The top-rated horse riding tours in Playa del Carmen compared: jungle rides on rescue horses, a cenote-swim ride with hotel pickup, and horse, zipline and cenote combos, with honest pricing and what each includes.
What You Should Know
- Horse riding in Playa del Carmen splits into two styles: short jungle trail rides (around 1.5 hours) and longer jungle rides paired with a cenote swim or a full multi-activity adventure (3 to 7 hours including transport).
- The two dedicated ranch rides set a minimum age of 8 and a rider weight limit of roughly 200 to 220 lb (90 to 100 kg); the combo tours accept children with an adult (the ATV combo has child rates from age 4) and allow riders up to 200 to 264 lb (90 to 120 kg) depending on the operator.
- Rides run year-round, though both dedicated ranch rides skip Sundays: Rancho Bonanza runs Monday to Saturday (10am and 1pm), and the boutique Playa Maroma ranch keeps set times (9:30am and 2pm) Monday to Saturday. A morning ride is the single best way to avoid the midday heat.
- Round-trip hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen is included on the cenote and combo tours but not on the boutique Playa Maroma ride, where riders make their own way to the ranch.
Horse Riding in Playa del Carmen: An Overview
Horse riding in Playa del Carmen is one of the easiest ways to trade the beach for the Riviera Maya's jungle and coastline for a few hours. Playa del Carmen horse riding tours range from short rides on rescued horses through the jungle, to half-day trips that pair the saddle with a cenote swim, and full combos that add ATVs and ziplines. This guide compares the top-rated options we'd shortlist, what each one includes, and which suits your group.
The five tours below cover the main choices. There is a boutique small-group ride on jungle trails near Playa Maroma, a beginner-friendly jungle ride that finishes with a cool-off in a natural cenote, and three combo days near Puerto Morelos that pair a shorter ride with ziplines, a cenote and, on two of them, an ATV, for travelers who want to pack the most into one day. If you are also weighing other outdoor trips down the coast, our Playa del Carmen ATV tours guide and Playa del Carmen cenote tours guide cover the jungle and cenote options in more detail.
Rancho Bonanza
The highest-rated horse ride on this list and the cleanest match if horses and a cenote swim are what you came for: a roughly two-hour jungle ride on rescue horses with a cenote stop, round-trip hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen, and the deepest review history of any option here.
Book NowBest Horse Riding Tours in Playa del Carmen Compared
Here are the top-rated horse riding tours in Playa del Carmen we'd shortlist, with what's included and current pricing. All prices are per person in USD. Rancho Bonanza currently shows bookable dates on Viator from November 24 through December 31, 2026 (Monday to Saturday); if your trip falls outside that window, check the live calendar on this page or consider the Playa Maroma ride. The two newer combo rows show Cancún-pickup prices; Playa del Carmen pickup costs more on both.
| Operator | Price | Rating | Ages | Capacity | Duration | Days Offered | Transport | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Rated Rancho Bonanza Horseback Riding & Cenote Swim Book Now | $120.00 | 4.9 ⭐ (2,001 reviews) Read Reviews | 8+ (max 220 lb) | Up to 5 per booking | ~2 hours + transfers | Daily exc. Sun (10am, 1pm) | Hotel pickup + round-trip (Cancún & Playa del Carmen) | Jungle ride on rescue horses, cenote swim, water, snacks, towels |
| Rancho Baaxal Award-winning Classic Horseback Ride (max. 6) Book Now | $99.00 | 4.8 ⭐ (56 reviews) Read Reviews | 8+ (max ~200 lb / BMI 30) | Max 6 riders | ~1.5 hours | Daily exc. Sun (9:30am, 2pm) | Not included (make your own way to Playa Maroma) | Jungle trail ride on rescue horses, helmet, repellent |
| Horseback Riding + ATV, Cenote, Ziplines & Lunch La Ruta de los Cenotes Book Now | $60.75 (Cancún pickup; Playa del Carmen pickup costs more) | 4.5 ⭐ (1,329 reviews) Read Reviews | 4+ (accompanied; max 200 lb) | Up to 15 per booking | ~7 hours (5.5 + transfer) | Daily | Hotel pickup + round-trip (Cancún & Playa del Carmen) | Horseback, ATV, ziplines, cenote, lunch (chicken fajitas); locker $5 extra |
| Horseback Ride + ATV, Ziplines & Cenote El Rey Polo Club, Puerto Morelos Book Now | $89.00 (Cancún pickup; Riviera Maya pickup $99) | 4.8 ⭐ (765 reviews) Read Reviews | 6+ for the ride (max 260 lb) | Shared group | ~5 hours | Daily (9:30am, 1:30pm) | Hotel pickup + round-trip (Cancún, Riviera Maya & Tulum) | 1 km horseback ride, ATV, 3 ziplines, cenote swim, tequila tasting; locker $5 + $5 refundable deposit extra |
| Horseback Riding, Zipline & Cenote (no ATV) with Tequila Tasting Book Now | $52.00 (Cancún pickup; Playa del Carmen pickup $77, mornings only) | 4.7 ⭐ (112 reviews) Read Reviews | Kids with an adult (max 264 lb) | Shared group | ~4 hours | Daily (9:30am, 1:30pm) | Hotel pickup + round-trip (Playa del Carmen mornings only) | 30-min horseback ride, 4 ziplines, hanging bridges, open cenote, tequila tasting, 2 tacos; locker $5 extra |
ℹ️ Prices, ratings, and review counts were updated and verified by our editorial team on October 31, 2026. Prices and availability may change; always confirm with the operator before booking.
