Tarifa Riding Getaway Southern Spain Spain Tarifa is the southernmost village of Spain and Europe and it offers many diverse possibilities for excursions, riding or otherwise!  From Tarifa you can journey to Jerez, which is the home of the Royal Andalusian Riding School, Cádiz, Ronda, Gibraltar, and Sevilla.  The Tarifa town itself has a buzzing summer social scene and is worth a visit or two! Because of its excellent wind conditions, Tarifa is very popular with wind and kite surfers. Watch them while you suntan on the beach or learn with lessons of your own! Make your dreams of beach horseback riding come true along the sands of the region's pretty beaches - the stable is located 3 miles west of Tarifa, right on the beautiful beach and close to a vast nature reserve in the mountains. Enjoy horseback riding through clean pine forests, over sand dunes, and along quaint country roads weaving the local farmlands on a string of well trained and gorgeous Andalusian horses. Here is the ideal climate for riding all year round! The frequent winds between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic make it cool enough to enjoy riding even during the hottest sunny periods of the summer and in the winter the temperature seldom drops below 15º. This relaxed program is a great opportunity to discover the quiet corners of a stunning region by horseback. The combination of white sandy beaches and the rolling hills of the national park is perfect! From the park there are even panoramic views over to Africa which is truly breathtaking! If you want to discover more, we can organize following activities for you: -Additional riding or lessons. -Day trip and shopping at a bazar in Morocco (Tanger) -Dolphin and Whale watching -Learn Spanish at our well known Spanish school in Tarifa -Learn to Kite and Windsurf Short Getaway Family Vacation Center-based ride Meeting: Near Tarifa Airport: Malaga Transfer: Gibraltar, Malaga, or Jerez airport; by arrangement Riders: Min 1 riders Max 8 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating Video

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

There are good bus connections between Malaga or Seville or Gibraltar and Tarifa, but it is still best to rent a car for more flexibility during your stay. If you prefer we can also arrange transfers for you from Gibraltar, Jerez or Malaga.

Sample Itinerary: 5-day Weekly Getaway - subject to changes

Please note that order of events and riding times might change during the season!

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
We are looking forward to meeting you at the stable, where we give you information about your riding program and your stay. 
Please do not hesitate to see us at the stables before or after you hotel check-in. We are happy to help you whenever you need us.
Meals included: None
Overnight at Hotel Dos Mares or Hotel La Cordoniz (depending on package chosen)

Day 2 (Monday): Introductory Ride
We meet at the stable in the morning (around 10 am) to get to know our horses and to follow the first introduction of Spanish riding style. When we’ve tacked up our horses, we go out for a ride on the beach and in the pine forest.
In the evening we go out for another beach ride.
Riding approx. 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Dos Mares or Hotel La Cordoniz (depending on package chosen)

Day 3 (Tuesday): Santuario de la Luz Ride
We start riding around 10 am and go through the Spanish countryside to visit the sanctuary of the light, over hills and through small forests. We see cows, pigs, goats that are all walking around free. At the Sanctuary, we have a nice lunch at a local restaurant with views over the valley, or we enjoy a picnic in the park. Then we return through the valley to the stables.
Riding approx. 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel Dos Mares or Hotel La Cordoniz (depending on package chosen)

Day 4 (Wednesday): Sand dune  “Punta Paloma” Ride
We meet at 10 am to start our ride along the hillside to the amazing sand dunes of “Punta Paloma”. We will climb the dunes at this world famous windsurf beach of Tarifa. Enjoy the views and have fun sliding down the dune on horseback. After this special adventure, we will enjoy a picnic in romantic pine woods.
Riding approx. 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel Dos Mares or Hotel La Cordoniz (depending on package chosen)

Day 5 (Thursday): Beach & Mountain Ride
Today we'll have an extended beach and mountain ride in the morning.
Riding approx. 2 hours
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: 4-day Weekend Getaway - subject to changes

Day 1 (Thursday): Introductory Ride
We meet at the stable, where we inform you about your riding program and your stay in general. We will then introduce you to the Spanish riding style getting to know the tack and the horses. When we have tacked up our horses we go out for a ride (start riding around 5pm) on the beach and in the pine forest.
Riding approx. 2 hours
Meals included: None
Overnight at Hotel Dos Mares or Hotel La Cordoniz (depending on package chosen)

