Travel around Costa Rica on horseback!

By: Pablo Imberti Posted: 08/05/2020

This time, we travel to Costa Rica, one of the smallest countries in Central America, but with a wide variety of animal and plant species, protected for conservation.

We can say that Costa Rica is nature in its purest form, and therefore an ideal place for a horse riding holiday.

Costa Ricans, also known as Ticos, are hospitable and hard-working, and they live in a peaceful, democratic country. This is one of the few countries that has no standing army. It is therefore a safe place for equestrian tourism.

What equestrian alternatives do I have?

It’s an ideal country for horseback travel because that’s the best ways to see its stunning natural beauty, its people and so particular history in depth. Costa Rica must be taken into consideration when planning your next horseback riding vacations in Central America.

We are going to present some equestrian tourism suppliers that our team has selected to inform you about the different options available in Cosa Rica for your next horseback riding holidays.

La Finca Lodge

If you look in the dictionary, the exact translation for La Finca is “The Farm” but for Costa Ricans, La Finca has a very special meaning.

More than a place to live and work, La Finca is an identity. It is the place where their family grows, where they inherited and passed on the values, the hard working ethics and the respect for others and their work.

Costa Rica has changed, the cities are getting bigger and most families don’t live on farms anymore, but they all have the memories of the finca and its importance in their families.

This is the kind of place they have and offer to horse riding vacation lovers at La Finca Lodge, great accommodations and activities for everyone. Private, safe, peaceful, surrounded by nature and wildlife;  a place like no other, a little piece of the Real Costa Rica.

Accommodations at La Finca Lodge

We can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that La Finca Lodge is way more than a place to stay, is a “life style” and their accommodations are the best example of living in harmony with nature.

Spacey, private, cosy, sober and simple yet elegant and refined. All the rooms and villas are looking out on horse pastures, rain forest and misty mountains.

Their guests are welcome to enjoy the Pool / Hot Tub, the organic greenhouses, and the common areas in the stables.

La Finca offers different adventures but not all of them are related to horses. For practical reasons, we are going to focus on what we love doing – horseback riding activities. All the same, the other eco-tourism options are suitable for non-riders travelling with you. They can enjoy them while you ride your horse around the area with its beautiful scenery and trails that assure you fun on horseback.

Horse rides and trails

Their horse adventures are for all people and all riding levels. They have many horses, with different breeds, sizes, gaits and temperaments.

They can tailor their rides and horses to please from the most experienced rider to those who have never been on a horse before.

All their horse riding holiday programs are customized and private. Each group of riders is formed before their arrival in the country. Eventually, if there are not 4 riders, which is the minimum for a ride, they can put you together with other riders, as long as all agree.

All the horseback riding activity here is conducted by Centaura, which is owned by them, too.

You can see all that Centaura has to offer on their web site: https://centauracr.com

Before your arrival in Costa Rica they are going to ask you some basic info such as how many there are in your travel group, how long you are coming, time of the year, what else you want to do besides the horses, where you would like to go, what kind of accommodations you want (their hotel, Finca Lodge or tents), etc.

With all this information they will prepare an exclusive trip to meet all your needs and expectations.

They can operate trips for a couple of days or entire weeks. Remember that the choice is yours. We are now going to list the different places where you can ride.

Centaura farm and neighbouring area

The Centura farm gives the most diverse type of riding (and the most economical).

The best of cabalgatas and rodeos and topé action happens within a few miles of the farm, and their guests develop a real connection with the farm, their horses, their pets, and their people.

Rain forest

With Centaura you will have access to a few of the remaining primary forests of Costa Rica, on private land. The primary forest — basically, the classic Tarzan jungle. Areas dominated by giant old trees, vines as thick as a man’s leg dropping from branches so high you can’t see their origins.

Traversing the rain forest on a horse is a serious reminder of how difficult penetrating the tropical jungle had to be for the earliest explorers and horses.

Active Volcanoes

You’ll love to ride at the base of Arenal volcano, where you can have a most remarkable horseback experience on a giant cattle farm beneath the cone. An extra: after dark, you can enjoy the volcano visiting the local hot springs.

