Tenerife: Horseback Ride with Instructor

The best part of this ride is the route itself: you start in the dry volcanic hills above Arona and may finish with your horse’s hooves in the sea. The two-hour option reaches the coast, where the ocean, black lava, and rugged slopes make a fine backdrop for photographs.

I like the calm, beginner-friendly horses and the small groups, limited to six riders. I also like the way the ride brings you close to Tenerife’s less polished side, with tabaiba, cacti, cardones, lava rock, and open sea air. The main consideration is communication: the lead instructor may speak only basic English, so you should be comfortable following simple demonstrations and directions in a mixed-language group.

Key points before you book

• The two-hour route reaches the coast: You ride from the hills down toward the beach, with time for sea views and, when conditions allow, horses to enter the water.
• Gentle horses suit beginners: Riders are matched to horses based on size and experience, and slower horses may be used for first-time riders.
• The scenery is volcanic and distinctly Canarian: Expect lava beds, prickly pear, tabaiba, cardones, mountains, and broad ocean views.
• Groups are kept small: The maximum is six participants, which allows the guide to keep a closer eye on the group.
• The pace is usually relaxed: Walking is the norm, though some groups have been allowed to trot or canter when suitable.
• Wear proper trousers and closed shoes: Shorts, swimwear, and bare feet are not allowed, and riding can rub your legs.

From Xanadu to southern Tenerife’s volcanic hills

The ride begins at Xanadu riding center in Arona, in the south of Tenerife. This is not a grand equestrian resort. It is a small riding center, which helps explain the friendly, personal feel but also means that schedules can shift if another group is still out.

Allow extra time around your booked start. One group reported waiting about an hour, and another arrived at 10 a.m. but did not set off until around 11:15 after the horses were prepared and the riders had practiced. The full paid ride was still provided, but a delayed start can make the morning feel longer than expected.

You will be introduced to your horse and given a basic explanation of handling. The staff choose horses with your size and experience in mind. That matters if you are nervous, have not ridden before, or are bringing a child old enough to take part. A first-time rider may be paired with a slower horse, with an instructor walking nearby.

The horses are repeatedly described as calm, friendly, and well behaved. That does not make horseback riding completely effortless, especially for your legs and balance, but it gives beginners a sensible introduction. You should still listen carefully when you are shown how to steer, stop, and keep your balance. One useful criticism is that the control instructions can be brief, particularly if English is not the instructor’s first language.

One hour or two hours: choosing the right route

The one-hour ride is the sensible pick if this is your first time on a horse, you are short on time, or you are not sure how your body will react. It gives you the basic experience without committing to a longer outing. Several first-time riders found an hour enough to feel comfortable and enjoy the scenery.

The one-hour route explores the area around the center and the volcanic slopes. You will see the dry vegetation and open views that make southern Tenerife feel very different from the resort strip. The ride is less about speed and more about getting comfortable in the saddle while enjoying the setting.

Choose two hours if reaching the shore is the main reason you are interested. The longer outing follows a route down from the riding center toward the coast, then returns uphill. The journey to the beach can take much of the first part of the ride, leaving a shorter period by the water, but nobody is rushed once the group arrives.

At the coast, you may have a chance to take photographs and let the horses enter the water. This is the most memorable part of the experience, though it depends on the group, the conditions, and the guide’s judgment. Some groups have also trotted on the way back, while others walked throughout. The riding pace depends on the ability of the whole group, so do not book this as a guaranteed cantering session.

Cacti, lava rock, and the view down to the sea

The route’s scenery is its strongest feature. Tenerife was shaped by volcanic activity, and the ride takes you across a lava bed formed thousands of years ago. From horseback, you see the rough ground at a slower pace than you would from a car or coach, with time to notice the plants growing between the rocks.

Look for tabaiba, cacti, cardones, prickly pear, and other dry-climate plants typical of the Canaries. The guide may point out fruit trees, local plants, volcanic features, and drainage channels along the route. Dori, also called Dorry in some bookings, has been particularly good at explaining the area and its natural features. Germain is another guide praised for keeping beginners calm and leading the group well.

The route gives you two very different views. Above Arona, you look toward the mountains and across the dry interior. As you descend, the ocean opens below you. The contrast between the dark volcanic ground, pale coastal light, and blue water makes this a strong choice for photographs.

This is not a polished trail through green woodland. Southern Tenerife can look stark, dry, and rugged. I see that as part of the appeal, but if you want a lush mountain ride, this is not the right setting. You are coming for volcanic scenery, sea air, and a close look at Canarian scrub.

Reaching the beach on horseback

The beach section is available on the two-hour ride and is the part that most clearly sets it apart from a standard ranch outing. You ride down to the coast, enjoy the view, and may take the horses into the sea. Seeing the animals splash in the water can be a wonderful moment, especially for children and first-time riders.

Expect the beach stop to be brief compared with the full outing. One account put the ride to the coast at about an hour and a half, leaving limited time for photographs and water access before the return journey. That is not a flaw in the route, but it is worth understanding before you book. The two-hour choice gives you a coastal ride, not a long beach holiday on horseback.

The guide may ask if the group wants more action on the return journey. If everyone is ready and the route permits it, you might trot for a stretch. If you are new to riding, trotting can feel surprisingly bouncy. Pay attention to the guide’s instructions and do not feel pressured to go faster than feels safe.

The ride usually remains at a walk, particularly when the group contains beginners. That makes it accessible, but experienced riders may find the pace tame. Riders with more experience have still enjoyed the outing for the horses, scenery, and chance to spend time by the sea.

