“One of the best things we did in our whole Mexico trip. Our guide picked us up on time, the horses were calm and well cared for, and watching the sun set from the saddle on an empty beach was something I'll never forget. Easy even for my husband who'd only ridden once before.”
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Sunset Horseback riding
San Jose de Manialtepec, Puerto Escondido
Duration
4 hours
Departs
3 PM
Returns
7 PM
Location
San Jose de Manialtepec
From
$1,850 MXN
Trusted by travelers from around the world
Gallery — 11 photos
There is a particular kind of freedom that comes from riding a horse through a river, through a jungle, and onto a wide-open beach as the sun drops into the Pacific. The sunset horseback ride near Puerto Escondido takes you to the village of San Jose Manialtepec for four hours of landscapes that shift like scenes in a film — and one of the most memorable ways to experience the Oaxacan coast.
Your experience
What to Expect
We pick you up at 3:00 PM from your hotel or Airbnb in Puerto Escondido. After a 30-minute drive through the lush Oaxacan countryside, you arrive in the village of San Jose Manialtepec where the horses and their owner are waiting. The horses are well-kept, calm, and accustomed to riders of varying experience levels. After a brief orientation — how to hold the reins, how to communicate with your horse — you set off along a dirt trail that winds through tropical vegetation thick with birdsong.
The first section follows a river, the horses wading through shallow water while iguanas sun themselves on the rocks above. The trail then climbs gently into a patch of jungle, where the canopy closes overhead and the air cools. Parrots chatter in the treetops. Eventually, you emerge onto a wide-open stretch of Pacific beach just in time to watch the sky turn gold.
Hour by hour
Detailed Itinerary
3:00 PM
Pickup from Your Hotel
Your guide picks you up from your hotel or Airbnb in Puerto Escondido. Sit back and enjoy the 30-minute drive through the countryside toward San Jose Manialtepec.
3:30 PM
Meet the Horses
Arrive in San Jose Manialtepec and meet the horses and their owner. Get fitted with a helmet, receive a quick riding briefing, and get acquainted with your horse.
4:00 PM
River and Jungle Trail
Set off along the riverbed and into the jungle canopy. The pace is relaxed, with stops to observe wildlife — iguanas, tropical birds, and the sounds of the jungle all around you.
5:00 PM
Emerging onto the Beach
Leave the jungle behind and arrive on a pristine stretch of Pacific beach. Ride along the waterline as the afternoon light softens and the sky starts to change color.
5:30 PM
Sunset on the Sand
The main event. Watch the sun set from horseback, the Pacific turning gold and crimson. Your guide will find the perfect vantage point for photographs.
6:30 PM
Ride Back and Return
Ride back along the beach and river trail in the blue twilight. Your guide drives you back to Puerto Escondido — you'll be at your hotel by 7:00 PM.
What makes it special
Highlights
Three ecosystems in one rideRiver, jungle, and Pacific beach, each with its own character
Sunset from horsebackWatching the sun drop into the ocean while sitting in the saddle is unforgettable
Wildlife encountersIguanas, tropical birds, and sometimes crocodiles along the river
Beginner-friendly horsesGentle, well-trained animals suited to first-time riders
Door-to-door transportation includedPickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Puerto Escondido, no extra cost
San Jose Manialtepec settingA glimpse of rural Oaxacan life beyond the tourist beaches
All set
What's Included
Round-trip transportation — pickup and drop-off at your hotel or Airbnb
Four-hour guided horseback ride
Well-maintained horse and saddle equipment
Riding helmet
Bilingual guide familiar with local ecology
Bottled water
Pack light
What to Bring
Long pants — jeans or similar are ideal for riding
Closed-toe shoes with a small heel (sneakers work if you have nothing else)
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Camera or phone in a secure pocket
Swimsuit — in case you want a quick dip at the beach
Change of clothes — you may get splashed during the river crossing
Before you book
Good to Know
No prior riding experience is required.
The horses are responsive and calm, perfectly suited to first-time riders.
Transportation is included.
We pick you up at 3:00 PM and drop you back by 7:00 PM — door to door from anywhere in the La Punta to Bacocho area.
Maximum rider weight is typically around 100 kg (220 lbs).
Let us know when you book if you have any questions about this.
Minimum 2 participants.
If you're solo, message us on WhatsApp and we'll try to pair you with another group.
The ride operates year-round.
Trails may vary slightly during the rainy season (June–September), but the sunset is just as magical.
Real traveler stories
What travelers are saying
“Nous avons adoré cette expérience! Le guide était patient et drôle, les chevaux gentils, et la plage au coucher du soleil… magique. Quatre heures qui passent trop vite. Je recommande à 100%.”
“We went with our two teenagers (neither had ridden before) and everyone loved it. The ride through the river and then into the jungle before ending on the beach was so varied and beautiful. Our guide stopped to take photos for us at the best spots. Worth every peso.”
“Booked through WhatsApp, confirmed in minutes. They picked us up at 3 PM and drove us to San Jose Manialtepec, about 30 min from town. Horses were healthy and responsive, the trail follows a small river with iguanas sunbathing on the rocks. Sunset on the beach was unreal — pink and gold, not a soul around. Bring jeans and closed-toe shoes.”
“Absolut traumhaft. Der Guide war wunderbar, die Pferde ruhig und gut gepflegt. Der Ritt durch Fluss, Dschungel und dann am Strand bei Sonnenuntergang — unvergesslich. Klare Empfehlung!”
4.9 (185)
5.0 (140)
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From
$1,850 MXN