Hundreds of Riders Expected for Tulum’s Fourth Federated Horseback Ride

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Horses and riders will return to Tulum’s streets and coastal area on Saturday, October 10, for the fourth Cabalgata Federada. Organizers expect more than 400 riders from Quintana Roo and other Mexican states, followed by a free community gathering that anyone can attend.

The ride is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and last approximately three to three and a half hours. Organizers describe a 12.6-kilometer route that will use Avenida Cobá and Avenida Kukulkán before moving onto dirt tracks and toward the beach. About 60% of the route is expected to pass through unpaved, wooded areas.

For residents and visitors, the most immediate effect may be slower traffic on the paved sections while the horses pass. Organizers say they are coordinating with municipal traffic officers to manage the procession and limit disruption. Anyone planning to drive through the Cobá and Kukulkán areas on Saturday afternoon should allow extra time; exact traffic-control points have not been announced.

Riders are expected from Yucatán, Campeche, Chihuahua, Chiapas, the State of Mexico and Veracruz, among other places. The municipality has confirmed its logistical support for the October 10 event. Organizers will welcome visiting participants at a dinner on Friday evening, when the new queen of Tulum a Caballo will also be crowned.

A Celebration Beyond the Ride

The procession will finish near Rancho Marités, where organizers plan music, raffles and activities for families. Admission to the gathering is free, and spectators do not need a horse or a connection to the riding group to join the celebration. Food and other offerings may be available, but organizers have not said that those will be free.

The event also brings visitors who may stay, eat and shop in Tulum over the weekend. Organizers say rooms set aside for participants at two hotels are already occupied, though they have not provided an estimate of the event’s economic impact.

Animal welfare is part of the plan for a ride of this length. Organizers say horses will have three hydration points, with a veterinarian and an equine ambulance available along the route. They have asked riders to bring animals fit for the journey and say horses with open wounds or signs of illness will not be permitted. Municipal services are expected to provide waste containers and help clean the route afterward.

The cabalgata has become an annual Tulum event: municipal records show support for last year’s gathering at Rancho Marités. This year’s route gives visitors a chance to watch the tradition beyond the ranch, while opening its final celebration to the wider community.