Horseback riding in Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

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- Conquistadores Wilderness Eco-Safari
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Conquistadores Wilderness Eco-Safari


Itinerary for Conquistadores Wilderness Eco-Safari




Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Important Note:
This is a sample ride dossier, planned several months in advance. The ride can be operated in different order other than as described above. Arrangements (routes or facilities) are subject to variation by the outfitter depending on local conditions. All riding times contained in our itineraries are based upon riding at a slow/moderate pace throughout.

Day 1 (Tuesday): Arrival
Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. Upon arrival you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel near the airport. Dinner on your own. First group meeting will be in the morning before the transfer to the first ranch.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in San Jose.

Day 2 (Wednesday): Presentation & Build-up ride
Morning short drive to Eco-Safari Ranch & Stables, located along the Trinidad river in the Dry Central Pacific Region, the starting point of your riding adventure. Following the horse assignment and our presentation, you will take a short ride in our property to ensure you feel comfortable with your horse and you get used to the local riding style and commands. As our horses are trucked to the starting point of the ride, we will visit the local town for any last minute purchases before we start to head for more off-the-beaten path trails. We will reunite with our horses at Lagunas, in the Turrubares Mountains lowlands, where our Tropical adventure begins, riding on trails adjacent to Carara National Park to Galan (approx. 12 Km on horseback).
Riding: ~3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at local Guesthouse in Carara National Park

Day 3 (Thursday): Explore Carara National Park
Today, we will explore the neighbouring rainforest adjacent to Carara National Park, which in indigenous Huetar language means "River of lizards". Carara is considered a "must" destination amongst wildlife enthusiasts and professional birdwatchers. Created as a biological reserve in 1978 and considered nowadays to be a biological island because of the dense agriculture and livestock operations around it since the Pre-Columbus era. The 4,700 ha. Carara Biological Reserve occupies a unique position at the transition zone between tropical moist forest and tropical wet forest in the Pacific lowlands. Though most of the vegetation in the reserve remains evergreen and is characteristic of the wet forest life zone, there are a number of species that lose their leaves during the dry season, showing their affinity to the drier climate found north of the reserve. 
Riding: ~4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at local Guesthouse in Carara National Park


Day 4 (Friday): Carara National Park - Sur de Turrubares - Monte Galán
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will continue following the South Eastern trail adjacent to Carara National Park towards the remote village of Sur de Turrubares - a charming rural community tucked in a hidden valley surrounded by an amazing tropical forest and beautiful mountains. Here, you can really unplug from the rest of the world. During school time, we may visit the local school and bring some school supplies (guests are welcome to bring any school materials). After a visit to the local bar (if opened), we will start to ride up towards our next destination: Finca Galán. En route, there will be a few rivers to cross as we continue to gain altitude. As we head towards the Turrubares mountains, the views become more and more astounding and the breeze cooler. We will be reaching 640 meters of elevation at the end of the day. Tucked away on a hill foot lays Finca Galán, where we will spend the next three nights. During clear days, it is possible to see the ocean surf hit the coastline from there. 
Riding: ~4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Finca Galán

Day 5 (Saturday): Ride on the Pontenciana Mountains or Lanas & Aguas Calientes
Today, we have the option to ride toward the Potenciana Mountains. The ride will be filled with spectacular mountains and distant Pacific Ocean views at the end of the rolling mountains and valleys. As we ride towards the Potenciana Mountains, we will reach higher altitudes which will reveal spectacular views at every turn. We will ride through farmlands and along a mountain trail through pre-montane and oak forest. The Turrubares and Potentiana mountains are the only high coastal mountain range of Central America. As we continue our ascent, we will be able to notice the changes in the forest constitution and its characteristics as the lower temperatures allow for more ferns, moss, and bromeliads. This is a day to enjoy unparalleled views of the valleys and Pacific coast line.
If it is rainy and cloudy, we may do a countryside ride instead, visiting Lanas Community, which sits amongst the Lanas and Tulín river basins. This area is mainly dedicated to cattle raising and the little town is made up by houses dotted along a rural road with a catholic temple, football field, a primary and secondary school.
Riding: ~3-4 hours

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Finca Galán


Day 6 (Sunday): Non-riding Day (Day at Leisure or to join optional activities)
Today will be a rest day for our horses and will also be a great opportunity to experience the real and rural Costa Rica! You may choose to take a guided nature walk through the rainforest, help with farm work activities, or just relax on the hammock! You can part take in our farm work and learn about the seasonal crops produced, the cultivating techniques, and challenges local farmers need to endure to grow, harvest, and sell their produce.  Amongst the crops produced in this area are corn, sweet potato, cacao, beans, yucca, and sugar canes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Finca Galán


Day 7 (Monday): Ride from Galan through Delicias & San Gabriel to Mata de Platano 
After a hearty breakfast, we will start to descend the Turrubares mountains and head towards the Pacific coast lowlands. Following a dirt road, we reach the cattle-raising lands in the villages of Delicias and San Gabriel. We continue on mountain farm trails to finally reach the Turrubaritos river, which we cross on a few occasions, and ride along it as it meanders its ways down towards the coastline and into the Pacific Ocean. We spend the night on the river's edge, in the village of Mata de Platano. Bring some swimming clothes to enjoy a dip in the river's swim holes and cool off!
Riding: ~4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Palenque Mata de Platano


Day 8 (Tuesday): Ride from Mata de Platano – through Fila Negra to Playa Hermosa on the Pacific Coast
Our final ride will take us across the Turrubaritos river, which joins with the Tulín river before finally forking into the Pacific Ocean. We will ride up through Fila Negra mountain ridge with incredible views of the coastline and then down on the lowlands ending at Playa Hermosa on the Central Pacific Coast, which is about 3 miles (5km) south of Jaco and is one of the best surf destinations in the country for its consistent wave break throughout the year. After riding along the beach, we bid farewell our equine friends and enjoy some time by the beach under the shade of the wild almond trees. We will meet our vehicle to head back to San Jose or alternatively continue to Manuel Antonio for your beach extension (at extra cost). Our equine friends will be trucked to our ranch.
Riding: ~4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in San Jose

Day 9 (Wednesday): Departure
Morning at your leisure and transfer to the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in time for your flight back home.
Meals included:  Breakfast

Note: Should you want to extend your trip in Costa Rica we are happy to tailor-make the rest of your vacation or suggest some great add-on such as 3D/2N Tortuguero Jungle Canals, 3D/2 N Arenal Volcano, or some nights at the beach at leisure in the Central Pacific coast. 

Non-Riders
If you are a non-rider that want to discover Costa Rica whilst travelling with your riding companion, we can organize many activities for you including: White Water Rafting, Zip-Lining, Hiking Trails, Crocodile Boat Safari, Kayaking, Snorkeling,…
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Conquistadores Wilderness Eco-Safari
Tour Code: IT-CR-HRW08
9 days / 8 nights
Dates : Available all Year

Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
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.
CIntermediate
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.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Standard
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 01/23 - 01/31 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Expired
A 2024 02/20 - 02/28 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Expired
A 2024 03/26 - 04/03 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Expired
A 2024 04/23 - 05/01 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Sold Out
A 2024 05/28 - 06/05 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 07/16 - 07/24 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 08/20 - 08/28 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 11/26 - 12/04 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 12/26 - 01/03 9d / 8n 9 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Modified McClellan, some Western
Horses: Costa Rican Criollo, Paso, and mixed b...
Pace: Moderate with trots, canters, and some...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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