Cloud forest

Mountains

Mountain riding involves some difficult trails and the need for very sure-footed horses. The Peruvian Paso horse, which is a part of the breeding heritage of Centaura’s horses, is famous for their ability to negotiate rough terrain. They have numerous options on mountain trails, and they will recommend the best one based on your other priorities, your experience, and desires.

Beaches

They have spent a good amount of time looking and selecting destinations at the beach. According to their experience, they narrowed the list to 3 destinations: Central Pacific, South Caribbean, and Nicoya Peninsula. All 3 give you beach and jungle exploration, a great choice of hotels (small and unique), interesting restaurants and a wide selection of activities and attractions besides their horse rides.

They have a lot to offer, at both La Finca and Centaura. Go to their web site and find out why in Costa Rica they are a very good option for you to think about https://lafincacr.com/

Horse Trek Monteverde

Horse Trek Monteverde is the premium horseback riding tour provider in this part of Costa Rica and a top attraction in Monteverde.

With trips ranging from 2.5 hours all the way up to 8 days, they offer the widest variety of horse tours.

Monteverde and the surrounding area are must see eco-tourism destinations in Costa Rica and there’s simply no better way to see it than from one of their horses.

About them

Its owners are the perfect partners, one who knows about travel and the other one, about horses. They are:

Janet Ellis, co-owner of Horse Trek Monteverde. She has been working in travel and tourism in the area since 1998 and is committed to creating exceptional experiences for her guests.

Marvin Anchia grew up the area and he knows the roads and trails in the area like the back of his hand. Marvin has combined his love of training horses with his appreciation for the amazing scenery in Costa Rica to create Horse Trek Monteverde. He is the guide in most of their trails and tours. He is going to be in charge of meeting all your needs on or off the horse they select for you.

Their riding horses

Horse Trek Monteverde uses horses that are mainly a combination of Quarter Horse, Paso Fino and Criollo breeds. They are of a good size, solidly built and well suited to the trails of the area.

Horse rides with Horse Trek Monteverde

All-Day Cowboy Ride

A full day adventure with 5 hours of riding, a swim in a nearby river and a stop in a local village for a beer or soft drink.

Campesino Trails & Gulf Views Ride Ride

Along the route the guide will keep his eyes out for sloths and toucans which are sometimes seen along the way and you will not fail to enjoy all the surrounding plant life.

Costa Rica Ride

This half day horseback ride tour takes you through scenic landscape and up to the continental divide where the scenery will leave you breathless.

Monteverde Horse Ride

Ride through picturesque agricultural land, along forested streams, skirt cloud forest and share the beauty and diversity of the Monteverde area before finishing in La Fortuna where you can take in the spectacular Arenal Volcano.

8 Day Ride around the Campesinos Trails

For the horse and long riding tour lovers, Horse Trek Monteverde offers great vacations in Costa Rica on horseback.

A full 8 day, 7 night horseback riding vacation tour. With full six days on horseback experiencing the back country and equestrian culture of Costa Rica.
Covering diverse regions and aspects of Costa Rican horse culture, the trip spans Monteverde, Guanacaste and Arenal.

Riders will see cloud forest, waterfalls, nature reserves, working farms and ranches, wildlife habitats, volcanoes, hot springs and lakes.

Design Your Own Trek

If you are not satisfied with the above mentioned options, you can ask for a customized ride. If you are looking for something special, let their team work with you to design the perfect horseback riding escape for you and your party. You only have to tell them the number of riders, your riding experience in this kind of treks, what you want to see and how long you plan to stay in Costa Rica. They will surprise you!

There is much more information about them and their horse riding holiday offers in Costa Rica on their web site: https://www.horsetrekmonteverde.com/

/ Photos: https://centauracr.com, https://lafincacr.com y www.horsetrekmonteverde.com /

Thinking about a horse riding holiday but don't know where to start?

Download our free eBook "How to plan your next horseback trip" which will help you organize your next horse riding holidays in a simple and clear way. We will give you all the necessary guidelines throughout the whole booking process, and tell you what you should take into account once your holidays have started.

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