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Horseback riding tours
Rides in Costa Rica
Intro to Costa Rica
Caribbean Coast Guanacaste Pacific Coast
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Conquistadores Ride
Pacific Coast
Costa Rica
From the mystical valley of Copey de Dota, to the rain forest jungles, flat open beaches, to the cloud forest area of Monteverde to Arenal Volcano area to the plains of San Carlos. Waterfalls, natural hot springs and plantations; this ride is as diverse as it gets. A different terrain and a new experience for each day of riding.
From the tall volcanoes to rainforest and waterfalls, this 10-day Costa Rican ride, from the Pacific Ocean to the inland areas around the volcano Arenal, offers incredible vistas of vast mountain ranges, active volcanoes and pristine sandy beaches. Combine this with relaxation at a natural hot springs, sunset rides and time to swim with your horses and you end up with a perfect equestrian getaway. Much of the area that we will be riding through is fairly inaccessible and relatively unexplored by the average tourist. The panoramic route takes you through hilly farm country and small villages, tropical rainforest, volcanoes, cloud forest, jungle rivers, exquisite unspoiled beaches, cool mountain lakes, cloud forest, oak forest and much more.
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Meeting:
Airport, San Jose
Airport:
San Jose
Transfer:
San Jose
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Rates and Dates for 2008 | 2009
Rates include:
Airport Transfers, all transportation within Costa Rica, 9 nights lodging, meals as indicated, all equipment needed for horse trekking, 8 riding days, services of professional equestrian naturalist guides with 4+ riders, otherwise local English speaking guides, day of rafting
Transfer Option:
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2008
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Transfer from San Jose included
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Drop off in San Jose on last day is around noon.
Tour Dates
Check here for details and availability
| A |
2008
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11/10
- 11/19
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10d / 9n
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4
/10
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2008
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12/05
- 12/14
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10d / 9n
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4
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
1 lunch, 6 dinners, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, Costa Rica departure tax
Day 1 Arrival in Costa Rica transfer to Copey Arrive in Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose. After a greeting at the airport by a specialized natural history guide, transfer to the accommodations for the first night and the start of your riding adventure. A briefing gives riders a chance to get acquainted with the gude and fellow travelers. Overnight El Toucanet Lodge. Dinner included this day. (D) Day 2: Highland Coffee farms to the coast Today descend from the highland region of Terrazzo, through beautiful forests to the warmer region of the coastal area. This ride is truly a spectacular trek starting at coffee farms, with panoramic mountain views along a colonial trail all the way to the Quepos Area. Enjoy this full day ride with lunch en route. Reach Paquita River and meet the support van that will transfer us to Hotel Mono Azuel or similar of Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast. There will be time to check out the town this evening and have dinner on own.. Breakfast and lunch included this day. (BL) Riding time 5+ hours Day 3: Beach and Sunset ride Transfer a short distance to Palo Seco for an incredible beach ride. This is the part of the ride that everyone has been waiting for; here you can canter on the beach and even take the horses into the water. Lunch at La Isla then transfer to Jaco Beach. This afternoon we’ll be riding to the hidden waterfalls and riding back to the stables as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Overnight Hotel Arenal Pacifico or similar…Breakfast and lunch included this day. (BL) Riding time 6 hours Day 4: Hermosa Beach Lookout…Start out at the stables at the Hermosa Beach area, heading to the look out point, pause to take in the beauty of the Pacific coast and Hermosa Beach below, gallop along the vista bordered by virgin rainforest. Ride through stunning farm tracks to arrive at our secret spa waterfall, surrounded by abundant flora and fauna. Time to take a break and enjoy the waterfall pools. Keep your eyes peeled for the white face monkeys and toucans that reside around us…. Return at sunset, energized, relaxed and ready for the whole new day of riding tomorrow. Overnight Arenal Pacifico breakfast and lunch included. (BL) 5 hours of riding time. Day 5: Horseback riding Monteverde Morning transfer to Monteverde area, While it is not permitted to ride in the Reserves themselves, we are pleased to offer the chance to ride on a private family farm of more then 300 acres. Here we’ll have an opportunity to enjoy exclusive quiet trails, bird watching, sugar cane and coffee plantations, secondary and primary forest, open fields (great for cantering with the horses), and amazing views of mountains, canyons and the Gulf of Nicoya.. Overnight Hotel Poco a Poco or similar Breakfast and lunch included this day (BL). Riding time 4 hours Day 6: Monteverde to Arenal Enjoy the incredible vistas during today's ride as you descend from the cool cloud forest area of San Gerado to Lake Arenal, where on clear days you can see Arenal Volcano and Lake as you wind slowly down the mountain passes crossing rivers until reaching Rio Chiquita. Transfer to Eco Thermales Hot Springs. The fabulous thermal hot springs will be a refreshing treat after the days of riding. Overnight Arenal Paraiso Lodge in rooms facing Arenal Volcano. With any luck you will see the mighty volcano put on a natural firework display. (Today's ride is approximately 5 plus hours with lots of stops along the way to allow the horses to rest) Breakfast, lunch and dinner included this day. (BLD) Riding time is 5 hours Day 7: Fortuna Waterfalls / Arenal Volcano This is a combination of horseback riding and hiking. The horses take you all the way up to the waterfall trough green areas of pastures, forest and high hills. The views of San Carlos valleys and the Tropical Forest that surround the waterfall are spectacular. At the end of the road the horses wait while we walk down the trail to the base of a waterfall which is 65 mts high. . There is time to swim in the natural pools before starting back. On the way back we ride trough a privet farm of 400 hectares, where there is plenty of good areas where the horses love to canter. In the afternoon, explore the surrounding trails of Arenal Volcano which are only passable by horseback or on foot. The views from this area are magnificent. Not only can you see the cone shape of the volcano but also the old lava