Puerto Vallarta: Horseback Riding & Waterfall Trek Sierra Madre

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/29

Duration5h

GroupUp to 40

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Ride into the Sierra Madre, swim at the waterfall, eat what you make

You ride through Sierra Madre foothills, cross hanging bridges to a waterfall where you swim, then return to the ranch to prepare and eat a Mexican lunch with an open bar. Pickup from designated points outside Puerto Vallarta is included, along with the guide and all drinks. Plan for a full morning and early afternoon out of the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horseback ride and waterfall visit

Ride horses by the river
Dismount horses for mountain walk
Cross hanging bridges
Climb steps to waterfall
Cool down in river water
Jog down sloping hill
Enjoy meal at the ranch

The Experience

You're thinking this might be just another horse tour, and then you realize you're actually walking across a hanging bridge toward a waterfall with your boots off. The ride starts at one of three pickup points outside Puerto Vallarta — the ranch is about thirty minutes away, nestled in the Sierra Madre foothills where the jungle gets serious and the air changes. Your guide meets you at Rancho Capomo, a working ranch set on a river, and from there the horseback riding begins along the water. The trail follows the river for a while, but the real part comes when you dismount and start walking toward the waterfall — there are hanging bridges to cross and stone steps that climb up the mountainside, and it's the kind of thing that feels harder in your head than it actually is.

When you reach the waterfall, you get time to actually swim in it. Not a quick dip — real time to cool off and float around in the water. After that, the ride back down involves a sloping hill and a section where you jog a little on the horse, which sounds stranger than it feels. The whole thing moves at a pace that works for riders of different experience levels, so you're not racing anyone. Once you're back at the ranch, lunch is waiting, and this is where it gets different from most tours: you help make it. You prepare handmade tortillas, guacamole, and Mexican sauce yourself, then eat fajitas or chicken with beans and rice that actually tastes like someone cared. The open bar runs the whole time, so you can drink national drinks without counting.

Pickup happens from one of three designated points, not directly from hotels, so you'll need to let them know where you're staying when you book. The whole day is built around getting you back in time, and the guide handles the driving and the route. It's the kind of horseback riding tour that doesn't feel like you're being herded through a checklist — the waterfall swim and the lunch you make yourself are the things people actually remember.

What’s included

Pickup from one of three designated points outside Puerto Vallarta, transportation to and from Rancho Capomo, horseback riding along the river, guided walk to the waterfall with hanging bridge crossing, time to swim at the waterfall, Mexican lunch (fajitas or chicken with handmade tortillas, guacamole, beans, and rice), help preparing part of the meal, unlimited national drinks throughout the day, driver and guide, and drop-off at your pickup point.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Horseback Riding Rancho Capomo Tours

Is this one for you?Right for riders who want a full Sierra Madre experience in one morning without arranging transport or lunch — the horseback riding, waterfall swim, and meal you help prepare are all handled. Expect a few hours out of the city with some walking and climbing mixed into the riding, which is what makes the waterfall and the swim possible.