Tenerife: Horseback Ride with Instructor

The best part of this Tenerife horseback ride is the change in scenery: you leave the Xanadu riding center above Arona and follow volcanic ground toward wide ocean views. On the two-hour option, you reach the coast, where the horses can walk into the sea.

I like the calm, beginner-friendly horses and the small groups, limited to six people. I also like that the route is more than a dusty trek, with tabaiba, cacti, cardones, mountain views, and information about local plants and volcanic terrain. The main drawback is communication: the instructor may speak only a little English, and delays are possible at this small riding center.

Key points before you saddle up

• The two-hour ride reaches the coast: You get sea views, a beach stop, and the chance to let the horses enter the water.
• Beginner-friendly horses: Horses are matched to your size and experience, and guides stay close when someone is riding for the first time.
• Volcanic scenery near Arona: Expect lava beds, cacti, cardones, tabaiba, mountain slopes, and ocean views.
• Small groups of up to six: This makes it easier for the guide to watch each rider.
• A relaxed pace: Walking is the norm, though trotting or cantering may be possible depending on the group and the guide.
• Bring proper clothing: Sunscreen and water are essential. Shorts, swimwear, and bare feet are not allowed.

Riding from Xanadu into Tenerife’s volcanic south

The ride begins at Xanadu riding center in Arona, in southern Tenerife. This is not a grand equestrian resort. It is a small center, which helps explain both the personal attention and the possibility of a delayed start when the previous group has not returned.

You are introduced to a horse selected for your size and riding background. That matching matters, especially if you are nervous. First-time riders have been placed on slower horses, with an instructor walking nearby throughout the ride. You receive basic instructions before setting off, although you should not expect a long formal riding lesson.

The horses are described as gentle, calm, and well cared for. That makes this a good choice if your riding experience is limited to a short holiday trek, or if you have not been on a horse for years. The animals generally follow the guide, which takes some pressure off you while you learn steering and stopping.

Still, you remain responsible for your balance and basic control. One rider found the horse moved faster than expected near the end, though the guide brought the situation under control. Listen carefully at the start and ask for help if you feel unsure. You do not need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable sitting on a moving animal.

One hour or two hours: choose carefully

The one-hour ride is the sensible pick for a first experience, a young rider, or anyone unsure about spending a long time in the saddle. Several beginners found the shorter ride long enough to enjoy the horses and scenery without becoming tiring.

You still get the mountain and volcanic surroundings, along with views toward the ocean. The precise route and pace can depend on the ability of the group. A slow group will spend most of its time walking, which is appropriate for beginners but may feel restrained if you ride regularly.

The two-hour ride offers the fuller outing. It includes the journey to the coast, where you can enjoy the sea air and, when conditions allow, take the horses into the water. The approach to the beach can take a substantial part of the ride, leaving a shorter period at the shore before you return.

That trade-off is worth knowing. The beach stop is the memorable feature, but you will not spend two hours riding along the sand. Much of the time is a guided walk through the area surrounding the center, down to the coast and back.

For confident riders, the guide may offer some trotting on the return. Cantering has also been allowed in the arena after a ride, but this is not presented as a guaranteed part of the excursion. The pace depends on the group, the horses, and the guide’s judgment. Do not book this expecting a fast beach gallop.

The route: cacti, lava, mountains, and ocean

The scenery gives the ride its character. Southern Tenerife is dry and volcanic, and the route passes native Canarian plants such as tabaiba, cacti, and cardones. These plants are not decorative garden features. They show how life adapts to the island’s warm, dry conditions.

The ride also follows or crosses old lava ground created thousands of years ago. From the horse, you get a slower view of the terrain than you would from a car or coach. You notice the rough volcanic surface, the changing slope, and the way the ocean appears below the mountain roads.

Guides may point out local plants, fruit trees, drainage channels, and details of the volcanic area. Dori has been praised for explaining the natural setting and local history, while Germain has led beginners carefully toward the sea. The amount of commentary depends on the guide and the language you share.

This is not a formal geology tour. It is a chance to understand more of the ground beneath you while moving through it at walking pace. If you like a ride with some interpretation, listen and ask questions. If you prefer quiet, the setting provides plenty to look at without constant narration.

The fresh sea breeze is another pleasure, especially in Tenerife’s warm southern climate. Bring sunscreen even if the air feels mild. You are exposed to the sun for much of the outing, and the pale volcanic ground can make the light feel strong.

Reaching the beach on horseback

The two-hour route heads down to the coast, where the main reward is the view of the sea from horseback. The horses may walk into the water, creating one of the more unusual moments of the excursion. It is a calm experience rather than an action scene, and the guide controls the pace.

You may have time for photographs at the beach. Guides have taken pictures during the ride and sent them through WhatsApp at no extra charge, but this should be treated as a helpful possibility rather than a guaranteed service. Bring your phone only if you can keep it secure.

The beach section can feel short because the ride from the center takes time. That is not a flaw in the route, but it is useful to set your expectations correctly. You are booking a two-hour countryside and coastal ride, not a beach-only activity.

