REVIEW · MEXICO CITY
Exclusive Horseback Ride w/ Mexican Charros Family in México City
Book on Viator →Operated by CDMXEXPERIENCE.COM.MX · Bookable on Viator
A forest ride beats a city day almost every time. This private experience swaps Mexico City’s streets for Los Dinamos, guided by Aurelio and the family. What I love most is the focus on rescued, well-trained horses and the long, patient ride time (over 2.5 hours). One thing to consider: the route is trail-based and supervised, so you won’t just roam freely or race.
You’ll start with Luis meeting you at Alfonso Reyes 216, then get introduced to the horses before you go. The team keeps things calm and safe, with a cowboy-led route and clear instructions that help even first-timers feel steady. If you’re expecting a straight-up open-mountain gallop, adjust your mindset to forest paths, streams, and big quiet views instead.
In This Review
- Key moments that make this ride special
- Swapping Mexico City for Los Dinamos forests
- Start at Alfonso Reyes: meeting the family vibe with Luis
- Before you ride: introductions, control, and why they keep it structured
- The 2.5+ hour horseback route through pine, streams, and river edges
- How the guides keep you safe without killing the fun
- Lunch tacos in the mountains: fuel after time in the saddle
- Private tour details that change the experience
- Who should book this horseback ride, and who should think twice
- What you’re really paying for (value beyond the ride)
- Practical tips so your day goes smoothly
- Final call: should you book this horseback ride?
- FAQ
- Where does the horseback tour start?
- How long is the experience?
- Is this a private tour?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do I need to be an experienced rider?
- What should I bring for the ride?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- Are tips and alcohol included?
Key moments that make this ride special

- Rescued horses with a purpose: the family rescues abused horses and builds their routine around care and trust.
- Guided, not free-roaming: you ride a planned route led by a cowboy, with no racing and no wandering off on your own.
- Long time in the saddle: more than 2.5 hours riding, which is rare for a day trip.
- Forest-to-river scenery: you cross streams and get close to the river and surrounding vegetation.
- Lunch included with real local flavor: tacos as the meal, plus the kind of family-stop details people rave about.
- Safety support that goes beyond the basics: extra guidance shows up in how they introduce riders and horses before you start.
Swapping Mexico City for Los Dinamos forests
Mexico City has energy. But after an hour of traffic and honking, your brain starts craving green space. This tour does the swap fast. You’ll leave the city behind and head toward the Los Dinamos area, where the air feels different and the views come with pine trees, greenery, and water you can hear before you see it.
What makes this work for most people is that it’s not just a quick photo stop. You’re actually doing something—riding—while you’re surrounded by nature. And since the time in the saddle is over 2.5 hours, you’re not left feeling like you spent the whole day in a van.
You can also read our reviews of more city tours in Mexico City
Start at Alfonso Reyes: meeting the family vibe with Luis

The day begins at Alfonso Reyes 216, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc (meeting point is easy to reach by public transportation). From there, Luis handles the first leg of the day and explains how everything will work.
In real terms, this matters more than you’d think. Horseback riding tours can be intimidating if you’re new, and nerves grow fast when you’re rushed. Here, Luis and the team take the time to set the tone before you mount up. Several guests highlight Luis’s solid English and talkative, friendly style during the drive, which helps you relax and ask questions early.
You’ll also get that family-host feel when you’re taken to where they care for and train their horses. Guests describe coffee and a warm welcome, and that matters because it turns the ride from a transaction into a day you actually remember.
Before you ride: introductions, control, and why they keep it structured

Here’s the setup you should expect: the family doesn’t throw you onto a horse and wish you luck. They introduce riders and horses first, and they run the day with safety and animal respect as the priority.
Two named people show up repeatedly in the experience:
- Aurelio, a horse trainer who can ride the horses in front and leads the riding side of things. Guests say his expertise makes the experience feel easier and more controlled.
- Camilo, known for his horseshoes work, and mentioned as the best on the job by the community.
That structure is also why you don’t get to travel freely through the mountains. The guides follow a route led by a cowboy, and they keep the pace in a safe, respectful range. One rider noted they don’t race, and that’s consistent with the care-first approach.
Possible drawback to plan for: if you were hoping for a smooth, open “mountain ride” with lots of galloping, this is more trail and forest path than free-range roaming. It can also feel gnarly on certain terrain for brand-new riders. The horses handle it, but your body might feel it.
The 2.5+ hour horseback route through pine, streams, and river edges

Once you’re mounted, the route is built around nature and control. You’ll ride for more than 2.5 hours, and the team chooses that time with the horses’ care in mind.
What you’ll notice along the way:
- tall pine areas and heavy greenery
- crossings over streams
- moments where you’re close to the river and the plants around it
This is where the “away from the city” promise becomes real. You’re not just looking at nature from a car window; you’re moving through it at a horse’s pace. For people who like photography, the combination of trees, water, and light through branches gives you lots of angles that you won’t get in the city.
And because the guides stay with you, you don’t have to guess where to go or what to do next. You’ll still need focus—horseback riding rewards attention—but you shouldn’t feel abandoned.
How the guides keep you safe without killing the fun

