Horseback Riding in Aruba: Advanced Riders, Galloping Allowed

Gallop across dunes and rocky coastline instead of walking a trail

A 2-hour guided horseback riding tour in Aruba's countryside for advanced riders, with the option to gallop on white sand dunes if the guide assesses you can handle it. You ride through the Cunucu (rural interior) past iguanas and parakeets, along the northeast coast where waves crash onto rocky shores, and onto a beach if weather allows. Hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off are included. English and Western saddles are available, and the guide speaks English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided horseback riding tour

• Pick up from hotel or cruise terminal
• Travel to ranch in Aruban countryside
• Receive riding instructions and mount horse
• Ride through 'Cunucu' countryside trails
• Observe wildlife at hidden lagoon
• Gallop on dunes if permitted
• Return to ranch and enjoy cold drink
• Transport back to hotel or cruise terminal

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel or cruise terminal and driven to the ranch in an air-conditioned minivan. The guide will fit you with a helmet, help you mount, and assess your riding level before heading out. The ride itself covers about 2 hours through trails that cross no streets or traffic. Just open countryside where donkeys, iguanas, and parakeets move freely. The guide watches how you handle your horse and, if you're in control, will lead you to the dunes for a controlled gallop across soft white sand. That's the difference between this tour and beginner versions: galloping is allowed here for experienced riders at the guide's discretion.

The route takes you to the rough northeast coast where you'll see waves crashing hard onto rocky shores. If weather permits, you'll walk your horse onto a beach and into the ocean. The scenery is open and dramatic: good for photos and for riders who want more than a flat loop. After the ride, you return to the ranch by minivan and can order a cold drink, coffee, tea, or one of their Dutch grilled sandwiches before heading back to your hotel or port.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Spanish.
• helmet.
• choice of English or Western saddle.
• 2-hour guided ride through the Aruban countryside.
• access to the beach and ocean (weather permitting).
• minivan transport to and from the ranch.
• hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• cold drinks, coffee, tea, and Dutch grilled sandwiches available for purchase at the ranch after the ride.

Options for this experience

2 options

Advanced 2hrs rideGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00 and 10:00An advanced ride along the northeast coast, covering the beach, the wish garden and the sand dunes. Pickup is included.

Private advanced ride lasting 2 hoursGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00 and 10:00Enjoy a private advanced ride of 2 hours, without needing to wait on others. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (7 to 17 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 39 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rancho Notorious Enterprises NV

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you ride regularly and want more than a walk: the guide's assessment of your skill opens up galloping on the dunes, which is what separates this from beginner rides. If you're new to riding or prefer a slower pace, the beginner option on the same ranch is a better fit.

Traveler reviews

4.74★★★★★★★★★★

129 verified traveler reviews

5 ★114

4 ★5

3 ★3

2 ★5

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 17 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

Can I gallop on this horseback riding tour in Aruba?

Galloping is allowed for experienced riders, but only if the guide sees you can control your horse well. The guide makes that call during the ride and may take you to the dunes for a controlled gallop if you're ready for it.

What's included in the horseback riding tour?

The tour includes a local guide who speaks English or Spanish, a helmet, your choice of English or Western saddle, transport by minivan, and hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off. Cold drinks, coffee, tea, and food are available to purchase at the ranch after the ride.

How long is the horseback riding tour in Aruba?

The ride lasts approximately 2 hours, plus time for pickup, drop-off, and the stop at the ranch afterward. Pickup happens 15 to 45 minutes before the tour departs, depending on where you're staying.

What's the Cunucu and what will I see there?

The Cunucu is Aruba's countryside interior: open land with no streets or traffic. You'll ride past iguanas, parakeets, and donkeys roaming free, then head to the northeast coast to see waves crashing onto rocky shores and, weather permitting, a beach where you can ride into the ocean.

What riding experience do I need for this tour?

This tour is designed for advanced riders who are comfortable in the saddle and can handle a horse at different speeds. The guide will assess your level and adjust the ride accordingly, but galloping is only offered to experienced riders the guide feels can control their horse.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the ranch?

No, hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off are included. If you bring your own transportation, you need to arrive at the ranch at least 20 minutes before the tour departs. Confirm your pickup time by calling ahead, as times vary by season.