Beach Horseback Riding and Swim Horse in Puerto Plata

The highlight here is not simply riding beside the water. At Bergantín Beach, you can take your horse bareback into the sea, a rare chance to share the surf with your mount rather than just watch it from the sand. The ride starts on nature trails in Puerto Plata and is designed for beginners as well as experienced riders.

I like two things in particular: the horses are matched to your riding level, and the group is capped at 15, which can make it easier to follow a guide and ask for help. The included helmet, seasonal fruit, and shot of mamajuana also add a few useful touches to a $79 outing.

The main consideration is that transport is not included, and the sea ride depends on conditions: you cannot enter the water under a yellow or red flag. Plan for extra costs if you want meals, drinks, photos, or a piña colada.

Key points before you book

• Bareback time in the sea: The ocean ride is the special feature, but it is allowed only when the beach flag permits it.
• Horses selected for your level: The ranch says it matches each rider with a suitable horse, including beginners.
• Three hours, with two at the beach: The ride and trail portion is about one hour; the beach stop takes about two.
• A small-group cap: No more than 15 people take part, according to the tour details.
• A few inclusions, with extras to budget for: A guide, helmet, seasonal fruit, and a mamajuana shot are included. Meals, other drinks, photos, tips, and transport are not.
• Check the riding requirements: Children aged eight and older ride their own horse, and the maximum rider weight is 260 pounds.

From Rancho Montecarlo to the coast

The outing begins at Rancho Montecarlo LyS, in Puerto Plata. You meet there and return to the same point at the end, so plan your arrival and onward travel around the ranch rather than assuming a hotel pickup is part of the package.

The route begins on nature trails before reaching the coast. The first portion is scheduled for about an hour, giving you time to get comfortable with your horse and settle into the ride before the beach stop. The route is described as a way to reach a quieter stretch of coast, rather than as a long-distance ride through town.

The ranch says it chooses a horse for each person based on riding experience and comfort. That matters if this is your first time in the saddle: a suitable horse and a guide who explains what to do can make the outing feel manageable. It is still horseback riding, so tell the staff about your experience and comfort level rather than trying to keep up with a more confident companion.

Helmets are included, and guides accompany the group. Juanito and Nico are among the trail leaders associated with the ranch, but you should not count on a particular guide being assigned on your date. The group limit of 15 is modest enough to keep the outing from becoming a large procession, though it is not a private ride.

Two hours at Bergantín Beach

The beach stop is the heart of the tour. You have about two hours there, with time to pause, relax, and take in the coast before the return. The plan includes a ride with the horses into the sea, which is the detail that makes this outing different from a standard beachside horseback ride.

The sea portion is conditional, not guaranteed. The tour says horses cannot go into the water when the flag is yellow or red. If conditions rule out the ocean ride, you can still have the beach break, but you should book with the understanding that the signature moment depends on the day’s beach conditions.

The offer also mentions time to swim or relax, and an optional fresh piña colada. These are choices during the break, not part of the included package. Additional drinks and meals cost extra, and photos are also listed as an extra. Bring some spending money if you would like to order something at the beach restaurant or buy pictures.

A local beach restaurant is part of the setting, giving the stop a more grounded feel than a quick photo halt. The included snack is fresh seasonal fruit, and the package also includes a shot of mamajuana, a Dominican drink. Neither replaces a full meal, so eat beforehand or budget for food if you expect to be hungry after riding.

Riding bareback: a memorable extra, not a requirement

The chance to ride bareback into the sea is the tour’s big selling point. It offers a different connection to the horse and water than sitting in a saddle on a dry trail. If you are excited by the idea but unsure about your balance, tell the guide before taking part and follow the staff’s instructions.

The tour is presented as suitable for all levels, with horses selected according to each rider’s ability. That is reassuring, but it does not mean every person will feel equally relaxed in the saddle. Beginners should be ready to listen carefully, ask for help, and let the guides set the pace.

The supplied helmet is a practical inclusion, and the small group limit gives guides room to keep an eye on participants. Still, the precise riding instruction, pace, and amount of time spent on each skill are not specified. If you need a particular type of support, contact the operator in advance rather than assuming it can be arranged at the starting point.

