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Caribbean Adventure Ride
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!
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Meeting:
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airport San Jose
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Airport:
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San Jose
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Transfer:
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San Jose Airport or hotel early afternoon
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
8 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2009 | 2010
Rates include:
Airport Transfers, all transportation within Costa Rica, 7 nights lodging, meals as indicated, all equipment needed for horse trekking, services of professional equestrian naturalist guides with 4 or more riders - local guides with 2-3 riders, 6 riding days
| A | 2009 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | $1875 |
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Additional dates are available with a minimum of 2+ riders.
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Rates do not include:
International Airfare, all items of a personal nature, breakfast, lunch or dinner on Day 1…lunch on Day 2. . lunch and dinner on Day 4, dinners on days 3, 5, 6, 7…No alcoholic beverages, gratuities, Costa Rica departure tax
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
Meeting:
airport San Jose
Airport:
San Jose
Transfer:
San Jose Airport or hotel early afternoon
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Tack:
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Central American (Western style)
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Horses:
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Criollos mix , Pasos
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Pace:
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Moderate with trots, canters, and some gallops. 3-6 riding hours per day.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3
to
5
out of 5) Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
8 riders
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Passport and Visa Requirements:
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 S. more
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"
| this list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport and copy of passport kept in a separate location |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Comfortable light weight riding pants or jodhpurs |
| Short boots and half chaps |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat or visor |
| Rain coat/Wax jacket |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Sweater for higher elevations and chilly nights in San Jose |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Wind breaker or light jacket |
| Comfortable walking shoes like lightweight hiking boots with a good tread for hikes |
| River sandals or aqua socks |
| Swimsuit and beach towel |
| Bandana |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Day pack and fanny pack |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect repellent : at least 75% DEET |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for the emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Camera and enough extra films (it is expensive in Costa Rica) |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion with high sun protection factor, such as SPF 29-40 |
| Binoculars |
| Flashlight |
| Water bottle |
| Battery alarm clock |
| Plastic bags - for keeping books, binoculars and other items dry, and for wet clothing |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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| Name |  |  |  |  |  |  | Date |
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nicolas mutch
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9/8/2008
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kim higgins
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4/11/2008
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maggie kulik
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3/14/2007
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..view other reports for different trips
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.
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Tack:
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Central American (Western style)
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Horses:
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Criollos mix , Pasos
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Pace:
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Moderate with trots, canters, and some gallops. 3-6 riding hours per day.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3
to
5
out of 5) Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
8 riders
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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.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No/1 |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/1 |
| USA |
No/1 |
| Other EU |
No/1/2 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Caribbean Adventure Ride
Tour Code: IT-CRIT05
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,875.00
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Central American (Western style)
Horses:
Criollos mix , Pasos
Pace:
Moderate with trots, canters, and some...
Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport:
San Jose
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Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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