Day 1 - Monday: Arrival Day
Riding: No riding.
Arrival at Juan Santamaria Airport and welcome by your guide, before transfer to the hotel nearby. Included transfers are between 18:00pm and 20:00pm depending on flight arrivals. If you land outside of these times, you can easily get a taxi (your own expense) as the hotel is only 15 minutes from the airport.
Dinner at the hotel, followed by an early night to adapt smoothly to local time.
Day 2 - Tuesday: San Jose - Playa Garza - Playa Guiones
Riding: 2 - 3 hours
After breakfast, departure for the Pacific coast around 8 am (approx. 5-hour drive). Please note that the departure time from the hotel may vary depending on the tide schedule, in order to ensure arrival at a suitable time for the afternoon ride, as some sections of the beach are not accessible at high tide and the riding schedule will be adapted accordingly. You will have a lunch stop on the way and arrival in the village of Guiones in the afternoon.
Check-in in your accommodation and time to settle in. You will then transfer by vehicle (approx. 10 minutes) to a nearby beach, where the horses will be waiting. You will enjoy a beautiful ride along the Pacific coast, with timing adapted to the tides, allowing for the best possible riding conditions on the beach - a memorable introduction to Guanacaste.
Return to the lodge for dinner, followed by a well-deserved rest.
Day 3 - Wednesday: Pacific Coast: Ostional, Guanacaste
Riding: 3 hours
After breakfast you will transfer to your next accommodation where your passionate host ,will introduce you to his world and share insights into Guanacaste traditions before setting off on horseback for a unique ride through his land. The trail takes you across vast cattle pastures typical of the region (home to Brahman cattle), through reforestation areas, and along sections of river where you will ride directly in the water. Along the way, you will also discover the impressive Guanacaste tree, the national symbol, as well as shaded forest areas inhabited by coatis, howler monkeys, birds and butterflies.
Lunch will be served at your host’s property, offering a delicious and authentic local experience. After releasing the horses, you return to the accommodation in the early afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax, enjoy the beach, or book an optional activity or a massage. In the evening, you will meet to have dinner at the house.
Day 4 - Thursday: Golfo - Playa Pelada - Playa Guiones
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Enjoy breakfast then a free morning to relax. You may enjoy the beach, rest or take part in an optional activity. You meet for lunch at midday, before transferring by vehicle (approx. 10 minutes) to meet your local guide and the horses.
Your ride departs after 1:00pm for an 'off-the-beaten-track' ride of approximately 4.5 hours. The trail takes you through a variety of landscapes including tropical forest, mangroves, rivers, and elevated viewpoints offering breathtaking views over the Pacific coast and surrounding mountains, as well as stretches of paradisiacal beaches.
During the ride, you stop at a scenic spot for a well-deserved break, where you can enjoy a snack along with a refreshing beer or natural juice. The ride continues into the late afternoon, allowing you to experience a magical sunset on horseback along the Pacific coast—an unforgettable highlight of your stay. Return to the accommodation in the evening for dinner and for some rest and relaxation.
Day 5 - Friday: Pacific Coast - Central Valley Transfer
Riding: 1 - 2 hours
Breakfast at the hotel and departure at 7:30am towards the Central Valley region (approx. 7 hours drive), to allow arrival in time for an afternoon ride. A lunch stop is planned along the way at a lovely restaurant with its own farm animals and beautiful mountain views.
You will arrive in the Turrialba region and welcome at the hacienda around 3:30pm. A welcome drink will be served facing the large grass arena and meet the horses.
You will then set off for your first ride there (approx. 1.5 hours), a perfect introduction to both your horse and the surrounding landscapes. The ride takes you across the hacienda’s 350 rolling hectares: sugarcane fields, coffee plantations, and sweeping views over the Central Volcanic Mountain Range. Along the way, you may spot Costa Rica’s iconic flora and fauna—rainbow eucalyptus, bright-blue Morpho butterflies, scarlet-red tanagers, toucans, and the famous yellow-tailed oropendola with its unique call.
After this first ride, you will return to your guesthouse to freshen up before enjoying a convivial barbecue dinner at the hacienda (grilled meats and vegetables), then settle into your room for the night.
Day 6 - Saturday: Central Valley, Pavones
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Breakfast at the guesthouse. At the farm, you will prepare the horses for a long and beautiful trail ride through the tropical forest. You will explore the outer edges of the property, descend shaded hills beneath giant Espavel trees, and cross former pastures which now form part of a major reforestation project with native species. The ride continues until reaching the sandy banks of the Reventazón River. There you will enjoy a rejuvenating break—swimming encouraged! and those who wish may even take their horse into the water for a magical experience.
