DRAFT ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, meet at airport & transfer to your hotel near San Jose. (*No meals*)
Day 2: Morning transfer to Eco-Safari Ranch, stopping by Orotina Town, horse presentation, assignment and ride. Overnight in Orotina. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Pacific coast ride (Maravilla - Bajamar - Tivivies Crag) *departure depends on tide*. Overnight in Orotina. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Ride at La Marvilla in the Cuarros area. Afternoon ride through meadows visiting La Mariana estate. Overnight in Orotina. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Ride to Machuca River canyon, picnic lunch & transfer to La Fortuna. Overnight in Arenal. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Morning ride in the community of Monterey on the slopes of Arenal Volcano and visit a secluded waterfall. Afternoon free time at the Thermal Hot Springs. Overnight in Arenal. (B, L & D)
Day 7: 6:45 a.m. shuttle transfer (seat-in basis) to Cahuita on the Caribbean Coast. Afternoon briefing, horse allocation and exploratory Ride. Overnight in Cahuita. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Free day to partake in optional activities (surfing classes, Kayaking) or explore Cahuita National Park and beach. Overnight in Cahuita. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Morning ride over the Playa Negra (Black Beach), and then through country roads to Playa Grande. Afternoon shuttle transfer (seat-in basis) back to San Jose. Overnight in San Jose (B, L)
Day 10: Transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). (B)
KEYS: (B) Breakfast, (S) Picnic Lunch / (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (LG) Local Horse Guide (where the horse guide may not speak English, an additional bilingual guide will be provided)
Preliminary Day-by-Day Program
Day 1: Arrival & Transfer-In
Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. Upon arrival you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel near the airport. Overnight in San Jose. No meals includes.
Day 2: Shuttle transfer to Eco-Safari Ranch, Horse Presentation & Introductory ride (Approx. 3 hours in the saddle)
This morning at 8:30 a.m. your local guide will meet you at the Lobby and accompany you during the first five days. You may choose to wear your riding clothes on or have them at hand in a separate bag to change clothes upon arrival at the ranch. Transfer to Eco-Safari Ranch & Stables, located along the Trinidad river in the Dry Central Pacific Region and the starting point of your riding adventure. In case you may need to purchase any supplies such as insect repellent, sunscreen or to get local cash, an optional stop could be made in the town of Orotina. After horse assignment and our presentation, you will head towards the Cuarros river lowlands, riding along rolling hills and meadows into the Gallery Forest alongside the Cuarros river – an excellent spot for wildlife encounters! We meander across the river following a country lane passing en-route farmland, rural homes and finally arriving back at the ranch.
Meals: B, L, D (LG)
Day 3: Coastal Ride (Approx. 5-6 hours in the saddle)
Today’s ride will take you to the Pacific coast following country lanes and an old ranch trail which lead to Tivives Crag. The Spaniards first started their conquest of the Central Pacific around 1561 right from this very spot! Ride across the Cascajalillo Mangrove Swamps and along the coast. Depending on tide times, lunch will be served at a local café or as a picnic on the beach or back at Maravilla. Again, depending on the tide you climb on horseback towards Cuevas Crag, enjoying unique views of the Pacific Ocean or alternatively, ride along the shoreline towards Guacalillo beach. Follow a country lane back to hacienda Maravilla.
Meals: B, L, D. (LG)
Day 4: La Mariana Estate & Countryside (Approx. 3-5 hours in the saddle)
This morning you have an exploratory ride of the hacienda’s 1000 acres and its private reserve, riding through rolling hills and savannah’s towards the Transitional-Dry Forest and the lush Gallery Forest. Here, the terrain is picturesque, predominantly flat with gentle slopes and forested valleys. As you ride over the higher areas you will be able to gain excellent views of the Pacific Ocean and perhaps spot some of the local area’s wildlife too. Back at the hacienda in time for lunch and relax. This afternoon there will be an optional ride in the Southern part of the Hacienda. After a few gentle hills climbs you may experience an Ocean view sunset – the Pacific coast has the reputation for being amongst the world’s top best places to experience this beautiful event.
Meals: B, L, D. (LG)
Day 5: Machuca River Canyon Ride (Approx. 3-4 hours in the saddle) & Shuttle transfer to Arenal.
Your final ride in the Central Pacific will take you to the Machuca River basin, passing Cascajal village, you will ride into the area where this river canyon broadens onto the plains. Heading towards the Jesús María River basin, allowing exploration of the plains and forested valleys along the Machuca River Canyon, where the land is very fertile and most commonly used to cultivate melons. Afternoon you will take a 3 1/2-hour shuttle transfer to the Northern Region home to Arenal Volcano which last erupted in 1968 and remains one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Overnight in Arenal.
