Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and Zipline with Lunch Included

The best part of this outing is the change of scene. Within a few hours, you go from Puerto Vallarta’s beach zone to Rancho Capomo, a quiet mountain property near Las Palmas, where horses, forest trails, river views, and ziplines replace hotel pools. I like the small-group limit of 15 people and the way lunch and drinks are built into the price. The main drawback is the road: the ride can take about 90 minutes each way and may be quite bumpy.

I also like that the horses are described as gentle and well cared for, making this a relaxed introduction to riding rather than a hard-charging equestrian trip. The zipline course adds a real jolt of fun, with roughly 10 routes over valleys and river scenery. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring water and a change of clothes.

Key points at a glance

• Horse ride and waterfall walk: Plan on roughly 90 minutes on horseback, with a hike that can require some effort.
• About 10 zipline routes: The course crosses exposed mountain slopes, valleys, and a river setting.
• Mexican lunch included: Expect homemade-style food, including a memorable fajita meal, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic national drinks.
• Small group size: The maximum is 15 people, which keeps the outing more personal than a large commercial adventure park.
• Remote Sierra Madre setting: Rancho Capomo offers a quiet rural break from Puerto Vallarta, but reaching it takes time.
• Important requirements: Minimum weight is 50 pounds, minimum height is 1.30 meters, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for Rancho Capomo

This is a five-hour activity on paper, with an 8:15 am start and round-trip transport from selected meeting points. In practice, the transfer deserves attention. The ranch is far enough from town that the drive may take around 90 minutes each way, and the road can be rough.

That long approach is part of the trade-off. You give up some beach time and accept a jolting ride, but you gain a quieter corner of the Sierra Madre and a more rural setting than you’ll find at the big adventure parks closer to Puerto Vallarta. If you get motion sick, sit where the ride feels smoothest, bring water, and think of the transfer as part of the day rather than a quick shuttle.

The included driver and guide help make the journey more useful. One driver, Sergio, is known for keeping the transfer light with jokes. The overall tone feels more like a visit to a working ranch than a polished amusement park, which is exactly what many people want from a mountain outing.

The small maximum of 15 participants matters here. A group this size usually makes instructions easier to follow and avoids the long lines that can slow down large zipline operations. It also gives the ranch staff more room to help with horses, harnesses, and lunch.

Horseback riding through the Sierra Madre

At Rancho Capomo, the horseback portion takes you into tropical forest and toward the village of Las Palmas. The ride is not presented as advanced equestrian sport. It is a basic, slow-moving trail ride, suited to people who want to sit on a horse and see the countryside without needing extensive riding experience.

The horses are described as calm, trained, and well cared for. That is important for beginners, families with older children, and anyone who feels uncertain about getting on a horse. The minimum height is 1.30 meters, the minimum weight is 50 pounds, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Expect a ride of about 90 minutes, although the exact time can vary with the group and route. The trail includes a walk toward a waterfall, with one route described as about 1.5 miles to the waterfall area. The morning light can be especially pleasant in the hills, and the setting gives you a closer look at the Sierra Madre than a vehicle tour does.

The trail is not perfectly polished. One section passes through a small town, and the surroundings may look untidy in places. The ride can also feel slow and bumpy. If you are hoping for a fast gallop or a long, technical horseback expedition, this will probably seem modest. If you want a gentle rural ride with mountain scenery, it fits better.

The waterfall stop depends on the season. During the dry season, the river and waterfall may have little or no water. The hike can take some effort, but the payoff is the quiet setting and the chance to stretch your legs after the ride. Bring shoes you can walk in, not just footwear chosen for the horse.

The zipline course over the mountain valleys

The zipline portion supplies the stronger burst of adrenaline. The combined outing includes about 10 routes, with lines crossing open mountain areas, large valleys, and a river setting. One particularly enjoyable detail is the short horseback movement toward the start of the ziplines, which keeps the two activities connected rather than making the day feel like unrelated attractions.

The course is more rustic than the large commercial zipline parks around Puerto Vallarta. That can be a plus if you prefer a less manufactured setting, but it also means you should not expect a luxury adventure facility with shade everywhere and highly polished surfaces.

The exposed mountain section can be hot and dry, with limited shade. Put sunscreen on before you leave and wear clothes that protect your arms and legs without restricting movement. Long pants are a smart choice, especially for the horse ride. Closed shoes are required in practical terms, and a change of clothes is useful if you sweat heavily or get wet.

Your guide will provide the required instructions and equipment, but you should still pay close attention. The experience is active rather than passive, and you may be moving between horseback riding, walking, and zipline gear in a single morning. The small group size should help keep the process manageable.

This is a good pairing because the two activities feel different. Horseback riding gives you time to notice the forest and rural surroundings. The ziplines let you see the same mountain area from a much higher and faster angle. If you are choosing between a quiet nature outing and a thrill activity, this tour gives you a bit of both.