flow trails and the green fertile hills near the volcano. Afternoon free for optional activity such as Canopy Zipline or to relax in the hot springs which are on site at Hotel Paraiso Breakfast included (B) Riding time 6 hours Day 8: Hacienda La Garza Transfer to La Fortuna and Hacienda La Garza. Imagine cantering through sugar cane plantations, fording thigh-deep rivers, rounding up cattle and trotting through virgin rain forest on top of a fine, well bred Paso Fino steed. That will be the ride today at La Garza. Lunch at La Garza then transfer to San Carlos area and Termales del Bosque. Here you can enjoy the natural hot springs which are on site. How about a massage to the sound of the flowing hot spring waters and the sounds of the rainforest. Massages are not included but well worth the extra fee. Overnight Hotel Termales del Bosque. Breakfast and lunch included (BL) Riding time 4 hours Day 9: Finca Los Uraales /Juan Castro Blanco National Resere Ride to Finca Los Uraales to Juan Castro Blanco National Reserve and back to Termales. The terrain here is hilly to mountainous with here and there steep slopes but the footing is good and the horses are well suited to the terrain. Vegetation gets denser as you get closer to the reserve. At various points you will have incredible views of northern San Carlos. On clear days you can even see Lake Nicaragua. The Juan Castro Blanco National Park has a similar ecology as the Brauilo Carillo National Park which it borders. It is also an Eco-corridor to the lower San Carlos plains which generates a constant traffic of birds and mammals from the higher to the lower areas and is versa. You will see lots of different type of birds including Toucans and also possible to see mammals such as wild pigs, monkeys, raccoons, and sloths. Overnight Thermales del Bosque. . (BL) Ride will be approximately 5 + hours. Day 10 Departure After breakfast you will be returned to the San Jose International Airport for your departure (arrival around noon). Breakfast included this day (B) Subject to change
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Meeting:
Airport, San Jose
Airport:
San Jose
Transfer:
San Jose Drop off in San Jose on last day is around noon.
Passport and Visa Requirements: Passport valid for at least 30 days after arrival or for the length of stay, whichever is greater. Passport Note(a) Nationals listed above must obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Department in S. more
Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands.
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... this list is only a guideline for you |
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X = Necessary |
Check List |
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Travel documents and Voucher |
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Flight tickets |
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Passport and copy of passport kept in a separate location |
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Visa (check with your consulate) |
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RIDING GEAR |
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Comfortable light weight riding pants or jodhpurs |
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Short boots and half chaps |
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Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
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Riding gloves |
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Hat or visor |
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Rain coat/Wax jacket |
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PERSONAL CLOTHING |
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Sweater for higher elevations and chilly nights in San Jose |
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Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
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Jeans |
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Shorts |
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Underwear and socks |
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Pyjama |
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Bag for dirty clothes |
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Wind breaker or light jacket |
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Comfortable walking shoes like lightweight hiking boots with a good tread for hikes |
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River sandals or aqua socks |
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Swimsuit and beach towel |
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Bandana |
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ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
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Day pack and fanny pack |
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Personal Toiletries |
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Insect repellent �€� at least 75% DEET |
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Personal medications |
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Sore cream (for the emergency) |
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Sewing kit |
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Handkerchiefs |
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Camera and enough extra films (it is expensive in Costa Rica) |
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Belt pack |
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Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!) |
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Sun glasses with strap |
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Sun tan lotion with high sun protection factor, such as SPF 29-40 |
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Binoculars |
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Flashlight |
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Water bottle |
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Battery alarm clock |
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Plastic bags - for keeping books, binoculars and other items dry, and for wet clothing |
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We recommend for women to ride in leggings with a big shirt over them. The legging is not too hot, and they dry out quickly if they get wet. Dress in layers.
SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS.... Almost all encounters with noxious insects & plants can be avoided by watching where you walk or sit, by not touching non-recognizable insects, plants, etc;...by tucking pants in your socks, by using an insect repellent, by spraying shoes and ankles to avoid bites and by always following tour guide's instructions to the letter, and finally, leave valuables at home and avoid using perfumes, after-shave, or other scents that will attract insects.
Most important of all to bring to Costa Rica: "Sense of adventure, open mind and big smile"
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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