You will ride again for a short time to a second beach, where you will have lunch surrounded by nature. The afternoon includes more breathtaking viewpoints, technical gallops through various plantations, and a stop at a waterfall where you may be lucky enough to spot turtles. Return to the stables mid-afternoon and take care of the horses before dinner at the hacienda and overnight stay in the guesthouse.
Day 7 - Sunday: Central Valley, Rio Pacuare or El Silencio
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Enjoy breakfast at the house, and pack your bags .... for those who wish, a unique and unusual accommodation awaits you tonight.
This morning offers a choice of activities: If you would like a morning out of the saddle then perhaps rafting on the world-renowned Pacuare River: thrills and spectacular scenery, with lunch by the river or perhaps if you would like to ride then you can saddle up and enjoy a 4 hour ride around the property to discover nearby villages and their surprising panoramic views over Lake Angostura.
Lunch will be at Doña Rosa’s, a warm and authentic experience with delicious homemade desserts enjoyed while admiring the view.
In the afternoon you will ride to the Beneficio Naturalba, the farm’s organic coffee cooperative. The group reunites in the afternoon for a visit to the Naturalba coffee processing plant (located on the farm), to learn about the specific characteristics of Costa Rican coffee and the different stages of its production, including a tasting of products from the Turrialba Organic Producers Association.
Ride back to the farm, enjoying the final moments of the day riding through the twilight and forest darkness to reach the stables. A final dinner at the hacienda—wine optional! Then, if you would like, you can spend the night in one of our eco-decks: built with natural and local materials, an open platform overlooking the valley, mountains and volcano, no electricity, only starlight and a few solar-powered lamps... A pure immersion in nature.
Day 8 - Monday: Central Valley - Caribbean Coast Transfer
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast at the lodge you will depart towards the Caribbean coast (approx. 3h30 drive). When you arrive in the Caribbean region, you stop in the colorful village of Cahuita, one of the most authentic towns on the coast, known for its relaxed atmosphere and Afro-Caribbean culture. Enjoy lunch at a typical local restaurant to discover the famous Caribbean Rice and Beans, traditionally cooked over a wood fire and served with freshly caught local fish.
Spend the afternoon at Cahuita National Park. and those who wish can enjoy a walk through the park’s beautiful coastal trail, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and abundant wildlife, while others may simply relax on the white-sand beach, swim in the warm Caribbean waters, or enjoy a homemade artisanal ice cream in the village. Afterwards you will depart for your accommodation in the middle of the afternoon. Time to settle in and relax in this new tropical atmosphere between jungle and ocean breeze. Dinner and night in your accommodation.
Day 9 - Tuesday: Caribbean Coast, Jungle Crossing
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
After breakfast, you take a short drive to the horses and meet your local guide. Each rider will be carefully matched with a horse, allowing time to connect and feel comfortable before setting off.
Once ready, you begin an exceptional full-day ride through a protected natural area. This unique route takes you through the Manzanillo National Park’s dense tropical jungle, pristine forest corridors and remote natural trails rich in biodiversity. Wildlife such as monkeys, exotic birds and sloths can often be observed along the way.
You will stop for a picnic lunch on a secluded and paradisiacal beach, far from any crowds. Time to relax, swim and enjoy the surroundings. The ride then continues through untouched nature until the return in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.
Day 10 - Wednesday: Caribbean Coast - Beaches & Horse Swimming
Riding: 2 - 3 hours
After breakfast, you meet your guide and the horses and depart for a beautiful coastal ride exploring a succession of pristine Caribbean beaches, offering long stretches of sand and excellent opportunities for amazing gallops. You will make a stop to walk to an impressive mirador.
The ride finishes at midday and ends with a magical moment: swimming with the horses in a river flowing directly into the Caribbean Sea, a unique and unforgettable highlight of the journey. You then head to have a local lunch, where fresh fish and Caribbean specialties are available for those who wish to continue enjoying the local flavours.
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you please, allowing time to relax on the beach or at the accommodation. For those who wish, optional activities can be arranged in advance, such as a cacao tour, snorkelling excursions, or simply more time to enjoy the Caribbean coast at your own pace.
Late afternoon you will meet for a final farewell dinner together, followed by an overnight stay at your accommodation.
Day 11 - Thursday: Departure, Caribbean Coast - San Jose
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast at the hotel depart to San José (approx. 4h30–5h drive). You will stop at a restaurant for those who wants to have lunch before arriving at the airport (not included). You arrive at the airport between 1:00 and 2:00pm depending on traffic conditions and flight schedules, please book your homeward flight to depart after 15:00pm.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
