10 days Horseback-riding trek in Costa-Rica

Home Circuits 10 days Horseback-riding trek in Costa-Rica

… from the Central mountains to the Pacific beach

Highlights of the trip

Unique and exclusive tours-“off the beaten track”.
Authentic encounters with “vaqueros pura vida”
Discover the exceptional biodiversity of the country with a route combining mountains, rivers, rainforest, organic crops and beaches.
Dynamic and resistant horses for Invigorating gallops (on beaches and elsewhere…)
An unusual accommodation in eco-decks, completely open to nature
Safe halter riding experience
Discovery of the national “Costa Rican Paso” breed
English speaking guides certified by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism

Included

Horseback riding, 10 days (7 on horseback), included meals from Saturday evening to Sunday morning, accommodation, all activities and transfers…

Horse riding level

Comfortable at 3 paces.

Period, duration & Price

Twice a month, except from mid-September to the end of November, due to the rainy season.
10 days (7 days of riding). 2.900 US$ (or 2.550 €), flights not included.
/!\ High season’s prices (from December to January) have an increase of 30%.

Lodging comfort

Eco-decks & hotel.

DAY 1. Saturday: SAN JOSE

Pick-up at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel or in the city, depending on arrival time of each participant.

DAY 2. Sunday: SAN JOSE – PAVONES – 3H on horseback

Breakfast at the hotel and shuttle to Hacienda Monte Claro (2h30 drive). Welcome drinks and snacks upon arrival and presentation of the whole team.
Installation in your eco-deck, completely open to nature, with breath-taking view of Turrialba Valley and its volcano.
Time shared with your guide in order to assigned a horse to each participant. Then, lunch time.
After lunch, back to the horses. First, walk with your horse in the outside arena, receiving the essential tips to ride safely and make sure that you feel confident riding your chosen horse. After these few checks, go for a tour in the property of 350 hectares (1.4 sq miles) through fields of sugar cane, coffee and banana, enjoying wide panoramas of this region well-named “biological corridor”. Finally, a short break, quite original, under the centenary and sacred Ceiba tree, and return to the stables.
Friendly BBQ evening at the Hacienda.

DAY 3. Monday: PAVONES – 5H on horseback

After breakfast, let’s go today for a longer tour to the edges of the property. Go deeper into the tropical forest, under the shades of the big Espavel trees, cross by green plains with grazing cattle, to reach the river lined by fine sand!
It’s time for lunch and rest, and maybe also for a swim if you want!
We leave this peaceful place to reach other view points and stop at the waterfall, still in the property, before climbing straight to the stables.
Before the end of the day, we will visit a restaurant slightly elevated into the village to enjoy the sunset on the valley and have a typical tico dinner. Then, sleep tight in your deck.

DAY 4. Tuesday: PAVONES – RIO PACUARE or PAVONES – SILENCIO 2H or 5H on horseback

After breakfast at the hacienda, choice of morning:

Rafting on the world famous site of Rio de Pacuare; Strong sensations and breathtaking landscapes. Lunch by the water OR
Horse ride of 3H in the surroundings of the property, to discover some villages and their surprising points of view on the Angostura lake. Typical lunch at Doña Rosa’s, a unique and pleasant experience.

Back to the stables in the mid afternoon to ride to the “beneficio”. – coffee processing plant. Visit to the beneficio to discover why Costa Rica’s coffee is so particular and learn all the steps in the coffee process, including a taste of the different cacao, coffee and sugar cane based products.

Last moments on horseback, returning to the stables in the darkness of dusk. One last dinner at the hacienda and overnight at your eco-deck. Small bottle of wine as an option…;)

DAY 5. Wednesday: PAVONES – GUIONES – PLAYA GARZA – SUNSET – 2H on horseback

Breakfast at the hacienda and departure at 7am to the Pacific coast (7H drive). Surprise stop for lunch and scheduled arrival at the village of Guiones in the mid afternoon. Settling down at the hotel, ideally located a few meters from the beach of Guiones: 7km from one of the most beautiful and fine white sand beaches in the region, with beautiful and perfectly shaped waves, recognized by surfers.

Hands on! you will have to prepare yourself quickly because the horses are already waiting for you for unforgettable gallops on the beach. In front of us, a striking sunset. First encounter with your new mount, which at your convenience, will accompany you until the end of your stay.

Dinner near your hotel, before a well-deserved night sleep.

DAY 6. Thursday: GUIONES – PLAYA PELADA – OSTIONAL – 5H on horseback

Breakfast at the hotel and departure on horseback for a gallop” off the beaten track”. We will run the coast through the most beautiful beaches of the Nosara Peninsula, from large mango plantations, rivers and wild groves, to the beach heights that offer a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. You will remember this unique trip, outstanding from all the other tours offered in the region. Then, we will stop at our host’s house to share an authentic moment around a cold ceviche and a thirst-quenching beer. Return to the hotel by car (30 MIN), to enjoy a moment of rest and recovery from all the excitement of the day. Finally, dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 7. Friday: GUIONES – PLAYA OSTIONAL – 3H on horseback

Breakfast at the hotel, then we will meet our host who will make you discover with passion his world within the Guanacaste atmosphere: large pastures dedicated to the exploitation of Brahman cattle, typical of the region; river crossings, reforestation projects marked by the imposing national Guanacaste tree. You will also cross shady forest spots, populated by koatis, howler monkeys, birds and butterflies. Views on the ocean… Lunch break in a very local « cantina ».

These sites preserved from all infrastructure will make you discover the real Costa Rica, the « Costa Rica pura vida »!

After taking care of our horses, we will go back to the hotel to get ready for a delicious and unforgettable evening facing the ocean! Enchantment guaranteed!

Last night at the hotel.

DAY 8. Sunday: GUIONES – SAN JOSE

Breakfast at the hotel. This last morning is free for you to enjoy it your way. You can choose to relax on the beach or make your last purchases in the village.

Lunch on site by the beach, to enjoy the ocean view, one last time Then road to San José (4H30 of road).

Dinner in a restaurant near the hotel where you will spend your last night. Exhausted but happy…