A horse ride that strings together Higuera Blanca and Litibú Beach feels like a smart shortcut to real Nayarit life. I like that your guides, often including Ricardo and Carlos, keep the ride calm and safe on horses known for being gentle and well cared for. I also love the route mix, town, jungle, and beach in just 1.5 hours.

One possible drawback to plan around: you cannot use cameras or cellphones during the ride, so you’ll likely spend extra if you want keepsake photos. If you’re staying in Puerto Vallarta, also budget time, because getting to and from the ranch can turn into a long day by road.

Key Points Worth Booking For

• Friendly horses with a reputation for calm: well fed, well kept, and handled by cowboys who stay with you.
• A real town stop, Higuera Blanca: you ride through streets instead of just seeing a view from a bus.
• Jungle to beach in one smooth story: you go from green trails to Litibú Beach without jumping between tours.
• Litibú Beach gallop option: you get a chance to speed up, when conditions allow.
• Tequila tasting is included: Nico often runs it with a fun, laid-back vibe.
• The Soruyo bull photo: a photo moment with a massive bull weighing over 1 ton.

Entering The Ranch And Meeting Your Calm Horse

This tour starts at a ranch setup that feels like it’s made for the animals first, tourists second. Before you even ride, you arrive to see a menagerie that includes donkeys, ponies, macaws, roosters, water buffalo, deers, turkeys, and peacocks. It’s a quick but memorable way to set the tone, this is not a parking-lot ride.

From there, you get a short safety briefing, then you meet your horse and get saddled up. The best part, in my view, is that the horses are described as calm and friendly, and the cowboys escort you during the tour. In practical terms, that means the ride rhythm is meant to be steady. For first-timers, that matters more than flashy scenery.

You’ll also want to come prepared for ranch life. Wear comfortable clothes, and use insect repellent. And yes, the tour has strict rules: no sandals or flip-flops, and you cannot bring or use cameras or cellphones on the ride. That restriction is not small, it changes how you plan your day.

Riding Through Higuera Blanca, A Small Mexican Town Up Close

After meeting up and settling onto the saddle, you ride into a typical little Mexican town called Higuera Blanca. This is where the tour feels most authentic, because you experience the pace of daily life on horseback rather than from a vehicle window.

I like this part because it makes the trip feel less like a theme park activity and more like a local route. You are not just passing by a postcard. You’re traveling through the town as it is, with the route guided by people who know where horses can move comfortably.

Expect a slower, more human section of the ride. You’ll be walking through everyday scenes, then easing into the next changes in terrain. If you enjoy “ordinary places done well,” this is a strong reason to book.

Jungle Trail To Litibú Beach: The Big Change Of Scenery

From the town, the route shifts into jungle and natural surroundings. This is not described as technical trail riding. Instead, it’s a guided ride through natural countryside where the focus stays on comfort and pacing.

Then you arrive at Litibú Beach in Riviera Nayarit. This beach moment is one of the main draws, because the tour doesn’t just deliver a beach stop. It brings you there on horseback, which changes how the beach feels. You’re not arriving after a transfer, you’re arriving as part of the journey.

One of the most popular moments here is that you have the option to gallop on the beach. That’s a big difference from the typical trot-only rides. If you want a little adrenaline without needing advanced riding skills, this is the segment to look forward to.

Practical note: beach conditions can affect how much you’re able to gallop. The tour states that the option exists, not that every rider will get the same speed and duration. Either way, the transition from jungle to open shoreline is a satisfying storyline.

Tequila Tasting With Nico, Plus The Soruyo Bull Photo Moment

After the ride, you continue the day with a tequila tasting. Tequila is included, and the guide often called Nico is mentioned in reviews as funny and a great finisher. The tasting is a useful add-on because it gives the tour a local cultural landing after the physical part.

What I like here is that it’s not presented as a long drinking event. It’s part of the tour flow. You get to sample tequila, then you’re done.

Then comes a picture stop with the majestic bull called Soruyo. The description says Soruyo weighs over 1 ton, so this isn’t a token photo op with a random animal. It’s a notable moment, especially if you like seeing animals up close in a ranch setting.

Finally, you can also buy lunch at a Mexican restaurant on site. Food is not included, but you have the option to eat without hunting for a place right after your ride.

Price And Value: Why $103 Can Make Sense Here

The price is listed at $103 per person for a 1.5-hour horseback riding experience. On paper, it might sound like a simple ride. In real value terms, it’s the bundle that helps.

