Two wheels, four legs, one great morning. I love the rain-forest horseback ride to a waterfall, and I love the ATV ride through small villages away from Puerto Vallarta’s crowds.

In about five hours, you’re picked up, transported to Rancho Capomo, and handed a plan that mixes nature, action, and a proper sit-down meal. Expect an early start around 8:15 am and a maximum group size of 20, which usually keeps things from feeling chaotic.

The one thing to consider is how personal the ATV portion feels. If you’re the type who expects a very tailored experience, solo bike time, and super-soft coaching, you’ll want to set expectations clearly when you’re there, since guide and bike-handling quality can vary.

Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

• Two adventures, one outing: horses plus ATVs, without needing a whole day of logistics
• A real payoff at the waterfall: the climb can feel long, but it ends with something worth it
• Rural Mexico over beach time: village roads and countryside beats walking around town
• Lunch and unlimited drinks included: this is not just a snack stop
• Smaller group size: capped at 20 people, so you’re less likely to feel rushed

Why This Tour Works When You Have Only Half a Day

This is the kind of tour that makes a short trip feel bigger. You start in the morning, spend your time moving through the Sierra Madre area, and come back with a story that is not just sand and sunglasses.

It’s built for people who want a change of pace. If you’re the kind who gets restless after a day of lounging, the mix of horseback riding, a waterfall moment, then ATV time scratches that itch for motion and views.

The other practical win is the schedule. A 5-hour block around an early departure is easier to fit than full-day excursions, especially if you still want time to explore Puerto Vallarta later.

Getting to Rancho Capomo From Puerto Vallarta (Early Start, Simple Flow)

Your tour starts at 8:15 am at the meeting point, with pickup from designated meeting points around Puerto Vallarta. Your experience ends back at the same general meeting point, so you’re not left figuring out a late return.

This tour runs in English and uses a mobile ticket, which is convenient if you’re juggling plans on a phone. When you book, you should receive confirmation at booking time.

One more detail that affects your day: popularity. This tour is often booked about 54 days in advance on average, so it’s smart to reserve sooner rather than later if your dates are fixed.

Sierra Madre Horseback Riding: Rain Forest Trails and a Waterfall Finish

The horseback portion is the heart of the experience. You head into the Sierra Madre area, with the ride set in a tropical rain forest setting that feels like a true escape from the city.

The best part is the payoff. The ride leads toward a waterfall, and the final approach includes a hike up the hill. People sometimes underestimate this part because it’s framed like a simple add-on, but it can be a proper climb. Stretching before you go helps, and sturdy shoes matter more than you’d think.

There’s also a sense of getting away from the tourist corridor. Part of the experience includes time near rural villages like Las Palmas, so the views feel more like everyday life in the area than staged scenic stops.

What I’d watch for: balance and comfort. Even with guides handling the group, horseback riding means you’ll feel the motion under you. If you’re dealing with mobility limits or you know balance is an issue for you, choose your comfort level honestly before you commit.

The ATV Run Through Villages: Fun Speed, Real Roads, and Variable Off-Road Feel

After the horseback portion, you switch to ATVs. This part is often described as fun and scenic, especially because you pass through small villages and countryside. It’s also a nice contrast to the slower rhythm of riding a horse.

Here’s the key practical note. This is not guaranteed to feel like a hardcore off-road adventure. One person experienced the ATV portion as mostly route driving rather than true off-road trails, with less time on rough terrain than they expected.

So, if your priority is messy dirt and technical riding, go in knowing the ATV portion may feel more like a guided ride through the area than a full-on off-road playground. You’ll still get scenery and motion, just with a different texture than you might imagine from the word ATV alone.

Safety tip that matters on a moving course: keep your body stable and your eyes up. The faster you go, the more your body has to absorb bumps. If you’re prone to stiffening up, remind yourself to relax your grip and shoulders.

Lunch at the Ranch and Unlimited Drinks: The Part That Makes It Feel Like a Day Out

This tour includes lunch at the ranch where everything starts, Rancho Capomo. That matters because you’re not searching for food after a long morning activity. You settle in, refuel, and then get ready for the next activity without the stress of figuring out where to eat.

The meal gets strong praise, including comments about homemade tortillas and overall taste. There’s also an open bar setup with unlimited drinks, including alcoholic beverages, and options like margaritas and beer show up in the praise.

