Which travel activity would you do?

[TR]

We’ll be in San Miguel de Allende from a Thursday afternoon - Sunday afternoon. I only want to do one planned activity because I want most of the vacation to be casual exploring and relaxing. The two things I can’t decide between are:

A. Horseback ride through the Mexican countryside, through rivers, etc. Would be about 9am - 2pm, with lunch included. $95/pp

Pros: It seems a lot more relaxed than most trail rides, they let you go at your own pace, gallop if you feel comfortable, etc. I freaking LOVE horses and horseback riding, we’re both comfortable riding, both at an intermediate riding level. Would be nice to see outside of town. Could do a private ride for just $15 more per person.
Cons: It would probably involve packing an additional set of clothes/shoes just for the ride. We’ve been horseback riding before, it’s offered at a lot of places.

B. A sunrise hot air balloon ride. (Obviously) happens at dawn and lasts for about an hour - 2 hours. Possibly breakfast included after the ride. $145/pp

Pros: Great view of the city and surrounding areas. I’ve never been on a hot air balloon ride, but I think they look so fun. Shorter time commitment. Not every travel destination offers these or would be a good candidate for one.
Cons: Could be up to 10 people on the ride and October is a busy time so that’s probable. H isn’t the biggest fan of heights, though he hasn’t expressed any problem with this idea. More expensive for less time. Having to get up well before dawn, lol. It does look like there are some walkable/driveable vantage points where we may be able to get a birds eye view of the city anyway?

[kermit]

Probably the horseback ride, mainly because I wouldn't want to get up that early for the balloon ride. I would love to do a balloon ride someday though!

[noodleoo]

I picked horseback ride because I'm scared of hot air balloons! I feel like there are too many variable: weather could suck, too much wind can cancel the ride, not sure I trust the safety in a foreign country, although I honestly wouldn't do one in the US either after some horror stories on the news. Plus not a morning person.

[Deleted]

I picked the balloon ride. Getting up early doesn't bother me, plus then you'd still have the whole day to do whatever you want. We actually did a sunrise balloon ride for our anniversary a few years ago and even where I live, it was breathtaking.

[Alps79]

I picked A.

Also I'll be hitting you up about your San Miguel experience! We are strongly considering it for a group/couples vaca next August. I've heard such great things! Have fun!

[bl]

We did a sunrise hot air balloon ride the week of our wedding in Lake Tahoe and it was one of the best experiences ever. H is terrified of heights, but I guess there is something with being in the balloon that it actually doesn't bother most people. For me it would depend on the scenery, what made the Tahoe one so spectacular was just the breath taking scenery, if you feel that the scenery for yours will be like that, then do the balloon. Otherwise the horses sound awesome too!

[pinotgrig]

I voted A for you since you love horses and are both comfortable riders. I would pick B for myself, though. You can’t go wrong with either!

[wildrice]

I might do the hot air balloon ride, just because it is something you can't do everywhere and something I haven't done before. I also think that's a pretty good price - isn't it usually like $300 per person? Are the reviews good - does it sound like having a full basket is really cramped?

I love horseback riding. We actually did that in Costa Rica earlier this year and it was our favorite part of the trip. So I think you can't go wrong with that either. I just tend to pick stuff I haven't done before when there is the chance for it!

[sometimesrunner]

I picked B. I absolutely hate early mornings, but a hot air balloon ride seems like a once in a lifetime thing, and you can horseback ride anywhere.

[So_Fetch]

Based on the info you gave, I'd go with the horseback ride. Even though I DO NOT LIKE to ride horses.

[wambam]

I would do the hot air balloon, but I really don't like horses.

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2018 10:11:47 GMT -5 wambam said:

I would do the hot air balloon, but I really don't like horses.

Yes, this.  Plus, getting up early = a nap and there is nothing like a vacation nap by the pool/on the beach.

[insominac]

I prefer more active vacations than relaxing ones, so I’d do both - and I think you should as well. You like horses, so do the horseback riding... you might want to spring for the private tour as well. And then balloon sounds cool and like someone said, you can spend the rest of the day doing what you want.

[mcmel]

I picked hot air balloon because riding horses kind of makes me sad.

[mskitkat]

I voted A because I do nothing at sunrise on vacation other than sleep. Also, I’m afraid of heights. It sounds like my personal hell actually.

[pandorica]

I picked A. I'd rather get to explore more, and 10 people in a balloon seems like a lot. Plus I don't get up early if I don't have to!

[wildrice]

Sept 4, 2018 10:22:56 GMT -5 insominac said:

I prefer more active vacations than relaxing ones, so I’d do both - and I think you should as well. You like horses, so do the horseback riding... you might want to spring for the private tour as well. And then balloon sounds cool and like someone said, you can spend the rest of the day doing what you want.

This was actually my thought too, if you are willing! The balloon ride won't take up much of your day, so you'll still have plenty of time to relax.

I like to relax on trips, but not if it means giving up something else I'd really love to do. And both of these activities sound great!

[isabel]

I don't love horses and really want to do a hot air balloon ride (we go to a local balloon "rodeo" every year), but I choose horses for you. It seems like you're leaning that way, and while the hot air balloon ride would definitely be fun, I think you would feel like you got more of an experience doing the horseback riding.

[flex]

I picked B as I've always wanted to go on a balloon ride. I've done horseback riding a bazillion times.

[VillainV]

I've done a Hot Air Balloon ride before, and while it was AMAZING, if your H is even a little bit afraid of heights, he will probably be miserable.

[jlt19]

My only concern would be with the balloon, it's a hit or miss if you can actually go up. I remember going when I was a kid with my mom and there were 2 or 3 days that we tried, but couldn't b/c of weather. I did it then, but now I'm afraid of heights (like almost had a panic attack on the huge ferris wheel at Six Flags) so I don't think I could do a balloon ride now.

[mich1]

I’ve done a hot air balloon ride in Turkey. They are spectacular, something you should do at least once.

[lucy]

I did a hot air balloon ride in SMA and it was great and totally worth waking up early. We had another 8 or so people in our ride and it didn’t feel crowded at all.
There were multiple hot air balloons taking off from where we were, including a private one that was a guy proposing so we got to see the giant sign on the field as we passed it.
Going on a hot air balloon ride was a bucket list item for me and I chose to do it there mostly because it was way cheaper so think of that as well.
Don’t go with the breakfast option thought. It was the worst meal we had while there.

[Queen Dick, Hibernating Bear]

No.

[fivechickens]

It would be a cold day in hell before I got in a hot air balloon.

[TR]

Sept 4, 2018 9:47:22 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

I picked horseback ride because I'm scared of hot air balloons! I feel like there are too many variable: weather could suck, too much wind can cancel the ride, not sure I trust the safety in a foreign country, although I honestly wouldn't do one in the US either after some horror stories on the news. Plus not a morning person.

I can’t decide if I want to hear these horror stories or live in ignorant bliss.

[msmerymac]

B because my husband finds horseback riding to be miserable, but if it's an activity you enjoy (for example, H and I both like biking), then do that.

[bunnies]

That's a hard choice - both options appeal to me. I was initially thinking horses, but after reading your post, I think I'd do the hot air balloon.

[Saint Monica]

I have always wanted to to a balloon ride but I imagine myself crying balled up on the basket floor.

Horses can be jerks.

[Aloe Vera]

I'd do the hot air balloon because this is more unique than horseback riding.

ETA: I don't really care about horses and I've done horseback riding in the countryside many times. And I am a novice. Hot air balloon? I've never done.