Horseback riding on the beach in Puerto Escondido: the complete guide

Riding a horse along the Pacific at sunset is high on a lot of Puerto Escondido wish lists, and for good reason. But the town's famous beaches are not where it happens. This guide covers where the rides actually go, what the two options look like, what they cost, when to go and what to sort out before you book.

Where do you ride a horse in Puerto Escondido?

Not on Zicatela or Playa Principal. The beaches in town are busy with surfers, swimmers, fishing boats and restaurants, and the rides we run leave all of that behind. Both start in San José Manialtepec, a small farming village about 30 minutes west of Puerto Escondido, close to Manialtepec Lagoon. From there the trail heads toward the coast, so by the time you reach the sand the beach is wide, quiet and mostly yours.

That is the real appeal. You don't just ride up and down a strip of beach: you get to it on horseback, through countryside most visitors never see.

The route: river, jungle, then the beach

The sunset ride crosses three different landscapes in one afternoon:

• The river. The first stretch follows a shallow river, with iguanas sunning on the rocks. The horses wade through, so expect a few splashes.
• The jungle. The trail climbs gently under a canopy of tropical trees. It is noticeably cooler in the shade, and you'll usually hear parrots before you see them.
• The beach. You come out onto an open stretch of Pacific coast and ride along the waterline as the light turns gold, with time to watch the sun go down from the saddle.

The way back follows the beach and the river in the blue light after sunset.

Two ways to ride: shared or private

Sunset ride (shared)

• Price: $1,850 MXN per person
• Schedule: hotel pickup at 3:00 PM, back by 7:00 PM, about 4 hours in total
• Group: shared with other riders, minimum 2 participants (traveling solo? message us and we'll try to pair you with a group)

Private ride

• Price: $2,400 MXN per person
• Schedule: choose an 8:00 AM or 3:00 PM departure
• Route: just your group and a personal guide. You cross the Manialtepec River twice, then the horses swim across a branch of the lagoon while you cross by boat beside them. The ride continues to Puerto Suelo beach, with a drink stop at a local restaurant.

If you're torn between the two, our side-by-side comparison of the sunset ride and the private ride goes into more detail on who each one suits.

What's included

Both rides include round-trip transport from your hotel or Airbnb in Puerto Escondido, a guided ride, a well-kept horse and saddle, a riding helmet, a bilingual guide who knows the local ecology, and bottled water. There's nothing to rent and nothing to arrange on the spot.

Do I need riding experience?

No. Most people who join the sunset ride are beginners, and the horses are calm, used to riders of every level and know the trail well. Before you set off you get a short briefing on holding the reins and steering, and the pace stays relaxed, mostly at a walk. Tell your guide if it's your first time so they can match you with the right horse. If you're nervous, our tips for your first ride are worth five minutes of your time.

Who can ride?

• Weight: the maximum rider weight is typically around 100 kg (220 lbs). If you're close to that, mention it when you book.
• Children: on the private ride, the minimum age is 8, and kids ride their own horse. For younger children, ask us before booking.
• Health: if you have back or knee problems, or you're pregnant, check with your doctor first. Four hours with time in the saddle is gentle, but it is still a physical activity.

When is the best time to go?

The ride runs all year. A few things to know about the seasons on the Oaxacan coast:

• Dry season (roughly November to May): clear skies most evenings, which usually means the most reliable sunsets. It's also the busiest time in Puerto Escondido, so book a few days ahead, especially around Christmas, New Year and Easter.
• Rainy season (roughly June to September): the countryside turns deep green and the river runs fuller. Rain tends to come in the late afternoon or at night rather than all day, and trails may vary a little. The sunsets can be spectacular when the clouds break.

As for time of day, the shared ride is always in the afternoon because it's built around the sunset. With the private ride you can choose the 8:00 AM departure, which is cooler and leaves your afternoon free.

What to wear and bring

Long pants (jeans are ideal) and closed-toe shoes, ideally with a small heel, matter more than anything else on the list. Add sunscreen, insect repellent, a phone or camera in a pocket that closes, and a swimsuit plus a change of clothes for the drive back. You'll find the reasons behind each item in our guide to what to wear for horseback riding in Puerto Escondido.

How to book

Both rides are booked and paid on our main site, puerto-escondido.mx, using the buttons on this page. Pick your date, the number of riders and the ride, and you're done in a couple of minutes. Pickup is from your hotel or Airbnb, so there's nothing else to plan. If you have a question about weight, children or traveling solo, ask before you book rather than on the day.

A few honest tips

• Plan for a little wet. On the sunset ride the river crossing is shallow, so it's splashes rather than a soaking. On the private ride you will get wetter.
• Keep the evening free. You're back at your hotel around 7:00 PM, a little sandy and very hungry. Dinner close by is a good plan.
• Secure your phone. Most dropped phones fall at the river or on the beach while people are taking photos. A zipped pocket or a lanyard solves it.
• Trust the horse. On the river and on the jungle trail, it knows where to put its feet better than you do.

Still deciding which ride fits your trip? Start with our comparison of the sunset ride and the private ride.