EQUESTRIAN HOLIDAYS IN COSTA RICA
Costa Rica offers the freedom to ride horses in fascinating places. Owning and riding a beautiful horse is sacred to Costa Ricans, from all economic and social levels. The joy of sharing one's horses and showing off one's riding skills means that every week there is a parade, a betting race or a rodeo (open to all). There may also be a "cabalgata", which involves traveling from farm to farm, sharing the fruits of the harvest, sharing horses, gossip and local food and spending time with landowners and farm workers, united by their love of the horse. This kind of "gathering" can only happen in a country that highly values its egalitarian society. It is not for tourists. Nevertheless, the welcome given to riders is genuine, the smiles radiant, the admiration for each mount openly expressed. All united by the love of the horse. However, these traditional festivals may well go down in history in Costa Rica, as the country's growing wealth replaces the horse with the machine of 
progress, and so these festivals should be experienced while there is still time.
The quality of Costa Rica horses is recognized. The Costa Rican Criollo is small and sure-footed, which contrasts sharply with the large saddle horses. The Criollo is a cross between several Spanish breeds (the Barb and the Arabian mainly) and the Peruvian paso horses. They have a very special heart and character, the paso or Criollo, have a gait that makes seven hours in the saddle particularly comfortable.
SEE ALL OUR COSTA RICA HORSEBACK RIDES BELOW :
ALL OUR HORSE RIDES IN COSTA RICA :
RAINFOREST RIDE & MULTI-ACTIVITIES
An equestrian vacation in Costa Rica if you are an advanced rider looking for a more varied horse riding holiday in Costa Rica, or not a confimed rider. This equestrian program in Costa Rica, provides more freedom than you will find with the average equestrian holiday. You will have the opportunity to enjoy miles of riding trails in the forested interior and along on the coast: to the North, the terrain is picturesque, predominantly flat with gentle slopes and forested valleys, while to the South there are savannahs, large mango plantations and the Dry Forests, mangrove swamps and estuaries leading out to the Pacific Ocean: spectacular views! Experience the local culture, the "Tico way of life," while staying at one of two comfortable jungle lodges with their warm hospitality and tasty local food, while learning how to identifying the local wildlife and flora. Each day enjoy a range of different half day rides or all day rides, combined with time salted for great alternative sport activities like Canopy and Zipline tours, the Hanging Bridges, kayaking on the ocean or taking a crocodile boat safari! Throughout your stay you are accompanied by a professional guide who will be sure to point out the monkeys you see and hear, or the spectacular tropical birds such as the Trogons, Parakeets, Scarlet Macaws and Toucans or creatures like the coatimundis, iguanas, anteaters or crocodiles. The perfect retreat for a week in Costa Rica, sampling the various adventure tours that attracts tourists from around the world to their country!
This ride is equally ideal for young adults, romantic couples, families with children (for kids under 11 we provide a bilingual nanny while the parents ride and they can be taught basic riding lessons).
FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE CARIBBEAN COAST
Explore the Pacific and the Caribbean coastlines and take in the vistas of Volcano Arenal – on horseback in Costa Rica !
The Costa Rica Coast to Coast Ride includes a coast explorations of both the Pacific and Caribbean Coast and in between a visit to Arenal Volcano – both a landmark and iconic feature which has become a highlight and a must in any Costa Rican itinerary. A mounted adventure that features 7 days of intensive riding and discovery of Costa Rica’s most scenic regions, including hugely contrasting landscapes, rural communities and awesome habitats with abundant wildlife. During this adventure you will be riding down dramatic river canyons, towards the arid Pacific Coast with its volcanic sand beaches, then on toward the Template Mountain slopes, passing through the forested Valleys and in between have some relaxation time enjoying the hot-spring waters of Arenal Volcano. And on the Caribbean you will experience not only a different coastline with exuberant lushness but a completely contrasting rich cultural experience! As you ride, you will be in close contact with one of nature’s finest panoramic displays, visit some quaint rural communities and get involved in the Costa Rican way of life... A truly awesome and unforgettable experience.
THE CONQUISTADOR WILDERNESS RIDE
The Conquistador Wilderness Eco-Safari adventure is a progressive horseback trail ride that will immerse you in the Tropical Forest whilst experiencing an authentic rural Costa Rican way of life and witnessing an outstanding natural diversity and wildlife. This riding adventure unfolds in the backwaters and surrounding areas of Carara National Park - a true gem harbouring a wide range of natural habitats and high levels of biodiversity, like no other in Central America. This ride has been designed for those Equestrians and nature enthusiasts seeking opportunities to encounter tropical wildlife and specially birds. Amongst the most commonly seen wildlife are birds such as macaws, parrots, parakeets, toucans and mammals such as monkeys, coatis, agoutis, sloths, peccaries, tayras and possibly the elusive jaguarondi. We comb miles of pristine tropical land and a network of dirt trails in an area which represents the meeting point of Meso-American and South-American flora and fauna, combining a wide range of life zones including Transitional Pre-montane and Lowland Forests. During this equestrian adventure you will come close to exploring the local Costa Rican rural life following mountain trails, visiting remote villages and discovering pristine natural settings.
