THIS TOUR IS ILLEGAL - AVOID AT ALL COSTS!…read more
My oh my, where do I even begin? The experience I had with "Leisurely Country Horseback-riding" in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, was an absolute disaster from start to finish. Buckle up because you won't believe the series of misadventures I encountered.
Firstly, I booked this excursion on January 5th, 2024, for a ride scheduled on the very next day (that is: today, January 6th). Considering the short notice, I tried to give the owner, Beth Kaestner, the benefit of the doubt regarding her initial rudeness. Little did I know that this was just the tip of the iceberg.
Beth promised a picturesque journey, picking me up from downtown San Miguel and transporting me to her supposed paradise of a ranch at Boca de la Cañada. On arrival, I was greeted by cowboys who, while charming, lacked English proficiency. Special shoutout to Reyes, a charismatic cowboy, but sadly, their "training" on horse riding was laughably inadequate. I found myself playing interpreter for fellow riders, aiding them with instructions that should have been provided clearly by the staff.
Post-ride, we were treated to a delectable ranch-style meal. Credit where it's due, the food was fantastic. But the real chaos began as Beth handed me her card, signaling the end--or so I thought--of my tour.
I questioned Beth about the horses' safety and proper documentation for the tour; she blatantly lied and said everything was in order. It wasn't long before our journey took an illegal turn. En route back to San Miguel de Allende, we were pulled over by police officers, revealing Beth's brazen operation without the necessary permits. She began to panic, her deceit unraveling as I found myself caught in her web of lies.
Despite my profession as a lawyer, even I wasn't prepared for the audacity with which Beth demanded I lie to the authorities. Not only that. She DEMANDED I asked the officers HOW MUCH A BRIBE WOULD BE!!??. This woman shows no respect for the country, the language nor its laws. After the police officers incredibly said no, i found out she was utterly uninsured for the trips on a high speed highway. She does not have the proper plates for her cares (which was why she was detained in the first place), but she was also operating without the required certifications. The situation escalated as Beth's unpreparedness became glaringly evident, culminating in her vehicle being impounded, leaving us stranded in the scorching heat.
Despite my fluency in both English and Spanish, I became Beth's reluctant translator, a role I never signed up for. She showed utter disregard for the local language, forcing me to bridge the communication gap during her tense standoff with the police. Her disregard for protocol, safety, and basic decency left me flabbergasted.
Beth's desperate pleas for assistance, coupled with her blatant disregard for local laws and customer safety, left a sour taste in my mouth. She failed to offer any compensation or discount for the chaos she inflicted upon me, focusing solely on her impending fine and lost vehicle. She was extremely rude, demanding help instead of asking for it. I imagine the stress of the moment caused that.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a taxi arrived to whisk us away. Even then, Beth's negligence continued, directing the taxi driver to a completely different destination to the one I requested to be dropped off. I guess this was because she had other clients waiting to ride on her uninsured tour.
In conclusion, "Leisurely Country Horseback-riding" and its owner, Beth Kaestner, are a disaster waiting to happen. Her reckless behavior, illegal operations, and utter lack of professionalism make this a ride you'd be wise to avoid. Save yourself the trouble and look elsewhere for a genuine, safe, and lawful experience. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS! There are far better, legal (and cheaper) options in San Miguel to do a Horseback Ride Tour just as this one.