Jungle HorseBack Adventure to Las Palmas Waterfall All Included

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the change of pace. You leave the hotel zone behind, ride beside the Cuale River, pass through one of the city’s oldest rustic neighborhoods, and reach the Sierra Madre on horseback. The reward is a mountain waterfall, a short hike, and a broad view over Banderas Bay.

I like the small maximum group of 12, since it gives your guide more room to help with the horses and answer questions. I also like that lunch and alcoholic drinks are included, so the day ends with food instead of a scramble to find a restaurant. The main drawback is that the tour needs a minimum number of bookings and good weather. One cancellation caused by low attendance was reported with only overnight notice, so keep a backup plan if your schedule is tight.

Key points to know before you book

• Follow the Cuale River into the Sierra Madre: The ride combines city-edge scenery, older local streets, tropical vegetation, and mountain views.
• Las Palmas Waterfall is the payoff: You ride, take a short hike, and finish at a waterfall described as private in the tour feedback.
• No riding experience is required: The tour includes the horse, saddle, and necessary riding gear.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect typical Mexican fare and alcoholic beverages after the ride.
• Pickups begin well before the 10:00 am start: Choose among three meeting points based on your hotel location.
• Plan for moderate exertion: The ride lasts about four hours within a six-hour outing, and you will also walk to the waterfall.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta behind at 10:00 am

This is not a quick horseback photo stop beside the beach. The route takes you toward the Cuale River and the Sierra Madre, giving you a look at a quieter side of Puerto Vallarta.

The tour lasts about six hours in total, with roughly four hours on horseback. Pickup is offered from three points, beginning at the OXXO in Conchas Chinas at 8:30 am. The other options are La Europea at Collage Marina at 9:00 am and Starbucks Las Juntas at 9:15 am.

That early pickup matters. You should not assume the driver will collect you at your hotel door. Instead, select the meeting point closest to where you are staying and allow enough time to reach it. The locations cover the south side, the marina area, and Las Juntas, but you need to check the addresses carefully when booking.

The activity is offered in English and uses private transportation. It ends back at the meeting point, which makes planning easier than arranging a taxi from a rural waterfall area.

Riding beside the Cuale River

The first stretch takes you along the Cuale River and through one of Puerto Vallarta’s oldest rustic neighborhoods. This portion gives the outing a more local feel than a standard resort-area horseback ride.

You will see the city thin out as the route reaches the countryside. The setting changes from streets and buildings to river views, tropical vegetation, and mountain roads. The Cuale River provides a natural thread through the day, and riding beside it gives you something to watch besides the back of another horse.

I like this part because the route is not only about reaching a waterfall. The ride itself is the main experience. You get a gradual transition from Puerto Vallarta to the Sierra Madre, with the guide leading the group and helping keep the pace manageable.

The tour does not require prior horseback experience, but that does not mean it is effortless. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Four hours on horseback can be tiring, especially if you are not used to the saddle. Follow the guide’s instructions, take the ride at a steady pace, and wear clothing suited to sitting and walking outdoors for much of the day.

The Sierra Madre lookout over Banderas Bay

As the ride continues, you reach a lookout with views across the entire bay. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose a mountain ride instead of a shorter beachside option.

The lookout places Puerto Vallarta in context. From above, the city, coastline, water, and surrounding tropical hills come together in one view. The scenery is a useful contrast to the busy hotel zone, where it is easy to spend several days seeing only restaurants, pools, and the waterfront.

The exact amount of time spent at the lookout is not specified, so do not plan on a long, formal sightseeing stop. Think of it as one of several highlights along the route. Bring a phone or camera if you want pictures, but keep your hands free when riding and listen to the guide about when it is safe to stop for photos.

There is also a practical point here. Mountain weather can change, and the experience requires good conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you should be offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you, but it does not solve the problem of losing a day during a short holiday, so I would avoid placing this tour on your final day in Puerto Vallarta.

Reaching Las Palmas Waterfall on horseback and foot

The waterfall portion combines riding with a short hike. That makes it more active than a simple vehicle excursion, but it also gives you a better sense of the surrounding countryside.

The route ends at Las Palmas Waterfall, where the setting is framed by tropical vegetation and mountain terrain. The available details do not specify swimming conditions, changing areas, or how long you can stay at the falls. Do not book this expecting a guaranteed swimming session. Book it for the ride, the walk, the waterfall setting, and the chance to spend time away from the city.

The waterfall has been described as private, which suggests a quieter stop than the most heavily visited attractions around Puerto Vallarta. Still, the tour has a maximum of 12 people, not a guarantee that you will have the falls entirely to yourself.

The short hike is worth keeping in mind when deciding what to wear. Shoes should be suitable for walking on an outdoor route, and you should expect some dirt or uneven ground. The tour supplies the horse, saddle, and necessary gear, but it does not list personal clothing or footwear. You will need to handle those basics yourself.

Lunch and drinks after the ride

Food is included, along with alcoholic beverages. The meal features typical Mexican fare, giving the day a stronger local character than a tour that simply drops you at a waterfall and sends you back.