Day 2 (Friday): Ride into the Cork Tree National Park
We start riding around 10 am into the hills of Tarifa, with stunning views over the valley, beaches and over to Africa. We reach the southern most part of the cork oak forest, called “Los Alcornocales”. Here, mules are still used to transport the cork, which is cut every 7 years. This is a beautiful ride into the remote back lands of Tarifa passing by herds of free roaming farm animals. We will enjoy a picnic in middle of the cork oak wood before we ride back through a beautiful valley.
Riding approx. 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel Dos Mares or Hotel La Cordoniz (depending on package chosen)

Day 3 (Saturday): El Rancho & Beach Ride 
We start with a beach ride around 10am and then ride inlands to a typical Andalusian restaurant for lunch. The restaurant is called “El Rancho” where you can enjoy local food and local ambience. On the way back, we ride through the countryside passing a private Spanish farm.
Riding approx. 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel Dos Mares or Hotel La Cordoniz (depending on package chosen)

Day 4 (Sunday): Beach & Mountain Ride
Today, we have an extended beach or a combined beach and mountain ride in the morning.
Riding approx. 2 hours
Meals included: Breakfast

                                                Tarifa area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	60	60	62	64	67	72	76	77	74	70	65	61
Average Low Temperature (°F)	52	52	54	55	59	64	67	69	66	62	57	54
Average High Temperature (°C)	16	15	17	18	20	22	24	25	23	21	18	16
Average Low Temperature (°C)	11	11	12	13	15	18	20	20	19	17	14	12
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	7	7	6	6	3	1	0	0	1	5	7	8

Source: NOAA


Seasons
You can ride in Tarifa year round!

Winter
Even while the rest of Europe is shivering, you have a good chance of being able to walk around in a T-shirt, while in Tarifa. In winter the temperature seldom drops below 15º C.

Summer
It’s hot in summer, but not oppressively so – the seaside location saves it from becoming the furnace that inland cities can be. The constant winds between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic make it comfortable to ride even during the hottest sunny periods of summer.

English or Western riding attire is fine for the ride. Rain gear suitable for riding should be carried along, particularly during the months from November through April. Good sun protection (gloves, sunscreen, hat with a chin strap), sunglasses with straps, swimsuit, towel, shorts, and a windbreaker should also be taken. A jacket or sweater for the cool evenings is recommended. A hard hat is not required, but recommended for safety. A belt pack in which to carry your camera and other small valuables during the ride is handy. Attire is strictly informal throughout, though if you are planning to visit other cities on your own later you may wish to bring a jacket and tie. Regular film can be obtained locally, but special sizes may not be available-bring plenty. It is a good idea to bring your own soap, since not all hotels supply it.  Saddle bags will be provided.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Riding boots (short) + Minichaps

Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Lightweight Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjama

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for the emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films and batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Average ratings from 3 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date rachel long 7/5/2018 peter noser 6/29/2011 margreta flach 4/11/2011

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You can choose between 2 hotel accommodations: Hotel Dos Mares & Hotel La Cordoniz.
Both hotels offer a laundry service for an extra fee.



Hotel Dos Mares 
This charming lodging located directly on Los Lances Beach is the most convenient with the riding stables on the premises. The hotel offers a swimming pool, tennis and paddle courts, windsurf and kite surf school as well as a gymnasium. The rooms all come with air conditioning / heating, plasma TV, safe, telephone, mini bar and private bathroom with shower and hairdryer.
We normally reserve the bungalows closest to the stables for our clients.
The Hotel is famous for its buffet breakfast and restaurant. The hotel offers a swimming pool, tennis and paddle courts, windsurf and kite surf school as well as a gymnasium. Free Wi-Fi is available in common areas.

Hotel La Cordoniz
This beautiful Spanish accommodation is located 5km away from Tarifa and the riding center. Some rooms have a view over the Sea while other have a terrace with direct access to the surrounding gardens. The rooms are simply decorated and all feature private facilities (hair dryer included), TV, phone, mini fridge and air conditioning / heating.
There is an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi access.


Meals
All breakfasts are included and lunches are included on day-long rides. Dinners are never included and need to be paid extra.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Spanish and English
Horses:		Andalusian
Pace:		All paces according to riding level, 2-5 hours a day
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Strong intermediate
Weight:		Max 200 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 8 riders

Horses
There are about 20 well-trained local Andalusian and Andalusian cross horses waiting for you. They are kept naturally in small groups in eucalyptus woods beside the stable. Most of our horses are forward going and are well suited for the more experienced riders.

Equipment
We ride in the Spanish Vaquero style which will be carefully explained to you. We use neck-reining, body-weight and voice. You do not need spurs or a whip.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Note

Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements 

 

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.