Transfer Option:

Day 1:  Arrive at Liberia or Tamarindo Airport, transport to the finca, located just minutes from the beautiful Pacific beaches of Guanacaste. Check into your accommodations in Casita Mandarina and then enjoy a light lunch.  Late afternoon you will have a ranch orientation and a Criollo horse demonstration, then meet your horse for your first ride, taking the old Spanish oxcart trails, passing through beautiful wooded countryside, ranches and small traditional villages.  Along the way you may see Howler Monkeys, colorful tropical birds or other wildlife, while getting a glimpse of the traditional sabanero, cowboy culture, of the Guanacaste people. When we reach the town of Portegolpe, we will tie up our horses and stop for dinner at the Paso de la Mica, a nice restaurant in the small town of Portegolpe.  Later, ride back to the ranch under the stars.  (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: After breakfast, you will have an introductory lesson riding the beautiful Spanish Criollo horses of Costa Rica - known for their noble temperament and comfortable ride.  Later in the morning you will leave for the small cattle town of Tempate and travel the Old Spanish Trail through large haciendas and small villages.  Lunch in Tempate at a local restaurant, and then continue your ride back to the ranch.  In the afternoon, you will take the short drive to Monkey Park and Rescue Center to see some of the interesting wildlife found in the region.  You have the option to go to one of the colorful local fiestas to see the famous bull riding and cowboys showing off their lasso skills on quick criollo horses.  Dinner on your own at the fiesta or at the ranch. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: (or Sundays during the Fiesta Season):  After brunch we will leave to spend the day at one of the local weekend fiestas. You will have a chance to be part of the traditional horse culture of Guanacaste. Ride with us in a Tope, the traditional Sunday Horse Parades. At the registration party  before, you will have the opportunity to watch some of the beautiful high stepping Costa Rican horses and their colorful riders, ride with them in the parade, and enjoy a party just for the caballistas (horsemen and women)  with traditional food, drinks, music and prizes after. Later, back at the ranch enjoy bocas (tapas) and drinks while you relax around the splash pool. ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Bocas) 

Day 4:  After an early continental breakfast, you will be taken up into the mountains east of Liberia  to Rincon de la Vieja National Park where you can select from a day of adventure activities including horseback ride to the volcano or waterfalls, hiking, zip-lining, rock climbing, tubing, mud baths and more.  Lunch included at one of the large haciendas. Late afternoon, you will be taken back to the ranch, stopping for dinner at a beautiful rancho restaurant in Liberia, known for a large variety of common local foods.

Day 5: After an early breakfast, we will leave for Langosta/Avellanas beaches and pick up our horses for a two and a half  hour morning ride through a working hacienda and along pristine white sand Pacific beaches.  Langosta Beach at the 4500 acre Hacienda Pinilla is a great place for those who want to canter their horses on the beach and surf.  Afternoon free:  You have the option of being taken to Tamarindo Beach or Flamingo beaches with an option for shopping, swimming, surfing or take the popular Sailing-Snorkling ½ day Tours on the Blue Dolphin Catamaran.  Dinner on your own with transportation back to the ranch. 

Day 6: After breakfast, if time permits ride in the ring or take your last photos and say goodbye before you transfer to Liberia or Tamarindo Airport with an optional stop at a gift shop or market depending on return flights. (Breakfast, Snacks for the Plane).

Arenal Extension
On Day 5  we will leave for your extension to the famous Arenal Volcano region near the mountain town of Fortuna.  You will travel up to the mountains, then around spectacular Lake Arenal passing through tropical rainforest lush with tropical flowers, birds and wildlife. Lunch en route. Stop along the way at Toad Hall or one of the other shops, known for local crafts and tasty food.   You will stay at the Los Logos Hotel and Spa, Volcano Lodge, Arenas Arenal or similar.  In the afternoon, you will want to explore the grounds before you are taken to the beautiful Baldi Hot Springs  with thermal pools and lush gardens.  (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6:  After breakfast, we will pick you up for a special horseback tour up to the Arenal Volcano, ride on lava trails and canter your horse across green fields and along thermal rivers under one of the most beautiful active volcanoes in the world.  In the afternoon, you may elect an optional canopy tour before taking a drive around Lake Arenal with a stop at the ranch town of Liberia, known as the “Cuidad Blanco”, for dinner at a typical rancho-style restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7:  see Day 5 .... of regular itinerary

Beach Extension:
Spend a few extra days at the beach with water sport activities etc.
We can make arrangements for you at the Hotel Capitan Suizo in Tamarindo Bay

Note: the order of the days may be changed depending on which day you arrive or to take advantage of seasonal, local fiestas and horse events , or weather. The itinerary is flexible so you may take additional tours or have free time at the beach. Mountains and beach extensions available by arrangement.

