Horseback riding in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

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Horseback riding vacations in Costa Rica, Guanacaste

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Ranches, Volcanoes & Beaches in Guanacaste


Itinerary for Ranches, Volcanoes & Beaches in Guanacaste




Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please note that itineraries may change due to tides, weather, local fiestas, or request by clients. 

Day 1: Arrival
Pick up in Liberia Airport with private transport, by arrangement, to the ranch located just minutes from the beautiful Pacific beaches of Guanacaste. Accommodations in comfortable air-conditioned casa or casita. Late afternoon, you will have a Ranch Orientation and a Criollo Horse Demonstration, with a short introduction to riding the beautiful Spanish Criollo horses of Costa Rica known for their noble temperament and comfortable ride. Dinner at the ranch or a favorite restaurant. Itinerary depends on arrival times.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 2: Cartagena Ride
After breakfast, riders will have a chance to work our trainer. Become comfortable on your horse using Natural Horsemanship Training.  After lunch, when it is cooler, you will leave for the colorful town of Cartagena, a colorful, historic village. You will ride along the historic oxcart trails to the village and learn the history and culture of this Guanacaste town. Load up your horses in a truck after which you will have dinner at El Roble, a favorite cantina/restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 3: Tico Trails Ride
Today, we will take you on a ride to explore a large cattle ranch with spectacular wetlands (with an option for a canopy/zip line). After the ranch, you will visit a colorful pueblo: El Llano. Ride back home at sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 4: Tenerio Volcano Visit (no riding)
You will have an early breakfast before you are picked up for your private tour to the Tenerio Volcano to visit the spectacular Rio Celeste waterfall and your best opportunity to see sloths. Choose from a variety of hikes through the rainforest and after visit sloths before lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner at the ranch.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 5: Tempate Ride
This morning, visit the Monkey Park Rescue Center to see all the local wildlife, or take a riding lesson. In the afternoon, you will leave for the cattle town of Tempate. Admire beautiful views of large working Haciendas and the historic village where you will stop for a cold drink and dinner at a local cantina.
Look for monkeys, tropical birds and dry tropical flora and fauna on the back country trails. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 6: Palo Verde National Park
After breakfast, you will be picked up for your half day trip to Palo Verde National Park for a river tour, looking for monkeys, crocks, water birds and other wildlife from your covered motor launch. Experienced guide will show you the wonders of the tropical river ecosystem. Before dinner our trainer will work with young horses using Natural Horsemanship training.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch 
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 7: Beach Ride
After breakfast, load your horses on the truck and leave for the beach. When you reach the beach, saddle up your horses, then continue riding along the beautiful white sand Pacific beaches along the beautiful beaches of Puerto Viejo, Conchal and Brasilito. Time to play in the water and take photos when you reach the beach end. Take a swim or walk on the beach before a picnic lunch or dinner at the beach.
Times depend on low tide.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Ranch


Day 8: Departure
After breakfast take your last photos before you are picked up for your transfer to Liberia for your trip home.
Meal included: Breakfast

Small group or private rides can be tailored to riders experience. Sequence of days and times may change.




Beach Riding Extension


Day 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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



Monteverde Extension

Day 9: Transfer to Montverde
After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to your hotel in Monteverde (to be determined). Stop for lunch on route or add white water rafting with lunch.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Montverde


Day 10: Cowboy Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy riding the all day Cowboy tour (6 hours in the saddle - If you wish we can arrange a shorter ride)! The rest of the day is free for optional tours or visit the Quaker Community or Santa Elana.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch with Cowboy Tour
Overnight at Hotel in Montverde


Day 11: Guided hike in the Monteverde Clouded Forest Preserve
Breakfast at the hotel. Look for resplendent quetzal, other tropical birds, and unique flora and fauna while walking a variety of trails. A wildlife guide and transportation is included. Visit to the hummingbird area at the visitors center. Afternoon free for riding or natural history tours. Option for a Night Rainforest Walk.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Montverde

Day 12: Departure
After breakfast, private transfer to Liberia or San Jose for your flight home.
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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Ranches, Volcanoes & Beaches in Guanacaste
Tour Code: IT-CRIT15
8 days / 7 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


Season Seasons  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 01/05 - 12/16 8d / 7n 8 day trip 1 /6 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Western, English, McClellan
Horses: Spanish Criollos, Paso and Quarter mix
Pace: Moderate with trots and canters, 2-5 h...

Airport: Tamarindo Airport (TNO)
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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