Transfer and Other Options:

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

The tone here is casual wear - it is not necessary to dress up to go to dinner. Comfortable lightweight is best. In the higher elevations, San Jose, the volcanoes, or Monteverde, temperatures are cool and sweaters or light jackets are suggested

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 and by always following tour guide's instructions to the letter, and finally, leave valuables at home and avoid using perfumes, after-shave, or other scents that will attract insects.

Section 1
6 nights - San Jose (1), Pacific Region (3) and Arenal (2):

First night is at a local San Jose hotel.

3 Nights at Hacienda Maravilla:

The lodge is part of an estate that encompasses over 1500 acres (a working cattle and plantation Hacienda) which includes its own protected zone (Cuarros) with Premontane and Transitional Forests amongst many other unique features, making this one of our top horse riding locations. Accommodation, is in a typically large family owned hacienda house with traditional wood finishing touches. It has four spacious bedrooms located at the corners of the Hacienda house with a hallway in between. Each rooms is wall-to-wall tiled, with twin single beds, ceiling fan, fitted closet, wooden ceilings, painted with murals upon its walls and has country decorations including two wooden tables, local crafts and lamps. There is one spacious tiled hot-water shower and bathroom for every two rooms. Facilities include: A large central hall, fully fitted kitchen, large twelve seater 'ranch table' dining room... outside there is a BBQ and a dip swimming pool. There are Hammocks along the outsides of the ranch house and mountain trails to explore on foot, as well as miles upon miles of mango plantations. Life at Maravilla Hacienda is friendly, relaxed and informal, get up at dawn and coffee and other drinks will be available to quietly welcome in the day. Even join the sabaneros (cowboys) in the morning milking if you have the mind to.

2 Nights in Arenal/Fortuna - Arenal Montechiari :

Offering spectacular views of Arenal Volcano, Arenal Montechiari offers cottages set in tropical gardens. Located 400 metres from La Fortuna’s central park and church, it offers an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi zone. Spacious, air-conditioned wooden cottages feature tiled floors and cable TV. They have a work desk, fridge and coffee maker. The private bathroom comes with a shower and toiletries. The complex has an à la carte restaurant and a bar. Special diet menus are available on request and there are vending machines for drinks. (Dinners are not included)

Section 3

5 nights at the Caribbean

Lodgings will be in Cahuita (1), Cocles (2) and Punta Mona or Gandoca (2).
Cahuita: You will be staying at a private beach bungalow on Playa Negra with AC and small kitchenette.



There is a small restaurant (not always open for dinner), pool and right at the beach.



Cocles: Overnights will be at the lodge and its cabins in the woods, which is about 15 minutes from the the Cocles beach.



There are two private cabins for the group. Each one has private bathroom facilities. The main lodge is a wonderful place to meet and mingle. The barbecue place is a great place for parties.




Punta Mona: 2 nights are at the unique eco lodge. There are very few private rooms - they cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best. Bathrooms are shared. It is rustic, but with a wonderful ambiance. If you are not looking for a hotel - you will be happy - certainly better than camping.



Punta Mona is an 85 acre off the grid, family owned environmental education center, botanical collection, permaculture farm and eco-lodge, dedicated to sustainable ways of living.
There is a solar powered satellite internet. This is an extremely valuable luxury resource, quite costly and completely dependent on sunshine. We encourage people to reach out to their loved ones to let them know you are safe and sound, though we also encourage limited use of the internet to not overload your already stimulated senses. Internet is $3 per hour of usage



Meals: All meals are included, except on Day 1.
At Punta Mona we eat 90% organic, some things are not available organic in Costa Rica, we do the best we can. We also eat organic eggs, catch fish from a kayak and occasionally eat chicken from the farm and neighbors. We always have vegan dishes available, so none go hungry!



Punta Mona History:
The Afro-Caribbean people first settled the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica in the mid 19th Century and lived in small farming and fishing coastal villages.
Punta Mona existed as a typical coastal village with nearly 40 Afro-Caribbean families until the early 1970's. At that time, most of the families moved to neighboring towns in search of work. By the early 1980's just one resident remained in Punta Mona- a fisherman named Blas Martinez, better known as Padi. Padi fished and farmed the land, collecting rainwater to drink and reading by kerosene lantern.
In 1995 Stephen Brooks began working with North American high school students in Costa Rica, through his first company Costa Rican Adventures. In planning the first program, he searched for a remote beach that would offer the students a diverse, sustainable experience with nature.
In November he was brought to Punta Mona by a local guide and introduced to Padi, who was harvesting pigeon peas in a garden next to his small wooden house. Stephen felt an instant connection to Padi and over the next several years would be a constant visitor and companion, camping in Padi's front yard.
In 1997 Stephen arranged to purchase 30 acres of land, adjacent to Padi's, from an attorney living in San Jose. There was a house on the property, over 50 years old, and a second small back house. It was completely off the grid and much of the property was overgrown.

This was the beginning of the The Punta Mona Center for Sustainability and Education

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

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

Please note there are are road transfers in between the different riding areas - anywhere from 1 to 5 hrs.

This package has 13 riding days, guiding service of a bilingual equestrian leader.

Level: Intermediate level upwards

Tack: Costa Rican saddles (adapted McClellan)

Pace: Slow/Moderate with nice canters and beach gallops.

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.