Lunch, drinks, and the ranch atmosphere

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. A Mexican meal is included, with homemade-style food and a fajita lunch receiving especially high praise. You also get national alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and the ranch is known for homemade tequila tasting.

The open-bar wording does not mean every possible drink is available. It refers to national drinks, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Since the day includes horseback riding and ziplines, I would keep alcohol moderate until the active portions are finished. The non-alcoholic choices matter too, especially after a hot ride and time in the sun.

The meal adds value because you are not left to arrange food at a remote ranch. At $147 per person, the price covers transport, the horse ride, ziplines, entrance fees, lunch, drinks, and a guide. That is not a budget half-day, but paying separately for transport, two activities, and a meal could quickly narrow the difference.

The setting also changes how lunch feels. You are not simply eating near a city attraction before being sent back to your hotel. You are eating at a rural ranch after spending the morning outdoors. That sense of place is part of what makes the package appealing.

Souvenir photos cost extra. If you want proof of the zipline or horseback portions, budget for that separately. Otherwise, make sure your own phone is safely stored and permitted during the activities rather than assuming you can carry it everywhere.

What the five-hour schedule really means

The listed duration is approximately five hours, beginning at 8:15 am and ending back at the meeting point. Because the ranch is remote, the exact door-to-door experience can feel longer, especially if your pickup point is in Puerto Vallarta and the road is slow.

The activity is best for someone who can commit most of a morning and part of the early afternoon without rushing to another reservation. I would not pair it with a tight cruise departure, airport transfer, or fixed lunch booking unless you have a wide safety margin.

Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. That information allows the operator to judge whether the schedule works. The activity returns to the meeting point, and pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations.

Confirmation arrives at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the amount paid is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants, so if the trip is canceled for that reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this tour to active couples, families with eligible children, and friends who want several outdoor activities in one day. It is especially useful if you prefer a smaller ranch experience to a large, highly commercial adventure park.

You should be comfortable with a long, bumpy transfer and basic outdoor conditions. The course may be hot, the trail may be uneven, and the waterfall may be dry depending on the season. This is not a spa day with a brief scenic stop.

It also suits first-time riders. The horses are described as gentle, and the pace is slow. The main challenge is not technical riding. It is sitting comfortably for the duration and managing the trail conditions.

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone who dislikes heights, has limited mobility, or wants a polished resort-style outing. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the tour combines riding, hiking, harness work, and a rough transfer. The stated height and weight requirements also rule out some younger children.

Is $147 a fair price?

At $147, this is best judged as a bundled adventure rather than a cheap horse ride. You are paying for transportation from selected Puerto Vallarta pickup points, ranch admission, horseback riding, a waterfall walk, around 10 zipline routes, lunch, national drinks, and guides.

The package is strongest for people who would otherwise book two separate activities. The combination saves planning time and means you do not need to arrange food at Rancho Capomo. The small group limit adds value, since you are less likely to spend the whole morning waiting behind a large crowd.

The price feels less attractive if you mainly want horseback riding. The ride is fairly basic, and some people may wish it lasted longer. It also feels less attractive if the waterfall is your main goal during the dry season, when water levels can be low.

For the right person, though, the cost is reasonable. You get a full outdoor morning, not a short photo stop. The strongest value comes from the combination of activities and the remote setting.

Practical packing advice

Keep your packing simple. I would bring:

• Long pants and closed shoes
• Water, even though drinks are included later
• Sunscreen and protection from the sun
• A change of clothes
• A secure way to carry small personal items
• Motion sickness medication if rough roads affect you

Wear clothing that works for both a horse and a zipline harness. Avoid anything loose that can catch on equipment. Since parts of the course have little shade, sun protection matters more than it might at a beach-based activity.

Do not count on the waterfall being full year-round. If water levels are low, the forest walk and mountain setting still provide the main appeal, but the stop will not look like a rushing cascade.

Should you book Rancho Capomo?

Book this tour if you want a full Sierra Madre day with several activities, a local-style lunch, and a small group. The gentle horses, friendly staff, homemade food, tequila tasting, and roughly 10 ziplines create a good mix of calm and excitement.

Skip it if you need a quick excursion, dislike bumpy roads, or want a long and advanced horseback ride. The transfer is the biggest inconvenience, and the waterfall can be disappointing in dry weather.

For most active visitors who want to get beyond Puerto Vallarta’s beach strip, I think the package earns its strong reputation. Just go prepared for rustic conditions, protect yourself from the sun, and treat the ride to the ranch as part of the adventure.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The experience takes place at Rancho Capomo in the Sierra Madre area, near the village of Las Palmas outside Puerto Vallarta.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:15 am.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, although the drive to and from the ranch can add substantial time to your day.

What activities are included?

The tour includes horseback riding, a hike toward a waterfall, and a zipline course with about 10 routes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mexican lunch is included, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic national drinks.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected meeting points in Puerto Vallarta, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are there age, height, or weight requirements?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age is 18, the minimum weight is 50 pounds, and the required minimum height is 1.30 meters.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.