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Cenote Ring & Izamal

Horseback Riding Tours

Horseback riding Yucatán style takes you through old hacienda lands, scrub forest and small villages, usually ending in a cool cenote swim. We can arrange guided rides near Izamal and the cenote ring for travellers who prefer a slow, scenic way to see the countryside.

Horseback Riding Tours: our options

Yucatán's flat terrain and former henequen haciendas make for relaxed riding. Trails pass old stone walls, ruined machinery and shaded paths, and a few ranches keep horses in good condition for visitors of all levels.

A horseback riding tour Yucatán ranches offer usually starts with a short lesson in the paddock, then a guided walk or gentle trot through the forest. We can arrange sunset rides, cenote stops and rides for experienced riders who want a faster pace.

  • Beginner trail ride with a guide
  • Hacienda ride with a cenote swim
  • Sunset ride and dinner
  • Private ride for couples or families

What's included

Horses, saddles, helmets, a guide and a short briefing are normally included. Closed shoes and long trousers are advised.

Weight and age limits vary by ranch. Please tell us rider heights and weights when you request a quote.

  • Horse and saddle
  • Helmet
  • Guide and handler
  • Water
  • Cenote entry, where listed

Sample itinerary

A late-morning ride from a ranch near Izamal:

  • 09:00 Arrive at the ranch and meet your horse
  • 09:20 Paddock lesson
  • 09:45 Guided trail ride through scrub forest and old henequen land
  • 11:00 Stop at a cenote for a swim
  • 12:00 Snack of fresh fruit
  • 12:30 Return to the ranch or Izamal

Prices

Horseback rides are priced per rider. These typical ranges are for guidance.

Rides are priced by length and group size, with private rides costing more per person. Adding a cenote swim, lunch or transport raises the cost. Sunset rides are popular and can book up on weekends.

OptionTypical price (USD)
Shared trail rideUS$50–80 pp
Private ride for 2–4US$70–110 pp
Ride with lunch and transportUS$100–150 pp

Who it's for

Good for beginners, children who are old enough and anyone who wants a quiet ride. The pace is mostly a walk, with trotting only if you ask.

A horseback riding tour is less suited to riders with serious back problems, pregnancy or weight above the ranch's limit.

When to go

Morning rides are cooler and best in April to September. The dry season, November to April, offers comfortable conditions overall.

Rain from June to October can make trails muddy, and afternoons are hot. Sunset rides are a pleasant alternative.

Related tours

Cenote Ring & Izamal · from US$100Cenote Diving ToursCenote diving Yucatán style takes certified divers into freshwater sinkholes where halocline layers and cavern light make for striking views.Cenote Ring & Izamal · from US$60Cenote Snorkeling ToursA cenote snorkeling tour takes you into the clear freshwater sinkholes of the Cenote Ring south of Mérida, where light shafts, fish and rock formations are visible just below the surface.Cenote Ring & Izamal · from US$150Cave Diving in YucatánCave diving Yucatán offers is a technical sport for fully trained divers, where a guide leads you through flooded passages beyond the reach of daylight.Mérida & the Northwest · from US$70ATV ToursAn ATV tour Yucatán operators run lets you ride dirt tracks through scrub forest, old henequen land and village edges, often finishing with a cool swim in a cenote.Valladolid & the East · from US$40Cenote Bike ToursA cenote bike tour in Valladolid pairs a gentle ride with several swims, from the town's own Cenote Zací to the cenotes of Dzitnup a few kilometres outside.Cenote Ring & Izamal · from US$55Homún Cenote ToursA Homún cenotes tour takes you to the heart of the Yucatán's Cenote Ring, a cluster of underground and semi-open sinkholes about an hour south-east of Mérida.Cenote Ring & Izamal · from US$50Cuzamá Cenote ToursA Cuzamá cenotes tour is built around a very Yucatecan ride: a horse-drawn cart on narrow rails, called a truk, that carries you through scrubland to underground cenotes.Cenote Ring & Izamal · from US$55Cenote Santa Bárbara ToursA Cenote Santa Bárbara tour visits one of the best-known stops in the Homún cluster, where several underground pools lie close together near the village.Cenote Ring & Izamal · from US$60Izamal Tours & Day TripsAn Izamal tour takes you to the so-called Yellow City, a Pueblo Mágico about an hour east of Mérida where colonial buildings, painted in warm yellow, stand on top of older Maya pyramids.

FAQs

Do I need riding experience?

No. Ranches match horses to riders and provide a short lesson.

Is it safe for kids?

Children above a minimum age can ride, with a handler. Ask us for details.

Can I swim after riding?

Many routes include a cenote swim, so bring a swimsuit.

What should I wear?

Long trousers, closed shoes and a hat. A helmet is provided.

Is there a weight limit for riders?

Ranches set limits for the horses' welfare. Please share rider weights when you request a quote.

Want this trip planned for you?

Tell us your dates, group size and where you are staying. We check availability with local guides and send back a price.

Request a quote