This is also where the day slows down enough to feel social. Guides and staff tend to come across as friendly and helpful, and that ranch setting makes it feel like a real rural stop instead of a drive-by photo moment.

One small planning thought: with alcoholic drinks included, pace yourself. Even if you’re excited, you’ll still need energy for the second half of the tour.

Guides and Group Size: Why the Human Part Matters

The tour maxes out at 20 people, which is a meaningful detail. Smaller groups usually mean more attention, less waiting, and a smoother flow when you’re switching between horseback riding and ATVs.

Guide quality also shows up in the experience. Names like Berto, and guides including Sergio and Hector, appear in standout feedback for being on time, funny, conversational, and strong at explaining what rural life looks like beyond the tourist areas.

At the same time, balance that with realism. If you want a perfectly polished, always-patient, always-same-everyday experience, you should know that personalities and day-of operations can vary. In at least one account, the ATV bike handling and the guide approach did not match what the pair expected for the price.

How to use this as a traveler: when you meet your guide, ask a quick question about how ATV riding is handled and what to do if someone is new to it. You’ll get clarity fast and avoid surprises.

Price and Value: Is $150 a Good Deal for This Mix?

At $150 per person, you’re paying for a bundled day: transportation, horseback riding time, a waterfall-focused hike, ATV time, lunch, and unlimited drinks with alcoholic beverages. You’re also covered for taxes, fees, and handling charges.

That sounds straightforward, but here’s how I think about value. If you tried to piece these together yourself, you’d likely spend money on separate tickets, separate transport, and extra time moving between locations. This tour condenses it into one coordinated morning.

The added value is the setting. Getting out into the Sierra Madre and nearby villages like Las Palmas is hard to replicate casually if you only have a few hours. The day has a “get out there” feeling, and the waterfall moment is the kind of natural stop people don’t get from a basic city tour.

The only reason the price might feel high is if your expectations lean toward a private, fully personalized ATV experience, or if you want heavy off-road riding. If your idea of ATV time is technical trails and solo bike rides, confirm how your day will run before you go.

What to Pack and How to Prepare (Based on the Day’s Reality)

You’re mixing horseback riding with an active hike and ATV driving. That means you need to dress for movement, not just for photos.

Here are the practical items I’d plan for:

• Closed-toe shoes you can wear while walking during the hike and around the ranch
• Sunscreen and a hat, because the waterfall area and open ride time can mean strong sun
• Light layers if weather shifts, since you’re moving through forested and open areas
• A water strategy even with drinks available, since the day starts early and the hike can take energy

And one preparation habit that came up for the waterfall part: stretch before you start the hike. It can make a noticeable difference in how your legs feel after.

Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Might Want to Rethink It)

This is a strong fit for adrenaline-seekers and people who want a full experience in half a day. If you want nature plus action, you’re probably going to love the rhythm of horse, waterfall climb, ATV ride, then lunch.

It also works for families, at least for some households. One family experience included children around 10 and 12, and they described it as fun. Still, since horseback riding and the hike require effort and balance, you should judge based on your child’s comfort and stamina, not just the age number.

Consider rethinking if:

• you want guaranteed off-road ATV trails rather than a more guided ride through the area
• you dislike hikes, even short ones, because the waterfall approach can be a real uphill walk
• you need a very gentle learning pace for horseback riding or ATV basics

Should You Book Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour?

Yes, if you want a morning that feels like you actually left Puerto Vallarta and stepped into the Sierra Madre rhythm. The strongest pull is the combination: horseback through the rain forest, a waterfall that makes the climb worth it, then ATV time through nearby villages, wrapped up with a satisfying ranch lunch and unlimited drinks.

Book it if $150 feels reasonable for a packaged day with transport, food, and activities all handled. Also book it if you value a smaller group experience, since the tour caps at 20.

Skip or ask extra questions first if you expect a solo ATV experience every time or you’re very sensitive to how guides handle instructions and pacing. On some days, the quality of coaching and how the bikes are distributed can affect the value.

FAQ

How long is the Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour?

The tour runs for about 5 hours (approx.).

What time does the tour start in Puerto Vallarta?

The start time is 8:15 am.

Where does the tour start and end?

Pickup happens from designated meeting points, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the $150 price?

The price includes all taxes, fees and handling charges, lunch, unlimited drinks (open bar), and pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included as part of the unlimited drinks open bar.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.