| Rancho Notorious tour | Duration | Price per person | Level | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countryside and Hidden Lagoon | About 1 hour | $105 | Beginners, children | Desert countryside to a secluded lagoon, walking pace only |
| Urirama Cove and Secluded Beach | About 1.5 hours | $115 | Beginner to experienced | Quartz stone mine, rocky cliffs, Urirama Cove, no galloping |
| Countryside and Alto Vista Chapel | About 2 hours | $120 | All levels | Hilltop chapel, northeast coast views, galloping where safe |
| Advanced Horseback | About 2 hours | $125 | Advanced only | Northeast coast, gallop on white sand dunes when safe |
| Sunset Horseback Riding | About 1.5 hours | $130 | All skill levels | Hilltop sunset with 360-degree views, no galloping |
| Sunset, Rock Formations and North Coast | About 2 hours | $145 | Intermediate and experienced | Northeast coast, rock formations, sunset views |
| California Lighthouse and Sand Dunes | About 2.5 hours | $210 | Intermediate and advanced | Tierra del Sol golf course, lighthouse, dune gallop when safe |
All seven include free round-trip transportation and run daily. A private tour for a couple or group is $285 on every route, with a minimum of two people (ranchonotorious.com, read 7 November 2026).
Which ride to choose
- First ride or children: Countryside and Hidden Lagoon. It is the one the ranch designs with children in mind, at a walking pace, starting at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 2:30 pm.
- A romantic evening: the sunset ride. It leaves at 5:00 pm or 5:30 pm, takes about 1.5 hours and has no galloping. Couples looking for a private version can see the ideas in Aruba honeymoon ideas.
- Experienced riders: Advanced Horseback or California Lighthouse and Sand Dunes. Both include galloping on sand when conditions are safe, and the lighthouse ride begins at 7:00 am or 8:00 am.
- A beach-and-ocean ride without booking direct: the small-group beach tour. The horseback ride tour to Wariruri Beach is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 165 reviews on GetYourGuide (read 7 November 2026).
Rules to know
- Weight limit: 220 lb (100 kg) at Rancho Notorious.
- Footwear: closed-toe shoes or secure sandals, and long pants are recommended.
- Children: under 6 ride with an adult on the same horse; those 6 and older usually ride their own horse. Helmets are mandatory for children under 15.
- Other ranches: the tourism board's couples guide names Rancho Loco, Rancho La Ponderosa and Goldmine Ranch alongside Rancho Notorious. Horses are mostly gaited Paso Finos.
VisitAruba says all the ranches use well-trained horses and knowledgeable guides, and that routes pass through the sand dunes, the Natural Pool and the Natural Bridge as well as along the coast.
Horseback to the Natural Pool
The Natural Pool (Conchi) in Arikok National Park is reachable by horseback, as well as by 4x4 and by a 3 to 4-hour hike for experienced hikers; swimming is only safe when the sea is calm. See Aruba's Natural Pool and Arikok National Park. For other ways to see the wild coast, compare Aruba ATV tours, UTV tours and jeep tours.
Typical mistakes
- Wearing flip-flops: the ranch asks for closed-toe shoes or secure sandals.
Booking an advanced ride as a beginner: Advanced Horseback and the California Lighthouse ride are for advanced or intermediate riders.
Weighing over 100 kg (220 lb): the ranch sets that as its maximum.
FAQ
How much does horseback riding cost in Aruba?
At Rancho Notorious, from $105 for a one-hour beginner ride to $210 for the 2.5-hour California Lighthouse ride; a private ride is $285.
Can beginners ride in Aruba?
Yes. The ranch says its Countryside and Hidden Lagoon ride is for beginners and children, and its sunset ride is for all skill levels.
What age can children ride?
Children under 6 ride with an adult on the same horse; children 6 and older usually ride their own.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes: 220 lb (100 kg) at Rancho Notorious.
Aruba Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
