Horseback Riding with Coyote Canyon Adventures
Whether you’re visiting San Miguel de Allende for just a few days or you’ve become a resident, you’ll want to book an excursion with Coyote Canyon Adventures. The staff is friendly and efficient from the moment you arrive at their office on Zacateros in Colonia San Antonio.
I went out on the half-day horseback riding excursion on Saturday, March 15, 2020. Our group had seven people, and there were a number of empty seats in the van so we could have had more. They do recommend advanced reservations, but I’d suggest just popping by their office to see if they have availability. We were told to arrive at 12:30 pm, and we left to begin our adventure at about 1 pm.
The drive to the canyon was pretty and took about 40 minutes. The water level in the Presa was low, and we were able to see the Jesuit ruins in the distance. We had lunch before heading out on the horses, and I have to say the traditional food was all incredibly fresh and absolutely delicious! There is the opportunity to buy cowboy hats, some other small goods, and soda or beer, so be sure to have some small bills and coins with you. The website indicates the meal happens after the ride, so I had eaten before leaving San Miguel. You may want to confirm the time of the meal for your own adventure so you can plan accordingly.
We had a short drive to the horses after we finished eating. From there, we were given instructions on how to ride. Because of this, I’d say the excursion is perfect for any level of riding, even if you have never ridden before. If you have ridden and like a bit more excitement, you will also have the opportunity to gallop. Rodrigo told us that they have one staff rider for every three guests, so you can trust that you’re well supervised regardless of your riding experience.
The ride is about two and a half hours. You start on the canyon floor, cross the river several times, and the horses clamber up rocks to ascend to the top of the canyon. As we rode, we passed families that were herding goats and chopping wood, with their kids playing nearby. It’s so tranquil and the views are amazing. It’s breathtaking once you arrive and look down to where you started! I imagine the sunsets from that vantage point are stunning, as well.
After a 20-minute break at the top of the canyon, you’ll mount your horse and head back to the ranch. Take some pictures with the horses and be sure to tip! On the ride back into town, you’ll have a chance to look at all the photos the drone captured, and you can purchase your favorites at the office.
They have a number of different horseback riding excursions to choose from, two of which take place right in Centro. You can choose a romantic night time ride through Centro, a bar crawl, a full day, overnight camping, or a weeklong ride from Guanajuato.
Things to know before you go on the half-day excursion:
- No need to bring water, as they provide it
- Lather up with sunblock
- Bring a hat and sunglasses
- No open-toed shoes or sandals
- Tip at least 100 pesos per rider (more if you’d like!)
- Confirm what time you’ll be eating so you can plan accordingly
https://coyotecanyonadventures.com/
Disclaimer: The author, photographer, and model were given a free ride. All opinions, errors and otherwise are solely the responsibility of the author.
Michelle Magnan