Arenal Volcano & Waterfall Horse Journeys Arenal Costa Rica You may feel like you have entered into the ‘Land of Oz’ during your journey. Our rides take you cantering across rolling hills, through rain forests, fording clear rivers, and trotting down isolated country roads through sleepy villages. Views from the hilltops are breathtaking. The Arenal Volcano dominates the vista, look the other way; you’ll see 3 more volcanoes in the distance and across the Northern plains Lake Nicaragua shimmers on the horizon. You’ll be sure to spot all sorts of creatures, including curious monkeys (without wings), happy sloths, dozens of species of flamboyant tropical birds, poison dart frogs and maybe even an ocelot or other wild cat-just to name a few! Your guides will teach you about the environment and how the flow of energy works in the complex circle of life in the rain forest. There is something indescribable about the energy here. Some say it is a shift in consciousness. The real world slips away as you canter across rolling hills on forest edges. You find the Costa Rica motto, ‘Pura Vida’ (pure life) has a special meaning on the back of your horse. The Guides: Some rides include a bilingual naturalist guide and a local cowboy and horseman. Your guides will become fast friends and lifelong kindred spirits. They will offer you guidance and encouragement to improve your horsemanship skills and facilitate a Vinculo (special connection) with your equine companion. The Costa Rican’s call themselves Tico’s. They are friendly, welcoming people who are proud of their country and are incredibility hospitable. Horses are a part of the culture and used for work on farms and ranches. Community events such as Rodeos, Topes (dancing horse parades), Cabalgatas (group cross-country rides) and Endurance Rally’s are yearly events in many communities. Experiencing the culture and people of Costa Rica is an important element of the experience! Short Getaway Center-based ride Meeting: Lodge near La Fortuna Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) Transfer: La Fortuna, Liberia International Airport, or San Jose Airport Riders: Min 4 riders Max 8 riders (per riding group) Max Capacity 34 Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Rates Note:

*Rates decrease for groups of 4 or more, please enquire.

Transfer and Other Charges:

Transfers are available from La Fortuna, Liberia International Airport, and San Jose Airport at anytime on any day of the week. If you prefer to rent a car - please get a 4x4 vehicle since the unpaved road to the ranch can get muddy.

Sample Itinerary - Subject to changes

Time in the saddle and schedule are customized to best meet the expectations of each rider. In most cases the experience is private with a professional bi-lingual naturalist guide. All riders will do a 2 hour (+/-) orientation to relationship based riding before riding and do a join up with their horse before mounting. We do not use bits on our horses. Maximum weight is 230 pounds.

Options include (but are not limited to):
Ride to a private waterfall through pastures, rainforest and a enjoy swim at the base of the waterfall in this surreal jungle setting.
Ride to our second private waterfall and swim with your horse at the base of the waterfall while monkeys and toucans watch you and your horse frolicking!
Ride to the Arenal River, play and swim with your horse in this warm jungle shrouded river.
Join local cowboys, move and care for cattle, an unforgettable experience in local culture.
Discover the well known equine facilitated learning program, which opens the door to true, authentic human and horse connection.
Participate in a local Tope (dancing horse parade), rodeo or calbagata (community country ride) – when available – one of a kind lifetime experience!
Canter along the mountain ridge with spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano and surrounding mountain range.

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9-day Horse Fanatic Fair (6-8 hours of horse time per day)

Activities include:
Horse selection (your horse picks you for the week)
Follow trails through the rainforest with your horse to swim in our private waterfall
Gallop along rolling hills in the shadow of the Arenal volcano
Join a “Cabalgata” (community ride with 100s of local horses through wild, natural countryside)
Discover what your horse can teach you about yourself in our one-day Power of the Herd workshop
Build trust with your horse partner on a full moon night ride
Play team rodeo games with local “Tico” cowboys
Be a Cowboy-for-a-Day helping local farmers move their cows
Swim and play with your horse in the Arenal river
Watch the sun set over the Arenal volcano each night from our infinity pool or Tiki bar

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Fun stuff to do for free

Swimming down at the Arenal River
Leaves and Lizards farm chores (milk the cow, collect eggs clean the pig pen!)
Farmers markets
Local soccer games
Local festivals and celebrations
Tabacon River free hot springs
Hiking on our 3 km of trails
Hammock time
Grooming our horses
Taking our dog for a walk
Unguided hiking at Rio Celeste, El Silenco or Arenal National Park
 