This inclusion also improves the value. A six-hour outing can become expensive once you add transportation, lunch, and drinks on your own. Here, those parts are built into the experience. The exact menu, drink selection, and serving time are not provided, so you should not book based on a specific dish or brand of beverage.

The timing is especially useful after four hours in the saddle and a hike. You can finish the active part of the day, eat, and ride back without having to find food in an unfamiliar area.

Alcohol deserves a practical note. Since this is a horseback activity, save the alcoholic drinks for the end, when the riding is finished. Drink responsibly, follow the guide’s instructions, and remember that the included beverages are part of the post-ride meal rather than a reason to drink during the route.

Why the small group matters

The group limit is 12 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on riders with different levels of confidence.

For beginners, this is important. A first horseback ride is easier when you can ask how to hold the reins, how to sit comfortably, and what to do when the horse slows or stops. The tour specifically says no previous riding experience is needed, but you should still expect to take basic direction and stay with the group.

A smaller group can also make stops at the lookout and waterfall feel less rushed. The guide has fewer people to organize, and the ride may feel less like a large procession. Keep your expectations reasonable, though. The guide’s name is not provided, and there is no promise of a private guide or customized route.

The tour is conducted in English. That is helpful if you want explanations and instructions in English, particularly during the riding portions.

Transportation, meeting points, and timing

Transportation is included, but the listed pickup system uses designated meeting points rather than a stated hotel-door service. You have three choices:

• OXXO in Conchas Chinas at 8:30 am
• La Europea at Collage Marina at 9:00 am
• Starbucks Las Juntas at 9:15 am

Choose the point closest to your hotel. The addresses are specific, and Puerto Vallarta’s different districts can be spread out, so allow extra time to get there. A late arrival at a meeting point could be more difficult to fix than a late arrival at a hotel lobby.

The advertised start time is 10:00 am, while the pickups begin earlier. That likely reflects the time needed to gather the group and reach the riding area. Treat the day as a full morning-to-afternoon outing, not a late-start activity.

Mobile tickets are available, and confirmation is received at booking. Keep the confirmation easy to access on your phone, especially if you are meeting transportation away from your hotel.

The real value of an all-included day

No price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost against competing tours. I can still explain what you are paying for: private transportation, the horse and saddle, necessary gear, lunch, alcoholic beverages, the guide, and a route that combines countryside riding, a lookout, a hike, and a waterfall.

That package is valuable if you want one organized day with little planning. You do not need to arrange separate transport into the mountains, rent riding equipment, or find lunch after the waterfall.

The value is weaker if you only want a short ride or if horseback riding is not appealing to you. Roughly four hours in the saddle is a large part of the day. You are paying for a full outing, not a brief introduction to riding.

Souvenirs are not included. That is a minor issue, but it means you should bring a little extra money if you expect to buy something during or after the activity. No other exclusions are listed.

Who should choose this Puerto Vallarta horseback tour?

I would recommend it to couples looking for a shared outdoor activity, especially those celebrating a honeymoon or a special trip. The combination of riding beside the river, a waterfall stop, and lunch afterward gives the day a clear sense of occasion without requiring advanced riding skills.

It also suits first-time riders who want more than a short loop. The English-language guide, included equipment, and small group make the experience approachable.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike long periods on horseback, or want a highly structured sightseeing tour with exact stop times. The moderate fitness requirement is important. You will ride for hours and take a short hike, so this is not a passive sightseeing excursion.

I would also be cautious about booking it when your schedule has no flexibility. The experience needs good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the minimum is not reached, you should receive another date, another experience, or a full refund, but the replacement may not fit your plans. One reported cancellation due to low attendance came with only overnight notice and no useful alternative, so a backup plan is sensible.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded, except when the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient bookings.

Final call: book it for the countryside, not just the waterfall

I would book this tour if you want to trade Puerto Vallarta’s busy resort areas for a day beside the Cuale River and in the Sierra Madre. The strongest features are the four-hour ride, the bay lookout, the Las Palmas Waterfall stop, the small group, and the included meal and drinks.

I would skip it if you want guaranteed departure, a short ride, or a detailed promise of swimming and waterfall facilities. Check the meeting point, protect your schedule with a backup plan, and be ready for moderate physical effort. For couples and first-time riders who want a full outdoor day, it offers a pleasant mix of scenery, movement, and Mexican food.

FAQ

Is horseback riding experience required?

No. The tour states that no prior horseback riding experience is required. You should still have a moderate physical fitness level and follow the guide’s instructions.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts approximately six hours. About four hours are spent on the horseback ride, with a short hike included during the route.

What is included?

The tour includes a horse and saddle, necessary horse gear, private transportation, lunch, and alcoholic beverages.

Where are the pickup points?

Pickup is available from the OXXO in Conchas Chinas at 8:30 am, La Europea at Collage Marina at 9:00 am, or Starbucks Las Juntas at 9:15 am. Choose the location closest to your hotel.

Does the tour end at the pickup location?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.