Sierra Madre Horseback Riding and Zipline with Lunch Included

The best part of this outing is the change of scene. You trade Puerto Vallarta’s beach crowds for a quiet Sierra Madre ranch, a 90-minute horseback ride, and ziplines stretched over big valleys. I like the friendly small-group feel and the fact that lunch, drinks, entrance fees, and transport are wrapped into one price.

I also like the local character. The horses are described as gentle and well cared for, the food is homemade Mexican cooking, and the ranch feels less polished than the big commercial zipline parks. The catch is the journey: the road can be rough and takes about 90 minutes each way, and the waterfall may be dry in the dry season.

Key Points

• Horse ride to a waterfall: Expect about 90 minutes on horseback, including a hike to the waterfall area.
• Around 10 zipline routes: The zipline section crosses open mountain terrain, river areas, and broad valleys.
• Lunch and national drinks included: Mexican food, alcoholic drinks for those 18 and older, and nonalcoholic drinks are part of the outing.
• A small-group ranch experience: The maximum group size is 15, which gives the day a more personal feel.
• A long, bumpy transfer: The trip from Puerto Vallarta can take about 90 minutes each way.
• Basic requirements matter: You need to be at least 1.30 meters tall and weigh at least 50 pounds.

Rancho Capomo Gives You a Different Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is easy to enjoy from a beach chair, but the Sierra Madre begins just beyond the resort zone. This tour takes you toward Rancho Capomo and the village of Las Palmas, where the setting feels far removed from the hotel strip.

I like this kind of outing because the ride is not only about checking off two activities. You get a look at rural mountain life, spend time in a tropical forest setting, and eat at the ranch afterward. The day has a local, outdoorsy feel rather than the polished rhythm of a large amusement park.

The tour begins at 8:15 a.m. from a selected pickup point in Puerto Vallarta. A driver and guide handle the transfer, and the return brings you back to the same meeting point. Driver Sergio has been praised for keeping the ride entertaining with plenty of jokes, which can help on the long drive.

That drive is the first major thing to weigh. It takes roughly 90 minutes each way, and parts of the road can be very bumpy. If you want a quick activity close to town, this is not the right choice. If you are happy to spend part of the day reaching a quieter mountain setting, the distance is part of the experience.

The Ride Through the Sierra Madre

At Rancho Capomo, the horseback portion usually lasts about 90 minutes. The route includes a trek toward a waterfall, with a hike on foot as part of the outing. You should expect a slow, basic ride rather than a fast equestrian excursion.

The horses are described as gentle, well trained, and well cared for. That makes this a reasonable option if you have limited riding experience, though the experience still involves a bumpy trail and uneven ground. You will want closed shoes, practical clothes, and a willingness to sit in the saddle for a while.

The scenery is the real prize. The route passes through forest and mountain terrain, with morning light making the ride especially pleasant. One portion follows about 1.5 miles toward the waterfall. You may also pass through a small village, and one account noted litter along part of that section. This is not a manicured nature park, which some people will find authentic and others may find rough around the edges.

The walk to the waterfall can require some effort. In a wetter season, the destination should provide a satisfying payoff. In the dry season, the river and waterfall may have little or no water. That seasonal change matters, so keep your expectations focused on the ride, forest setting, and mountain views rather than on a guaranteed cascade.

What the Zipline Section Is Really Like

The zipline portion adds a stronger dose of action after the slower horseback ride. You can expect about 10 routes, with lines crossing open mountain areas, river sections, and large valleys. The views are a major part of the appeal.

This is not described as a heavily polished, resort-style zipline complex. The setting feels more primitive and exposed, which gives it a rougher local character. That can be a plus if you prefer a small ranch operation to a large adventure company with a highly packaged feel.

You should also prepare for sun. The zipline area can be hot and dry, with limited shade. Wear shoes with good footing and long pants. A change of clothes is useful, especially if the heat, dust, water, or activity leaves you uncomfortable by lunchtime. Bringing a couple of bottles of water is also sensible, even though drinks are included later.

The minimum height is 1.30 meters, and the minimum weight is 50 pounds. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but you should consider the combination of horseback riding, hiking, and ziplining before booking for anyone with mobility concerns.

Lunch, Drinks, and the Ranch Atmosphere

After the active parts of the day, lunch gives the outing a welcome pause. Mexican food is included, along with national alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Fajitas and homemade dishes have received especially strong praise, and the meal is one of the tour’s better value points.

You may also encounter a tequila tasting or homemade tequila at the ranch. It is a small local touch, not a separate premium tasting program. The minimum drinking age is 18, and you should not plan to drink alcohol if you still have a long ride or other strenuous activity ahead.

