Caribbean Adventure

Introduction
Caribbean Coast Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Caribbean coast feels a world apart from the rest of the country. The pace is slower, the food is spicier, the tropical heat is more palpable, and the rhythmic reggae music fill the air. So remote was the Caribbean coast from Costa Rica's population centers in the Central Valley that it developed a culture all its own. The original inhabitants of the area included people of the Bribri, Cabécar, and Kékoldi tribes, and these groups still maintain their cultures on indigenous reserves in the Talamanca Mountains today.

Here we offer a ride full of culture and contrasting landscapes. We start our ride in the Arenal area with its famous volcano, breathtaking waterfalls and relaxing thermal hot springs. Then imagine cantering through sugar cane plantations, fording thigh-deep rivers, rounding up cattle and trotting through virgin rain forest on top of a fine, well bred Paso Fino steed, before we transfer to Punta Cocles on the Caribbean coast. Our first ride here will take us through the hills under the forest canopy - dodging branches, ride over logs, and across creeks and rivers. The air is pure in oxygen and the feeling is indescribable. Soon we’ll be ready for galloping across Cocles Beach to Playa Chiquita. The open space of the beach and sea gives the rider and horse a great sense of liberation which encourages a good gallop into the vastness of sunlight and the watery reflection of the turquoise sea.  

The horses really enjoy bathing and so will you. You can even swim out to the deeper waters and have the horses bring you back to shore by holding on to their necks. We then continue on to El Mirador  at the beginning of a refuge. The view from here is majestic. You can see the all the way to Puerto Vargas  and the vivid jungle of Punta Mono. If you like beach riding - you will love this trip!

Accomodation
Accommodations in hotels, back-country lodges and 2 nights in rustic cabins.  Meals and land transportation as indicated in the itinerary.  Please note on some trips the hotel booked may change depending upon availability.  We make every effort to confirm which hotels are booked for you well in advance.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Day 1: Arrive Costa Rica
Upon arrival in San Jose, transfer to Arenal Volcano and the Arenal Paraiso Hotel. Overnight Arenal Paraiso or similar. (meals on your own)
Day 2: Fortuna Waterfall / Arenal Volcano
Morning ride to Fortuna Waterfall with time to hike and enjoy the pools beneath the falls. In the afternoon ride the trails of Arenal Volcano. Here you get a change to see the volcano up close. Relax and enjoy the hot springs of Arenal Paraiso.  Dinner at Eco Thermales and then overnight Arenal Paraiso or similar …(B)
Day 3: Sugar Cane Plantation / Rainforest
Imagine cantering through sugar cane plantations, fording thigh-deep rivers, rounding up cattle and trotting through virgin rain forest on top of a fine, well bred Costa Rica Paso steed. That will be the ride today at La Garza.  Lunch at La Garza then transfer to Sarapiqui area. Overnight Hotel Sueno Azul  (BL)
Day 4: Hacienda Pozo Azul. and Rainforest
The owners of Hacienda Pozo Azul are well knownh Costa Rican horse breeders. They keep a herd of 80 selected horses from which they have the quality needed for the best riders to enjoy in the most demanding treks.. Today's ride will take you through the hacienda to real rain forest . There will be areas to canter... Overnight Sueno Azul Resort … (BL)
Day 5: Bri Bri Indian and Kekoldi Reservation and Beach Ride
After breakfast at Sueno Azuel we’ll transfer to Punta Cocles…check in at SeaHorse Stables Lodge,  then we select appropriate horses according to riders ability. These horses are chosen for their experience in soft grounds since the ride  goes through the Bri-Bri trails inside the Kekoldi reservation. We ride up the Cocles hills until reaching the ranchito. There, (if available) we visit an Indian family. We then enter the semicircular trail which will take us through the hills under the forest canopy.  We’ll be dodging branches, ride over logs, and across creeks and rivers. Parts of the trail can be difficult  due to the rainfall, but it makes for beautiful, dense greenery.  The air is pure in oxygen and the feeling is indescribable. Soon we’ll be ready for galloping across Cocles Beach to Playa Chiquita. The open space of the beach and sea gives the rider and horse a great sense of liberation which encourages a good gallop into the vast sunlight and the watery reflection of the turquoise sea.  For another hour you will see and experience part of the beach at a fast pace.  Lemonade or coffee is served upon return.   Dinner tonight is on your own at a local restaurant, where you’ll be sure to enjoy the Caribbean flavor.  Overnight at SeaHorse Stables.  Just a few steps from the Caribbean Sea, with the tropical rainforest in background, the spacious and tastefully decorated bungalows are privately set apart amidst lush gardens full of color and natural beauty. (BL)
Day 6:  Beaches of Punta Uva and  Manzanillo
We begin with a gentle walk along the white sands of Cocles Beach  to the point at Punta Uva to Manzanillo Beach. At this point we gallop through a mile long coconut grove until reaching the river where we rest and cool off in the fresh waters that meet the sea. Continue on to the fishing village of Manzanillo, along the magical white sand beach. Lunch in town and then unsaddle the horses and swim with them in  the calm light blue waters inside the barrier reef.  Here you can bond with your horse. The horses really enjoy bathing and so will you. You can even swim out to the deeper waters and have the horses bring you back to shore by holding on to their necks. Continue on to El Mirador  at the beginning of the Refuge. The view from here is majestic. You can see the all the way to Puerto Vargas   and the vivid jungle of Punta Mono. We’ll be riding back into the sunset along the beach.  Overnight at SeaHorse Stables. (BL) 
Day 7:  Back roads and banana plantations
This morning we head off via the back roads to the banana plantations and of course more beach ridding. (Is there ever enough beach riding?)  Transfer back to San Jose, stopping in the artisan town of Moravia for a little shopping if desired. Overnight  at Hotel Villa Tournon. (B)
Day 8…Transfer out to the San Jose International Airport… (B) 
   
     Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Caribbean Adventure

Dates Note: Additional dates are available with a minimum of 2+ riders.

Other Info
Meeting: airport San Jose
Airport: San Jose
Transfer: San Jose Airport or hotel early afternoon

Climate:

The tone here is casual wear - it is not necessary to dress up to go to dinner. Comfortable lightweight is best.

We recommend for women to ride in leggings with a big shirt over them.  The legging is not too hot, and they dry out quickly if they get wet.

SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS.... Almost all encounters with noxious insects & plants can be avoided by watching where you walk or sit, by not touching non-recognizable insects, plants, etc;...by tucking pants in your socks, by using an insect repellent, by spraying shoes and ankles to avoid bites, by always following tour guide's instructions to the letter and finally, avoid using perfumes, after-shave, or other scents that will attract insects. We recommend you leave valuables at home.

Most  important of all to bring to Costa Rica: "Sense of adventure, open mind and  big smile"