Transfer and Other Charges:

Alajuela area  

Source: NOAA

Seasons

Almost ideal year-round for visitors, the climate is moderate up in the highlands, whilst at the lowlands and coastal areas can range from the low 70's to the high 90's degrees Fahrenheit.

There are 2 main seasons:
- Summer, which is usually dry and lasts from December to May
- Winter, also known as the rainy season and usually running from the end of May to November

The heaviest rainfalls usually occur in September and October.

In Costa Rica, dress code is quite casual. With this in mind, we recommend you to bring:

A) Riding gloves
B) For your safety we strongly recommend you to bring a riding helmet with a shade-rim to give you extra protection by blocking the sun from your face and neck.
C) Riding boots or hard-soled shoes and boots
D) Rain gear (e.g. raincoat or a poncho)
E) Long riding trousers or jeans - or many women choose to ride in leggings with a big, loose shirt over them as they are not too hot, and they dry out quickly if they get wet.
F) Chaps
G) Comfortable clothes of a light material, preferably cotton. T-shirts and shorts are acceptable in San José (during the day, if planning to go out in the evening trousers are highly recommended as some restaurants will not admit you in shorts or sandals).
H) Loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts and trousers are recommended during forest explorations or if you take any day trips out to smaller towns, where immodest attire is frowned upon. (Jeans tend to be more uncomfortable during long walk although better for horse riding)
I) Pack a light sweater or jacket for San José's cool nights and early mornings and for trips up volcanoes, Monteverde, etc
J) Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are essential if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing and hiking.
K) Waterproof hiking sandals or other footwear that lets your feet breathe are good for strolling about town, and also for beach walking, fording streams, and navigating the myriad mud holes you'll find on rain forest and cloud forest trails. We also advice you to bring:
L) Insect Repellent
M) Sun screen lotion (spf-15 or higher)
N) A small notebook and pen
O) Binocular & camera
P) Any medication you may require, please consult with your G.P. for health advise.
Q) And but overall a great adventurous spirit! IMPORTANT: *** Please double-check the expiry date of your passport. ***

In the higher elevations, San Jose, the volcanoes, or Monteverde, temperatures are cool and sweaters or light jackets are suggested.

Almost all encounters with noxious insects & plants can be avoided by watching where you walk and 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.  Please leave your valuables at home.

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations. A total of 2 nights will be spent at a hotel in San Jose, 3 nights at a farm lodge, 2 nights at an Eco lodge, and 2 nights at a rustic cabana.

Description

Night 1 & 9: Hotel in San Jose (Park Inn or El Rodeo)

Night 2, 3 & 4: Farm Lodge (La Maravilla or Cerro Lodge (upgrade)) in Orotina

Night 5 & 6: Eco-lodge (Arenal Montechiari, Arenal Country Inn, Villas Vista Arenal) inArenal

Night 7 & 8: Cabanas (Hotel Nirvana, Cabinas Brigitte, Casa de las Flores ) in Cahuita

Room Occupancy
The single supplement fee applies if we are unable to find another rider to share.
Triple occupancy is available at all locations.


Meals
Most meals are included in this trip from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 9, as well as breakfast on Day 10. Meals on the first day and dinner on Day 9 are not included. Due to its geographical location and climate, Costa Rica has a wide variety of fruits and vegetables; which when combined with the interplay of native and European ingredients translate into a unique Costa Rican flavour. The basics of the Costa Rican diet are: rice, beans, and tortillas, which consist primarily of corn.
 
The ingredients used by Costa Rican cooks include simple native foods, such as "chayote" (squash), avocados, and the ever present corn. Costa Rican cuisine is also characterized by its' mildness and comes as a surprise to many visitors who might have travelled through Mexico and expect to find the same love spicy chillies in Costa Rican foods. Chillies are used to some degree, however, they are most commonly used in hot sauces with accompany broiled meats and poultry. Tubers, such as sweet potatoes and cassava, commonly known as "yucca" frequently accompany lunch and dinner meals.

In many dishes yucca is often substituted for potato, perhaps boiled and mashed, fried to exquisite crispness to accompany meat and sandwiches instead of fries, or simply boiled and served with butter and garlic. Plantains, a type of banana, are another Costa Rican favourite, and are most often boiled, mashed, stuffed with cheese, or fried to accompany meats or bean dishes. Unlike bananas, plantains are much larger and need to be cooked to be eaten. Costa Rican diet also includes plenty of meats including: Poultry, fish, beef and pork.. do not expect to find any Ecuadorian or Peruvian delicacy!!
 
Breakfast
A traditional Costa Rican breakfast consists of "gallo pinto" (Pinto Rooster), eggs, tortillas and sour cream, with coffee and fresh fruit juice. Most restaurants will offer some international options.
 
Lunch
Typically known as "casado" (Married), includes: rice and beans, one choice of meat (beef, chicken, pork, or fish), salad, fried plantain (a type of banana, very sweet and very tasty).
 
Dinner
Pretty much whatever you like, and fish and seafood here is excellent, well priced, and fresh, as are the fruits and vegetables. Of course Costa Rica produces some of the finest coffee in the world and it's not uncommon to see bumper stickers around proclaiming that "Juan Valdez drinks Costa Rican coffee"

Tack:		Central American (Western style)
Horses:		Criollos, Pasos
Pace:		Moderate with trots, canters, and some gallops. 3-6 riding hours per day.
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Weight:		Max 200 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 6 riders

Riding Experience
This package has 7 riding days. This ride is designed for serious riders who want to discover the most complete possible grounds and scenery. This is achieved by using vehicle transportation (anywhere from 1-5 hours) only when strictly necessary due to the long distances involved between the 3 riding bases. Riders are required to have an intermediate level of riding experience to attend this ride.

Tack
Costa Rican saddles (adapted McClellan)

Pace
7 days with an average of 4-6 hours per day.

Horses
Costa Rican Criollo and Paso and mixed breeds (Spanish, Andalusian & American Quarter), they range from 14 to 16 hands.

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.