Conquistadores Ride

Introduction
Pacific Coast Costa Rica

From the mystical valley of Copey de Dota, to the rain forest jungles; flat open beaches, to the cloud forest area of Monteverde; Arenal Volcano area to the plains of San Carlos. Waterfalls, natural hot springs and plantations, this ride is as diverse as it gets. A different terrain and a new experience for each day of riding.

From the tall volcanoes to rain forest and waterfalls, and from the Pacific Ocean to the inland areas around the volcano Arenal, this 10-day Costa Rican ride offers incredible vistas of vast mountain ranges, active volcanoes and pristine sandy beaches. Combine this with relaxation at a natural hot springs, sunset rides and time to swim with your horses and you end up with a perfect equestrian getaway.  Much of the area that we will be riding through is fairly inaccessible and unexplored by the average tourist. The panoramic route takes you through hilly farm country and small villages, tropical rain forest, volcanoes, cloud forest, jungle rivers, exquisite unspoiled beaches, cool mountain lakes, oak forest and much more.

Accomodation

Accommodations in hotels and back-country lodges.

Please note on some trips hotel booked may change depending upon availability.  We make every effort to confirm which hotels are booked for you well in advance.

Meals are included at different restaurants as indicated in the itinerary.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary

 B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica, transfer to Copey
Arrive in Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose. After a greeting at the airport by a specialized natural history guide, transfer to the accommodations for the first night and the start of your riding adventure. A briefing gives riders a chance to get acquainted with the guide and fellow travelers. Overnight El Toucanet Lodge or similar. Dinner included this day. (D)

Day 2:  Highland Coffee farms to the coast
Today descend from the highland region of Terrazzo, through beautiful forests to the warmer region of the coastal area. This ride is truly a spectacular trek starting at coffee farms, with panoramic mountain views along a colonial trail all the way to the Quepos Area. Enjoy this full day ride with lunch en route. Reach Paquita River and meet the support van that will transfer us to Hotel Mono Azuel or similar in Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast. There will be time to check out the town this evening and have dinner on our own. Breakfast and lunch included this day. (BL) Riding time 5+ hours.

Day 3:  Beach Ride
This is a once in a life time experience. Ride through the tiny coastal hamlet of Esterillos to one of the longest beaches in Costa Rica. Riding south along the beach, you will experience the adrenaline rush of galloping the horses along the sands at the edge of the pacific ocean. Arriving at Playa Bejuco, we strip off the saddles, jump on board and take the horses for a swim in the ocean. After a beach picnic, relax in the hammock and recharge your batteries, whilst the horses nap under the palm trees beside you. Riding time 4-5 hours...Overnight Tortuga del Mar (BL)

Day 4: Hermosa Beach Lookout
Start out at the stables at the Hermosa Beach area, heading to the look out point, pause to take in the beauty of the Pacific coast and Hermosa Beach below, gallop along the vista bordered by virgin rainforest. Ride through stunning farm tracks to arrive at our secret spa waterfall, surrounded by abundant flora and fauna. Time to take a break and enjoy the waterfall pools. Keep your eyes peeled for the white face monkeys and toucans that reside around us…. Return at sunset, energized and ready for a whole new day of riding tomorrow. Overnight Tortuga del Mar. Breakfast and lunch included. (BL) 5 hours of riding time.

Day 5: Horseback riding Monteverde
Morning transfer to Monteverde area. While it is not permitted to ride in the Reserves themselves, we are pleased to offer the chance to ride on a private family farm of more then 300 acres. Here we’ll have an opportunity  to enjoy exclusive quiet trails, bird watching, sugar cane and coffee plantations, secondary and primary forest, open fields (great for cantering with the horses), and amazing views of mountains, canyons and the Gulf of Nicoya. Overnight  Cloud Forest Lodge  or similar. Breakfast and lunch included this day (BL). Riding time 4 hours.

Day 6: Monteverde to Arenal
Enjoy the incredible vistas during today's ride as you descend from the cool cloud forest area of San Gerado to Lake Arenal, where on clear days you can see Arenal Volcano and Lake as you wind slowly down the mountain passes crossing rivers until reaching Rio Chiquita. Transfer to Eco Thermales Hot Springs. The fabulous thermal hot springs will be a refreshing treat after the days of riding. Overnight Arenal Paraiso Lodge in rooms facing Arenal Volcano. With any luck you will see the mighty volcano put on a natural firework display.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day. (BLD) Riding time is 5 hours.

Day  7: Fortuna Waterfalls / Arenal Volcano
This day combines horseback riding and hiking. The horses take you all the way up to the waterfall trough green areas of pastures, forest and high hills. The views of San Carlos valleys and the Tropical Forest that surround the waterfall are spectacular. At the end of the road the horses wait  while  we  walk down  the trail  to the base of a waterfall towering 65 meters above.  There is time to swim in the natural pools before starting back.   On the way back we ride  trough a private farm of 400 hectares, which has plenty of  good areas where the horses love to canter.  In the afternoon, explore the surrounding trails of Arenal Volcano which are only passable by horseback or on foot. The views from this area are magnificent. Not only can you see the cone shape of the volcano but also the old lava flow trails and the green fertile hills near the volcano. Afternoon free for optional activity such as Canopy Zipline or to relax in the hot springs which are on site at Hotel Paraiso.  Breakfast included. (B)    Riding time 6 hours.

Day 8: Hacienda La Garza
Transfer to La Fortuna and Hacienda La Garza. Imagine cantering through sugar cane plantations, fording thigh-deep rivers, rounding up cattle and trotting through 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 San Carlos area and Termales del Bosque. Here you can enjoy the natural hot springs on site. How about a massage to the sound of the flowing hot spring waters and the sounds of the rain forest?   Massages are not included but well worth the extra fee. Overnight Hotel Termales del Bosque.  Breakfast and  lunch included (BL) Riding time 4 hours.

Day 9: Finca  Los Uraales /Juan Castro Blanco National Resere
Ride from Finca Los Uraales to Juan Castro Blanco National Reserve and back to Termales. The terrain here is hilly to mountainous with a few steep slopes, but the footing is good and the horses are well suited to the terrain. Vegetation gets denser as you get closer to the reserve. At various points you will have incredible views of northern San Carlos. On clear days you can even see Lake Nicaragua. The Juan Castro Blanco National Park has a similar ecology as the Brauilo Carillo National Park which it borders. It is also an Eco-corridor to the lower San Carlos plains which generates a constant traffic of birds and mammals moving between the higher and lower areas. You will see many different type of birds including Toucans and possibly mammals such as wild pigs, monkeys, raccoons, and sloths. Overnight Thermales del Bosque. (BL)  Ride will be approximately 5 +  hours. 

Day 10: Departure
After breakfast you will be returned to the San Jose International Airport for your departure (arrival around noon). Breakfast included this day (B)

     Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Conquistadores Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Airport, San Jose
Airport: San Jose
Transfer: San Jose

Climate: Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands.

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. Dress in layers.