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Optional add on tours available (rates subject to changes, paid locally):

Paradise on a Platter
Culinary Tour! Experience the fresh tastes of Costa Rica! Learn traditional cooking techniques, with hands-on participation. Prepare authentic cuisine with fresh, tropical ingredients. The day begins with a trip to the local markets. You will proceed to a beautiful farm, where our hostess, a local Costa Rican woman, will open up her kitchen and show you it how it’s done, Tico style! This tour offers a rich, cross-cultural experience. As all tours that are part of our rural tourism program, it is very flexible. At the end of the day share a delicious meal with your new Costa Rican friends! Or enjoy the less formal version of this tour and help our cooks make lunch at the Lava Lizard. Learn to prepare a variety of traditional Costa Rica recipes.
Time: Full day
Cost: $65.00 per adult Kids $45 each
Degree of difficulty: Easy

Canopy Zip Line
Experience one of the safest, highest and longest canopy tours in Costa Rica! After detailed safety instructions you will hike through primary rainforest in this 1200 acre nature preserve to reach the first platform. After 3 practice zip lines over pristine jungle, you will zoom over two waterfalls 300 feet above the ground. This really is a safe adrenaline rush! There are a total of 10 zip lines; the longest is nearly 1 kilometer. This tour includes a tour of a butterfly garden, frog garden and a visit to a traditional Maleku Indian Village. Transportation is not included.
Time: Allow 4 hours, offered three times daily at 8:00AM, 10:30AM and 1:30PM. NEW! EXTREME ZIP LINE Shorter version (60 min.) with a BIG Thrill OR Dare the Combo Zip line with a 300 foot Rapel down the Penas Blancas Waterfall!
Cost: Regular Canopy Zip at Mundo Aventura-Adult: $60, Student: $48, Child (<12): $40. EXTREME Adult: $40, Student: $36, Child: $32. Combo: Adult: $105, Student: $80, Child: $65.
Degree of difficulty: Moderately strenuous, you may take the option of having a "taxi" on the zip lines, a guide will link his harness to yours. He does all the work and your hands are free to snap one of a kind photographs. Please Note: It is often better to wait until you get here to make these reservations. Weather conditions can often affect planned activities. Some Commercial operators will not offer refunds with a less than 48 hour notice. We are happy to help make the reservations upon your arrival.

Canyoning
Trek through the forest on magical trails that lead to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica, a place very few people get to experience, then rappel down the beautiful and pristine canyon.
Time: Trips offered several times during the day. Ask for current times schedules
Cost: $90.00 to $98.00, includes lunch, transportation is not included.
Degree of difficulty: Moderately strenuous, no experience necessary, kids welcome*. The Desafio trip is the more strenuous and has minimum and maximum age requirements. Please Note: It is better to wait until you get here to make these reservations. Weather conditions can often affect planned activities. Some Commercial operators will not offer refunds with a less than 48 hour notice. We are happy to make these reservations upon your arrival.

Whitewater Rafting
If you are ready for exhilarating fun consider a whitewater rafting trip. You will be paddling your day away as you roar through lush canyons and sneak under waterfalls traveling through large expanses of tropical rainforest. The rivers vary from an easy Class II and III rivers to adrenaline pumping Class IV whitewater.
Cost: $65.00 Balsa River Class II and III; $85.00 Toro River Class III and IV, includes lunch. Students less 10%.
Time: Full Day
Degree of difficulty: Moderately strenuous

                                                    Alajuela area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	82	83	85	85	83	82	82	82	81	80	81	81
Average Low Temperature (°F)	63	63	64	65	65	64	64	64	63	63	63	63
Average High Temperature (°C)	28	28	29	30	28	28	28	28	27	27	27	27
Average Low Temperature (°C)	17	17	18	18	18	18	18	18	17	17	17	17
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	0	0	1	5	16	19	14	17	21	22	11	3

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Costa Rica has around 30 different micro-climates! On this horseback trek, you will be riding through at least 3 of these. The ranch is located in the region of 'humid rainforest' - on the Caribbean slope. The weather is wetter, the rainforest greener and denser than on the Pacific Slope. We usually only schedule the treks during times of the year with the best chance for good weather. However, you may get wet on one or more of the trekking days! Good thing the temperatures are warm almost all year round!