The tour states that people with special physical or mental conditions can request accommodation in advance. This is not a blanket promise that every need can be met, so share your requirements with Rancho Montecarlo LyS before booking. Children eight and older ride their own horse. The maximum weight is 260 pounds, and people over 65 must meet the stated good tax status requirement. Because that phrase is not explained, clarify it with the operator if it applies to you.

What the $79 price covers

At $79 per person, you are paying for about three hours of guided horseback riding, the beach stop, a helmet, seasonal fruit, and a mamajuana shot. The value rests mostly on the horse-and-sea combination: if riding into the ocean appeals to you, this is a focused half-day outing rather than a simple trail ride.

Transport is the most important cost to consider beyond the ticket. Round-trip transportation can be arranged separately, but it is not offered as part of the tour. The operator can assist with organizing it, so ask about the cost and pickup details before you finalize your plans.

Food, additional drinks, souvenirs, photos, and tips are also excluded. The optional piña colada should be treated as an extra purchase. The details do not list the price of any of these add-ons, so ask at the ranch if you want to know the full likely cost before setting out.

The price compares well if you make use of the full ride and beach break, but it is less compelling if you mainly want a quick photo on a horse. You are paying for time in the saddle, staff support, and the possibility of riding into the sea, not for an all-inclusive beach day.

Getting there and preparing for the ride

The meeting point is Rancho Montecarlo LyS, S.R.L.C. Principal, Puerto Plata 57000, Dominican Republic. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Since transport is separate, confirm how you will get there and back; do not assume the ticket includes a transfer.

Wear clothes you are comfortable riding in, and bring what you need for time at the beach. The tour information does not specify a dress code or provide a packing list, so check with the operator if you are uncertain about what to bring. Keep in mind that you may be around horses, on a trail, and at the shore during the same outing.

The activity requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or a shortfall in the group size causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so check the local start time when making plans.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This outing suits you if you want an active beach experience with a clear highlight, rather than several unrelated stops. It is a good fit for couples, families with children aged eight or older, and first-time riders who are comfortable taking guidance and trying a new activity.

It may also work for experienced riders who want the novelty of a bareback sea ride, though the tour is designed for a range of skill levels rather than as advanced riding instruction. If you want a fast, athletic ride or a long stretch of open-water riding, the details do not promise either.

Consider another activity if you are uncomfortable around horses, need transport included, or would be disappointed if the sea ride is canceled because of the flag. The beach break remains part of the outing, but ocean access is subject to safety conditions.

Should you book it?

I would put this on your shortlist if the idea of riding a horse into the sea is what draws you to Puerto Plata. You get a guided trail ride, a substantial beach stop, and a small group cap, with a horse chosen to suit your level. Those are meaningful reasons to consider the $79 price.

Before you book, confirm transport arrangements, ask about any personal support needs, and be realistic about the flag-dependent sea ride. If you are happy with a beach outing even when the horses cannot enter the water, this is a promising choice. If the ocean ride is the only reason you would go, remember that conditions can change the plan.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

It lasts about three hours. The trail and riding portion is scheduled for one hour, followed by about two hours at Bergantín Beach.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Rancho Montecarlo LyS in Puerto Plata and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, though the operator can assist with organizing it separately.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The ranch says it selects a horse for each rider’s level and that the tour is suitable for beginners and experienced riders.

Can you ride a horse into the sea?

Yes, when beach conditions allow. Horses cannot enter the water when the flag is yellow or red.

What is included in the $79 price?

The price includes a guide, helmet, seasonal fresh fruit, and a shot of mamajuana.

Are meals, drinks, and photos included?

No. Additional drinks and meals, souvenirs, photos, and tips are not included. The piña colada is optional.

Can children join the ride?

Children aged eight and older ride their own horse.

What are the weight and age requirements?

The maximum weight is 260 pounds. People over 65 must meet the stated good tax status requirement, which you should clarify with the operator if it applies to you.