I like that the meal is part of the experience rather than an afterthought. You do not need to find a restaurant in an unfamiliar rural area, and you can sit down with the group after the riding and zipline sections. The food and drinks also help balance the $147 price, since transportation, admission, lunch, and the open bar are included.

The ranch atmosphere is friendly and personal. The maximum group size is 15, so this is not built around moving a huge crowd through a series of stations. Staff members are generally described as personable and helpful, though communication may be uneven with some members of the team. That is worth knowing if you expect polished service in fluent English at every step.

Is the $147 Price Fair?

At $147 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning near Puerto Vallarta. It becomes more reasonable when you count what is included: round-trip transport from selected pickup points, the driver and guide, Rancho Capomo admission, horseback riding, ziplining, lunch, and national drinks.

Booking the activities together also saves you from arranging separate transport and finding food between them. You get a full half-day, with the morning transfer, horse ride, hike, zipline routes, and lunch all connected. For someone who already wants both horseback riding and ziplining, the package makes practical sense.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one short ride or a luxury adventure park. The road is long, the ride can be bumpy, and the facilities may feel basic. Souvenir photos cost extra, so you should not assume every part of the day is covered by the listed price.

I would think of the fee as payment for access to a remote setting and a full package, not simply for time on a horse or a zipline. The more you value the quiet ranch, homemade lunch, and small-group setting, the better the deal looks.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most?

This tour suits you if you want an active break from Puerto Vallarta and enjoy a bit of roughness in exchange for a more local setting. It works especially well for couples, families with older children who meet the height requirement, and friends who want two activities in one day.

It is also a good fit if you like variety. The horseback ride is calm and scenic, the hike adds a little effort, the zipline brings speed, and lunch slows the pace again. You are not locked into one type of activity for five hours.

You may want to choose another outing if you dislike long transfers, rough roads, heat, or basic facilities. It is also not ideal if the waterfall is the main reason you are booking, since dry-season conditions can reduce it to a dry riverbed.

The 15-person limit helps keep the day from feeling like a mass operation. Still, the exact pace can depend on the group, the guide, and how smoothly the activities run. I would leave room in your schedule rather than planning an important appointment soon after the stated five-hour duration.

What to Wear and Bring

Dress for outdoor activity, not the beach. Long pants and sturdy shoes are the most useful choices for both the horse ride and the zipline section. Sandals and loose beachwear are poor companions for a bumpy trail and exposed mountain routes.

Bring water, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. The zipline area may be hot and dry, and the ride can be dusty or uncomfortable if you are not prepared. You should also keep valuables to a minimum, since the day includes riding, hiking, and adventure equipment.

Photos are available for purchase, but souvenir photos are not included. If you want your own pictures, follow the staff’s instructions and keep your phone secure during the activities.

Booking Details That Matter

Your confirmation arrives at booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. Pickup is available from selected meeting points in Puerto Vallarta, with the tour ending back at the meeting point.

If you are arriving on a cruise ship, you must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when you book. That information helps the operator judge whether the schedule works.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Children need an accompanying adult. The minimum drinking age is 18, while the minimum height is 1.30 meters and the minimum weight is 50 pounds.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, so if the operator cancels for that reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should You Book Rancho Capomo?

I would book this tour if you want horses, ziplines, lunch, and mountain scenery in one package, and you do not mind spending much of the morning getting there. The combination feels more personal and less corporate than a large adventure park, and the food, staff, and horses are strong points.

I would skip it if your priority is convenience, luxury, or a guaranteed waterfall. The 90-minute road transfer in each direction is the main drawback, and the dry season can change the waterfall portion.

For an active day with a rural feel, Rancho Capomo offers good value at $147. Pack long pants, proper shoes, water, and patience for the road. You will get the most from it if you see the journey and the basic ranch setting as part of the adventure.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The activity takes place at Rancho Capomo near the Sierra Madre and the village of Las Palmas, outside Puerto Vallarta.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately five hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from selected meeting points in Puerto Vallarta are included.

What activities are included?

The experience includes horseback riding, a hike toward a waterfall, ziplining, lunch, and drinks at Rancho Capomo.

How many zipline routes are included?

The zipline portion includes about 10 different routes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Mexican lunch is included, along with national alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

What are the age and size requirements?

The minimum drinking age is 18. Participants must be at least 1.30 meters tall and weigh at least 50 pounds. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Are cruise ship passengers allowed to book?

Yes, but cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted and are not refunded.