Horseback Riding Vacations in Central America

Why visit Central America on horseback?

There are places in the World where it is possible to go for horseback rides along the seashore. There’s nothing like the sense of freedom you can get when you gallop on the beach.

Now you, who love equestrian tourism, must know that this continent is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, and here we are talking about the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

There are routes on white sands and seas, sometimes green and sometimes blue, trails away from the crowds are waiting for you here to make you feel like in paradise. If life feels different on horseback, in this place this experience will be different from the ones you had before.

- ¡Discover the Caribbean Sea while galloping in absolute freedom!

Add the discovery of Central America on horseback to your bucket list and you´ll see why, more every day, the World chooses this riding destination for their horse riding holidays.

As you travel this continent with your horse, you will find a new surprise around every corner. Everything is intense, different and wild, with a colour you have never seen anywhere else.

Some interesting facts about Central America

Central America is the geographical region of the American continent between North America and South America.

It consists of seven independent countries: Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

If what you want, when you travel, is to get lost and find yourself again, the mountain trails and paths of Central America are your next Horse Riding Holiday destination, without a doubt.

Central America is mainly a mountainous and rugged region. Its surface presents a steep topography that varies from the coastline on the Pacific Ocean to the central mountain peaks, and then, it gradually descends towards the Caribbean Sea.

The Equestrian Tourism options that are available in every corner of the World are very different from one another. When choosing one, you should consider the most interesting one for you, according to the terrain variety it offers.

No one goes on holiday and escapes from their daily routine to do the same thing every day, particularly during your horse riding holidays.

Riders that love travelling on horseback challenge themselves all the time and they want not only to practice this fascinating activity but also to improve their performance in each route and face new defiance. There are places in the world where this is taken to the extreme, America, and especially Central America, is a very good starting point to do it without risks.

Its terrain variety, the changing geography of its riding trails and the fullness of its untouched nature will allow you to take horseback routes in Central America, in very different scenic settings.

You will be kilometres away from all traces of western civilization, but safe with the permanent company of expert riding guides and on the back of an excellent horse, which knows every corner of every trail you take. You’ll wish these horse riding holidays would never end, and when you realize that it’s impossible, you’ll plan your next visit to this place.

In Central America you will find:

• White sand beaches, the crystal clear water of the Caribbean Sea in its two oceans.
• Rugged mountain ranges, filled with vegetation.
• Unexpected watercourses flowing into the sea, in the form of streams, fast-flowing rivers and impressive waterfalls.
• Lush vegetation, thousands of plant, tree and bush species and its fauna that matches this enchanting natural environment.

What is the climate in Central America like?

Equestrian Tourism lovers know that planning and logistics during a horseback route are key to ensuring its safety and success.

The more accurate the weather forecasting is, the easier the route organization will be, with a predictable start and end.

Climatic instability in this region is one of its main characteristics, but Equestrian Tourism operators know this area like the back of their hand. Let them advise you when you choose the dates for your next trip.

In Central America the climate is predominantly tropical and the Atlantic coast is rainier than the Pacific. The rainfall regime is changing, and it depends on the direction of the winds and the position of the tropical and intertropical convergence zone.

There are little variations in temperature between the day and the night. Ambient temperature varies according to the cloudiness and altitude. In mountain areas, altitude determines the different climates.

Depending on the altitude, we can differentiate the following areas:

• The so-called “hot land” goes from sea level up to 900 metres, with permanent summer temperatures and heavy rains.
• Between 1,000 and 2,500 metres above sea level, there is the temperate land where average temperatures range from 15 °C to 25 °C; it rains more at the end of the summer.
• Above 2,500 metres, there is the cold land, with average temperatures below 20 °C and a wide daily temperature amplitude.

What do we call Earthly Paradise when we talk about the flora and fauna in Central America?

The best from the North and the greatest beauty from the South converge here.

In Central America there are plant and animal species from North and South America, in addition to a great number of endemic species. This diversity is due to the fact that Central America is a transition zone between the two continents and two big oceanic regions, a refuge area during the different glaciations.

Its geographical isolation in Prehistory turned this area into archipelagos.

It is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and it boasts a great number of species, many of which are endemic.

There are many mammals such as deer, jaguars, pumas and tapir. Birds like humming birds, motmots, vultures, parrots and quetzals (national bird of Guatemala).

You will probably see some of them for the first time and you’ll be surprised by their colour and anatomy, very different from other known mammals.

Where to watch all this in Central America?

In general, all the countries in this region have a rich biodiversity: in Guatemala and El Salvador there are great opportunities for bird-watchers, and in Nicaragua there are good chances to observe marine species.

Honduras has the largest amount of pine forests; it has America’s largest and the world’s second largest coral reef. It also has the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, a rainforest with rich biodiversity, several ethnic groups and archaeological remains, which is now competing to become one of the world’s seven wonders.

Costa Rica and Panama have all this and one of the most developed Equestrian Tourism offers in the region to see them first-hand.

Central America offers white sand beaches, the crystal clear water of the Caribbean Sea in its two oceans and rugged mountain ranges, as well as countless unexpected watercourses, in the form of streams or fast-flowing rivers and impressive waterfalls. Its lush vegetation, with thousands of plant, tree and bush species, and one of the biggest biodiversities in the world will make your Horseback Riding Vacations one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll ever have.

Do you also love the idea of exploring Central America on horseback?

Download our free eBook on equestrian tourism in Central America and enjoy riding in a tropical climate surrounded by incredible animals and plants.