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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Costa Rica
Intro to Costa Rica
 ArenalCaribbean Coast Guanacaste Pacific Coast Pacific&Caribe
Extensions:
Hotel Capitan Suizo
Belize
Mexico
Honduras
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Jungle & Beach Adventure Ride - Mountains to Coast
Pacific Coast
Costa Rica
Enjoy horseback riding through the beautiful mountains of Costa Rica on our healthy, happy, Parelli style trained horses.
Hidden
Trails welcomes riders to try their hand (and seat) at the most
adventurous Costa Rican horseback experience yet, taking you onto some
of the most rugged mountain trails available in the region, deep in the
wilderness of the Macaw Corridor and far from civilization, eventually
leading you to the sunshine and relaxation of the Pacific coast. Along
the way you will delve into the culture and natural beauty of the
country, each allowed to be left uninterrupted by tourism due to the
remote locations of each of the villages we visit and the riding trails
we explore. Visit a sugarcane “trapiche” and learn the processes that
create brown sugar, stay overnight in rural residences with welcoming
families or choice locals and experience firsthand their rustic and
peaceful lifestyle and be fully immersed in their stories. Explore the
lush rainforest to find hidden waterfalls and stay overnight at a unique
jungle retreat with artisan flair and a penchant for environmental
projects. Be inundated by the flora and fauna of beautiful Costa Rica,
from the brilliant Scarlet Macaws, to the plethora of butterflies, and
the colourful array of exotic tropical flowers. We eventually follow
the Rio Tulin out to the sea and the enchanting Encantada Ocean Cottages
where we exchange the mysterious magic of the interior rainforest for
the coastal paradise of bright beaches. Enjoy canters on the secluded
stretches of sandy coast, playing on the beach and in the surf with your
horses. Treat yourself to some exciting adventure activities (extra
cost – pay locally), like zip lining, crocodile tours, surfing and ATVs
or relax and unwind with some yoga, the natural springs or a good book
in your hammock. However you choose to spend your last bit of time
here, we will take you back to the airport refreshed, rejuvenated and
happy.
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Camping Ride with vehicle support
Progressive Ride (no camping)
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Meeting:
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San Jose / Puriscal
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Airport:
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San Jose
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Transfer:
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San Jose
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
6 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
Rustic accommodations during mountain trail, 2 night mountain/beach resort, most meals, 8 riding days
| A | 2012 | 10 day trip | 10d / 9n | $1850 |
| Single supplement per night when available - paid locally | $45 |
| Extra days at farm with meals and riding pp/day (dbl) from | $90 |
| Extra days at farm with meals and riding per day -Single from | $125 |
| Extra night at farm with meals pp/day (dbl) from | $40 |
| Extra night at farm with meals per day -Single from | $50 |
Group Leader: 60% OFF with 5+ riders
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from San Jose included on Day 1
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$0
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2012
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Return Transfer to San Jose on last Day per group (1-4)
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$125
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Tour Dates for 2012
Additional dates can be set for groups of 3+
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Rates do not include:
2 dinners. Gratuities, Insurance. Return transfer to San Jose (shuttle bus)
Day 1: Arrival Pick up from SJO airport and drive for one hour to Santiago de Puriscal nestled in the mountains above the bustling and crowded central valley of San Jose. Arriving at the Horse Farm, let freshly made juices and delicious vegetarian cuisine help you rest, relax and recover from your flight. On this day you will also meet your horse. We take the time to assure a good match between horse, rider and equipment. This will be the horse that you use for the trek so we want to find the perfect match.
Day 2: Trapiche Tour Ride to a panoramic view-point and then tour a traditional sugar mill called a trapiche. During the tour all aspects of small-industry sugar-making will be shown and explained. Have a drink of fresh sugar cane juice. The local workers will make us some special trapiche-treats like sugar-cane toffee with coconut shavings. On the way home we stop for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Tabarcia de Mora Climb to a ridge with a 360 degree view, cross rivers as you descend into a valley to have lunch at the local restaurant in a quaint village. Check out local plantations and patches of rainforest. You cover a considerable distance with a lot of trotting and cantering, while riding your horse over a suspension bridge on the way home.
Day 4: Start of Progressive Ride We leave the farm and travel through mountainous farm land. Traveling through a private farm we climb to 3600 feet where on a clear day you can see the ocean in the far distance. From this vantage point we begin to descend through villages stopping for rest in the small town of Perdonal where we will have lunch with a local family.
Continuing on after lunch to the settlement of Polka where we will spend the night with a rural farming family. Here you will have the opportunity to experience true Costa Rican hospitality. Our bilingual guides will be present to facilitate a rich cultural exchange.
Day 5: In the morning we start out early heading towards the rainforest of Mastatal. The terrain is rugged, ascending and descending through the steep mountains, crossing rivers and passing cascades and small waterfalls along the way. Take a moment to cool off in the refreshing waters of the rivers with your horse. We have lunch with a rural farming family. Everyone loves having lunch with Betty and her family. She will teach you how to make hand made tortillas while she cooks lunch over the woodstove. Lunch always includes her home made cheeses.
After a long day of riding we arrive at the organic farm of Villas Mastatal. Owned and operated by a young Costa Rican couple, they teach organic gardening to a variety of young people from all over the world. We will lodge in the rustic bunk house overlooking the pasture where the horses will also be spending the night.
Day 6: Enjoy a day of riding through rolling hills, along trails through private farms to arrive for the night at the at the farm of Jose Morales. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this isolated rural farm where watermellons and papayas are grown.
