Experience Oaxaca Horse Riding! Hiking! Birdingwatching!

Covid-19 update

Safe Distance Activities

In these times of safe, social distancing, getting exercise in nature in small groups or private experiences is more important than ever!

Rancho Pitaya offers exclusive lodging with just three privately accessed guest suites and the self-contained Casa Colibri. All meals are served on the open-air dining terrace with sanitation measures diligently observed.

Mary Jane Gagnier

owner

About us

Horseback Mexico is a small, personal horse riding facility based in Rojas de Cuauhtemoc in the eastern valley of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. Established in 2005, the owners Mary Jane Gagnier and her son, Gabriel Mendoza Gagnier competed in top-level endurance rides for a decade and their horses still excel at covering distance. They specialize in safe open country riding: equitation classes, equine therapy, guided day rides and progressive weeklong horse treks for the experience, fit rider.

Featured Rides

Day Rides

Half day and full day rides for all levels of experience

2-4 hours

Ride & Stay

Riding & more activities combined with an overnight stay at our ranch

2 days

Multiday rides

Riding adventures for intermediate and experienced riders

5-8 days

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More Activities

Riding Classes

· Learn about safe horse handling
· On-trail riding lesson

1,5 hour

Birdwatching

· Discover up to 50 bird species
· Sanitized binoculars available

2 hours

Nature Walks

· In the valley of Tlacolula
· Small groups guaranteed

2-4 hours

Ranch Lodging

Rancho Pitaya offers deluxe B&B style accommodation with high speed Starlink internet, daily housekeeping and full breakfast & dinner included in the rates. Centrally located in the valle of Tlacolula, the eastern arm of the great valley of Oaxaca yet only 20 minutes from downtown Oaxaca, Rancho Pitaya offers the perfect balance between spectacular scenery, exotic flora and fascinating cultural and historical destinations.

Reviews

... Overall, a fantastic 2 days: charming, comfortable accommodations, incredible, authentic Oaxacan cuisine, beautiful setting. You can't ask for anything more! Thank you Mary Jane, Iris, Gina and Gregorio for all your hospitality! I will be back! Michael PS...I loved it so much I did go back the following week for one night!

I cannot say enough about the fantastic experience I had at Rancho Pitaya! I am an avid rider, and the week was filled with riding amazing and athletic horses. The ranch is so peaceful, the village farmlands and surrounding hills and mountains are so beautiful, and Mary Jane has such a deep knowledge of culture, history, birds, flora and fauna, and of course horses...

Mary Jane introduced me to the magical world of birding like no one else could. With great passion and insight she told stories about all the birds of Oaxaca. She truly is an expert in bird land. We drove around in a stunning valley. Mary Jane is super attentive and will make sure you are as comfortable as you can get. Her cookies are amazing. We spotted about 32 unique birds, a lot of them you can’t spot anywhere else in the world.

... We stayed overnight. The room was simple but very nice and stylish in a rustic way. The walls where adobe bricks and the garden is beautiful. I saw a shooting star from my awning that night. The meals, cooked to order at the ranch, where excellent and traditional. The next day we did a hike up a canyon near the ranch and saw many different kinds of flora and biodiversity including beautiful orchids and other flowers ...

A magical birding experience. Lots of species, beautiful setting, expert guidance.

What a magical experience it was to ride through the agave trail on horseback. The experience was amazing. I felt very comfortable even though I am not a very experienced rider. The horses were well behaved, the guide was educated on the environment we rode through and experienced in horse training and comfort. I couldn't not stop smiling the entire time. Such a beautiful place with a gorgeous animal. I would love to do it all over again and would highly recommend.

Her ranch is awesome, sitting in comfort on her verandas as the sun set over the mountains with that amazing evening light across the wide valley, hummingbirds at the feeders, bushes full of birds, a cold beer...highly recommend anything Mary Jane has to offer.

Wonderful experience for both me and my boyfriend, who had never been on a horse before. We really enjoyed the scenery and how well behaved the horses were. Additionally, as a allergy prone individual, I was happy to find that Mary Jane had allergy medication on hand. Very helpful!