There are 2 main season: summer, which is usually dry and lasts from December to May, and 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.

You should bring light weight, but tough clothes that will allow you to go into the forest with the greatest protection and comfort. Remember that you will probably get wet at some point, either by rain (you can not have rain forests without rain!) or by walking up or through the river beds. Cotton clothing is best, avoid synthetics that trap body heat and moisture, bring T-shirts, blue jeans or long cotton pants, light natural fabric jacket, sweater, athletic shoes, boots, bathing suit and cotton shorts. If you have your own hiking boots, or other specialized equipment, such as binoculars, magnifying glass, Swiss army knife, etc., bring them along. No luggage limit as all transfers are by land.
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.

Pack as lightly as possible!!

Suggested items, and Starred (*) items we consider essential:
- Walking or athletic shoes with a good tread suggested for walks
- Riding boots with a bit of tread will be the most comfortable.
- *Sturdy waterproof sandals or river shoes
- *Insect repellant - with DEET
- *Sunscreen - with high sun protection factor, such as SPF 30-40
- Hat or cap rain and sun protection-your personal riding helmet if you like your own, or we do provide riding helmets.
- Sunglasses NOTE: If you wear glasses remember to bring a croakie so you won’t loose them during activities.
- Binoculars (being in Costa Rica without good binoculars are like snorkeling without a mask)
- *Flashlight
- Pocket knife
- Extra socks
- Check batteries in camera – the most often heard complaint from our guests is that their camera batteries don’t last through the day.
- Shirts made from light weight, natural fibers. 1 pair of shorts should be enough if you are just coming for the trek, if you plan to stay in Costa Rica for more time, you will want to bring a few more pairs.
- *For Riding you may want jeans or other durable riding pants. Long pants are required.
- *One or two swimming suits and sweat pants for sleeping and relaxing
- *Poncho or rain gear. Durable rain gear with a hood.
- Light jacket or sweater for higher elevations and chilly nights
- *Day pack (For valuables/camera/passport-so you can carry these items with you at all times). We do provide saddle bags. The Day pack is good for other excursions.
- *Container for drinking water. In most of Costa Rica it is not necessary to buy bottled water. The water in our area is pure spring water.
- Plastic zip lock bags - for keeping books, binoculars and other items dry and for wet clothing.
- Money in small demonations-$20’s, 10’s, 5’s and 1’s. It is hard to cash $100 bills in some places; most places do not take travelers checks. ATM machines are commonly found in any city with a bank. Bring a back up bank card if possible. Notify your bank and credit card company that you will be in traveling in Costa Rica so you won’t have trouble using your cards out of your home country.
- *Easy to carry healthy snacks, energy bars.
- Small first aide kit with moleskin for blisters from hiking boots.
- Ear plugs – Costa Rica has lots of dogs and roosters and birds can be very noisy at dawn.
- Spanish/English dictionary and calculator for figuring currency exchange.  

Sensible Precautions
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.

Charitable Donations
Some of our guests want to bring things to donate to less fortunate people. We support a safe house for abused girls and young women, Salvando Corazones. Used girl’s clothing, shoes, school supplies, books, even toys for girls 8 and over are greatly appreciated.

Most  important of all to bring to Costa Rica: Sense of adventure, open mind and  big smile!!! 
 

Average ratings from 5 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 michelle seminoff 3/29/2019 lisa acerbo 2/6/2016 christina turkelson 5/2/2013 martha (marti) jones 3/9/2013 samantha day 2/4/2013

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent in one location.

Description
We offer 10 unique private deluxe cabins  spread out on 30 acres of rolling hills. In order to better enjoy the sounds of nature; lodging options do not have phones or television. All of our cabins are outfitted with comfortable beds, fine linens and pillows, coffee maker, microwave, shampoo/conditioner/soap, and each has amazing views of the Arenal Volcano. End you day in one of the deluxe, well equipped, comfortable private cabins after a swim in the infinity pool while enjoying a cool drink from the Tiki bar. The Butterfly Villa, Heliconia House and Tree House have air conditioning the other options do not. They are situated to catch the breeze and have floor and ceiling fans. Our Lava Lizard Restaurant and Bar are where guests are welcome to use the phone for free local calls and free high speed WIFI. Laundry service is available at an additional cost.