Day 7: We travel down to the coastal plane where we will ride under the shade of rows of palm trees through a palm plantation. Arriving at Pozza del Pacifico run by Steve and Sherry Pozza. Relax in the plantation style hacienda with a great swimming pool.
Day 8: Beach Ride Take a ride along the pristine Pacific coast beaches and play with your horses in the surf. Enjoy fresh coconuts and a fresh fish lunch at a beachside hut along the way. To arrive at La Encantada Ocean Cottages by evening.
Day 9: Beach Ride Another great riding day along the beautiful, nearly deserted beaches of Playa Esterillos Este.
Day 10: The horses go home in the morning but you are welcome to book additional nights at the Encantada, continue your Costa Rican adventure visiting other areas of interest or take a shuttle to SJO international airport which is about 2 hours away. The hotel staff will help you arrange your return trip to the airport.
Meeting:
San Jose / Puriscal
Airport:
San Jose
Transfer:
San Jose
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Tack:
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Western Style
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Horses:
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Ibero Americanos, Criollo y Costaricense de Paso, Andalusian cross
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Pace:
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Slow trough the moutnains, nice canters onm the beach, difficult riding terrain. Lead your horse on some steep slopes
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
6 riders
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Horses
We love each and every one of our horses for their unique spirit and character. We make sure that they are happy and well cared for. We use the gentle techniques of Parelli Natural Horsemanship using love, language and leadership that fosters a relationship of trust and respect. We pay particular attention to the Parelli “Horsenalities” which helps us to understand our horses particular character traits so that we can be the best human we can be for our horses. You will love playing with and riding any of our fifteen beautiful Costa Rican horses. Ibero Americanos, Criollo y Costaricense de Paso of all horsenalities and various levels of Parelli training.
Your Host
Elizabeth Hawkins first came to Central America in the late 80’s when she worked for human rights organizations as a health worker and a nurse in refugee camps and orphanages. Returning repeatedly over the past 20 years she has lived in Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama and has traveled in Mexico and Nicaragua. She has been living in Costa Rica for the past 8 years creating the Horse Farm with her husband Steven and their two children. The farm has dairy goats that provide milk, cheese and yogurt, chickens, ducks and geese for eggs; organic vegetable gardens and fruit trees and of course, horses. For the past 5 years she has been training her horses using the Parelli Natural Horsemanship techniques. She speaks fluent Spanish and has a deep understanding and love for Central American culture. She is fun loving and adventurous and takes great pleasure in riding the rugged mountain trails of Costa Rica.
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
Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler up in highlands.
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… this list is only a guideline for you
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Travel documents and Voucher
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Flight tickets
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Passport
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Visa (check with your consulate)
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RIDING GEAR
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Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)
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Riding boots (short) + Minichaps
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Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)
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Riding gloves
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Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection
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Lightweight Rain coat
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PERSONAL CLOTHING
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Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
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Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
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Jeans
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Shorts
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Underwear and socks
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Pyjama
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Bag for dirty clothes
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Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes
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Swimsuit
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ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
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Personal Toiletries
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Insect protection
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Personal medications
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Sore cream (for the emergency)
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Sewing kit
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Handkerchiefs
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Adapter for electric appliances
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Camera and enough extra films and batteries
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Belt pack
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Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)
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Sun glasses with strap
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Sun tan lotion and lip balm
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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.
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.
..view other reports for different trips
Throughout the Mountain Trek the accommodations are rustic, staying with local rural families along the way. At the coast enjoy nice 3 star beach hotels.
Meals are traditional Costa Rica cuisine - not fancy but very tasty.
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Tack:
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Western Style
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|
Horses:
|
|
Ibero Americanos, Criollo y Costaricense de Paso, Andalusian cross
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Slow trough the moutnains, nice canters onm the beach, difficult riding terrain. Lead your horse on some steep slopes
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Weight:
|
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Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
6 riders
|
|
Horses
We love each and every one of our horses for their unique spirit and character. We make sure that they are happy and well cared for. We use the gentle techniques of Parelli Natural Horsemanship using love, language and leadership that fosters a relationship of trust and respect. We pay particular attention to the Parelli “Horsenalities” which helps us to understand our horses particular character traits so that we can be the best human we can be for our horses. You will love playing with and riding any of our fifteen beautiful Costa Rican horses. Ibero Americanos, Criollo y Costaricense de Paso of all horsenalities and various levels of Parelli training.
Your Host
Elizabeth Hawkins first came to Central America in the late 80’s when she worked for human rights organizations as a health worker and a nurse in refugee camps and orphanages. Returning repeatedly over the past 20 years she has lived in Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama and has traveled in Mexico and Nicaragua. She has been living in Costa Rica for the past 8 years creating the Horse Farm with her husband Steven and their two children. The farm has dairy goats that provide milk, cheese and yogurt, chickens, ducks and geese for eggs; organic vegetable gardens and fruit trees and of course, horses. For the past 5 years she has been training her horses using the Parelli Natural Horsemanship techniques. She speaks fluent Spanish and has a deep understanding and love for Central American culture. She is fun loving and adventurous and takes great pleasure in riding the rugged mountain trails of Costa Rica.
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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Jungle & Beach Adventure Ride - Mountains to Coast
Tour Code:
IT-CRRT12
10 days /
9 nights
~$1,850.00
Dates :
Dec to May
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Western Style
Horses:
Ibero Americanos, Criollo y Costaricen...
Pace:
Slow trough the moutnains, nice canter...
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Gallop,
Airport:
San Jose
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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