Horseback riding in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

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- Tropical Riding Adventure
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Horseback riding vacations in Costa Rica, Guanacaste

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Equestrian tours in Costa Rica, Guanacaste
Tropical Riding Adventure


Itinerary for Tropical Riding Adventure




Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

This program is great for intermediate to advanced riders wishing to spend a long time in the saddle.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive to Liberia Airport and transfer to your Liberia Hotel. Overnight at El Sitio Hotel or similar. Dinner at the hotel.  
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at El Sitio Hotel or similar


Day 2: Monteverde Cloud Forest
After breakfast, you will be picked up at 7:15am  for your transfer to Monteverde Cloud Forest (option for a Safari River Float or White Water Rafting with lunch).
In the afternoon (around 5:30 pm) pick up for Night tour in the Wildlife Refuge if you do not do the river float or rafting. Dinner at the hotel.  
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Trapp Family Lodge or similar


Day 3: Monteverde Hike & Ride
Breakfast at the hotel and early morning pick up for a guided hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve (wildlife guide and transportation provided). Explore the biodiversity of the cloud forest with your guide. After your hike you will visit the hummingbird area at the visitors center. In the afternoon, you will be picked up for a 2- 2 1/2 horseback ride around Monteverde  
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Trapp Family Lodge or similar


Day 4: Arenal Lake
This morning, avoid hours of driving by taking the Lake Trail (Monteverde to Arenal) by horseback or Jeep to Lake Arenal. Boat ride across the scenic lake, then transfer by bus to your Hotel Mountain Paradise (your luggage will be delivered). 
Evening at the historic Tabacon hotsprings and spa with dinner included. Explore various hot pools and waterfalls in a lush garden setting. 
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Mountain Paradise


Day 5: Arenal Volcano
After breakfast, you will go on a 2 hour private tour of the base of the volcano. In the afternoon choose one of the many optional Arenal tours – including the Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano  Hike, Lake tour,...
You can also just relax by the pool, explore the gardens or choose another optional tour.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Mountain Paradise


Day 6: Portegolpe Ride
After breakfast, you will have a private transfer to the Guest Ranch. In the afternoon, you will have a Spanish Horse Demonstration, then an option for a short ride on our beautiful Spanish Criollo horses. Ride to Portegolpe to a family cantina and enjoy a cold drink before returning at sunset for dinner at the ranch.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 7: Old Spanish Trail
After a full ranch breakfast, you will leave for the small cattle town of Tempate and ride the Old Spanish Trail through large haciendas and backcountry trails. Look for monkeys, tropical birds and dry tropical vegetation. Stop for cold drinks in  the colorful cattle town of Tempate then ride on to the town of Cartagena for lunch at a typical cantina. Later return to the ranch by truck. Sunset dinner at Flamingo on Potrero Bay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 8: Tico Trail
Today, we will load up the horses, and drive to our starting point in the small village of La Garita.  Work you way to the beach along a trail of large tropical trees.  Look for monkeys and tropical birds until we reach historic Puerto Viejo stopping for cold drinks before your ride along three of the most famous Pacific beaches of Pt. Viejo, Conchal and Brasilito.
Today, grab a quick cup of coffee or juice and take a early Tico Trails ride over the coastal hills, traveling through small villages. You will enjoy a tasty typical Tico breakfast cooked over firewood. 
Then, spend the afternoon at Tamarindo Beach time for swimming, shopping, surfing and dinner at one of the many restaurants on this famous beach
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 9: Beach Ride
After breakfast, you will prepare for the Forest to Sea beach ride along some of the most beautiful Pacific Beaches on the Gold Coast. We meet to saddle our horses at Pt. Viejo, then ride the spectacular beaches of Conchal and Brasilito with chances for canters and playing in the surf with your horses. At the end we will take photos to capture your beach memories. The horses will be trucked back to the ranch, and you will have lunch or dinner at a beach restaurant with an option to swim before you are taken back to the ranch. 
Note that times depend on tides.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 10: Departure
You will be transferred back to the airport. Horse-riding activity depending on transfer times.
Meals included: Breakfast



