Horseback Riding and Cenote Swim from Cancun: Jungle and Water

Start your day with a refreshing dip and snacks after a scenic ride from your hotel door.

A half-day activity combining horseback riding through Yucatan jungle with a swim in a natural cenote, departing from Cancun or Playa del Carmen with hotel pickup and guide. You ride at a slow pace suitable for novice riders, pass through fruit orchards where you may spot monkeys and exotic birds, visit two cenotes and swim in one, then tour a Zapote orchard before finishing with snacks and drinks.

The Experience

Two hours covers both the ride and the cenote swim, with the horseback portion designed for novice riders moving at a slow pace through jungle and fruit orchards. The guide leads you past Bonanza's wildlife—monkeys, exotic birds, lizards—and brings you to two cenotes, where you'll swim in one of them. The cenotes are sinkholes unique to the Yucatan, and the swim is the moment the ride builds toward.

After the water, the tour moves through a Zapote orchard, where the guide explains the tree's role in bubblegum history and lets you taste artisanal versions. The activity ends with non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the morning starts and ends at your accommodation without arranging transport yourself.

All necessary riding equipment comes with the booking, along with towels, lockers, bottled water and soft drinks. Bring biodegradable sunscreen, a camera, sunglasses, long pants for riding and a swimsuit; the guide is English-speaking and the group stays small enough that the pace stays manageable.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Cancun or Playa del Carmen accommodation.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• all necessary horseback riding equipment.
• use of lockers and towels.
• bottled water, soft drinks and snacks at the end of the activity.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Rancho Bonanza

Is this one for you?Pair jungle riding with cenote swimming in one morning—your hotel pickup, guide, and all gear are handled for you.

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Top questions

Is this horseback riding activity suitable for someone who has never ridden before?

Yes—the ride is designed specifically for novice riders and moves at a slow pace through the jungle, so no prior experience is required. Some experience on horseback is recommended but not mandatory.

What exactly is a cenote and why are they special to this region?

Cenotes are natural sinkholes formed in limestone bedrock, unique to the Yucatan Peninsula. They fill with groundwater and were sacred to the Maya; today they're popular swimming spots because the water stays cool year-round.

Will I see wildlife on the ride through the jungle?

The route passes through areas where monkeys, exotic birds, lizards and other species live in Bonanza, so wildlife sightings are possible, though not guaranteed on every departure.

What's included in the price and what should I bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, guide, all riding equipment, towels, lockers, bottled water, soft drinks and snacks are included. Bring biodegradable sunscreen, biodegradable insect repellent, a camera, sunglasses, long pants for riding and a swimsuit.

Can children join this activity?

Children ages 8 and up can participate; the operator accepts a maximum of two children per departure in that age group, and they must meet the same fitness and weight requirements as adults.