Hot Springs Horseback Riding Adventure

Ride toward warm water. This five-hour outing takes you from Puerto Escondido into farmland and mountain country that cars cannot reach. I like the combination of steady horseback riding and a swim in volcanic hot springs, and I also like that hotel pickup, transport, snacks, and water are included. The main caution is that you need moderate fitness, and horseback riding can feel less relaxed on the return if the horses become lively.

This is not a polished resort excursion. It is a countryside trip with local horses, farm animals, river crossings, village stops, and plenty of open-air time. Guides such as Efrain have helped riders with little or no experience, while Jessie has been especially attentive to nervous younger riders. Still, you should be comfortable spending much of the day outside and accept that conditions can change with the weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Manialtepec hot springs by horseback: Ride through farmland and rural areas before swimming in naturally warm volcanic pools.
• About five hours door to door: Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned minivan are included.
• Good for first-time riders: Horses travel at a steady pace, and guides provide help, though this remains an active outing.
• Local scenery is the main event: Expect mountains, farms, animals, river crossings, and countryside beyond the reach of cars.
• Small maximum group: The tour accepts no more than 14 people, which allows the guides to keep an eye on the group.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours ahead.

Leaving Puerto Escondido for the countryside

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan, and the driver also serves as your guide. That makes the start easy, especially if you are staying in Puerto Escondido and do not want to arrange a taxi to a rural meeting point.

The drive takes you away from the coast and toward the small communities and farmland around Manialtepec. One account describes roughly 30 minutes by vehicle before reaching the place where the horses were waiting. The exact drive can vary by hotel and route, but you should expect the minivan ride to be part of the experience rather than a quick transfer.

This first stretch gives you a look at daily life beyond Puerto Escondido’s beaches and restaurants. You may pass small farms, see animals near the road, and get a better sense of how people live and work in the region. One stop has included a local garden project growing medicinal herbs and vegetables, adding a useful community and farming element to the outing.

The ride is offered in English, and the guides have been praised for explaining local wildlife, the town economy, and the hot springs themselves. Efrain, in particular, has led rides with detailed information about birds and local life. Guide assignments can change, so you should not assume a specific person will lead your departure.

Meeting the horses and getting comfortable in the saddle

At the rural starting point, you meet the local horse team and receive help before setting off. The horses are described as highly trained and accustomed to this route. That matters if you are new to riding, since a calm horse and an attentive guide can make the first 10 minutes much less intimidating.

You do not need to be an expert rider. A first-time rider has completed the trip successfully with help from the guides, and the horses generally followed the group at a measured pace. Jessie has also helped an 11-year-old who was nervous about riding, a useful sign for families with older children.

Still, do not confuse beginner-friendly with effortless. You will spend several hours on horseback, and the activity requires moderate physical fitness. Your legs, hips, and back may feel the work, particularly if you have not ridden before. Wear practical clothing, and bring a camera as well as anything you need for swimming.

The group limit is 14 people. That is not an intimate private ride, but it is small enough for the guide to notice riders who need help. If you are anxious, tell the guide early. The best part of this excursion is the relaxed pace, and there is no prize for pretending you are comfortable when you are not.

Riding through farms, mountains, and open country

Once you leave the village, the route follows local farmland and rural paths. This is where the trip earns its keep. You see parts of the region that are hard to reach by car, with mountain views behind the fields and farm animals reacting to the passing horses.

The scenery changes gradually rather than arriving as one grand lookout. You may pass cows and other farm animals, cross water, and follow the horses through areas where the road gives way to a more natural route. Several riders have singled out the river crossings as a memorable part of the trip.

That variety makes the ride feel like a real journey instead of a short circuit around a ranch. You are not simply sitting on a horse for photographs. You are moving through a working rural area, with the guide pointing out birds, plants, and local details along the way.

The pace is generally steady. A reported itinerary took about an hour to reach the hot springs, followed by about two hours at the water. The full outing is advertised at approximately five hours, so allow room for pickup, preparation, stops, and the return ride.

One point deserves attention: the return was not equally calm for everyone. A rider reported that the horses became more anxious and galloped briefly on the way back. That may not happen on your trip, but it is a fair reason to ask the guide about the pace and to speak up if you are uncomfortable. You should expect a country ride, not a controlled amusement-park attraction.

