Hidden Jewels

Introduction
Guanacaste Costa Rica

Where mountains and oceans meet and the jungle spills out onto the beaches, this Costa Rica classic ride takes you off the beaten trails.  Much of the area that we’ll be riding through is fairly inaccessible and unexplored by the average visitor.  The panoramic route takes you through green mountain trails, cloud forest, small villages, tropical rainforest, jungle rivers, cool mountain lakes, and finishing at the beach in Playa Hermosa.

Accomodation
Accommodation is in local hotels and comfortable lodges.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary

2009 Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive  Liberia Airport , Costa Rica to Monteverde
Meet & greet,  transfer upon arrival  to Monteverde, appropriately named for its vivid green vegetation year-round.  Be prepared, the  average daytime temperature is a cool 18 C (64 F).  It  offers many great mountain views and  is considered a paradise for horseback riding in Costa Rica.  Overnight Hotel Poco a Poco, (or similar) located in the village of Santa Elena. Dinner in local restaurant. (D)
Day 2: Horseback riding Monteverde
While it is not permitted to ride in the Reserves themselves, we are pleased to offer the chance to ride on a private family farm of more then 300 acres. Here we’ll have an opportunity  to enjoy exclusive quiet trails, bird watching, the beauty of sugar cane and coffee plantations, secondary and primary forest, open fields (great for cantering with the horses), and amazing views of mountains, canyons and the Gulf of Nicoya. In the afternoon, there will be time to take optional tours such as the Canopy (ZIP LINE) Tour, Frog Pond, Sky Walk, Monteverde Reserve, and Butterfly Garden.  Overnight Hotel Poco a Poco  or similar. (B)
Day 3: Monteverde/ Rio Chiquito/ Tilaran
Today we will be riding in the mountain region from Monteverde to Rio Chiquito. Incredible vistas of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal can be seen as we wind down the mountains. At Rio Chiquito we stop for lunch and to give our horses a good rest. From here we continue on to Finca Los Ayotes, the  farm belonging to the family of Uvi Jenkins,  our equestrian naturalist who will be leading the group.  Next we transfer a short distance to Tilaran where we’ll overnight at a Hotel Guadalupe.   Dinner is on your own in a local restaurant.  (BL)
Day 4: Tilarán / Tierras Morenas/ Tenorio/Miravalles Volcanoes / Yoko Hot Springs     
At  Finca Los Ayotes,  our horses are waiting for us. We’ll be riding from the farm along the, Tenorio, Miravalles Volcano range.  You will see more incredible vistas on today's ride. On clear days one can see the “Low Lands” (Bajura guanacasteca) of Guanacaste. There are wonderful areas to canter along the way. Lunch en route to our destination, Yoko Hot Springs Lodge.  Here we have time to relax and enjoy the natural hot springs. Dinner and overnight is at the Yoko Hot Springs Lodge. (BLD) 
Day 5: By the light of the moon to Rincon de la Vieja
Since yesterday's ride was long, we’ll be starting out much later today and ride late into the night by the light of the moon.   Our destination tonight is the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano area. What a magical night with the moon to light the way and the stars to dazzle us as we ride.  Dinner on the trail. Overnight is at the Guachipilin Lodge or similar in Rincon de la Viejo.  (BLD)
Day 6: Parque National de Rincon de la Vieja / Canyon Waterfall
Today’s ride will start out a little later so that we can spend the morning sleeping in. We’ll be riding in the National Park and will finish up at “Las Chorreras” the canyon waterfalls for swimming. Overnight Hacienda Guachipilin  or similar (BLD).
Day 7: Hacienda Pinilla

After breakfast we depart and transfer to the Tamarindo Beach area to Hacienda Pinilla’s own hotel, La Posada.  The pure luxury of this location and the hotel will make you wish that you had time to stay another week in Costa Rica (ask about extended stays). Hacienda Pinilla has its own stables of good riding horses. Today’s ride will be along deserted beaches within the hacienda’s own property. There will be plenty of time to come back to the hotel to relax and enjoy the pool or perhaps play a round of golf. One of Costa Rica’s finest golf courses is right here at Hacienda Pinilla.  Lunch and dinner on own. (B)   

Day 8: Relax and enjoy the sun and the beach

Free day to just hang out at the beach and pool or to perhaps do an optional Canopy Tour (ZIPLINE) If you would like one more ride, there is more riding available as an optional tour.  Lunch and dinner on own. You might like to have your driver take you into Tamarindo to try out one of the many good restaurants.  Overnight La Posada  at  Hacienda Pinilla. (B)
Day 9: Depart Costa Rica after breakfast transfer to the Liberia International Airport for departure flight out of Costa Rica   (B)

2010 Itinerary

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Day 1:  Arrive  Liberia Airport , Costa Rica to Monteverde
Meet & greet, transfer upon arrival to Monteverde, appropriately named for its vivid green vegetation year-round. Be prepared, the average daytime temperature is a cool 18 C (64 F). It offers many great mountain views and is considered a paradise for horseback riding in Costa Rica. Overnight Cloud Forest lodge , located in the village of Santa Elena. Dinner in local restaurant.

Day 2: Horseback riding Monteverde to Arenal
Enjoy the incredible vistas during today's ride as you descend from the cool cloud forest area of San Gerado to Lake Arenal, where on clear days you can see Arenal Volcano and Lake as you wind slowly down the mountain passes crossing rivers until reaching Rio Chiquita. Overnight Arenal Paraiso Lodge in rooms facing Arenal Volcano. With any luck you will see the mighty volcano put on a natural firework display. Breakfast, lunch. (BL) Riding time is 5 hours.

