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Home » Destinations » Mexico » Puerto Escondido » Horseback Riding to Atotonilco Hot Springs, Puerto Escondido

Horseback Riding to Atotonilco Hot Springs, Puerto Escondido

Posted August 5, 2014, Updated February 25, 2021 //  by Michele Peterson 8 Comments

We may earn income from links in this post. Please read this Disclosure for details.

Two people horseback riding to Atotonilco Hot Springs near Puerto Escondido.

Looking for an unforgettable day trip from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca? A horseback ride to the Atotonilco Hot Springs is a magical blend of adventure and wellness.

It’s definitely one of the top things to do in Puerto Escondido. 

Horses and guide in San Jose Manialtepec
Our horses are ready

I’m a person who doesn’t spend much time riding horses. In fact, any time I’ve ever gone horseback riding, my horse seemed to spend more time grazing on grass than trotting.

But on a recent day trip to the Atotonilco Hot Springs near Puerto Escondido, when I was faced with the choice of a 2-mile hike through sweltering heat  or riding a horse, I opted to go the easy route and get in the saddle.

It turned out to be an amazing experience!  

We set out in early morning travelling along Highway 200 to the village of San Jose Manialtepec. After scouting around for the stables and waiting for the guide to round up his horses, we set out to Atotonilco Hot Springs in single file by horseback. 

Leading the way was the guide and his small son, who helpfully spurred on my horse as needed, as we meandered through a lush canyon filled with wild vegetation interspersed with small farms alongside the Manialtepec River. 

Forging the Manialtepec River by horseback near Puerto Escondido Forging the Manialtepec River by horseback

At times we even forged the river by horseback.  

This is the same river that feeds into Manialtepec Lagoon, where you can go bird-watching, spot crocodiles, paddle a kayak or swim in bioluminescent waters.

Read my post A Night Tour of Oaxaca’s Bioluminescent Lagoon for more details on the phosphorescence adventure in Puerto Escondido.

After a refreshing swim in the river at the halfway point, we continued riding into the hills until we reached the thermal spa waters of Atotonilco Hot Springs.

Manialtepec river
My horseback riding companions (and their dogs) go for a swim in the Manialtepec river

The series of emerald green hot pools are still in a mostly natural state and a nearby shrine signifies their role in local culture and spiritual beliefs.

Our guide explained that the curative waters are revered for their high mineral content. But I had to take his word for that as during our visit the thermal waters were so hot I could only manage to immerse one foot into the water completely.

Atotonilco Hot spring
One of the pools at the Atotonilco Hot Spring

But the steam did manage to soothe a few aches and pains. Before long we were back in the saddle returning to the village by horseback, forging the Manialtepec River at points along the way.

If you’ve never ridden horseback in the water, it’s quite an exciting experience. You put your trust in the horse completely.

For me, an added bonus was that while the horse was swimming it couldn’t chomp on any grass.

Things to Know Before Taking this Tour to Atotonilco Hot Springs

  • Bring a hat, swimsuit and towel as well as food/water as there are no amenities in this remote area.
  • Wear closed-toed shoes or boots. 
  • Don’t try to do this tour alone! You can easily get lost in this rugged area. 
  • It’s possible to hike to the hot springs. 
  • Riding helmets are not available so if you’d like to wear one for safety reasons you’ll need to bring your own. 
  • This horseback tour may not be suitable or safe for small children.
  • If you enjoy horseback riding, you can also consider a horseback ride at sunset along Zicatela Beach or other beaches in Oaxaca.
  • Note that these are different hot springs than those ones in San Miguel de Allende. 

Contact Information 

Contact LaloEcotours by phone at 954 588-9164 or 954 123-4005 or email at laloecotours@hotmail.com

Or, make a reservation at the Tourist Information booth on the Adoquin near Playa Principal in Puerto Escondido.  Manned by multi-lingual Gina Machorro Espinosa, the booth is a valuable source of maps, tour and excursion information as well as tour booking services. 

Get more information on transportation, beaches, accommodation and more in our  Insider’s Guide to Puerto Escondido  

Michele Peterson
Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

View more posts by Michele Peterson Read more

Category: Adventure, Puerto Escondido

About Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

View more posts by Michele Peterson Read more

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wandering Carol

    August 5, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    Oh, I want to have a magical blend of adventure and wellness, too! Sounds amazing.

    Reply
  2. Nancy D. Brown

    August 5, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    I agree with Carol AND I’d like to go horseback riding at sunset on the beach! What a trip!

    Reply
  3. Sand In My Suitcase

    August 5, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    The swimming part looks fun :-). But give us a bike, or let us walk instead – Janice is just too scared of horses; they tend to veer off the path and do what they want, including running away, when she’s riding.

    Reply
  4. Doreen Pendgracs

    August 6, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Hi Michele: My first exotic horseback riding adventure was in Ixtapa. the horses were SO small compared to what you usually see in North America, but then, the Mexicans are usually quite a bit shorter than we are, so the smaller horses suit them well. It certainly provides the opportunity to experience something from a very different perspective than you’d otherwise encounter.

    Reply
  5. esperanza

    August 6, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    What a lovely way to see remote and charming places! Sounds like fun provided that your horse doesn’t decide to go exploring on his own.

    Reply
  6. Lori Bosworth

    August 7, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    Wow, horseback riding in water; I can’t even muster it on land! But it looks like fun. I love the hot springs! I guess they would be more temperate in the winter/spring.

    Reply
  7. Lesley Peterson

    September 5, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    The water is so clear and such a beautiful color! I’d be interested in the cultural and spiritual aspects associated with the springs.

    Reply
  8. Muza-chan

    September 24, 2014 at 11:14 am

    So cool 🙂

    Reply

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Welcome to A Taste for Travel, one of the world’s top culinary travel blogs, welcoming over 1.5 million readers annually! 

I’m Michele, and, along with a team of expert travel writers, enthusiastic eaters and skilled photographers, we help readers plan incredible adventures and make delicious global recipes at home.

I divide my time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest sunny beach). My writing also appears in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s Oaxaca and 100+ other publications. 

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