What the instructor adds

Your instructor does more than lead the horses. The best guides explain the area, identify plants, describe local volcanic features, and point out details you could easily miss from a road. Dori has been praised for discussing the history of the land, drainage channels, plants, and fruit trees. Another guide explained the surrounding area while making sure nervous riders kept up.

The instruction style is practical rather than formal. You will be shown how to manage the horse, then guided along the route. The horses generally know the path and follow the leader, which helps beginners settle in. Still, you should not assume the horse does everything for you. Basic steering and braking skills matter, especially near roads or when the group changes pace.

Language is the main limitation. The listed languages are English, Spanish, Russian, and Dutch, but the instructor may be a native Spanish speaker with only limited English. Several people managed fine through gestures, demonstrations, and simple words. If you speak Spanish, you will have an easier time asking questions and understanding extra explanations.

I would treat this as a practical riding lesson with guiding, not a detailed multilingual nature tour. If you want every botanical fact explained in English, contact the center before booking. If you are happy to watch, listen, and follow clear basic directions, the language gap should be manageable.

Comfort, clothing, and physical limits

Wear long trousers. Shorts are not allowed, and even if they were, the saddle and repeated leg movement could leave your skin sore. One rider who wore shorts found the legs rubbed by the end. Comfortable trousers are a simple way to avoid that problem.

You also need proper shoes. Bare feet are not allowed, and the activity does not provide clothes, shoes, or boots. The supplied information does not specify a required shoe style, so ask the center if you are unsure about what you plan to wear. Bring sunscreen and water, since the southern side of Tenerife can be bright and dry.

The ride lasts one or two hours, but your total time at the center may be longer. You may need to wait for the previous group, meet your horse, receive equipment, and practice before setting off. A helmet is included. Food and drinks are not included, though a restaurant sits next to the riding center, giving you an easy place to eat afterward.

The activity is not suitable for children under six. The weight limits are listed inconsistently as over 200 pounds, or over 209 pounds, so anyone near or above that range should confirm directly with the center before paying. This is also a practical welfare and safety point, not just a booking rule.

A small group with a personal feel

The group limit is six people. That is a good size for an outdoor activity involving animals because the guide can see each rider and adjust the pace. It also means the experience can feel more like a guided outing than a line of horses moving through a busy attraction.

Groups can include complete beginners, occasional riders, and people returning to the saddle after many years. The horses are matched to the riders, and the guide keeps the pace suitable for the least confident person. If you are an experienced rider hoping for a fast workout, this mixed ability setup may feel slow.

The small center has one practical drawback: capacity is limited. You may be asked to change your selected time if the activity is full. Keep your schedule flexible, especially during a busy holiday period, and do not arrange a tight connection immediately afterward.

The staff can also take photographs during the ride. Photos have been sent through WhatsApp without an extra charge in some cases, which is useful because handling a phone while riding is not sensible. Do not treat a photo package as guaranteed unless the center confirms it, but it is worth asking about when you arrive.

Is $47 a fair price?

At $47 per person, this is a reasonable price if you choose the two-hour ride and value the coastal section. You are paying for the horse, helmet, instructor, and a guided route through unusual volcanic scenery. The beach portion adds a clear feature that many short ranch rides do not offer.

The one-hour option can still be good value if you are a beginner or want a compact activity between other plans. You get the horse experience, instruction, and views without spending half a morning in the saddle. It is also the safer choice if you are unsure about comfort or confidence.

The price does not include transport, food, drinks, clothing, or footwear. The meeting point is Xanadu riding center in Arona, so you need to make your own way there. Since a nearby restaurant is available, you can combine the ride with a meal, but budget separately for it.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful if your Tenerife plans may shift, though weather or center scheduling can still lead to a proposed time change.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to first-time riders, couples, families with children aged six and over, and anyone who wants to see southern Tenerife from a different angle. The gentle horses, small group, patient guidance, and slow pace create a reassuring introduction.

The two-hour option is best for you if the coast matters most. It gives you the chance to ride beside the ocean and possibly enter the water, though you should allow for a long approach and a relatively short beach stop.

Pick the one-hour option if you are nervous, have limited time, or mainly want the views near Arona. Experienced riders can enjoy the setting and well-behaved horses, but should not expect a demanding ride or guaranteed cantering.

Should you book the Xanadu horseback ride?

Yes, if you want a relaxed, scenic activity and are open to a little rustic simplicity. The strongest reasons to book are the gentle horses, volcanic terrain, ocean views, and two-hour route to the beach. The experience also offers something different from Tenerife’s usual pool, resort, and sightseeing routine.

Choose the two-hour ride for the full story, from dry mountain vegetation to sea air and black lava. Choose one hour for a comfortable first taste. Just wear trousers and closed shoes, bring water and sunscreen, allow extra time at the center, and remember that basic Spanish may help. If those points suit you, $47 buys a memorable way to see southern Tenerife.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride meet?

The meeting point is Xanadu riding center in the town of Arona, in southern Tenerife.

How long is the ride?

You can choose a one-hour or two-hour horseback ride. Check availability for the available starting times.

Does the two-hour ride go to the beach?

Yes. The two-hour option includes a route to the coast, where you can enjoy the sea breeze and coastal views. Depending on conditions and the guide’s decision, the horses may enter the water.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. The ride includes an instructor, and the horses are matched to riders based on size and experience. First-time riders are given basic guidance, and the pace is generally relaxed.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The activity lists English, Spanish, Russian, and Dutch. The instructor may speak only limited English and is a native Spanish speaker, so communication can be easier if you know some Spanish.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring sunscreen and water. You must not wear shorts or swimwear, and bare feet are not allowed. The activity does not provide clothes, shoes, or boots. A helmet is included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.