Room Options
Your rate includes accommodations in Monkey, Toucan, Congo & Coco, and Hobbit House. Hummingbird Hacienda, Butterfly, Helciona, or Tree House available with additional cost.


Monkey and Toucan Cabin  
    -1 queen bed and 3 singles
    -1 bathroom
    - extra outdoor shower


Volcano Cabin 
    -1 queen bed and 1 single
    -1 bathroom
    - extra outdoor shower 


Hobbit House
    -1 queen bed and 1 single
    -1 bathroom
    - extra outdoor shower


Butterfly Villa
    -1 queen bed and 1 pull out full
    -1 bathroom
    - outdoor shower
    - Jacuzzi tub
    - A/C   


Congo and Coco Cabin 
    -2 queen beds
    - extra shower outside
    - volcano-viewing porch


Hummingbird Hacienda (Sleeps up to 8)
    -2 bedrooms (2 queens in one and 1 queen and 1 pull out in the other)
    -2 bathroom
    - full kitchen
    - laundry room with washer and dryer
    - front and back porches.


Heliciona House (Sleeps 6) 
    -2 bedrooms- (1 queen and 1 single in each)
    -1 bathroom
    - extra outside shower
    - A/C


Tree House 
    -1 bedroom (sleeping loft and pull out sofa)
    -2 bathrooms
    - laundry room
    - kitchen

Wi-Fi is available at the restaurant and laundry services are available for an extra fee.

Room Occupancy
Triple occupancy is possible.
If you attend as a single rider willing to share but we are unable to find another rider to share, the single supplement fee applies.

General Amenities On Site
Infinity Pool, Poolside Tiki Bar, Naturalist guide service, Covered Yoga Deck, Yoga classes, Massage therapy, Arenal River access, Rain forest hiking trails, Working farm with cows, chickens, and pigs, On-site photography services, Photography classes and Personal coaching


Meals
The meals features farm to table fresh food in an open air dining room with a breathtaking view of Arenal Volcano. Wholesome meals prepared with many organic ingredients from the farm. While you eat, enjoy a rainbow of birds visit the feeders just outside the dining area. A truly unique experience! Juice and coffee are included. Soda, beer, wine, and mixed drinks are available for purchase.  Our food is made to order and farm to table fresh,  please remember to sign up daily.

Dietary Restrictions
We offer a variety of options for those that are meat eaters, gluten free (GF), lactose free (LF), vegetarian(VG) and vegan (VE) (Menu is subject to change).
 

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Costarricense de Paso, Quarter, Criollos
Pace:		Moderate with some canters. Some long days in the saddle over rough terrain and through rainforst | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 3 out of 5)    Low Intermediate+
Age:		Min 16
Weight:		Max 230 lbs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 8 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 34

The Horses
The Costa Rican horses, Costarricense de Paso also known as Criollo, are a combination of several Spanish horses (Barb, Andalusian, Arab) and the Peruvian Stepping Horse. This magical combination has created horses with a smooth, comfortable gait. They are fearless, sure footed, hardworking and extremely versatile. The horses are cared for and trained using natural/relationship based horsemanship techniques. We use Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridles. Options range from the highly spirited Criolla to low key Quarter Horses and anywhere in between. The riding style is Western. We will help you choose just the right horse. Maybe your horse will choose you! In Spanish it is called `Vinculo’ ; it is an explainable bond between two souls. Join us in Costa Rica for the best horseback riding experience of your life!

The Guides
All treks are led by three guides; a bilingual naturalist, a local cowboy, and a horseman. Your guides will become fast friends and lifelong kindred spirits. They will give you guidance and encouragement to improve your horsemanship skills and facilitate a Vinculo (special connection) with your equine companion.

The Culture
The Costa Rican people call themselves Tico’s. They are friendly, welcoming people who are proud of their country and are incredibility hospitable. Horses are a part of the culture and used for work on farms and ranches. Community events such as Rodeos, Topes (dancing horse parades), Cabalgatas (group cross-country rides) and Endurance Rally’s are yearly events in many communities. Experiencing the culture and people of Costa Rica is an important element of the Equestrian Journeys’ experience.
 

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.