Good safety planning shouldn’t feel like a lecture. In this case, it feels like calm guidance.
Guests repeatedly describe the team as patient, especially with first-timers. Several people mention help adjusting comfortably on the horse and thorough instruction before the ride. One review even highlights that guides walked along to make sure riders felt comfortable during the trail length.
Also, the “no racing” rule isn’t just about control. It’s part of how the team keeps the horses fresh and safe through the day. That’s not boring. It gives you time to enjoy what’s around you: the water, the quiet, the slow look back at trees and trails.
If you’re deciding whether you belong here, I’d frame it like this: you don’t need to be an experienced rider, but you should be willing to follow directions, keep a steady seat, and accept that some trails can be rougher than you expected.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Mexico City
Lunch tacos in the mountains: fuel after time in the saddle

After the ride, you refuel. Lunch is included, and the sample meal listed is tacos. That’s a great match for this kind of day: simple, filling, and easy to eat when you’re tired from riding.
Guests add extra texture to what that lunch can feel like. Some describe a family restaurant stop in the mountain area, others mention treats like tres leches cake, pulque, horchata, grilled corn, and lemon verbena tea. Not every detail will be identical day to day, but the overall pattern is consistent: it’s a real family meal, not a tourist assembly-line lunch.
One practical note: if you’re riding later in the day, it can get dark. One guest described a nighttime ride feeling adventurous and relaxing at the same time, but also noted it got very dark. Plan your expectations based on your time slot, and bring a layer for cooler forest evenings.
Private tour details that change the experience

This is a private tour/activity. Only your group participates, so you’re not squeezed into someone else’s schedule or separated into random subgroups.
That one detail affects everything:
- You can ask questions without feeling rushed.
- If someone is nervous or new, the team can spend more time with them.
- The pace and support can feel more tailored to your group.
The experience is offered in English, and multiple reviews mention that Luis’s English is very good, which makes instructions easier to follow. If you’re traveling with mixed experience levels, private format helps a lot.
Who should book this horseback ride, and who should think twice

This is for you if:
- you want nature outside Mexico City, with time actually spent in the forest
- you care about animal welfare and like the idea of riding rescued horses
- you prefer guided experiences where safety and training matter
- you enjoy cultural family interactions, not just a checklist tour
It might not be your best choice if:
- you want a fast, open terrain gallop with lots of free-roaming
- you’re expecting a super smooth, beginner-level ride with minimal trail unevenness
- you’re very sensitive to dark conditions if your time slot runs late (some runs can get very dark)
That said, reviews suggest first-timers often do great as long as they listen to instructions and ride with patience.
What you’re really paying for (value beyond the ride)
Since there’s no price listed here, I’ll talk value in terms of what’s included and what the day is built around.
You’re getting:
- a private guided horseback experience in Los Dinamos
- a longer ride window (over 2.5 hours)
- lunch included (tacos as the menu example)
- trained leadership from the team, including Aurelio and the family’s horse-care work
- a route approach that prioritizes safety and animal well-being
In many tours, you pay for motion. Here, you pay for a relationship: the team introduces you, supports you on the trail, and ends with a family meal. If you like the idea of being treated like more than a booking reference, the value starts to make sense fast.
Practical tips so your day goes smoothly
A few things I’d do before you go:
- Wear sunscreen. Forest days still bounce sun off leaves and light.
- Choose good shoes with grip. You’ll be on uneven ground at points.
- Bring a jacket. People mention chilly days, especially with later rides.
- Use the time to ask questions. Luis and the team are part teacher, part host.
Also, communication matters. The experience notes limited internet access in the rural area and asks you to contact them to verify pickup and confirmation. If you’re planning around a tight Mexico City schedule, message ahead so you’re not standing around wondering what’s happening.
Final call: should you book this horseback ride?
Yes, if you want a real break from city life and you’re excited to ride trained, rescued horses through the Los Dinamos area with guides staying right there for safety.
I’d hesitate only if your main goal is speed, open-country freedom, or nonstop riding without instructions. This day is slower by design. It trades racing for care, and that trade is the point.
If you book, go in with the right mindset: follow directions, enjoy the forest pace, and treat the lunch as part of the experience, not just a stop along the way.
FAQ
Where does the horseback tour start?
It starts at Alfonso Reyes 216, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Mexico City, CDMX. The activity ends back at the meeting point.
How long is the experience?
The tour lasts about 6 hours.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
What’s included in the price?
Lunch is included. The sample menu lists tacos.
Do I need to be an experienced rider?
Most people can participate, and the team provides instructions. If you’re new, you should expect a guided, structured ride rather than free-roaming.
What should I bring for the ride?
Bring sunscreen, wear good shoes, and plan for cooler weather by bringing a jacket.
What happens if the weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Are tips and alcohol included?
Tips are not included. Alcoholic beverages are not included, and alcohol is only served for travelers 18 and above (minors are served non-alcoholic drinks).






