Day 3: Fortuna Waterfalls / Arenal Volcano/ Thermales del Bosque
This day combines horseback riding and hiking. The horses take you all the way up to the waterfall trough green areas of pastures, forest and high hills. The views of San Carlos valleys and the Tropical Forest that surround the waterfall are spectacular. At the end of the road the horses wait while we walk down the trail to the base of a waterfall towering 65 meters above. There is time to swim in the natural pools before starting back. On the way back we ride trough a private farm of 400 hectares, which has plenty of good areas where the horses love to canter. In the afternoon, explore the surrounding trails of Arenal Volcano which are only passable by horseback or on foot. The views from this area are magnificent. Not only can you see the cone shape of the volcano but also the old lava flow trails and the green fertile hills near the volcano. Afternoon transfer the short distance to Thermales del Bosque natural Hot Springs resort. Time this afternoon to relax and enjoy the incredible hot springs before dinner. dinner and overnight Thermales del Bosque. (BD)
Riding time 5 plus hours.

Day 4: Thermales de Bosque
Starting right at Termales del Bosque, we'll be riding trails with spectacular panoramic views of the San Carlos plains, on clear days you may even see Lake Nicaragua from some of the highland slopes. . After today's 5 hours of riding and the past days of long rides, you might like to rejuvenate in the natural aromatic sauna or try one of the OPTIONAL wholesome and pleasant Corporal Therapies: such as Termales massage (relaxing) , Volcanic clay mask Head, hands and feet massage, Lympho- drainage massage, Therapeutic toning massage, Thermal water massage (hydrotherapy), Deep tissue massage, Aroma-inhalation therapy, Bio-clay body wrap, Reflexology Overnight Thermales del Bosque (B)

Day 5: Playa Hermosa - Waterfall and Spa Ride
Start with an early breakfast and then transfer to Playa Hermosa beach. After hotel check in at Hotel Tortuga del Mar afternoon ride to waterfall . Ride through acres of breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Meander through shaded Virgin Forest trails and into the canopy, spot the families of monkeys, coati, and other animals that live in this natural lost valley. Gallop across open farm land surrounded by towering rainforest trees. Arrive at our secret waterfall and recharge your batteries; sit and relax in our natural spring fed pools, whilst experiencing the rejuvenating properties of the natural spa mud that is found in abundance around the spring. Riding back to playa Hermosa as the sun goes down…overnight Hotel Tortuga del Mar…
Riding time 4-5 hours with lunch and snacks included (BL)

Day 6: Mountain Ride

The mountain ride passes through hand cut Virgin Forest trails, twist and turn around ancient Guanacaste trees that take you to the beautiful Quebrada Blanca. Cascades fall through the stunning forest, cool your feet in the crystal clear water whilst enjoying a refreshing fruit drink. We start here our ascent to the top of the mountains that surround the lost valley of La Quina. Past through the habitats of small wild cats, and deer and live peacefully in the hills. The view from the top is truly magnificent, feel the wind in your hair and gaze out over the ocean and forest below. The horses are very fit, sure footed and they love their job. Riding time 4 plus hours with lunch included.. Overnight Hotel Tortuga del Mar (BL) 

Day 7: Hamlet Ride

Step off the tourist trail and enjoy a visit to the real Costa Rica. Ride from La Quina along the old San Jose road to the villages of Montalimar, visit the Garden of Haliconias and Orchids. Stop for a traditional lunch in the village before descending into the river area of Mata de Platano. Follow the river Tulin back to the lost valley of La Quina. A wonderful day out with a real chance to interact with the locals. Riding time 5 hours includes lunch overnight ...Tortuga del Mar. (BL).

Day 8: Beach Ride
This is a once in a life time experience. Ride through the tiny coastal hamlet of Esterillos to one of the longest beaches in Costa Rica. Riding south along the beach, you will experience the adrenaline rush of galloping the horses along the sands at the edge of the pacific ocean. Arriving at Playa Bejuco, we strip off the saddles, jump on board and take the horses for a swim in the ocean. After a beach picnic, relax in the hammock and recharge your batteries, whilst the horses nap under the palm trees beside you. Riding time 4-5 hours...Overnight Tortuga del Mar (BL)

Day 9: Departure
Transfer to the San Jose International Airport for departure out of Costa Rica.

   Itineraries subject to change

Rates and Dates for Hidden Jewels

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Liberia airport
Airport: Liberia
Transfer: Liberia airport or hotel in the early afternoon

Climate:

In the Central Valley, where the main centres of population are located, the average temperature is 22°C (72°F) and the region enjoys a spring-like climate year round. In the coastal areas, the temperature is much hotter and humid, while the Pacific Northwest can be extremely hot and dry. The rainy season starts in May and finishes in November, although there are distinct regional variations. The ‘warm' dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight.

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, or Monteverde, temperatures are cool and sweaters or light jackets are suggested.

The rainy season runs from the beginning of May through the middle of November.  Please keep in mind that even when it rains, it is sunny in the mornings until around mid afternoon.  Remember this is the tropics so it is never really cold.  

Also note that riding in heavy jeans is very hot so it is recommended you bring riding pants or lightweight pants to ride in. Dress in layers. 

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.

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