What to Expect on a Playa del Carmen Horse Ride
Most rides follow the same rhythm. Here is how a typical cenote-swim tour runs from pickup to drop-off.
- 018:00 AM
Hotel pickup
Round-trip pickup from your Playa del Carmen or Cancún hotel. Combo tours start around 8:00 to 8:30am; the boutique Playa Maroma ride has you arrive at the ranch yourself, 20 minutes before your slot.
- 02
Ranch arrival & briefing
A safety briefing, helmet fitting, and a horse assigned to you based on your size and experience level. You sign a waiver before mounting up.
- 03
Trail ride
Roughly an hour in the saddle on a calm rescue horse along shaded jungle trails on the two dedicated rides; the combos keep the ride shorter, about 30 minutes or 1 km.
- 04
Cenote swim
On the cenote and combo tours, cool off with a swim in a natural cenote. Water, snacks, and towels are provided.
- 05
Return & drop-off
Back to the ranch and a transfer to your hotel. The combo tours add ziplines and, depending on the tour, an ATV ride, a tequila tasting, and lunch before the return.
- 01
Hotel pickup
Round-trip pickup from your Playa del Carmen or Cancún hotel. Combo tours start around 8:00 to 8:30am; the boutique Playa Maroma ride has you arrive at the ranch yourself, 20 minutes before your slot.
8:00 AM - 02
Ranch arrival & briefing
A safety briefing, helmet fitting, and a horse assigned to you based on your size and experience level. You sign a waiver before mounting up.
- 03
Trail ride
Roughly an hour in the saddle on a calm rescue horse along shaded jungle trails on the two dedicated rides; the combos keep the ride shorter, about 30 minutes or 1 km.
- 04
Cenote swim
On the cenote and combo tours, cool off with a swim in a natural cenote. Water, snacks, and towels are provided.
- 05
Return & drop-off
Back to the ranch and a transfer to your hotel. The combo tours add ziplines and, depending on the tour, an ATV ride, a tequila tasting, and lunch before the return.
Previous riding experience is not required on the beginner-friendly tours, but it helps on the longer Rancho Bonanza ride. Riders should be comfortable mounting and following simple instructions; guides set the pace for the whole group and stay with you throughout.
What matters more than which tour you pick is being honest about your experience: guides match the horse to your size and stated comfort level, and from what we've seen in reviews, that pairing is what makes the ride feel calm even for nervous first-timers.
The Best Horse Riding Tours in Playa del Carmen
Rancho Bonanza Horseback Riding & Cenote Swim
Top-rated and beginner-friendly: a roughly two-hour jungle ride on rescue horses that finishes with a cenote swim, with round-trip hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen and water, snacks, and towels provided. The deepest review history of any ride here.
Check availabilityRancho Baaxal Classic Horseback Ride
Small groups capped at six on an award-winning Playa Maroma ranch, riding rescue horses on shaded jungle trails. About 90 minutes; transport is not included, so you make your own way to the ranch.
Check availabilityHorseback Riding + ATV, Cenote & Ziplines
Four activities in one day along La Ruta de los Cenotes: horses, an ATV, ziplines, and a cenote, plus lunch. The lowest per-activity price, though only part of the day is in the saddle.
Check availabilityHorseback Ride + ATV, Ziplines & Cenote
The highest-rated of the multi-activity days here: a 1 km ride at El Rey Polo Club near Puerto Morelos, then an ATV circuit, three ziplines, a cenote swim, and a tequila tasting. The ride is short, so book it for the variety rather than the horses, and budget for the required locker.
