Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and ATV Tour

One word: adrenaline. This Sierra Madre combo tour pairs horseback riding with ATV fun, then rewards you with a waterfall and a hearty ranch lunch away from most Puerto Vallarta crowds. It’s short enough to fit a busy day, but it still feels like you left town.

I love how the day mixes real effort and real payoff: the ride through tropical forest and up toward a waterfall, then the ATV routes through villages. I also like that the ranch sets the tone with lunch and an open bar vibe, so the “active” parts end with something genuinely relaxing.

One thing to consider: you’ll likely be doing a hike as part of the waterfall experience, and your comfort level (plus how you feel about guide style) can swing the day from great to merely okay.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Horseback first, then ATVs: You’ll start at Rancho Capomo and switch gears partway through the day.
• Waterfall is worth the effort: Expect a hike component; it’s described as a real one by some families.
• Lunch plus unlimited drinks: The ranch meal and open bar are part of the value, not an add-on.
• Small group feel: Max 20 travelers, so it doesn’t turn into a cattle-call day tour.
• Guides make a difference: Many experiences praise guide energy and timing, but one review flags customer service issues—so choose day-of vibes wisely.

Sierra Madre Horses and ATVs: What This $150 Tour Actually Buys You

At $150 per person for about 5 hours, this isn’t a quick photo stop tour. You’re paying for three different kinds of fun in one block of time: horseback riding, ATV riding, and a ranch day-break-to-lunch structure that keeps things moving. For active travelers, that bundled format is often better value than booking separate tours.

What makes the price feel more reasonable is the “included” package: lunch, unlimited drinks (including alcohol), and pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points. Add in the setting—Sierra Madre terrain around Rancho Capomo—and you’re not just driving in a vehicle for the day. You’re actually out on the ground, doing something.

Still, the day has moving parts. If you’re sensitive to steep climbs, or if you prefer very strict, no-surprises guiding, you’ll want to go in prepared. One low rating also points to mismatches around ATV use and a rougher guide personality, so keep expectations grounded and ask simple questions at the start.

Getting Off the Beach: Pickup, Timing, and the Rancho Capomo Setup

The tour starts at 8:15 am, and you’ll return to your meeting point at the end. You’ll be picked up from designated meeting points (some folks report easy-to-find spots like a nearby Oxxo), then taken to Rancho Capomo, where the day begins.

Once you arrive, the schedule is set up like a half-day “adventure loop.” Horses and waterfall time happen first, then you shift into ATVs, and you finish with lunch and drinks at the ranch. That flow matters because it reduces the big time gaps that can make tours feel padded or rushed.

The ranch itself is part of the experience. Reviews describe it as beautiful, with staff that feel friendly and helpful. And because the group max is 20 travelers, the day tends to feel more personal than big-bus tours.

One practical note: you’ll want to treat this as an early start day. Even if you don’t wake up early at home, getting there on time helps you avoid the “late pickup” ripple effect that can mess with everyone’s schedule.

Stop at Rancho Capomo: Where the Day Becomes a Real Outdoors Day

Rancho Capomo is where you arrive, start the day, and take your lunch. Think of it as the home base that turns a road trip into an experience with a beginning, middle, and end that actually feels like one unit.

You’ll get the transition moments here: gearing up mentally for horseback, then later switching over to ATVs. Since lunch is included and drinks are unlimited, Rancho Capomo also serves as your built-in recovery stop after the active parts.

I like that the ranch meal isn’t positioned as a quick bite. People specifically mention excellent food—homemade tortillas, carne asada, margaritas—and that matters because it’s one of the few times during active tours where you get to slow down. When a tour includes the food and drink properly, you feel taken care of.

If there’s a downside, it’s that the ranch is in a more remote, “middle of nowhere” vibe compared to the Puerto Vallarta beachfront feel. That’s not automatically bad—it’s kind of the point—but it can feel like a strange change of pace if you only want city life.

Horseback Through the Sierra Madre and Up Toward the Waterfall

This is the heart of the day. You ride into the tropical rainforest area of the Sierra Madre and through the Las Palmas village region, away from the tourist core. If you’ve spent your trip mostly on sidewalks and beaches, this leg gives you that “we’re actually out here” feeling fast.

The riding itself is often described as amazing, with horses that seem well cared for. The route includes areas where you need to stay balanced. One family review even flags that there are spots where balance matters—so if you get uneasy on uneven ground, keep that in mind.

Here’s the key reality: the waterfall visit comes with a hike component. One review flat-out says the Mexican hike is a hike, and multiple people say the waterfall is worth it. That’s a fair trade if you’re comfortable walking uphill or on rougher trails for a stretch of time.

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves sweat-with-a-view—this is your lane. If you want mostly flat walking, you might find the hike part more demanding than you expected.

ATV Time Through Villages: Fun, but Go in Knowing What You’ll Get

After the horse portion, you switch to ATVs for about 60–70 minutes (roughly an hour plus). This is where the tone changes from steady riding to more kinetic, open-air movement.

The ATV route is described as fun and scenic, sometimes passing through villages and rural roads rather than just drifting through one viewpoint loop. Reviews mention it being peaceful in parts, and others highlight the experience of seeing small communities and farms in between.