Meals: B, S, D. (LG)
Day 6: Rural Arenal & Waterfall Ride + Thermo-mineral Hot Springs (Approx. 3-4 hours in the saddle)
Today´s equestrian adventure begins at 8:30 a.m. in the rural community of Monterrey located on the mountain slopes near Arenal Volcano. Your horse master will begin introducing you to the unexplainable bond between human and horse helping you understand how to connect with your horse while you learn about natural horsemanship. After you have been matched with the most suitable horse for you based on your riding experience, you will head down a country road to a private farm and ride for about an hour following a trail which leads to a secluded waterfall in the tropical forest with the possibility to see a variety of animals including tropical birds, monkeys, poison dart frogs, and even the elusive sloths. Once at the pool by the base of the waterfall, we will unsaddle the horses and start swimming with horses which is a fantasy for so many horse enthusiasts! A traditional Costa Rican lunch will be served or alternatively, depending on logistics and the number of ride participants, you may take a side ride to a local family farm for lunch before your ride back to the stables. Around 4 p.m. you will take a transfer back to La Fortuna and enjoy free time at the beautiful Arenal hot water springs and gardens - an excellent complementation to your riding adventure! These thermo-mineral waters, which some people claim to have healing powers, will help you to leave feeling relaxed! Overnight in Arenal.
Meals: (B,L,D) (LG)
Day 7: Shuttle transfer to the Caribbean Coast & Coastal Exploration (2-3 hours in the Saddle)
Early morning pick-up around 6:45 a.m. for a 5-hour door-to-door shuttle transfer (shared basis) to the Caribbean Coast. After checking in your room and some free time to unwind. At 2:30 p.m. meet your local horse guide at a local horse ranch by the beach in Cahuita. Your local horse guide will provide a briefing about your new set of horses and after horses are allocated, you will take an exploratory ride of on the Caribbean Coast – In order to get acquainted with your new horse you will take a brief walk following a jungle trail and then do some coastal riding, with opportunities for longer relaxing trails at a walk, trot or a breathtaking canter. A stop for swimming and resting on the beach is usually included. Given the geography, terrain and national park restrictions in Cahuita, the riding trails are limited but still provide the charm and unique experience of riding on a Caribbean beach – a true rider’s dream come true! Overnight in Cahuita.
Meals: (B,L,D) (LG)
Day 8: Free day and optional visit to Cahuita National Park
Today is a free day for you to enjoy, on your own, one of the most beautiful and emblematic beaches of the Costa Rican Caribbean coastline! Amongst the optional activities which you may choose to enjoy today (at an extra cost) are Surfing lessons, Kayaking, visit the indigenous community of Kekoldi or when weather allows, you may choose to sign up for a Snorkeling and Hike at Cahuita National Park. Or you may choose to have a more leisurely time resting and exploring the beautiful horse-shoe-shaped Punta Cahuita in the National Park, take a swim and sunbathing. After enjoying some time on the beach, walk back to the town of for lunch and you may stop to see some nice local artisans and souvenir shops before the transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Cahuita.
Meals: (B,L,D)
Important Note: In order to keep the rides more personalized and take into consideration the riding conditions on the Caribbean coast; When there are 5 or more riders confirmed, we will divide the group in two so that one group rides in the afternoon of day 7 and morning of day 8, and the other group rides in the afternoon of day 8 and morning of day 9.
Day 9: Caribbean Beach Ride (2-3 hours in the Saddle) & Shuttle transfer back to San Jose
This morning, after enjoying breakfast, take as short walk to the horse stables and at 8:00 a.m. ride over the scenic Playa Negra (Black Beach) then partway over the village road, towards Playa Grande (Long Beach) – a secluded, quiet and deserted Caribbean beach which is ideal for horseback riding and a nice brisk-canters. You will then enter into a beautiful tropical forest, where you may be able to spot howler monkeys. Sloths and a variety of exotic birds such as Toucans. Your knowledgeable local horse guide will introduce you to the local flora and fauna. On the way back there are again several nice opportunities for stretched out canters and during one of the stops while your horses rest in the tree shades, your guide may display his coconut pealing technics using machete. You will be back at your lodge in time for a refreshing shower, check-out and to take your regular door-to-door shuttle (shared basis) transfer back to San Jose (3 1/2 hours) for your last night stay in Costa Rica.
Meals: B, L. (EG & LG)
Important Note: Those riders opting for the Tortuguero 4 Day / 3 Night Extension, you will stay in the town of Guapiles about half way back to San Jose in order to avoid backtracking.
Day 10: Transfer-Out & Departure / Flight Home.
Morning at your leisure and shuttle transferred to the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in time for your flight back home and we say our farewells.
