183Reviews3Q&A
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 172
- 6
- 3
- 2
- 0
Traveler type
Time of year
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
We had the pleasure of spending 7 days at Rancho Pitaya with Mary Jane Gagnier and her team, Gina, Chef extraordinaire, and gentle Gregorio, keeper of the amazing stable of horses. The setting is gorgeous with very comfortable adobe rooms set directly across from the dining room and living room structure. The property is filled with mature cacti and abundant bird life and is perched right next to endless riding opportunities. Mary Jane made sure that she helped us bring our dormant riding skills back (we are experienced riders but were a bit rusty after years out of the saddle) and took us to various riding sites that amply demonstrated the diverse terrain available. She was an excellent guide explaining the flora and fauna as well as the cultural context of what was going on with the people of the area and the history of the culture we were immersed in. We would ride in the morning and then embark on exploring surrounding towns and historic hispanic and pre-hispanic sites. We were introduced to architecture, food, markets and artisans that would be hard to find on one’s own. Gina served up wonderful meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Ranch. We have traveled extensively in Mexico over the years and I cannot overstate how uniquely spectacular our time was with Mary Jane and company. We would encourage anyone who enjoys riding and is traveling through Oaxaca to contact Mary Jane for a day trip to go riding. They will pick you up in the city and will bring you to the ranch (which is about 30 minutes from downtown Oaxaca) and transport you to a side of this area you will not believe until you experience it.…
Read more
Date of experience: May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from RanchoPitaya, Owner at Horseback Mexico
Responded Jun 16, 2022
It was a pleasure to introduce you to Oaxaca "off-the-beaten-track" on both horseback, on foot and the road trips we made. It was not hard to do, as the area abounds in fascinating destinations, talented artisans and wonderful food and markets. Thanks you again for choosing to make Rancho Pitaya and the interior valley of Oaxaca your destination in Mexico. I hope you'll return and continue the adventures from the saddle.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Had a brilliant day of riding and highly recommend Mary Jane and her team. As an experienced rider it’s easy to be wary of the kind of riding you might get and especially the kind of horse you might get to ride but I needn’t have worried. Mary Jane took time to find out all about my riding history and pair me with an appropriate horse who was wonderfully responsive, well cared for and much loved. The ride was appropriately challenging and highly enjoyable and Mary Jane and Iris were both great guides and good company - able to offer a wealth of insight into the landscape, flora, fauna and history of the area. All followed up with a delicious meal back at the ranch. Only sad that I don’t have time to do one of the week long rides they offer.…
Read more
Date of experience: June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from RanchoPitaya, Owner at Horseback Mexico
Responded Jun 18, 2022
It is very important to us that our horses enjoy their outings, and it goes a long way to have riders ride at their level of competence. By doing this inexperienced riders can enjoy the gorgeous countryside at a relaxed walk with the horses on a loose rein and when experienced riders with a good seat and soft hands come out to ride , these same horses are responsive to cues and subtle commands. Thanks so much for spending the day in the saddle with us. Come back for a longer stay!
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I visited Mary Jane's ranch twice while I stayed in Oaxaca. It was a truly amazing experience and I highly recommend booking a trail ride with her. I particularly loved that Mary Jane makes it very easy and convenient for a visitor to ride with her. I was picked up by a taxi in town which already had my name and drove me right to the ranch. The same taxi drove me back to the city after the ride. Water and delicious, healthy snacks were provided on the trail ride and I got an amazing lunch afterwards. The ride itself went through breathtaking landscapes of the valley. My horse was well trained and responsive. I felt safe and comfortable during the entire ride. Mary Jane will provide the information about the horses and the stunning nature that you will want to know about, and give you a truly unique riding experience. I would highly recommend Horseback Mexico and look forward to returning back to do more rides in the future.…
Read more
Date of experience: April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from RanchoPitaya, Owner at Horseback Mexico
Responded Apr 25, 2022
It is so nice to know you enjoyed spending some of your Oaxaca holiday riding with Horseback Mexico. Traveling, while intriguing, can be stressful so we take the mystery and woe out of getting to our rural ranch by including roundtrip taxi transportation is the cost of the rides. It would be a pleasure to ride with you again! Come back for one of our multi-day progressive rides.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Best horseback experience you can get in Mexico. Great and healthy horses - very very patient and easy to handle even as an unexperienced rider. Great food and Mary Jane takes very good care of her guest’s need! Great landscapes to enjoy while riding!
Read more
Date of experience: April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from RanchoPitaya, Manager at Horseback Mexico
Responded Apr 25, 2022
A happy, healthy horse is so much more likely to be a calm, patient horse. By doing out best to ensure our horses feel good and understand their job they are so much more likely to do their job cheerfully. Marching around this beautiful countryside in the company of other equine friends is something most horses like to do and not dissimilar to how wild horses act. Thanks again for coming to ride.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Best ranch riding vacation of my life! Great comfortable beds, healthy fresh food, and first class horses and birdwatching. Whether you are a beginner or advanced there will be a safe horse for you to ride, and if you want to improve your riding, they can help you with that. The birdwatching was phenomenal!! Definitely will return.…
Read more
Date of experience: March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from RanchoPitaya, Owner at Horseback Mexico
Responded Apr 25, 2022
Rancho Pitaya sits at the base of protected mountains covered in spectacular biodiversity. Whether riding or hiking its trails or enjoying the many endemic birds this unique Seasonly Dry Tropical Deciduous forest attracts, spending time outside of the city is a "should do" for all visitors to Oaxaca. We hope you'll come back and ride again! Gracias
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