Guanacaste climate is tropical with temperatures of between 70-95 F. all year, cooler in the mountains.  December to April is the dry season with little or no rain for over 4 months, and lots of sunshine;  May to August is the green season with occasional hard rains in the afternoon;  September to mid November is the rainy season, with rains almost every day.  

Long pants, closed shoes or boots for riding, hat, sunglasses, sun screen, insect repellent, bathing suit, and sandals.  For mountain extensions, rain jacket and sweater.  Please bring a copy of your passport and other identification.  We have certified riding helmets if you don’t want to carry yours on the plane.

 

Spacious private casitas with queen beds, air, frig, microwave, coffee maker, DVD and open sky shower in private bath. High speed internet and WIFI available.

All accommodations have access to splash pool, bar, and maid service. Cool off in the splash pool after your ride or sip a cold drink while you watch the horses from the porch rockers. 

At the finca:
Casita Mandarina – a comfortable, spacious, casita with queen bed and queen fouton, kitchenette, outdoor star shower, airconditing, cable TV with DVDs, high speed internet.
Casa Roble – a new 1 bedroom furnished house with queen bed and LR queen fouton, dining area, full kitchen bar, fans and  air conditioning in the bedroom. Extra single bed available.

Meals:  Ranch breakfast, lunch and most dinners provided on the garden porch or poolside.  Vegetarian meals are available, with a variety of menu options.

Selection from a Breakfast menu daily, including fresh fruit, cereal, eggs, meats, pancakes, fresh baked breads. Most lunches at typical restaurants on the rides. Dinners at the ranch and at local restaurants.

Wine, beer and liquor are extra. Refrigerators are stocked with drinks. We will also take clients to a local supermarket to shop.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Pace: The pace is adjusted to rider level and experience. Walk/trot on most of the trails, with cantering in safe areas, beaches and country roads. Walk, trot and cantering in the arena.

Helmets are available, mandatory for riders under 16.

Equine Education: Learn to ride or just sharpen your riding skills. Private lessons are offered by internationally recognized instructors. Learn ground work to dressage on well trained horses. Traditional, high stepping Spanish style instruction is also available on the famed Costa Rican pasos. We offer a variety of clinics featuring experts in horse training, health and natural horsemanship (not included).

Horses:  Chosen for their noble temperament and comfortable gate, the Spanish criollo horses of Guanacaste are used for cattle ranching, rodeo, pleasure riding, fiestas and even lower level dressage.  A combination of blood lines from the Andalusian, Barb, Jennet and later the Peruvian Paso, the criollo horses are also the foundation for the Paso Costarricence. We  will match rider to horse to give the best riding experience available in the area.  Most of the horses were born on the ranch and trained with Natural Horsemanship, Imprinting and other non- violent methods.  Most recently the finca began a “Paint and Paso” breeding program with a goal of breeding criollo horses with “color and comfort” using their handsome paint stallion and criollo mares.

Tack:		Western, English, McClellan
Horses:		Spanish Criollos, Paso and Quarter mix
Pace:		All paces according to riding level, 3-5 hrs per day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 3.5 out of 5)    Low intermediate+
Age:		Min 10
Weight:		Max 215 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 6 riders

Pace: The pace is adjusted to rider level and experience. Walk/trot on most of the trails, with cantering in safe areas, beaches and country roads. Walk, trot and cantering in the arena.

Helmets are available, mandatory for riders under 16.

Equine Education: Learn to ride or just sharpen your riding skills. Private lessons are offered by internationally recognized instructors. Learn ground work to dressage on well trained horses. Traditional, high stepping Spanish style instruction is also available on the famed Costa Rican pasos. We offer a variety of clinics featuring experts in horse training, health and natural horsemanship (not included).

Horses:  Chosen for their noble temperament and comfortable gate, the Spanish criollo horses of Guanacaste are used for cattle ranching, rodeo, pleasure riding, fiestas and even lower level dressage.  A combination of blood lines from the Andalusian, Barb, Jennet and later the Peruvian Paso, the criollo horses are also the foundation for the Paso Costarricence. We  will match rider to horse to give the best riding experience available in the area.  Most of the horses were born on the ranch and trained with Natural Horsemanship, Imprinting and other non- violent methods.  Most recently the finca began a “Paint and Paso” breeding program with a goal of breeding criollo horses with “color and comfort” using their handsome paint stallion and criollo mares.

Passports
Passport valid for at least 30 days after arrival or for the length of stay, whichever is greater.
Passport Note
(a) Nationals listed above must obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Department in San José at least three weeks before leaving Costa Rica. Those who stay for less than 30 days are exempt if in possession of a disembarkation card.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. nationals of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA for stays over 90 days;
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Bulgaria and Ireland for stays over 30 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
The immigration authorities are strict about detaining foreigners who are undocumented or tourists who have overstayed.