Reaching the Manialtepec thermal pools

The hot springs are the reward at the end of the ride. You can leave the saddle, change into swimwear, and enter the volcanic pools for a long soak. The water has been described as very hot, so ease in carefully and give yourself time to adjust.

The setting is simple and natural rather than resort-like. You are there for warm water, quiet, and the feeling of being far from town. The guides can show you around and explain the local reputation of the springs. Some outings have included about two hours at the pools, which is enough time for a proper swim rather than a rushed dip.

I would treat the springs as a place to slow down. You have already spent time in the saddle, so the warm water can feel soothing. Bring your camera for the views, but protect it from water and do not let photography take over the best part of the stop.

Snacks and bottled water are included. Food has also been an important part of several outings, with one ride including breakfast and another including a complimentary meal described as excellent. The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this as a food tour. Think of the meal or snacks as welcome fuel during an active day.

A small detail from one outing was a stop for star fruit. Details like that give the day a local feel, although they are not guaranteed. The route and food may change with timing, weather, and local conditions.

The ride back and the value of the full package

After the hot springs, you return by horse and then by minivan to Puerto Escondido. The return route may follow the same general path, giving you a second view of the farms and countryside. If your outing runs later in the day, you might be riding as evening arrives. One account describes seeing the stars on the way back, which sounds lovely, but departure times and daylight will affect whether that happens.

The value here is not just the horse rental. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, bottled water, snacks, and the hot springs visit. You also avoid arranging separate transport to a rural village and finding your own way into the countryside.

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost against similar outings. The practical test is simple: compare the quoted price with a horse rental, private transport, guide service, food, and access to the springs booked separately. Once those pieces are added, an all-in half-day package may offer solid value, especially for visitors who want an easy connection from Puerto Escondido.

The strongest value is for people who care about the route and local setting. If you only want to sit in hot water, a simpler thermal bath visit may be better. If you want the springs as the final stop on a countryside ride, this trip gives you much more.

Who will enjoy this horseback adventure

I would recommend it most to:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction rather than a competitive or fast ride
• Couples looking for a quiet outdoor day, especially if they like rural scenery
• Families with older children who can manage several hours on horseback
• Visitors who want to see farms, villages, and mountain country beyond Puerto Escondido
• Anyone who likes combining an active excursion with a long soak in warm water

You should think twice if you have a low fitness level, dislike uneven outdoor routes, or want a tightly timed sightseeing schedule. The day has a natural rhythm, and rural Mexico does not always operate with the precision of a city tour.

The experience also suits nervous riders better than you might expect. Guides have calmed people who were afraid of horses and assisted riders who had never mounted before. That said, you should still tell the operator about your experience level when booking, since the activity involves real animals and changing outdoor conditions.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear clothes you can ride in and swim in, and bring a camera for the farms, mountain views, horses, and springs. Bottled water and snacks are included, but you should still arrive ready for several hours outside.

Use the hotel pickup to your advantage. Be ready at the agreed time, since the minivan must collect other people if the outing is shared. The maximum group is 14, so the tour may feel social rather than private.

Ask about the expected riding pace before you leave. This is especially useful if one person in your group is a beginner or feels uneasy around horses. The guides have shown patience, but clear communication makes the outing safer and more pleasant.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Souvenir photos are not included, though they may be available to buy. Since cameras are welcome, you can make your own record of the day, but keep your equipment secure during the ride and swim.

Should you book the Manialtepec ride?

Book it if you want a genuine countryside outing with horses, warm springs, local food, and time away from Puerto Escondido. The strongest features are the rural route, patient guides, calm horses for many beginners, and the chance to reach the thermal pools without arranging the transport yourself.

I would not book it simply because you want the easiest possible hot spring visit. The ride takes effort, the return can occasionally become lively, and the schedule depends on weather and rural conditions. For an active half-day with plenty of scenery and a memorable swim, however, this is one of the more rewarding ways to see the area beyond the beach.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding hot springs tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including transportation, preparation, horseback riding, time at the thermal pools, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included, with transport provided by air-conditioned minivan.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can a beginner ride a horse on this tour?

Yes. The horses travel at a steady pace, and the guides help first-time and nervous riders. You still need a moderate level of physical fitness.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and snacks are included. Some outings have also included breakfast or a meal, but the exact food provided is not specified.

Can I swim in the hot springs?

Yes. Swimming in the Manialtepec volcanic thermal pools is a central part of the experience.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can receive a full refund or choose a different date if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.