Tenerife: Horseback Ride with Instructor

Southern Tenerife looks different from the saddle. From Xanadu riding center in Arona, you follow volcanic ground through stands of tabaiba, cacti, and tall cardones, with mountains above and the ocean opening below. The two-hour ride reaches the coast, where the horses may walk into the water.

I like the calm, beginner-friendly horses and the small groups, limited to six riders. I also like the guides’ local touch: Dori has explained volcanic features, drainage channels, plants, and local history, while guides such as Germain have helped first-timers feel secure. The main drawback is communication, since the instructor may speak only a little English, and the ride can start late if the previous group has not returned.

• The two-hour route reaches the beach, while the one-hour option is a shorter ride inland and toward the coast.
• Horses are matched to your size and experience, including slower horses for complete beginners.
• The terrain is volcanic and distinctive, with lava beds, cacti, cardones, and ocean views.
• Groups are capped at six people, making it easier for the guide to watch each rider.
• Guides may take photos, and some riders receive them through WhatsApp at no extra cost.
• Wear trousers and closed footwear, and bring water and sunscreen.

From Xanadu Riding Center Into Southern Tenerife

The ride begins at Xanadu riding center in Arona, in the south of Tenerife. This is not a polished show or a large commercial ranch. The center is small, and that gives the outing a more personal feel, but it also means the schedule can shift if the earlier group is delayed or the selected time fills up.

Allow extra patience at the start. Riders have sometimes waited while horses and equipment were prepared, with one group reporting a delay of about an hour and another setting off roughly 75 minutes after arrival. The good news is that the full paid riding time has generally been provided, even when the start slipped.

You will be introduced to your horse and given basic instructions before leaving. The horses are chosen according to your size and riding experience. That matters here because the group can include someone who has ridden for years, someone returning after decades, and someone sitting on a horse for the first time.

The staff have placed beginners on calm, steady horses, and an instructor has walked beside less confident riders when needed. That arrangement helps keep the group together without forcing a nervous rider to keep up with a faster horse.

What the One-Hour Ride Gives You

The one-hour option is the sensible pick if you have never ridden before, feel unsure around horses, or simply want to fit this between other plans in Tenerife. You still get the main ingredients: a quiet horse, a guide, volcanic ground, mountain views, cacti, and a route toward the coast.

The pace is usually walking pace, though this depends on the ability of the group and the guide’s judgment. Some riders have been allowed to trot, but you should not book this expecting a fast horseback outing. This is a guided ride built around control, scenery, and comfort.

That slower rhythm lets you notice the plants around the path. Tabaiba, prickly pear, cacti, and cardones give the route a very Canarian look. The ground itself is part of the story, shaped by old volcanic activity and lava flows. Guides may point out plants, water channels, volcano features, and the way the land was used.

For first-timers, one hour is enough to learn how to sit, steer, slow down, and stop without your legs becoming tired. Riding can use muscles you rarely notice, especially if you are tense. A one-hour outing also works well for families with children old enough to ride, couples seeking a quiet activity, and anyone who wants a gentle break from Tenerife’s beaches and resorts.

Why the Two-Hour Ride Is the Better Scenic Choice

If the coast is the reason you are interested, choose the two-hour ride. The longer outing follows a route from the riding center toward the sea, taking about an hour in some cases to reach the beach. You then have time for ocean views, photographs, and, if conditions and the group allow, bringing the horses into the water.

That beach section is the special part of the experience. Seeing a horse walk through the sea is quite different from looking at the coast from a road or hotel terrace. The horses may splash in the shallows, and the sea breeze gives the outing a fresh, open feel.

Do not expect a long beach gallop. This is a controlled group ride, and the horses normally move at a careful pace. The time at the water can also feel short after the ride from the center, especially if you want photographs or need a moment to get comfortable near the waves.

The return route may include some trotting if the guide decides the group is ready. One beginner described being asked if the group wanted a little more action, and the riders then trotted for part of the way back. If you hope to trot, tell the guide, but accept that safety and the least experienced rider will set the pace.

The two-hour option costs more in time and effort, but it offers a far more complete view of southern Tenerife. You get the inland volcanic setting, the ocean route, and the beach stop rather than only a shorter outing near the center.

Horses, Instructors, and Beginner Confidence

The horses are the heart of this experience. They are repeatedly described as calm, friendly, and well looked after. Several first-time riders found that the horses followed the guide reliably, which takes away much of the worry that comes with controlling a large animal for the first time.

That does not mean you can sit back and ignore instructions. You will need to learn how to hold the reins, steer, and slow the horse. One useful caution from the experience is that a horse briefly moved too quickly for a beginner, but the guide brought it under control. Listen carefully during the practice session, and ask for help before you feel out of control.

The guides are patient and attentive. Dori has been praised for explaining plants, volcanic features, and the route to the sea. Germain has also been named as a strong guide for beginners. Guides may take photographs during the ride, sometimes sending them through WhatsApp afterward without an added charge.

Communication is the one area to weigh carefully. The activity is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, and Dutch, but the instructor may be a native Spanish speaker who speaks only a little English. Basic riding instructions are still given, and many riders have managed through gestures and simple words, but you should not expect a long English commentary on every part of the route.

If you speak Spanish, you will have an easier time asking detailed questions. If not, learn a few simple riding terms before you go, such as stop, slow, left, right, and wait. That small bit of preparation can make a nervous rider feel much more in control.

A Volcanic Route With Ocean Views

The ride’s setting is more interesting than a generic trail through fields. You travel across old lava ground, with the dry southern climate shaping the plants around you. Tabaiba, prickly pear, cacti, and cardones give the route a strong sense of place.