Check availabilityHorseback Riding, Zipline & Cenote
A 30-minute ride paired with four ziplines, hanging bridges, and an open cenote, plus a tequila tasting and two tacos, with no ATV. The lowest headline price on this page is for Cancún pickup; Playa del Carmen pickup is a pricier, morning-only option.
Check availabilityWhere You Ride: Jungle Trails and Cenotes
The setting is the biggest difference between these tours, and we'd choose on terrain rather than price alone.
Jungle trails near Playa Maroma
The boutique ride is based near Playa Maroma, between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, and now runs on shaded jungle trails rather than the old beach route. It is the option to pick for a calm, personal ride: the six-rider cap keeps the group small, and rescue horses are matched to your experience level.
Jungle trail and a cenote
The cenote-swim ride stays inland on jungle trails before finishing at a natural cenote, which is the highlight for most riders on a hot day. It is the most balanced "just horses and a swim" experience and the easiest for first-timers.
La Ruta de los Cenotes
The combo tour runs along La Ruta de los Cenotes, the jungle road inland from Puerto Morelos lined with cenotes and adventure parks. Here the horseback portion is one piece of a longer day that also includes an ATV, ziplines, and a cenote, so expect a full schedule rather than a relaxed ride.
Puerto Morelos combo parks
The two newer combos also run inland from Puerto Morelos. The highest-rated one starts with a 1 km ride at El Rey Polo Club before an ATV circuit, ziplines, and a cenote; the other skips the ATV and pairs a 30-minute ride with ziplines, hanging bridges, and an open cenote.
How Much Does Horse Riding in Playa del Carmen Cost?
Horse riding tours in Playa del Carmen run from about $52 to $120 per person depending on length, what's bundled in, and where you are picked up (the lowest combo prices are for Cancún pickup). The cheapest options are not the simplest: they pack ziplines, a cenote, and often an ATV into a long day, while the pricier cenote ride is a shorter, more focused horse-and-swim experience with door-to-door transport.
The main tradeoff with the combo is time: the cenote stop runs only about 20 minutes and the day often ends with a photo-sales pitch, so we'd weigh the lower headline price against a longer, less focused day.
The horse, zipline and cenote combo (no ATV) starts at $52 with Cancún pickup, or $77 with Playa del Carmen pickup; the four-activity ATV combo starts around $61. Only part of either day is on horseback.
The boutique Playa Maroma ride: a small group capped at six and a 90-minute jungle-trail ride on rescue horses. Transport to the ranch is not included.
The top-rated cenote ride with round-trip hotel pickup, a guide, and everything provided. The highest review count of any option here.
Budget separately for guide tips, any cenote locker or life-jacket rental, and drinks that are not included.
Our Take
The biggest decision here is format, not price. The cheapest combos pack several activities into a long day, and recent reviews of the ATV combo describe waits for horses, a no-phones rule with a photo package of around $90, and only about 20 minutes at the cenote, while the dedicated Rancho Bonanza ride keeps the focus on the horses and the water. If riding is the point, the shorter dedicated ride is usually the better experience; budget for its photographer's pictures separately too.
Tips for Horse Riding in Playa del Carmen
- Book a morning ride. The midday heat and afternoon humidity are real here. A 9:30am slot or an early combo pickup means a cooler, more comfortable ride and calmer horses.
- Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Shorts chafe against the saddle and the stirrups, and closed shoes are usually required to ride.
- Confirm transport before you book. The cenote and combo tours include hotel pickup; the Playa Maroma boutique ride does not, so plan a taxi or rental to reach the ranch and arrive 20 minutes early.
- Check the weight limit. Limits run from about 200 lb (90 kg) on the Playa Maroma ride and the La Ruta de los Cenotes ATV combo, to 220 lb on Rancho Bonanza and 260 to 264 lb on the newer combos (the Playa Maroma ranch also uses a BMI limit of 30); confirm if it might apply to your group.
- Bring repellent and reef-safe sunscreen for the cenote. Jungle trails have mosquitoes, and chemical sunscreen is restricted in cenotes, so use a mineral formula or rinse off before swimming.
- Be honest about experience. Tell the ranch your real comfort level so they assign the right horse; the beginner rides are genuinely beginner-friendly, but the guide can only match you well if they know.
- Visiting in April? Our Playa del Carmen in April guide covers the warm Easter month, when an early-morning ride beats the building midday heat.
- Visiting in August? Our Playa del Carmen in August guide covers peak summer heat, when only the first morning ride slot stays comfortable for horses and riders.
- Visiting in October? Our Playa del Carmen in October guide covers the improving shoulder, when cooler, drier conditions make for comfortable rides at quiet ranches.
Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen
Staying in Playa del Carmen or planning a trip? Here are three well-reviewed hotels, with live prices from our booking system. Rooms at the best-rated hotels are usually the first to go, especially in peak season and over holidays, so it's worth locking in your stay before availability fills up.
Compare Live Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices
Live rates for a three-night stay for two adults, checking in about a month from now. Change the dates at checkout and book with instant email confirmation.
- Instant confirmation by email
- Live rates, not brochure prices
- Free cancellation on selected rates
El Taj Oceanfront and Beachside Condo Hotel
Oceanfront and beachside condo suites two blocks from Fifth Avenue, with infinity pools, a spa, a beach club and room for families; 9.0 on 1,510 reviews. Guests praise the staff and space; the restaurant is pricey.
Book now on:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Playa del Carmen
The highest guest score here at 9.6 on 1,633 reviews: a modern hotel on Avenida Constituyentes, a short walk from Fifth Avenue and the ferry, with a pool and breakfast.
Rooms, photos & reviewsBook now on:
Suites Corazón
Simple suites with a microwave and mini-fridge on Calle 14, three minutes' walk from the beach and five from Fifth Avenue; 8.9 on 1,919 reviews, among the lowest rates here. Some balconies face the next building.
Book now on:
Estimated nightly rate for a 3-night stay, 2 adults. Final price on Expedia or Booking.com.Room only. Local taxes and fees are added at checkout and can add roughly 20%.
How We Selected These Tours
The Cancun Trip Insider team selected these horse riding tours based on rider ratings and review volume, the quality and care of the horses (both dedicated ranch rides use rescued horses), transparency on age and weight limits, and how clearly each tour delivers on what riders actually want, whether that is a focused ride, a cenote swim, or a packed adventure day. We compared current pricing, inclusions, and departure logistics across the options available from Playa del Carmen, and noted where transport is and is not included so there are no surprises on the day. Prices, ratings, and review counts were updated and verified in October 2026 and can change; always confirm with the operator before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is horse riding in Playa del Carmen suitable for beginners?+
Yes. The cenote-swim ride and the boutique Playa Maroma ride are both beginner-friendly, with calm rescue horses, a safety briefing, and guides who set the pace and stay with the group throughout. You do not need prior experience, though it helps on the longer rides. Tell the ranch your real comfort level so they assign the right horse.
How much does horse riding in Playa del Carmen cost?+
Expect about $52 to $120 USD per person. The horse, zipline and cenote combo starts at $52 and the four-activity combo along La Ruta de los Cenotes around $61 (both with Cancún pickup; Playa del Carmen pickup costs more), the boutique Playa Maroma ride is $99, and the top-rated cenote-swim ride with hotel pickup is $120. Budget separately for guide tips and any cenote locker or life-jacket rental.
Can you ride horses on the beach in Playa del Carmen?+
Beach riding is limited here now. The well-known boutique ranch near Playa Maroma historically rode the beach but currently runs jungle trails, and the other tours stay inland on jungle trails and at cenote parks. Most Riviera Maya horse rides are now jungle-and-cenote experiences, so if riding on the sand is essential, confirm the current route with the operator before booking.
What is the minimum age and weight limit for horse riding here?+
The two dedicated ranch rides set a minimum age of 8 and a rider weight limit of roughly 200 to 220 lb (the Playa Maroma ranch also uses a BMI limit of 30). The combo tours accept children with an adult: the La Ruta de los Cenotes combo has child rates from age 4 and a 200 lb limit, and the El Rey Polo Club combo sets a minimum age of 6 for the ride and a 260 lb limit. Confirm the limits with the operator if they might apply to your group.
Is hotel pickup included for horse riding in Playa del Carmen?+
It depends on the tour. The cenote-swim ride and all three combos include round-trip hotel pickup (on the newer combos, Playa del Carmen pickup is a pricier option, and morning-only on the no-ATV combo). The boutique Playa Maroma ride does not include transport, so you make your own way to the ranch and should arrive about 20 minutes before your time slot.
What should I wear horse riding in Playa del Carmen?+
Long pants and closed-toe shoes are best: shorts chafe against the saddle and closed shoes are usually required to ride. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes for the cenote, plus insect repellent and reef-safe mineral sunscreen, since chemical sunscreen is restricted in cenotes.
When is the best time of day to ride?+
Morning. The midday heat and afternoon humidity in the Riviera Maya are significant, so an early ride is cooler and more comfortable for both riders and horses. The Playa Maroma ranch offers 9:30am and 2pm slots daily except Sunday, Rancho Bonanza rides at 10am and 1pm Monday to Saturday, and the combos have 9:30am and 1:30pm starts.
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