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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Costa Rica
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Caribbean
Coast Adventure Extension
Day 1 to 6 -- Same as 8-day Itinerary
Day 7: Pick
up at 6 am and 4 to 5 hr transfer to the Caribbean Coast, check in at
the beach hotel bungalows at Perla Negra Beach. Depending on the temperatures we start
our ride oround 4pm. First we ride over the very scenic Playa Negra
(Black Beach) then partway over the village road, towards Playa Grande
(Long Beach). This is a really wild, quiet and deserted Caribbean beach,
excellent for horseback riding and a nice brisk canter. We then enter
into a beautiful tropical forest, where you can see the magnificent
toucans and other colorful birds, sloth, howler monkeys and more. Your
guide is very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, so you can learn a
lot during the ride. After 1.5 hours of riding we stop for a break.
While the horses rest a while in the shade of a tree, Raúl may chop open
some coconuts with his impressing machete and everyone gets one with
delicious, refreshing coconut water inside to drink. On the way back
there are again several nice opportunities for stretched out canters.
After about 3 hours you arrive back at the riding center where you can
refresh with a cold drink. On the way back to the lodge you may stop to
see some nice boutiques and souvenirs shops. Dinner is on your own
today. Local restaurants are within a 15 minute walk. Meals are
inexpensive from $8 to $15. The zesty cuisine found in Cahuita is
renowned as some of the best in the country. One thing is for certain:
food here is different from the traditional gallo pinto and other inland
cuisines that dominate mestizo culture. In comparison, Afro-Caribbean
food is a fusion of different European cuisine and is characterized by
dishes such as jerk—seasoned meats—and curried goat or chicken. Seafood
dishes and spice are also customary.
Day 8: We pick you up at the lodge and a 2 minute transfer
takes us to the riding stables, where we enjoy a nice breakfast. From
here we start our 6-hour ride at 9 am or earlier (depending time of
year). First we head to the beach and then up the mountain and straight
up to the beautiful farm of Don Paco with his large herds of different
animals. We leave our horses here and hike for about 45 minutes on
jungle trails to an enchanting and pristine waterfall. Here we enjoy a
relaxing picnic lunch and a refreshing swim. In the afternoon we return
via a different trail to the riding center. The ride ends around 4 pm
and a short transfer to Cocles will take you to a Jungle Lodge near
Cocles Beach. Check into one of the jungle cabins in the woods. Each one
has private bathroom facilities. For dinner we get together with your
host (born in Argentina) and enjoy a great “Argentinean Asado” barbecue
with salads and red wine or sangria.
Day 9: The ride begins from the lodge, where we select new
horses and match them to the riders ability. After everybody is
sufficiently comfortable with their mount, we leave for the beach. We
begin with a gentle walk along the white sands of Cocles Beach to the
coral elevated Cocles Point where we ride over green grass through a
beautiful coconut grove. There we see the beginning of endless and
magnificent tide pools which lie along the turquoise sea shore. We pass
by the petite and exclusive Playa Chiquita beaches and observe the
wonders of inter tide zone’s bird life to our left and the edge of a
blooming jungle to our right. We ride over driftwood logs and cross
creeks and rivers to reach Punta Uva. Rated as one of the top 5 beaches
in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine). Punta Uva’s first point
extends out 300 meters out to sea, its coral; elevation is about 20
meters high and covered with old growth almendro trees and at times full
of howler monkeys. It’s tip has a tunnel going from one side to the
other. Itś a perfect spot to have a drink and relax. We continue beyond
second point Punta Uva and into Manzanillo Beach, or Playa Grande as
some people call it. From that point we gallop through a mile long
coconut grove until we get to a river where we rest and cool off in its
fresh waters as they meet the sea. From there we continue to the small
fishing village of Manzanillo along a magical white sand beach. Once in
town we eat lunch at Maxi’s restaurant, the towns land mark. There we
enjoy the famous sea food grill, Parrillada de mariscos, beers or soft
drinks and we relax in its local fishing village afro-Caribbean
environment.
After lunch we relax for a bit in this typical Caribbean environment
and then continue beyond the mirador at the beginnings of Punta Mona
and through the jungle in the refuge with some stops at the most
charming beaches yet. These beaches looks like Balenese beaches due to
the coral lifted cliffs which are covered by wild vegetation. The
horsetrail is difficult due to the soft mud. In this trail you will see
plenty of howler monkeys and exotic birds until we reach Steven´s
organic farm. There we will set up a camp, eat vegetarian food and at
some time during the trip you will get a tour of the farm. In the
evening if in turtle season we can hire a guide and check out the
turtles nesting with our flashlights and protect them from poachers.
Day 10: Today we ride to the Gandoca lagoon where wildlife is
abundant and maybe all the way towards the border with Panama along the
Sixaola river. We stop for lunch in Gandoca. Dinner is back at Punta
Mona.
Day 11: Breakfast at the lodge and we start our return trip.
Lunch stop is in Punta Uva. Arriving back at the stables you can relax
in a hammock at your bungalow or spend the rest of the day at the beach
or shopping in town. In the evening we have another Argentine asado and
celebrate the adventure. You get to see it all and ride it all.
Definitely a life time experience.
Day 12: Departure on the early shuttle to San Jose or if you
prefer we can add an optional 2 ½ hr beach ride before taking the 2 pm
shuttle back (beach ride is $75 extra)
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Conquistadores Odyssey Explorer
Tour Code: IT-CR-HRO10
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,495.00
Dates: Available all Year
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Ensenada Extension
Caribbean Extension
Caribbean Adenture Ext.
Tack:
Modified McClellan, some Western
Horses:
Criollos
Pace:
4 to 6 hours per day
Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport:
San Jose
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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A |
Beginner
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Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does
not canter.
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B |
Novice
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Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. |
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C |
Intermediate
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Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
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D |
Strong Intermediate
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Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and
is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
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E |
Advanced
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All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handling
a spirited horse in open country.
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