Horseback Riding Vacations in Costa Rica

Costa Rica: “The Eco-Tourist Capital”

Costa Rica is a Central American country with great tourist potential and it stands as one of the most visited international destinations.

Its jungles, tropical rainforests and paradisiacal beaches are the country’s most popular tourist attractions for every traveller in the world.

This country promotes both tourism and conservation, that’s why Costa Rica is a reference in ecotourism in the world.

*The rich biodiversity of this country has led the government to encourage ecotourism and protect its natural resources. More than 25% of Costa Rica's land is dedicated to national parks, nature reserves and protected areas.

That is why equestrian activities are also carefully planned to maintain this spirit of sustainability and environmental protection.

Geography

It is a country with a rugged geography, including tropical forests and coasts along the Caribbean and Pacific.

Its capital, San José, is situated at the foot of the volcanoes Irazú and Poas, and has an estimated population of 400,000 inhabitants. The main cities are Alajuela, Carthage and Puntaneras.

The Costa Rican territory occupies a long and narrow strip of land, extending from northeast to southeast. It is crossed by the Central American Andes Mountains.

This Mountain its divided into three main sections:

• Cordillera de Talamanca, in the south, contains the country’s highest peaks, among them Cerro Chirripo with 3,820 meters.
• Cordillera Central whose highlights are the volcanoes Irazú (3,432 m) and Turrialba (3,328 m).
• Cordillera de Guanacaste in the northwest part of the country, whose highest peaks include the volcanoes Miravalles (2,020 m) and Tenorio (1,920 m).

The very extensive lowland shores of the Caribbean Sea occupy almost a third of the country, while the Pacific plains are narrower. The Pacific coast is known for its many bays.

Costa Rica's climate is tropical in coastal areas and temperate by altitude in the centre. The average annual temperatures vary from 32oC on the coasts, to 17oC in the interior.

Costa Rica owes its name to the fact that coffee and banana cultivation brought some wealth during the 19th century. Coffee is mainly grown on the plateaus of the central region.

Flora and Fauna

Although this country is small and covers an area of only 0.03% of the planet’s surface, it has the privilege of being home to a 5% of the world’s biodiversity. A considerable portion (25.58%) of its territory is protected under different ways of conservation.

More than 1,000 species of orchids are cultivated in Costa Rica.

Its rainforest is rich in ebony, balsa, mahogany and cedar. The country’s fauna includes pumas, jaguars, deer, monkeys and about 725 bird species.

Located on the Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica's most popular ecotourism destinations. It is one of the wettest areas of the country and many animal species can be found in its rivers, canals and lagoons. Highlights include several reptile species such as crocodiles, lizards, tortoises and sea turtles.

History and culture

Costa Rican culture is the result of all the races that mix in this country. They mainly have a European influence, which can be seen in its language – Spanish – and architecture – in churches and historical buildings.

'Ticos' is another word to refer to Costa Ricans. They are famous for their hospitality and they like being that way. They are kind and hard workers, they like to smile at you and shake your hand.

Ticos swell with pride when they talk about their democratic tradition of more than one century and the absence of army (for 50 years), which was abolished in 1948, and that money is now spent to improve people’s living standards, and all this adds to social peace. For all these reasons, Costa Rica is a nice place for tourism.

Choose an operator in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is, without a doubt, one of the safest countries in Central America. However, choosing the right horse riding outfitter is always important.

Centaura y La Finca Lodge and Horse Treck Monte Verde are two companies that offer several routes and we recommend taking a look at them.

Centaura y La Finca Lodge

This horseback riding vacations provider may be one of the best we have found in Costa Rica. They are very professional and they have made-to-measure products.

Centaura started out running one day and half-day rides. Due to their success, they then opened their own ranch, La Finca Lodge, where they offer excellent accommodation and adventure.

They have all the necessary logistics to ride with an estancia-like or star-like format, and organize tours in other places. You only have to contact them and tell them what you want for your horseback riding vacations.

Their horses are Paso Fino, Peruvian Paso and Costa Rican Criollos. All of them are well tamed and trained for long rides.

With their programs, you can ride along beaches, forests, jungles, volcanoes, mountains and waterfalls.

Their most popular rides

They have half-day tours, but also multi-day tours for those who are real enthusiasts of Equestrian Tourism.

All their rides include a bilingual guide, meals, transfers and accommodations, horses and logistics, as well as their professionalism to develop and schedule horseback rides in the most diverse natural places of Costa Rica.

These are some of their sample itineraries:

• Arenal Pure and Simple: This is one of their basic programs. Riders lodge at La Finca and can do different activities and tours on their Centaura Ranch and neighbouring ranches. On their full day horseback rides, you will travel with a bilingual guide and lunch is included.
• San Carlos Misty Trails: This private, customized horseback trip is based at their ranch. You will have full-time bilingual / naturalist guides. All meals, full transportation, lodging and all activities are included.
• Pura Vida Costa Rica: This full horseback trip is based at their ranch and the beach. It is a private and customized itinerary with full-time bilingual / naturalist guides. All meals, full transportation, lodging and all activities are included.

All have a duration of eight days and seven nights.

If you want to know more about them, visit their website: centauracr.com.

Horse Treck Monte Verde

Horse Trek Monteverde is the premium horseback riding tour provider in Monteverde. With trips ranging from 2.5 hours all the way up to 8 days, they offer the widest variety of horse tours.

Their commitment to safety starts with the quality and care of their horses and includes fully insuring their rides and ensuring every rider has a helmet that fits their head and a horse that fits their skill level.

Your guide, Marvin Anchia, is not only a skilled horse trainer, but he also grew up in the area and he knows the roads and trails in the area like the back of his hand.

Horseback Ride in Monteverde

Is one of their most popular tours. Horse Trek Monteverde’s three-day horseback riding package tour combines 3 popular horse trips into one spectacular package.

The journey begins in Monteverde where you’ll spend 3 days exploring back roads and quiet trails on their well-trained horses.

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.

For more information, go to their website: www.horsetrekmonteverde.com.

Costa Rica is a Tropical Paradise for horseback riding. Every trail leads to waterfalls, lakes, fog-wrapped craters or secluded beaches, lined with palm trees. Admire the rainbow-coloured bill of toucans or watch scarlet macaws in flight; in short, enjoy Costa Rica’s landscapes and discover the great variety of its fauna and flora.

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

Download our free eBook on Horse riding holidays in Central America where you will see that its trails, mountain paths and paradisiacal beaches are the perfect settings for your horseback riding vacations.