Beach Riding Extension


Day 11: Guanacaste Village Ride
Today, take an early morning breakfast ride along the old Spanish oxcart trails, passing through beautiful wooded countryside, ranches and small typical villages. Along the way you may see Howler Monkeys, colorful tropical birds, or other wildlife, while getting a glimpse of the traditional sabanero (cowboy culture) of the Guanacaste people. When you arrive at the village of Portegolpe, tie up your horse for a typical breakfast cooked over lena (firewood) at the home of a local family. After, ride around town to see life in a small Guanacaste village. Free afternoon at the ranch and sunset dinner on the beach.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 12: Sightseeing (no riding)
After breakfast enjoy a free day. You have the option of being taken to Tamarindo Beach and go shopping, swimming, or surfing. Later on, enjoy a sunset and a dinner on your own in Tamarindo. We will pick you up by arrangement. If you would like, you can opt for one of the many other tours offered in the area including Canopy/Zip line, Monkey Park, Coco Beach, or all day tours to Arenal Volcano or Granada Nicaragua.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 13: Ride to la Garita
After breakfast, meet your horses in the small village of La Garita and ride on secluded back country roads through dry tropical forest to the beach. Stop at Puerto Viejo for a cold drink, then ride along the beautiful Pacific beaches of Pt. Viejo, Conchal, and Brasilito. Tie up your horses for a lunch at the beach, at Don Brasilitos, with an option to swim before you are taken back to the ranch. In the afternoon, you can choose between two options: take a private lesson or work with your own horse using Natural Horsemanship Training in the ring. A sunset ride or dinner rides arranged depending on the tides.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 14: Departure
After breakfast, if time permits ride in the ring or take your last photos and say goodbye before you transfer to Liberia or Tamarindo Airport . Optional stop at a gift shop or market is available depending on return flight times.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Non-Riding Activities
Located minutes away from the most popular Pacific Beaches, there is ample time to take advantage of beach activities, canopy tours, fishing, river floats, and more.  On the ranch, watch the Howler Monkeys feeding in the trees, and colorful tropical birds and flowers in our gardens while you enjoy a cup of Costa Rican coffee.

We can book the following activities for you at an extra cost (inquire for rates):
Canopy/Zip line tours – A variety of choices from $60 with transportation. Add horseback riding or ATV for a real adventure.
Private Natural Horsemanship or Centered Riding Lessons- $50 hour.
Palo Verde National Park river tour – See a variety of monkeys, tropical birds, crocks, and other wildlife from a covered motorized launch.  From $-90 with guide, transportation and lunch included.  
Catamaran Sailing and Snorkeling and Kayaking – From $85 with transportation and lunch  
Surfing Lessons and Board Rental Tamarindo – From $35
Sport Fishing – on and off shore, half or full day – book ahead – Starting at $400 - $1500
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving –  Choose from a variety of tours and times, transportation arranged – card needed for Scuba, refresher course available.
Buena Vista Combo Tour – Full Day tour to hot springs,  horseback riding, zip line, sauna, water slide $185 with transportation
Arena l Volcano all day tour –  Hot springs,  national park tour, other options with lunch – From $180
White Water Rafting –  Class 2 & 3, or 3 & 4 – check for prices, seasonal
Lunch and Shopping Day in Tamarindo or Liberia – by arrangement   
Private Driver to take you on an all day adventure to your choice of beaches, natural areas and national parks.   We’ll design a day for you.  Spend an evening at a local fiesta to watch bull riding and a taste of Guanacaste Culture. Overnight Tours available.
Canopy/Zip line tours – Add horseback riding or ATV for a real adventure.
Private Natural Horsemanship or Centered Riding Lessons
Palo Verde National Park river tour – See a variety of monkeys, tropical birds, crocks, and other wildlife from a covered motorized launch. 
Catamaran Sailing and Snorkeling and Kayaking
Surfing Lessons and Board Rental Tamarindo
Sport Fishing – on and off shore, half or full day
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving –  Choose from a variety of tours and times, transportation arranged – card needed for Scuba, refresher course available.
Buena Vista Combo Tour – Full Day tour to hot springs with horseback riding, zip line, sauna and water slide
Arena l Volcano all day tour –  Hot springs, national park tour and other options 
White Water Rafting –  Class 2 & 3, or 3 & 4 – seasonal
Lunch and Shopping Day in Tamarindo or Liberia – by arrangement  
Private Driver to take you on an all day adventure to your choice of beaches, natural areas and national parks. We’ll design a day for you. Spend an evening at a local fiesta to watch bull riding and a taste of Guanacaste Culture.
Overnight Tours available.

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Tropical Riding Adventure
Tour Code: IT-CRIT17
10 days / 9 nights
Dates : All year except October

Trip Rating :
Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Standard
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Western, English, McClellan
Horses: Spanish Criollos, Paso and Quarter mix
Pace: All paces according to terrain
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Tamarindo Airport (TNO)
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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