant place to sit for the tasting and meal.

The tequila flight includes Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and a premium Pink Tequila. These are described as artisanal, small-batch products made in the city of Tequila. The tasting gives you a basic way to compare styles: Blanco is usually the freshest and least aged, Reposado spends some time resting in barrels, and Añejo is aged longer. The tour’s value is not just the number of pours, but the chance to understand why they taste different.

There is also a salsa-making activity. You prepare your own salsa with the staff, which gives the lunch a hands-on touch. This became a surprise favorite for several people, especially those who expected the horses and tequila to be the only main events.

The tequila portion can be fun and informative, but keep your guard up around purchases. Some visitors felt the tasting became a sales pitch, particularly when vendors offered items such as bandanas or other goods. You do not need to buy those items. One person specifically felt the bandana was overpriced and said bringing your own was better.

There has also been confusion about drinks. The advertised package includes alcoholic beverages, specifically lemon margaritas, and the tasting is part of the activity. Still, one account describes being asked to pay for alcoholic drinks at an earlier stop. Ask your guide which drinks are included before ordering anything extra.

Mexican BBQ by the pool

Lunch is a traditional Mexican BBQ with chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian choices are available, but you should make your dietary needs clear when booking or at the start of the day.

The food receives consistently high marks. The meal is substantial, which matters after a hot ride, and the poolside setting makes the stop feel more like a long lunch than a rushed excursion meal. Lemon margaritas continue during the meal, and bottled water is included.

You may also have time to swim after eating. There are no towels supplied, so bring one from your hotel. A swimsuit is worth packing even if you cannot swim with the horse, because the pool gives you a way to cool off before the return trip.

Food service is not immune to ordinary mistakes. One person received a meal with a hair in it, which spoiled the lunch. That appears to be an isolated problem, but it is fair to say that anyone with strict dietary or food-safety concerns should speak up promptly if something is wrong.

Transport, timing, and the practical details

The advertised duration is about five hours, but plan for more flexibility. Some outings have run from approximately 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., and one person felt the day became too long after the ride, tasting, lunch, and return travel.

Transportation is listed as a private white bus from the Marina Vallarta meeting point. Accounts are not fully consistent, with some describing vans or Uber vehicles instead. Pickup arrangements may depend on group size and the day’s operation, so confirm the vehicle and pickup plan if that matters to you.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, leave extra time. The port area can require roughly a 30-minute walk to reach the public road, and a taxi or Uber may be easier. One cruise passenger made it back in time, but the tour ran longer than expected. Do not schedule a tight shore return around the five-hour estimate.

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, but there is a weight and height rule: if you weigh more than 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, you must be taller than 5 feet 7 inches or 170 centimeters.

The tour is capped at 17 people. That is large enough for a lively group, yet smaller than a big coach outing. The mood can depend on who joins you, especially during the tequila and lunch portions.

Is $113.26 a fair price?

At $113.26 per person, this is not the cheapest horseback ride near Puerto Vallarta. It can be fair value if you want a whole day with several parts rather than a short ride alone.

The price includes transportation, lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting, and lemon margaritas. You also receive the salsa activity, the pool stop, and the chance to ride through rural Jalisco. If you paid separately for a meal, drinks, a riding excursion, and transportation, the bundle would likely compare well.

The value drops if your main goal is only river riding. Since river access depends on weather and water levels, you could pay the full price and spend the ride on roads and dry paths instead. It also feels less worthwhile if you dislike tequila, do not plan to swim, or find five to six hours in the heat too tiring.

I see this as a good choice for someone who wants variety and a taste of local countryside. It is not the best match for a serious rider seeking long mountain trails or for anyone who needs a tightly timed shore excursion.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta tour?

You should consider it if you are a beginner, a family, a couple, or a solo visitor who wants a guided ride with plenty of support. The horses are suited to different abilities, and the staff help with the basic mechanics of riding.

It also fits people who like food and drink as much as outdoor activity. The combination of tequila, salsa, BBQ, margaritas, and a pool gives the day several highlights, so a missed river swim does not erase the entire outing.

I would think twice if you are very sensitive to heat, uncomfortable with uneven roads, or unwilling to accept a changing route. The ride can be long, shade may be limited, and the river section is never certain.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if your plans may change. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, refunds are not offered, and poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may lead to a new date, another activity, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want an active, social day that combines horses, tequila, Mexican food, and time by a pool. The best version includes a river ride and horse swim, but the calm horses, helpful guides, salsa making, and generous lunch still give the day substance when water conditions change.

Skip it if the river is the only reason you are interested. Before paying, ask about current river conditions, the pickup vehicle, the expected finish time, and which drinks or purchases cost extra. With the right expectations, this is a strong way to get beyond Puerto Vallarta’s resort strip and see a more rural side of Jalisco.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Av Paseo de la Marina 121, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is about five hours, but some outings have lasted from roughly 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plan for possible delays.

Is swimming with the horse guaranteed?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, water-friendly shoes that stay on your feet, and a change of clothes. Towels are not provided.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a Mexican BBQ with chicken, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options are available.

What drinks are included?

Bottled water, tequila tasting, and lemon margaritas are included in the stated package. Confirm the cost of any additional alcoholic drinks or items offered at stops.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. Horses are matched to your ability, safety instructions are provided, and staff help riders get on and off the horses.

Is there a weight or height requirement?

If you weigh more than 220 pounds or 100 kilograms, your height must be above 5 feet 7 inches or 170 centimeters.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded, while weather or minimum-group cancellations may qualify for another date or a full refund.