Puerto Plata Horseback Riding Sunset Beach Ride: Ocean Swim

You can swim with the horse in the ocean if the waves allow it.

Horseback riding in Puerto Plata takes you from a jungle path onto the beach at sunset, where you ride along the shore with waves touching the horses' feet. The guide meets you at your hotel pickup and leads two riding segments—about 90 minutes in the saddle total—with a break at a bar on Bergantin beach. If conditions permit, you swim with one of the horses in the ocean; this is not guaranteed when waves or currents run strong, but when it happens it is the centerpiece of the afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset horseback riding and beach swim

• Pickup from hotel by safari truck
• Briefing and horse allocation
• Ride through jungle to beach
• Ride along beach at sunset
• Photo session with ocean background
• Break at Bergantin beach bar
• Swim with horse if conditions allow
• Ride back along beach and jungle

The Experience

Pickup starts at 3 pm from hotels in Cofresi, Costambar, Puerto Plata or Playa Dorada, and the ride begins at 4 pm once you've been introduced to your horse and fitted to the saddle. The first hour takes you along a gravel path through the jungle canopy, then out onto the beach where the sand softens underfoot and the Atlantic comes into view. You ride toward the sunset with the waves lapping at the horses' feet, moving at a pace the guide sets for the group—the ride is open to beginners and experienced riders alike.

After roughly an hour in the saddle, you stop for a photo session with the turquoise water behind you, then continue to a bar on Bergantin beach where the horses rest and you can buy drinks or souvenirs beyond what's included. The second riding segment covers the return journey, about 30 minutes back along the shore. If the ocean is calm enough—strong waves and currents sometimes make it unsafe—you'll have the chance to swim with one of the horses that doesn't shy from water, which is why the operator asks you to bring a bathing suit. The whole outing runs from pickup to drop-off in roughly three and a quarter hours.

Bottled water and soda come with the ride. The guide speaks English and Spanish and handles all the instruction you need before mounting. Children from age 6 are welcome; the operator notes the activity is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns that would make sustained riding risky.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel.
• bottled water and soda during the ride.
• guide instruction and horse assignment.
• two riding segments along the beach and jungle path.
• a photo stop with the ocean behind you.
• a 45-minute break at a bar on Bergantin beach where you can buy additional drinks or souvenirs.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Rancho Lorilar

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to ride on the beach at sunset and swim with the horses—bring your bathing suit, though the ocean dip depends on that day's conditions.

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Top questions

Can I swim with the horse even if I've never ridden before?

Yes—the ride is designed for beginners and experienced riders both, and the guide will teach you what you need to know before you mount. Swimming with the horse depends on ocean conditions that day, not on your riding skill, though the guide will make sure you're comfortable in the saddle before the ride starts.

What happens during the break at Bergantin beach?

The break lasts 45 minutes and gives the horses time to rest and drink. You can buy additional drinks or souvenirs at the bar there; water and soda are already included in your ride, but anything beyond that you pay for separately.

What's the jungle path like before we reach the beach?

The first segment takes you along a gravel path through the jungle for about an hour before you emerge onto the sand. It's a shaded ride through the canopy before the open beach and sunset views begin.

Do I need to bring anything besides a bathing suit?

Bring your bathing suit if you want to swim with the horse. Water and soda are provided, and the guide will have everything else you need for riding. Wear clothes you don't mind getting salt water on, and the operator recommends sun protection.

Is the pickup included from all Puerto Plata hotels?

Pickup is free from hotels in Cofresi, Costambar, Puerto Plata and Playa Dorada. If you're staying in Sosúa, Cabarete or arriving from a cruise ship, the operator cannot arrange pickup or drop-off, so you would need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point.

How much of the ride is actually in the saddle versus breaks?

You spend roughly 90 minutes riding in two segments—about an hour on the first leg and 30 minutes on the return. The break at Bergantin beach lasts 45 minutes, and there's a 30-minute briefing and horse allocation before the ride starts.