If you are nervous about riding near the water, tell the instructor. The horses are selected for the group, and the guide’s job is to keep the ride controlled. You do not need to enter the sea if you are uncomfortable, but the activity information specifically presents the coastal visit as a feature of the longer option.

How beginner-friendly is it?

This is one of the stronger choices in southern Tenerife for a first horseback ride. Beginners have received clear instructions, steady horses, and close help from the guide. One nervous rider found that basic steering and stopping became manageable during the route, while another first-time rider felt safe because the horse was calm.

The small group size helps. With no more than six participants, the instructor has a realistic chance of noticing when someone is struggling. Groups can still contain mixed abilities, so the pace may be set by the least experienced rider.

That is good news for a novice and less exciting for an experienced rider hoping to gallop. The normal outing is a walk. Trotting may happen on a suitable stretch, and arena cantering has been permitted after the main ride, but neither should be assumed.

You should also be ready for limited English. The listed languages are English, Spanish, Russian, and Dutch, but the instructor may be a native Spanish speaker who speaks only some English. Previous groups managed through simple explanations, gestures, and demonstration. A few basic Spanish riding terms would help, especially if you are anxious.

Comfort, clothing, and the small practical details

Wear long trousers. Shorts are not allowed, and one rider found that bare legs rubbed against the saddle by the end of the outing. Swimwear is also not allowed, even though the two-hour route reaches the coast.

Closed shoes are the sensible choice, though the activity does not include clothing, shoes, or riding boots. Bare feet are prohibited. Wear something practical that you can move in and that you do not mind getting dusty.

Bring:

• Sunscreen
• Water
• Long trousers
• Secure, closed footwear

A helmet is included. Food and drinks are not, though a restaurant next to the stables has been noted as a convenient place to eat afterward. That can turn the ride into an easy morning or afternoon plan without adding another stop across town.

Allow extra time around the scheduled start. The center is small, and the previous group may return late. One group waited about an hour, while another started roughly 75 minutes after arriving because of preparation and the previous ride. The full paid riding time was still provided in the cases described, but you should avoid scheduling a tight connection afterward.

Price and overall value at $47

At $47 per person, the one-hour ride is fairly priced for a guided, small-group activity that includes the horse, instructor, and helmet. You are paying for more than time in a riding arena. The route includes open volcanic ground, plant life, mountain views, and the ocean setting.

The two-hour option offers better value if you specifically want the coast. The beach and sea portion gives the longer outing a clear purpose, rather than simply adding another hour to the same route. For a couple, family, or group of friends, it is a good way to spend a morning outdoors without needing previous riding experience.

The value is less convincing if you want detailed instruction, a fast ride, or a long period on the beach. The teaching is practical and brief, not a riding course. The pace is usually controlled, and the route may be slow when the group includes beginners.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve-now-pay-later booking add useful flexibility. That matters in Tenerife, where weather or other plans can change. If the center asks to adjust your time because the small operation is full, confirm the replacement time before finalizing your day.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this for:

• First-time riders
• Families with children aged six or older
• Couples looking for a quiet outdoor activity
• Riders who enjoy scenery more than speed
• Anyone wanting a different view of southern Tenerife
• Experienced riders who are happy with a relaxed walking route

The ride is not suitable for children under six. Weight restrictions are listed at both 200 pounds, or 91 kilograms, and 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms. Because those figures conflict, contact the center before booking if you are near or above the lower limit.

This also may not suit anyone with a strong fear of horses, difficulty sitting comfortably for an hour or two, or a firm desire to ride independently at speed. The guide leads the group, and safety takes priority over action.

Should you book the Xanadu horseback ride?

Yes, if you want a gentle, scenic introduction to horseback riding in Tenerife. The strongest reasons are the calm horses, small groups, coastal views, and unusual chance to enter the sea on the two-hour ride.

Choose one hour if you are unsure about riding or have limited time. Choose two hours if reaching the beach is the main reason you are interested. Wear trousers, carry water, allow time for a delayed start, and expect simple English rather than a long spoken lesson.

This is best understood as a relaxed countryside ride through volcanic southern Tenerife. It is not a high-speed equestrian outing. For the right expectations, the $47 price buys a memorable way to see the island’s dry hills, native plants, lava ground, and ocean from a much lower and slower seat.

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.

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. The horses may enter the water.

Is the activity suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. Beginners receive basic instructions, and horses are matched to participants by size and experience. Guides may stay beside a first-time rider during the route.

Are helmets included?

Yes. A helmet and the one-hour or two-hour horseback ride are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and water. Long trousers and closed shoes are also sensible, since shorts, swimwear, and bare feet are not allowed.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. A restaurant is located next to the stables.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The activity is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, and Dutch. The instructor may speak only a little English and may be a native Spanish speaker.

How many people are in each group?

The activity is limited to six participants, making it a small-group ride.

Can children join the horseback ride?

Children under six cannot participate. The provided information does not give a maximum child age, so older children must also meet the stated weight and activity requirements.