Horseback Riding & Swim: Tequila Tasting, BBQ & Margaritas

A horse, a river, and tequila in one day. This tour pairs horseback riding with a possible swim with your horse, then sends you to a countryside lunch stop with tasting and BBQ. I especially like that they match you with a horse based on your ability, so the day feels less random.

What seals it for me is the food and drinks setup: a traditional Mexican lunch with unlimited lemon margaritas, plus tequila tasting at La Dulce Vista. If you’re traveling with people who want a fun, social day, guides like Martin, Saul, Fabrizio, Valeria, and Rafa tend to keep the energy moving. One drawback to keep in mind is that the river part is weather dependent, so you might end up riding more through town or dry riverbeds on some days.

Key points to know before you go

• Horse matching for your riding level helps first-timers and experienced riders feel more comfortable.
• Mascota River swim is optional and depends on current and conditions.
• La Dulce Vista is the real payoff with tequila tasting, BBQ, and poolside downtime.
• Unlimited lemon margaritas make lunch feel like part of the experience, not just a stop.
• Small group size (max 17) keeps the day from feeling too rushed or crowded.
• Bring swim gear and water-ready shoes because wet feet are part of the story if you swim.

Horseback Riding Begins at Hacienda Dona Engracia, then You Get Matched

Your day starts at Av Paseo de la Marina 121, Marina Vallarta. You’ll take a white bus ride about 25 minutes out to Hacienda Dona Engracia, which is the calm start before the action. This matters because the first part sets expectations. You’re not just being handed a horse and told good luck. Instead, you’re matched with an animal that fits your ability.

From there, you’ll head out on a countryside ride with views of local scenery and vegetation. Several guides named in the day-to-day running of this tour, including Martin and Fabrizio, are described as friendly and helpful, especially when it’s someone’s first time. That kind of support tends to make a huge difference on a horse excursion, since the early minutes can be a mix of excitement and nerves.

The horses are generally portrayed as calm and well cared for. One rider even noted that horses felt trained and that staff were careful about safety instructions before getting on. If you’ve been worried about working animal welfare, this is the kind of operator where that concern often feels taken seriously.

A quick reality check on fitness rules

There is a weight and height note for riders over 220 lbs (100 kg). If you’re above that weight, your height needs to be above 5’7″ / 170 cm. It’s a standard safety constraint, but it can affect who can ride comfortably. If you’re near the limit, it’s worth confirming at booking so you don’t lose time on the day.

The Mascota River Ride, Plus When You Actually Swim

The headline is the Mascota River route, and this is where the tour can swing between amazing and just good. If river conditions allow, you may enjoy a short swim with your horse. Reviews call this moment magical and memorable, and people emphasize the value of doing it if you get the chance.

But here’s the practical part: river conditions are not in anyone’s control. During rainy season or when current is too strong, some days can swap out the swim and river crossings for a different ride. On those days, you might still ride through countryside or parts of town, but the river section may be limited or completely skipped. You’ll still reach the lunch and tequila stop, but the “river story” changes.

What to bring for the river segment

Plan as if you might get wet, because you might.

• Bring a swimsuit
• Wear shoes that won’t easily slip off and that you’re okay getting wet
• Bring a towel (important, since towels are not included)
• Hat and sunglasses help in sun, and sun is a common complaint when the ride ends up more road-and-sand than shade

You’ll also want to think about what happens between the horseback part and lunch. If there’s a swim, you’ll want a way to carry a dry change of clothes. One review suggestion was to use a backpack for swapping clothing, and that’s solid advice for comfort.

Photos along the way

Your guide can take photos with a camera if you want them. That means you might not have to juggle your phone while you’re focusing on staying balanced. I like tours that handle the photo moment for you, because it makes the experience feel smoother.

La Dulce Vista: Where the Tequila Tasting Gets Specific

After riding, you head to La Dulce Vista, which is where the day shifts from motion to flavor. This is also where the itinerary becomes more “boutique” instead of just scenic.

At La Dulce Vista, you’ll taste artisanal boutique tequila produced in small batches in the city of Tequila. The tasting lineup includes:

• Blanco
• Reposado
• Añejo
• Premium Pink Tequila

What I like about doing tequila tasting after the ride is timing. You’re cooled off from the horse time, you’ve got food coming, and your senses are more ready to notice differences. It’s the kind of setup where you can actually pay attention instead of just sipping to kill time.

Make the most of your tasting table

You’ll get the chance to learn what makes each tequila different. More than one guide is described as entertaining and knowledgeable in the tequila portion, and people mention that the tasting felt fun rather than stiff.

If you’re the type who likes to compare, pay attention to how Blanco tastes sharper and more straightforward, while Reposado and Añejo tend to feel smoother and rounder. Even if you’re not a tequila expert, tasting in this structured way is a quick education you can use back home when you’re shopping.

Traditional Mexican Lunch and Unlimited Margaritas at the BBQ Spot

Lunch is traditional Mexican BBQ, and the menu described includes chicken, meat, beans, rice, veggies, salsa molcajete, and quesadillas. Importantly, there are vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options.

