Costa Rica

Horseback riding is one of the most popular activities in Costa Rica.  It is one of the only activities offered in just about every town that has some tourist infrastructure. 

Whether galloping down the beach at sunset or trotting through a guava plantation in Monteverde, there are many professional horse outfits offering day tours or extended, mulit-day trips. 

Some tour companies feature journeys that go from Monteverde to Arenal on horseback, while your luggage is carried safely in a van to your destination hotel. 

Regional Guide to Horseback Riding:

Northern Pacific/Guanascaste area: The province of Guanacaste is known as cowboy, or Sabanero country. Extensive cattle and horse ranches with open plains and forested trails offer perfect spots for a leisurely ride or spirited gallop. The area around Rincón de La Vieja National Park boasts wonderful horseback riding, with trips to hot springs, waterfalls and bubbling mud pots.

Central Pacific:  Beaches, waterfalls and rainforests make up most of the central Pacific’s horseback riding tours. Quepos and Manuel Antonio have excellent half and full day tours to secluded waterfalls.

South Caribbean: These trips usually have a forest and a beach component.  They can last anywhere from one hour to several hours and definitely help keep your feet dry when passing through muddy trails.  There are no horseback riding tours available in the the north Caribbean (Tortuguero) area.  

Monteverde and Arenal: There are so many beautiful places to be seen in the mountaianous areas of  Monteverde and Arenal.  Horseback riding is a great way to travel into these more remote areas.  Some tours pass through guava farms and coffee plantations while traversing rivers and dipping through steep valleys.  There are sunset tours offering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya  and rides that offer views of the Arenal Volcano and nearby waterfalls.

 
Helpful Hints:
Be prepared to ride in the rain; wear boots and long pants. Most companies provide large ponchos with the tours; they are prepared for inclement weather.   A hat is helpful for sunny and rainy days.  Don't carry backpacks or anything that you can't put in your pocket.

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