San Miguel de Allende: Horseback Riding & Ranch Lunch Tour

Summary

Ride across high plains near Cañada de la Virgen then share ranch food with the Morín family

You’ll ride through wide open country outside San Miguel de Allende with local guides who treat you like family. Try your hand at milking cows and taste fresh cheese before heading out on horseback past ancient pyramids. End your day sharing a traditional ranch lunch together — it’s slow-paced, honest, and leaves an echo long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the crunch of gravel under our boots as we stepped out at Rancho Xotolar — it’s about 40 minutes from San Miguel de Allende but feels like another world. You can smell hay, a little sweet, a little earthy. Felix was already there, waving us over with one hand while holding a mug in the other. He grinned and said something in Spanish I only half understood, but it didn’t matter — you get the feeling right away that you’re welcome here.

Before we even saw the horses, Thomás showed us how to milk a cow (I definitely did not nail it), and there was this moment where everyone just laughed at my attempt. The cheese they make is warm and soft — I never thought about cheese being warm before. After that, we saddled up for the horseback riding part of the day trip from San Miguel de Allende. The horses are calm but stubborn in their own way; mine kept stopping to sniff at random bushes. Felix told me that’s normal — “They know this land better than us,” he said. The air out here is dry and clean, and you can see all the way to Cañada de la Virgen in the distance, those old pyramids just barely peeking through the haze.

I’ll admit I was nervous at first (I don’t ride much), but after a while it felt almost meditative — just hoofbeats, wind, sometimes a hawk overhead. We stopped on a ridge where you could see for miles. Someone pointed out wild agave growing along the path; Thomás explained how his family’s been working this land for generations. There’s something grounding about hearing stories like that while you’re literally sitting in their world.

Lunch back at the ranch was simple but honestly perfect: tortillas still steaming from the griddle, beans with some kind of smoky flavor I couldn’t place, and cold cerveza that tasted better than any beer I’ve had in town. Everyone sat around one long table — no rush to leave, just swapping stories or sitting quietly watching sunlight move across the floorboards. On the drive back to San Miguel de Allende I kept thinking about how different it all felt from anything “touristy.” It stuck with me more than I expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Horseback riding and ranch experience

• Pick up from hotel at 9:00 am
• Drive 40 minutes to Rancho Xotolar
• Register and complete Covid-19 protocols
• Introduction to rural life and milking cow
• Learn traditional cheese making process
• Horse riding class and instructions
• Three-hour horseback ride through nature
• Enjoy traditional ranch meal and drinks
• Drive 40 minutes back to hotel

Top questions

How far is Rancho Xotolar from San Miguel de Allende?

The ranch is about 18 km from central San Miguel de Allende, roughly a 40-minute drive each way.

Is hotel pickup included for this horseback riding tour?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in San Miguel de Allende is included in your booking.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

No experience is required; instructions are provided before starting the ride.

How long does the horseback riding last?

The horseback riding portion lasts approximately three hours through rural countryside.

Is lunch provided during this excursion?

Yes, an authentic ranch meal with freshly prepared specialties and drinks is included after your ride.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

What will we see during the ride?

You’ll ride through high plateau landscapes near Cañada de la Virgen archaeological site with panoramic views.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; otherwise suitable for all physical fitness levels except those noted above.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup from San Miguel de Allende in an air-conditioned vehicle, hands-on introductions to ranch life like milking cows and making cheese, three hours of guided horseback riding near Cañada de la Virgen with local guides Thomás and Felix Morín sharing stories along the way, plus a traditional ranch lunch with drinks before returning to town.