Puerto Escondido: Horseback, Temazcal & Mezcal Tasting Tour

Summary

Horseback ride agave fields, temazcal ritual and mezcal tasting near Puerto Escondido

You’ll ride horseback through agave fields to an empty Pacific beach near Puerto Escondido before sharing lunch under a palapa. Afterward comes mezcal tasting (with flavors you probably haven’t tried) and then a real temazcal ceremony led by a local shaman — expect mud baths, steam, quiet moments, and maybe something you’ll carry home inside you.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to pick my own horse when we got to the ranch outside Puerto Escondido — I just sort of stood there until one of the guys (I think his name was Javier?) nudged me toward a calm brown mare. The saddle felt stiff at first but after a few minutes trotting through those agave rows, it started to make sense. There was this salty wind coming off the Pacific and you could hear nothing but hooves and, every so often, someone’s laugh drifting back from up ahead. The beach was emptier than I imagined — just us, some pelicans, and a lot of sky.

After we tied up the horses, lunch was waiting under a palapa. Simple food — tortillas still warm, grilled fish that tasted like someone’s uncle caught it that morning. I tried to say “thank you” in Spanish to one of the cooks and she grinned at my accent. Then came the mezcal tasting — white, almond, hibiscus… I lost track after the second glass honestly. They told us about how it’s made right there from those same agaves we’d ridden past. You could smell smoke from somewhere nearby mixing with the sweet sharpness of mezcal.

The temazcal part surprised me most. A shaman greeted us with this slow steady voice and handed out clay for a mud bath — cool and gritty on my skin. Sitting inside that low dome while steam rose from volcanic stones and herbs felt both strange and grounding; everyone went quiet except for the sound of water hitting hot rocks. At some point I just closed my eyes and let it all blur together — sweat, earth, breath. I still think about how lightheaded but peaceful I felt stepping back into sunlight after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Horseback riding, temazcal, lunch, mezcal tour

• Choose horse at ranch
• Ride through agave plantation
• Ride on virgin beach
• Take mud bath and exfoliate
• Wash off mud with water
• Participate in temazcal ceremony
• Enjoy lunch
• Taste various mezcal flavors

Top questions

How long is the horseback riding part of this tour?

The guided horseback ride lasts about one hour through agave plantations and along a quiet beach.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Yes, lunch is included after horseback riding and before the mezcal tasting.

What is a temazcal ceremony?

A temazcal is a traditional sweat lodge ceremony using steam from volcanic stones and herbs for purification.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Bottled water is included throughout the day along with alcoholic beverages during lunch and mezcal tasting.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Puerto Escondido?

Yes, roundtrip transportation from your hotel or port in Puerto Escondido is included.

Can children join this experience?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; minimum weight is 15 kg (33 lbs).

Is this activity suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The transport is wheelchair accessible but uneven surfaces may be challenging; wheelchair users can stay in the village area.

What kinds of mezcal will I taste on this tour?

You’ll try several types including white (blanco), reposado, almond, coffee, hibiscus, and tamarind mezcals.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup in Puerto Escondido, bottled water throughout the experience, all beverages with lunch (including alcoholic options), guided horseback riding through agave fields to a quiet beach, a full lunch under a palapa roof, an authentic temazcal ceremony led by a local shaman with mud bath ritual, plus an extensive mezcal tasting session before drop-off back at your accommodation.