Here’s what’s included:

• Round-trip transportation from certain pickup points
• Bottled water
• Tequila tasting
• Live tour guide (English and Spanish)

Here’s what’s not included:

• Food (available to purchase)
• Photo purchases (the tour may offer them, and reviews suggest they cost extra)
• Any personal items you bring along, like extra snacks

When you compare to many horseback options that are basically ride-only, this adds cultural fuel and a clearer end point with the tasting and the ranch photo moment. Also, the transportation component can be a real value driver. But it depends on where your pickup is. If you’re farther away, you may spend more time in transit.

Reviews also give you a hint about the “hidden” cost of memories. Photos can run you a few bucks, but several people say it’s worth it. The key is to decide that before you’re already sweaty and sun-struck, then pressured by the excitement of the moment.

What To Bring, What To Wear, And What Rules Matter

This tour is very specific about gear and boundaries, and those rules affect comfort more than you might think.

Bring:

• Comfortable clothes
• Insect repellent

Do not wear:

• Sandals or flip-flops

Do not use:

• Cameras
• Cellphones

That last one is big. If you rely on your phone for photos, you’ll need to accept that your phone may stay unused during the ride. The tour likely offers professionally taken images afterward, so your backup plan is buying their photos instead.

Also note the physical rules:

• Not suitable for pregnant women
• Not suitable for people with back problems
• Not suitable for people over 260 lbs (118 kg)

If any of those apply, skip this one. Horseback riding can be more jostling than it looks, and the tour clearly intends this ride for most typical riders within that weight range.

Timing, Pickup, And The Reality Of A “1.5-Hour” Tour Day

The horseback portion is 1.5 hours. But the full day can be longer depending on your pickup location. The activity includes round-trip transportation from certain pickup points, and the provider confirms your pickup point and time after booking.

You should be ready at your pickup point 10 minutes before the time given. That’s a small thing, but it prevents delays and keeps your schedule smooth.

If you’re coming from farther away like Puerto Vallarta, expect the drive to matter. Some reviews describe almost a 6-hour return trip back to the hotel. That doesn’t mean it will be identical for you, but it does mean you should not treat this like a quick half-day shortcut if you live far from the ranch.

To plan well: treat it as an outing, not a quick activity you squeeze in.

Guide Team: Ricardo, Carlos, And Nico In The Flow

The ride is guided, and it sounds like the team style is consistent. Ricardo is mentioned as a great guide, attentive and informative, and working well with the horses so you feel safe. Carlos is also mentioned as educated about the horses, and he brings an entertaining energy that keeps the group relaxed.

Nico is highlighted for the tequila tasting portion, with a funny and enjoyable approach. There’s also mention of Oscar as a driver. If transportation is part of the value you care about, it helps that the driver role is called out alongside the ride guides.

Even if you never meet the exact same person, the pattern matters: you’re not wandering around. You’re guided from the safety briefing to the beach and finish.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This ride fits best if you want a horses-and-nature day that also includes real human places. You get:

• A town section in Higuera Blanca
• A jungle section
• A Litibú Beach finish, with a gallop option
• Tequila tasting included

It’s also a good pick if you like animals and ranch atmosphere. Seeing everything from peacocks to water buffalo right before riding gives the day a different flavor than a ride that starts with just saddles lined up.

It’s probably not your best choice if:

• You need to use your phone or camera during the ride
• You have significant back issues
• You are pregnant
• You are above the 260 lbs (118 kg) limit

If you’re within the limits and you’re comfortable with the no-phone rule, this is the kind of tour that feels like a story instead of a checkbox.

Should You Book This Punta de Mita/Sayulita Horseback Ride?

I’d book it if you want a compact adventure that moves through town, jungle, and beach in one guided loop, and you value included tequila tasting and transportation from your pickup area. The calm-horse emphasis is also a strong selling point if you’re not looking to prove your riding skills.

I’d hesitate if you can’t handle the no-cellphone and no-camera rule, or if long road time worries you. Also, decide ahead of time whether you’re comfortable buying the tour photos, since multiple riders mention the photos cost extra.

Bottom line: for the right rider, this is good value, because it’s not just a 1.5-hour ride. It’s a full sequence, ranch animal time, town ride, jungle trail, Litibú Beach with a gallop option, then tequila and a Soruyo bull photo stop.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding portion?

The duration is listed as 1.5 hours.

Is transportation included?

Round-trip transportation is included from certain pickup points. After booking, the partner contacts you to confirm your pickup point and time.

What is included in the price besides the ride?

The tour includes bottled water and a tequila tasting, plus a live tour guide in English and Spanish.

Can I bring my camera or use my cellphone?

No. Cameras and cellphones are not allowed.

What kind of shoes should I wear?

Sandals or flip-flops are not allowed. You’ll want closed, secure footwear.

Is lunch included?

Food is not included, but lunch can be purchased at a Mexican restaurant on the property.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people over 260 lbs (118 kg).