In an age of ride-share apps, electric scooters, and self-driving cars, it’s hard to believe there are still places in the world where the preferred commute is… a horse. But tucked away in remote corners and highlands, some communities never traded in the reins for a steering wheel.
Whether it’s out of necessity, tradition, or pure love for life at a slower pace, these towns keep the horse saddle warm and the spirit of old-school transportation alive. If you're looking for destinations where cars take a backseat to hooves, here are 10 fascinating towns where locals still ride horses to work—and sometimes to school, church, and the grocery store too.
1. Amish Country, Pennsylvania, USA
Let’s start with the most famous: the Amish communities of Lancaster County. Here, horse-drawn buggies are not a tourist gimmick—they’re a lifestyle. The Amish eschew modern technology, so you’ll see locals commuting by buggy or cart on a daily basis.
The roads even have buggy lanes, and “horse parking” is common at stores and markets. Despite its rural feel, the community is vibrant—and visiting offers a unique glimpse into a very different version of American life.
2. Sibayo, Peru
High in the Peruvian Andes, the small village of Sibayo remains deeply rooted in tradition. Here, horses and donkeys are still widely used—not just for hauling goods, but for transportation, especially on narrow mountain paths inaccessible by vehicle.
Locals, dressed in traditional Andean clothing, ride horseback across high plains to tend crops, visit neighbors, or attend village markets. It's a beautiful window into Peru’s pre-modern rhythms.
3. Cavallo, Corsica, France
On this tiny Mediterranean island near Corsica, cars are banned completely. The main mode of transport? Golf carts and horses. The island’s small enough that you can ride from one end to the other in under an hour, and many locals keep horses for short daily trips or leisure.
The sandy paths, pine trees, and laid-back vibe make it feel like a place where time isn’t in a rush.
4. San Juan de los Remedios, Cuba
Cuba is known for its classic cars, but in some of its smaller colonial towns, horses are just as common. In San Juan de los Remedios—one of the oldest towns on the island—locals often ride horse-drawn carts or horses directly to the town square.
It’s not unusual to see someone in a button-down shirt and cowboy hat trotting down cobblestone streets on a Monday morning. Bonus: the town itself is gorgeous, with Spanish architecture and a festive soul.
5. Oatman, Arizona, USA
Oatman looks like something out of a Western—and in many ways, it still is. Located along historic Route 66, this quirky ghost town is famous for its wild burros that roam the streets. But beyond the tourist kitsch, a few residents still use horses to get around the rugged landscape.
Horseback is often the most practical way to traverse the nearby canyons and back trails. Don’t be surprised if your “neighbor” rides past on a quarter horse.
6. Kalaw, Myanmar
In the hills of Shan State, the town of Kalaw is a former British hill station that hasn’t quite caught up to the rest of the world—and that’s part of its charm. While tuk-tuks and motorbikes are common, locals in surrounding villages still use horses and ponies to carry goods and get into town.
You’ll often see men riding with woven baskets balanced across the saddle, heading to the market or back to their farms.
7. Waihau Bay, New Zealand
Along the remote eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, this tiny settlement is steeped in Maori tradition and rugged beauty. While cars are present, it's not uncommon for locals—especially older generations—to saddle up a horse for a trip into the hills or down to the beach.
Community rodeos and horse treks are part of the cultural DNA here, and horseback is a natural fit for the vast, grassy terrain.
8. Sado Island, Japan
Japan might be known for bullet trains and robot cafes, but Sado Island moves differently. While cars exist, parts of the island—especially in the rural fishing villages—still use horses for light transport and agriculture.
The island has long been isolated from the mainland, and its slow rhythms reflect that. Here, locals blend modern life with a deep respect for traditions, including horse culture.
9. Rurrenabaque, Bolivia
This jungle town on the edge of Bolivia’s Amazon Basin is a gateway to wild nature—and some very traditional living. Outside of the main streets, locals in nearby communities often rely on horseback to get through muddy terrain or reach fields deep in the forest.
Horses are part of everyday life, especially when the rainy season makes many roads impassable.
10. Upper Mustang, Nepal
If there’s one place where horses truly feel like kings, it’s Upper Mustang—a remote and arid region in the Himalayas near the Tibetan border. The terrain is harsh, the roads are minimal, and the culture is ancient. Horses are the default mode of transport here, used for everything from carrying firewood to getting children to school.
Riding through Mustang feels like journeying into a forgotten kingdom, where the clip-clop of hooves is as common as birdsong.
In these towns, horses aren’t just a quirky tradition—they’re part of a way of life that values slowness, connection, and practicality. Watching someone ride a horse through their daily routine feels like a scene from history, but in these places, it’s just Tuesday.