This matters because horseback rides can be long and tiring. If food is generic, the whole day feels like effort with little reward. Here, the lunch is part of the main event, and many people rate it as phenomenal or delicious.

Unlimited lemon margaritas

The other major piece is unlimited margaritas (lemon margaritas). That’s one of those details that can turn a long afternoon into a celebratory one. You’re not just getting a small drink. You’re building a relaxed end-of-day rhythm at the poolside BBQ destination.

That said, keep expectations realistic. One negative account mentioned an experience where alcohol felt like it might have had extra charges at an earlier table. Your tour description says alcoholic beverages are included with lemon margaritas, so the baseline should be covered. Still, if you’re sensitive about transparency, it’s smart to ask what the included drinks are before you order anything extra.

The salsa moment

More than one person mentions a hands-on salsa moment at the stop, including making salsa yourself. Even if you don’t care about tequila, this is the kind of activity that adds memory value, because it gives you something tangible to talk about later.

Tour Logistics: Time on the Bus, Hot Weather, and the Big Ride Day Reality

The tour lasts about 5 hours. That’s a good length for balancing a true experience with not burning your whole day. Still, you should plan for heat. Hot weather and a warm ride in an unconditioned air van show up in feedback. If you’re arriving from the cruise area or spending time walking before pickup, the day can feel even longer.

One review tip that’s useful for cruise passengers: the walk from the cruise terminal to the meeting area can be around 30 minutes, mostly flat and pathed. If you’re not up for that, consider a taxi or Uber ahead of time so you’re not stressed when pickup arrives.

Group size: max 17 helps

A maximum of 17 travelers keeps it from turning into a cattle call. That usually means:

• you’re more likely to get help getting on and off your horse
• you spend less time waiting around
• the day feels more social and less chaotic

It can also affect the pace. On days with smaller groups, you might feel the schedule is tighter, and you might move faster between stations. That can be good if you love momentum, but it can feel rushed if you prefer long breaks.

Price and Value: Why This Day Often Feels Like More Than You Paid

At $113.26 per person for roughly 5 hours, this isn’t a budget-only tour. But it can be good value because you’re combining multiple “paid activities” into one package:

• a guided horseback ride
• possible horse swim
• tequila tasting with multiple tequilas
• lunch with multiple food items
• unlimited margaritas
• private transportation by white bus

A lot of separate tours would charge you extra for transportation, meals, or tastings. Here, the pricing lumps those pieces together. Where value gets mixed is when river riding and swimming get shortened by conditions. On those days, you still get tequila and BBQ, but the most dramatic part of the experience changes.

So I’d frame it like this: pay attention to the “conditions dependent” promise. If you’re lucky with water and current, you can get a standout story. If you’re not, you can still have a great day, just less river action.

Who Should Book, and Who Might Want to Skip

This tour fits best if you want a real country-style Puerto Vallarta day. It’s also a strong pick if you enjoy tasting experiences and want something more than a beach transfer.

Book it if you:

• want a hands-on day with horseback riding and the chance to swim with a horse
• like tequila tasting that includes Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Pink tequila
• care about lunch quality and appreciate unlimited margaritas
• like small group tours (max 17)

Consider skipping or adjusting your expectations if you:

• strongly want the river crossings and swim no matter what (conditions can prevent it)
• get very uncomfortable in heat, especially if the ride time shifts to hotter, less shaded areas
• have concerns about saddle comfort (a small number of comments mention saddles that felt uncomfortable)

Also, if you’re planning this as a specific celebration, build in buffer. Even when operators are friendly and events run well, weather-driven changes can shift the day’s rhythm.

Final Thoughts: Should You Book This Horseback Riding and Tequila Day?

I’d book this when you want a full, social experience that pairs countryside riding with tequila and a proper BBQ lunch. The combination of horse matching, La Dulce Vista tasting, and poolside margaritas is what makes it feel worth doing.

If your top priority is the Mascota River swim, try to go into it with flexible expectations. If river conditions allow, the swim is the moment everyone talks about. If not, you’ll still get a memorable day with riding, tequila, and food, just with a different ride route.

If you want my simple decision rule: book it if you’re okay with weather changing the river plan, and if you can bring the right gear. Without a swimsuit, water shoes, and towel, you’ll feel the day less than you should.

FAQ

What is the duration of this tour?

The experience runs about 5 hours.

Where does the tour start, and where does it end?

It starts at Av Paseo de la Marina 121, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. It ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, private transportation by white bus, lemon margaritas (alcoholic beverages), and bottled water are included.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so you’ll need to bring your own.

Do I need a swimsuit?

Yes. You should bring a swimsuit, because you may be able to swim with your horse if river conditions permit.

Is swimming with the horse guaranteed?

No. Swimming with the horse depends on river conditions. If conditions are not right, you will still do the riding and other parts of the day.

What kind of tequila is tasted?

The tasting includes Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequila, plus a premium Pink tequila.

Is lunch vegetarian or other dietary friendly?

Yes. There are vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 17 travelers.

What if weather is bad or the tour is canceled?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.