Horseback riding with kids in Puerto Escondido: a parent's guide

A horseback ride is one of the few activities in Puerto Escondido that works for the whole family at once: no surf lessons for the kids while the adults wait on the sand, no boat ride where the little ones get bored after twenty minutes. Everyone is on a horse, crossing a river, riding under the trees and coming out onto the beach together. It does take a bit more planning than booking for adults, though. Here is what parents ask us most, and what we tell them.

How old do kids need to be?

On our private ride, the minimum age is 8 years, and children ride their own horse. That second part matters as much as the number. An 8-year-old who is nervous about sitting alone on a horse for a few hours will have a harder time than a confident 7-year-old, so think about your child as well as their age.

For the shared sunset ride, and for any child under 8, ask us before you book. Tell us the ages and whether they have ridden before, and we will tell you honestly what is possible. Please don't turn up on the day with a younger child and hope for the best: the guide's answer has to be about the horses and the trail, not about disappointing anyone.

Which ride is better for a family?

We run two rides from the village of San José Manialtepec, about 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido. Both include hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, a well-kept horse, a riding helmet and bottled water. They feel quite different with kids, though.

The private ride: the family favorite

The private ride is just your group with a personal guide, which is why we usually recommend it for families with children aged 8 and up. The guide sets the pace for your slowest rider, stops when someone needs a drink or a break, and has eyes on every child the whole time.

It is also the more exciting route for kids. You cross the Manialtepec River twice, and then the horses swim across a branch of the lagoon while you cross beside them in a small boat. Children tend to remember that part long after the trip. The ride continues to Puerto Suelo beach, with a drink stop at a local restaurant.

• Price: $2,400 MXN per person, minimum 2 participants
• Departures: 8:00 AM or 3:00 PM
• Plan to get wet: two river crossings plus the lagoon crossing

The sunset ride: shorter on surprises

The shared sunset ride costs $1,850 MXN per person, with hotel pickup at 3:00 PM and return by 7:00 PM. The route follows a shallow river, climbs gently through a patch of jungle and comes out on a wide Pacific beach for golden hour. The river crossing means splashes rather than a soaking. You share the ride with other riders, so the pace is the group's pace, which suits older kids and teens who are happy to keep up.

For a longer comparison of the two, see our guide to the sunset ride and the private ride.

Morning or afternoon with children?

If your kids are young or wilt in the heat, the 8:00 AM private departure is worth a serious look. It is cooler, energy levels are higher in the morning, and the whole thing is done before the hottest part of the day, leaving the afternoon for the pool or a nap.

The 3:00 PM departures end with the sunset and a ride back in the twilight, which is beautiful but means getting back to your hotel around 7:00 PM. For most children that's fine; for some it's past their best hour. You know yours.

What should kids wear?

The same rules as for adults, and they matter more for children, whose legs rub more easily against the saddle:

• Long pants. Jeans or leggings, not shorts. Bare legs get chafed and sunburned.
• Closed-toe shoes. Sneakers are fine; a small heel is even better. No sandals or flip-flops.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent, applied before pickup.
• A swimsuit under their clothes and a full change for the drive home, especially on the private ride.

A riding helmet is included, and your guide will help adjust it so it fits snugly. Our full list, with the reasons behind each item, is in what to wear for horseback riding in Puerto Escondido.

How to prepare a child for their first ride

Most kids are excited. Some are excited and a little scared, which is completely normal around an animal that big. A few things help:

• Talk it through the day before. Explain that the horses are calm, that they walk most of the time, and that the guide will show them how to hold the reins.
• Tell the guide who is nervous. Guides match horses to riders. Knowing that a child is anxious, or has never ridden, helps them choose the calmest horse.
• Teach the two basics. Never walk behind a horse, and keep a quiet voice around them. Children pick this up fast.
• Feed them first. A light lunch before a 3:00 PM pickup, or breakfast before the morning ride, and a snack in the bag for the drive back.
• Bathroom break before pickup. Once everyone is in the saddle, stopping is not always quick.

Our tips for first-time riders are written for adults, but older kids can read them too, and they cover the same things the guide will say at the start.

Practical questions from parents

Can a parent and child share a horse?

On the private ride, no: each child rides their own horse. On the sunset ride, ask us when you book rather than assuming.

Is there a weight limit for adults riding with kids?

Yes, for everyone. The maximum rider weight is typically around 100 kg (220 lbs). If anyone in your group is close to that, mention it when you book.

What if my child wants to stop halfway?

This is the strongest argument for the private ride: with only your group, the guide can slow down, take a break or adjust plans. On a shared ride, the group continues together, so it is better suited to kids you are confident will enjoy the whole afternoon.

Do we need to book in advance?

For families, yes. Book a few days ahead, especially around Christmas, New Year and Easter, when Puerto Escondido is busiest. It also gives you time to send us your children's ages and ask any questions before the day.

Our honest advice

If your kids are 8 or older and comfortable around animals, the private ride is the one we'd choose for our own family: a personal guide, flexible pace, a morning option and horses swimming across the lagoon. If your children are younger, or you're unsure whether they'll enjoy it, message us before booking and we'll talk it through. A good first ride can turn a child into a lifelong rider; a rushed one usually doesn't.

New to the area? Our complete guide to horseback riding in Puerto Escondido covers where the rides go, the seasons and how booking works.