Horseback Riding in Belize

Mayan Jungle Ride

Overview

Enjoy a tropical paradise on this horseback riding tour in Belize. The diversity of scenery and activities on this ride makes it a wonderfully relaxing holiday. The area has numerous Mayan ruins which have lain covered by the jungle for more than a thousand years. You will pass un-excavated and partially excavated archaeological sites and see ancient pottery shards in ceremonial caves. Lunch most days will be taken beside secluded natural rock pools at the base of beautiful tropical waterfalls, and of course there will be time for swimming. There are some chances for trots and canters, but the terrain does not lend itself to much fast riding. You will, however, have plentiful opportunities to view bird life on this riding tour in Belize, from toucans and hummingbirds to marmots. This opportunity for wildlife viewing, combined with the fascinating historical sites make this destination uniquely suited for a riding vacation.

Please view our trip video from this ride.

Stay at an award-winning family operated Off-Grid jungle lodge, offering cozy cabanas and a range of amenities including a new saltwater infinity jungle pool. Each room offers private bathrooms, ceiling fans, USB charging ports and LED lighting. The fully sustainable eco lodge is located on 105 acres of Nature Reserve, and is a fully operational citrus farm, with a half mile of riverfront along the Macal River.

A variety of foods are served including Mexican, Tex-Mex, rice and beans, homemade tortillas and breads, and local Belize fare. Vegetarian menus are easy to accommodate as many fresh fruits and vegetables are grown right in the area. Meals are taken at the lodge or the stable's cantina. The Cantina is the center of action at the stable, as a general meeting area.

  • Overview:
    A mixture of Quarter Horse and regional stock, the horses are owned and maintained on a 150-acre ranch. Being well trained and cared for, the horses have a gentle disposition, are sure-footed, and are conditioned for stamina and endurance. The outfitter offers excellent Abetta endurance saddles with 15-16" seats. These saddles do not have a horn and they have a wide endurance stirrup. Bridles utilized are western with curb bits or hackamores.
  • Horse Breeds:
    local quarterhorse cross
  • Trip Pace:
    slow to moderate
  • Tack:
    Abetta Endurance Saddles
  • Weight limit:
    200 lbs

While riders are on horseback, there are no separate activities planned for non-riders, who can enjoy the accommodations and region independently.

Belize City

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Saturday: If you arrive by International flight, you will be met outside the arrival zone at the airport by a driver who will be holding a sign with your name on it. Alternative pickup locations can be arranged and rates may vary. A stop at the Belize Zoo can be added to your arrival or departure transfer depending on arrival time. The zoo closes at 3:30 pm. This would need to be arranged with the lodge when making your reservation. Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy some of the lodge activities such as: a refreshing swim in the pool, a hike on the trails, river tubing, canoeing and more. Or relax and decompress to the sounds, smells and views of the jungle river valley from your own verandah. Enjoy your first dinner & cocktails in their open-air fine dining restaurant.   Alternatively, an intimate private candlelight dinner service can be arranged for a fee to be paid at the lodge.

Day 2

Sunday: Breakfast is served starting at 6:30 AM.  At 8:00 AM, a driver will arrive to take you to the riding center.  Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes with a heel. Water, lunch, a small saddle bag, beach towel and poncho will be provided.  You will receive an oral orientation before being introduced to your horse and fitted to the saddle for a full day of horseback riding.  You will ride through the rainforest to an ancient Mayan cave.  Explore and discover interesting formations and evidence of the Mayan culture in pottery remnants and potsherds that are hundreds of years old.  (Please don’t touch them!) After the cave, refresh yourself with a cool dip in the crystal clear waters of Butterfly Falls and feast on a gourmet picnic lunch.  Return to the stable between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. After a refreshing beverage, you will be driven back to your accommodations, a 30-minute drive.  Return to your Cabana to freshen up for dinner and lively conversation with other guests.

Day 3

Monday: Morning routine repeats with pickup at Table Rock at 8:00 AM. This morning you will get acquainted with MET, taking a tour of the grounds of MET, learn about the off-grid system, visit the ponds where you might see birds and wildlife and visit some of the trails on property. After lunch in the Cantina, drive to Nohoch Sayab River cave at Barton Creek. As you
make your way down the steep narrow road to the valley floor, you will benastounded by the size of fruit trees and tropical flora in the fertile Barton Creek valley. Arriving at Mike’s Place, you will enter a canoe and paddle across the creek, then suddenly disappear, paddling deep into the sparking stalactite formation river cave. When you return to the mouth of the cave, enjoy a swim if you wish. Then back to Table Rock for another unique meal and relaxation time.

Day 4

Tuesday: This day begins with a beautiful half-day jungle horseback ride followed by lunch in the stable’s Cantina and then a vehicle tour to a Mayan Site and the town of San Ignacio. The destination for the half-day ride is a secluded hidden valley where you will ride along a winding creek and enjoy the exotic tropical vegetation and excellent opportunities for sighting colorful rainforest birds and iridescent butterflies. After lunch, you will return to your accommodations for a chance to shower and change clothes. Your guide will then accompany you on a tour  to a Mayan site followed by shopping or optional cultural tours in San Ignacio or simply experiencing the ambiance of the lovely town of San Ignacio at the confluence of the Mopan and Macal Rivers where they merge into the Belize River. Return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Day 5

Wednesday: Today is a full day of riding to beautiful waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The trail winds through varied ecosystems and terrain while your guide points out features and explains traditional uses of rainforest plants. Enjoy a gourmet lunch and swimming at the beautiful waterfalls, relax awhile and then mount the horses for a rejuvenating ride
home.

Day 6

Thursday: Day of departure. The time of departure will depend on your plans or flight times. The transfer from the lodge to the International Airport or any other location in Belize City by vehicle is included. Contact us for rates to other desired destinations or for an alternate flight from San Ignacio to Belize City (additional fees apply).

Itinerary Addendum

This itinerary is flexible and may be changed at guide's discretion due to unforeseen circumstances.

Tour Map

Tour Dates & Pricing

Low Season is May 1 - October 31; High Season is January 4 - April 3, April 12-30 and November 1- December 20; Peak Season is April 4-11 and December 21-January 3

Pricing & Options

  • Base Price
  • $2,435Price depends on room type, occupancy and season - please inquire

Pricing & Options

  • Base Price
  • $2,435Price depends on room type, occupancy and season - please inquire
  • Single Supplement
  • Double the room rate
Additional Pricing Information:
All prices per person. Ride price is set, guaranteed and final at the time deposit is paid.


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Contact Aline Phillips

I brought my college-aged niece on this horseback riding trip and we both had an amazing week! The food was excellent, fresh, delicious, plentiful and accommodated special requests well. The owners made us feel like family, eating most dinners with us and serving up drinks after a day of riding. We felt well taken care of by our horses, sturdy endurance, mixed Quarter Horse/local stock, as we picked through the jungle trails which are sometimes muddy, steep, and covered by roots. We can't say too many glowing comments about our guide, who is an expert horseman, combat medic, birder and tracker who knew every plant and tree, as well as Mayan history. The ranch's accommodations, cabanos, are rustic, but clean and refreshed each day - including placement of beautiful flowers in the room/bathroom. Special requests, such as laundry services, a hankering for salsa one evening, a second stop at the local market to pick up a souvenir, were readily met. We loved hearing the sounds of the jungle at night and in the morning when the numerous birds awoke. We highly recommend this trip to others.

Probasco, 2017

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