Horseback Riding in Guanacaste

Horse lovers will especially enjoy these good-natured horses with their easy gait. Whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, these well cared for, trained horses know just what to do. This is a 2 hour guided ride through beautiful forest and prairie landscapes in rural Guanacaste, the home of the Costa Rican cowboy.

You’ll be picked up from your lodging and brought to an old Guanacaste hacienda where you will meet your friendly guides who will help you pick out your horse based on your size and riding experience. Costa Rican horses are smaller in stature and sure footed. Many only reach 12 to 14 hands but with huge hearts and a special gait that keeps you comfortable in the saddle. Once you have mounted your horse, you’ll ride through the farm and follow the trails across the rural Guanacaste countryside.

Guanacaste in the Pacific Northwest area of Costa Rica, has a unique Sabanero, or cowboy culture that developed out of the rapid growth of cattle ranches in this area in the 1800s. This lowland tropical dry forest region with its wide open savannas provided the perfect setting for raising cattle. The province was named Guanacaste after the magnificent giant spreading Guanacaste trees so abundantly found here.

You’ll ride through the forest and out across the prairies with wide open visitas. In the distance you’ll be surrounded by several Guanacaste National Parks such as Palo Verde, Rincon de la Vieja and Santa Rosa. You may even see the Rincon de la Vieja volcano rising high above the mountainous horizon. As you ride leisurely on horseback your trail guides will be sure to point out special features of this native habitat. Half way through you’ll stop for a break to enjoy cold beverages and if you want you can dismount to stretch your legs.

Locals from this area grow up on horses learning from an early age the special communication between a rider and a horse. Costa Rican’s are proud of their Sabanero culture and skilled horsemanship is showcased in annual rodeos found in every town large or small. This is an opportunity to embrace an authentic Costa Rican cowboy experience riding through the groves of Guanacaste trees where it all began.

Round trip transportation, entrance fees, bilingual guide and beverages are all included on this tour. One way transportation can take up to 1.5 hours depending on the location of your lodging. Long pants are highly recommended and totally enclosed shoes are required. There is a weight restriction of 250 pounds.