That said, I’m glad at least one review raises a possible concern: in one case, the ATV arrangement didn’t match what the guests expected, and the guide’s attitude was criticized. I can’t say that’s typical, but it’s enough to justify one piece of advice: at the start of the ATV portion, ask how the ATVs will be assigned. If you’re traveling as a couple or with a friend, you’ll want clarity on who rides which vehicle.

You also shouldn’t assume the path is always off-road. One comment complains that ATV riding was mostly on road with little true off-road. So if you’re coming specifically for mud-and-dirt adventure, temper expectations a bit and focus on the ride-through-villages angle, which is repeatedly praised.

Lunch and Unlimited Drinks at the Ranch: The Part People Remember

The lunch is not an afterthought. It’s included, it’s served at the ranch, and it’s tied directly to why many people call the tour worth the money.

What stands out most in feedback is quality and satisfaction: carne asada shows up repeatedly, tortillas are described as homemade, and margaritas are often mentioned in the same breath as the meal. Even people who go for adrenaline tend to end up happy at lunch, which is exactly what you want after hiking and riding.

And then there’s the open bar. Reviews mention unlimited drinks like margaritas, beer, and soda. That doesn’t mean the tour is a party cruise—but it does create a relaxed finish. You’ve earned time to sit, eat, and talk about the ride instead of rushing to your next reservation.

A practical tip: if you plan to drink, keep it moderate. You’ll still be active earlier in the day, and you want to feel sharp on the trail portions and on the ATV transfer steps.

Guides and Group Size: Why Your Experience May Feel Different

With a maximum of 20 travelers, the day usually feels manageable. You’re less likely to get lost in a giant group, and that can make the instructions clearer and the transitions smoother.

Guide personality gets a lot of attention in the reviews, and that’s real-world important. People praise specific guides for being on time and friendly—names like Berto, Sergio, and Hector come up. When the guide is upbeat and organized, the whole day feels easier: the pickup lands on time, the ride feels confident, and you’re given the right level of explanation.

The one lower rating mentions a late-arriving guide and rude comments. Even if that’s an outlier, it’s still a reminder that “the operator” is only half the story—the human factor matters. If you’re booking because you want a smooth, friendly day, show up early, be patient, and communicate calmly if anything feels off.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)

This tour is a great match for:

• People who want both animals/nature and motorized fun in one half-day.
• Travelers who don’t mind a hike component for the waterfall.
• Groups and couples who like active tours with included food and drinks.
• Anyone tired of doing Puerto Vallarta only as a beach day and ready for a bit of rural reality.

It might be less ideal if:

• You want mostly flat walking and minimal physical strain.
• You’re extremely sensitive to customer service tone and communication style.
• You’re counting on a specific ATV setup (like each person on their own vehicle) without confirming details.

For families, it can work well if kids and teens are comfortable with hiking. One review mentions a 10- and 12-year-old enjoying it, but it also calls out the hike as a hike. So treat it as an active family outing, not a gentle stroll.

Practical Tips for a Smooth 8:15 Start

A few things will help your day go smoothly, based on what people experienced and what the tour includes.

First: wear shoes you trust for uneven ground. Horse paths and waterfall access routes are not gym-floor level. Closed-toe footwear will help, especially if the trail is slippery or uneven.

Second: plan for heat. Even in the morning, you’re in tropical rainforest terrain and you’ll be hiking and riding back-to-back. Bring a way to stay hydrated if you tend to drink water frequently.

Third: do a quick mental reset that this isn’t only one activity. It’s a chain: horse ride → hike toward waterfall → ATV → lunch and drinks. If you go in expecting it to be relaxed from the start, you might get impatient mid-day.

Finally: since pickup points are designated, confirm where you’ll meet before morning. People report being picked up at a nearby Oxxo walk from their hotel, and that’s a great setup when you know exactly where to stand.

Should You Book the Sierra Madre Horseback and ATV Tour?

Book it if you want a half-day adventure that actually uses the Sierra Madre setting—horseback through rainforest terrain, a hike to a waterfall, then ATV riding through village areas, all ending with real food and unlimited drinks at Rancho Capomo. The combination is the selling point, and the food/tequila-style satisfaction people mention makes the day feel complete.

Skip or think twice if you want low-effort nature viewing, or if you’re picky about ATV assignments. Also consider your tolerance for guided activities: most guides sound friendly and organized, but one review highlights that guide behavior and ATV setup can be an issue.

If you’re active, flexible, and happy to trade beach time for a rural day out, this is the kind of tour that leaves you with more than just a few photos. You’ll come back tired—in the good way.

FAQ

Where does this tour take place?

It runs in the Puerto Vallarta area, Mexico, with activities centered around Rancho Capomo.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 5 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time listed is 8:15 am.

How much does it cost?

The price is $150.00 per person.

What’s included in the price?

Included are lunch, unlimited drinks (an open bar), alcoholic beverages, taxes and fees, and pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points.

Is a mobile ticket provided?

Yes, this tour offers a mobile ticket.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.