Above you are the mountains. Below and ahead, the Atlantic opens out. The contrast between dark volcanic earth, pale coastal views, and sharp desert plants makes this a good choice if you want to see Tenerife away from its usual roads and resort promenades.

The guides may explain how water drainage works in the area, point out fruit trees, or discuss local volcanoes and the history of the ground beneath you. The amount of commentary depends on the guide and the group, so treat it as a useful extra rather than a formal sightseeing talk.

The route can feel peaceful because the horses set a steady pace. You have time to look around, take photographs, and notice the change from higher ground toward the ocean. On the two-hour outing, the beach adds a clear sense of occasion, but the inland section should not be treated as filler. It is where you see the Canarian plants and volcanic terrain most clearly.

What to Wear and Bring to Arona

Wear long trousers. Shorts are not allowed, and trousers also protect your legs from rubbing against the saddle and stirrups. One rider who wore shorts found the rubbing uncomfortable by the end, which is an easy problem to avoid.

Closed shoes are the practical choice. Bare feet are not allowed, and the activity does not provide clothes, riding boots, or shoes. Wear something secure rather than loose sandals, though the supplied information does not specify a particular boot type.

Bring sunscreen and water. Southern Tenerife can feel bright and warm, and you will be outdoors for one or two hours with little reason to expect shade throughout the route. A hat may not be practical while riding, so sunscreen matters.

You should also dress for dust and contact with the horse. This is an outdoor activity, not a formal riding lesson, and you may come back with a little dirt on your clothes. Keep valuables secure, especially if you hope to take photographs while mounted.

Children under six cannot take part. The weight rules need careful attention because the published information gives two limits, excluding people over 200 pounds, or 91 kilograms, and also excluding people over 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms. If you are near either limit, confirm the current rule before booking.

Is $47 Good Value for the Ride?

At $47 per person, the price is fair for a small-group horseback outing that includes the horse, instructor, helmet, and either one or two hours in the saddle, depending on the option selected. The value is strongest if you choose the two-hour route and make it to the coast, since you are paying for more than a short arena session.

You are also paying for the horse matching and supervision. For a beginner, that support matters more than speed. A calm horse and a guide who can walk alongside you are what turn this from a nerve-racking gamble into a manageable holiday activity.

The price does not include food, drinks, clothing, or footwear. There is a restaurant next to the center, which is convenient after the ride, but you should budget separately if you plan to eat there.

The outing is particularly good value for couples, families, and mixed-ability groups. Experienced riders may find the pace restrained, especially if several beginners are present. The reward for them is the setting and the chance to ride along the coast, not advanced schooling or sustained cantering.

Who Should Book This Horse Ride?

I would choose this for a first horseback experience, especially on the one-hour option. The horses are selected with ability in mind, the groups are small, and the guides pay attention to nervous riders. A child aged 6 or older may enjoy it, but the child must be comfortable following instructions and sitting on a horse for the selected duration.

The two-hour ride suits you if your priority is the beach and ocean scenery. It is also the better choice for anyone who wants a fuller outing with a longer route, more time among the volcanic plants, and the chance to enter the sea with the horse.

I would hesitate if you dislike slow group activities or want a guaranteed gallop. You should also think twice if you are uncomfortable with limited English instruction, although basic communication has been enough for many riders.

The small group limit of six is a real advantage. It gives the instructor more chance to watch each rider, and it prevents the outing from feeling like a long line of horses. Still, the group’s least experienced rider will influence the pace, so experienced riders should arrive expecting a scenic trek rather than a private training session.

Booking Details That Matter

The meeting point is Xanadu riding center in Arona. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability, and the center may ask you to change your selected time if the group is full.

The activity lasts one or two hours, depending on your booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while organizing your Tenerife plans.

The helmet is included. The instructor is included. Food, drinks, clothes, and shoes are not.

Should You Book the Xanadu Ride?

Book it if you want a calm, scenic way to see southern Tenerife and you are happy to let the guide control the pace. I especially recommend the two-hour option for the coast, beach, and sea breeze, while the one-hour ride is a better test for nervous or completely new riders.

The strongest reasons to go are the gentle horses, careful matching, small groups, and unusual volcanic setting. The points to accept are possible waiting time, a walking-heavy pace, and limited English from some instructors.

For the best chance of enjoying it, wear trousers, bring water and sunscreen, arrive ready to wait a little, and tell the guide honestly how much riding experience you have. If you do that, this is a good-value change of scene from the usual southern Tenerife routine.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride meet?

The meeting point is Xanadu riding center in the town of Arona, in southern Tenerife.

How long is the horseback ride?

You can choose a one-hour or two-hour ride. Starting times depend on availability.

Does the two-hour ride go to the beach?

Yes. The two-hour option includes a route to the coast, where you can enjoy the sea breeze and, depending on conditions and the group, ride the horses near or into the water.

Is this suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The horses are matched to your size and experience, and instructors provide basic guidance. Slower horses and extra support may be provided for first-time riders.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The activity is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, and Dutch. The instructor may speak only a little English and may be a native Spanish speaker.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and water. Wear trousers and proper shoes, since shorts, swimwear, and bare feet are not allowed.

Is a helmet included?

Yes. A helmet and the instructor are included with the one-hour or two-hour horseback ride.

Are there age or weight restrictions?

Children under six cannot take part. The published information excludes people over 200 pounds, or 91 kilograms, and also lists a limit of 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms. Confirm the current weight rule before booking if it applies to you.