Horseback Riding from Monteverde
to Arenal
Volcano
Horseback Riding Vacations in Costa Rica
Horseback Riding is a wonderful way of traveling between Monteverde and Arenal Volcano or vice versa and offers the best views of Arenal Volcano and lush mountains.
Desafio Adventure Company has been running this tour for over 10 years and now mainly uses what we call the 'The Lake Trail'.
If you are looking for a little adventure and a chance to get around in Costa Rica without having to take a bus or taxi then this is the way to go. And anyway the
horseback ride is about as bumpy as driving on our roads! The Lake Trail is very beautiful and there are many tropical birds, views of Arenal Volcao and scenic jungle parts. This is a horseback suitable for any level of experience.
Note that there are other trails such as the Castillo Trail (or Mirador Trail): you might read about them in your guidebooks, which for most months of the year we consider unsafe and unfair on the horses (our company does NOT use the Castillo trail unless conditions are extremely dry and we have experienced riders). See this article for more information on the different trails used and why there have been concerns about some horse tours being offered.
The Horseback Riding tour offers one-way transportation for riders and their luggage. Your luggage usually goes by boat
(or the rare time by packhorse).
With advance notice it is also possible for us to make arrangements with car rental agencies for us to chauffer your car
around Arenal Lake while you ride by horse.
Desafio Adventure Company rents stables and pasture near the Arenal Lake which allows us to operate the Lake Trail and keeps our horses from having to make return trips up or down the Mountain after a tour.
Arenal Lake Trail Horseback Ride: The Details
The total tour takes approximately 5 ½ hours (2.5 - 3 hours on the horse depending on the riders) and the hotels where we will be picking up and dropping off.
1.5 Hours by car from Monteverde to Rio Chiquito
2.5 - 3 hours by horse from Rio Chiquito towards Arenal Volcano plus a fruit and water break
15 minutes boat ride across Arenal Lake
30 minutes van ride from the Arenal side of the Lake to your hotel
The Lake Trail Horseback Ride Includes:
experienced Costa Rican Spanish Speaking Guides (who always mange to communicate with our clients and have great fun!)
gear (tack, ponchos, etc)
transportation from door to door*
fruit and water snack break
transfer of luggage
Departures: From Monteverde to Arenal Volcano approx. 8.00am and from Arenal Volcano approx. 8.30am
Pricing: $85ppminimum of 2 passengers (for larger groups please write for possible prices and more information)
* Note: There are a few hotels which are located outside the Monteverde and La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano areas that are outside our range of included pick up and drop off points.
We are happy to provide transportation to these locations for an additional charge at a competitive price. These hotels include but are not limited to; San Luis Eco Lodge and the Arenal Observatory Lodge.
For the price of $50 we are able to provide a driver for your rental car so you can take advantage of this spectacular trip.
'Nixon'
Desafio Horseback
Riding Guide
Dear Desafio
I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our recent horse riding trip from La Fortuna to Monteverde with the guide Nixon (January 08).
From the start he was very friendly, professional and courteous. We found the ride relaxing and Nixon's manner warm and helpful, particularly with the English and Spanish and vice versa. I have enclosed a picture that I took of Nixon on the day and just wanted to email to say how much we enjoyed his company and the trip in general. Nothing was any trouble and was glad to have someone like that with us, particularly as I'm not an experienced rider and he made me feel comfortable.
Thanks again
Paddy and Sam
Hi Janet:
I am back home in cold and snowy Vermont…. but dreaming of Costa Rica. So many images are dancing through my head still.
(the horse ride to Arenal Feb 2008) … It was a truly delightful day… one of the best of my two week visit in Costa Rica. The views, the guides, the fruit, the weather, the sturdy little steeds… all of it! I hope to do it all again someday, sooner than later.
Thank you!
PamB
“To the Desafio staff (Monteverde)
We recently (March 08) went to Arenal on horseback. Your guides Nixon and Andre were very good and spoke highly of your operation. Everything was timely and we had a great time.
Thanks again.
We also went to the Don Juan plantation.
Very interesting.”
Two Day Horse Adventure - Riding in Monteverde and Journey to Arenal Volcano
Enjoy the delights and wonderful views of the Monteverde and Volcano Arenal areas by horseback. A unique two-day tour that includes two days of riding, luggage transfer, a boat ride on Arenal Lake, food and accommodation. This tour is suitable at any time of year and for all levels of riding experience (as long as you know you like being in the saddle long lengths of time on the first day, the second day is shorter). Our experienced Costa Rican horse guides will choose the most suitable horse for each rider, depending on size and riding experience. We have healthy, well-cared for horses with clean comfortable saddles.
8.00am We will pick-up you up at your hotel in Monteverde and drive you to where the horses are waiting. Here you can help get the horses ready (if you wish - if not we'll have them already saddled-up). We will mount up and start our adventure through the varied scenery in the area; passing by mountains, pasture land and farms. The route is a unique one as we pass by our private farm where no vehicles can go (and no tourists!), right off the beaten track. At the farm you can bathe in our river and take pictures of the monkeys that often hang round the river. There are incredible views of the area and the cloud forest on the route there.
The tour is all day and you'll be back in you hotel about 4.00pm. About 5-6 hours riding. At around 6.00pm you'll be served a homemade dinner and then time to relax in you private cabin (Belcruz Cabins).
The cabins are very comfortable, the owners charming and the area peaceful. At the restaurant the owners have a balcony at the back where they keep feeders to attract hummingbird and it is a great place in the evening to see the early evening wildlife.
Day 2
8.00am On this day we will pick you up after breakfast and drive 1.5 hours to a farm on Arenal Lake. Here we will mount different horses than used on day one. The "Lake Trail" follows a trail along Arenal Lake from the bridge of Rio Chiquito to the Caño Negro River. It is a very beautiful lakeside route with good safe trail in all weather. There are many tropical birds, views of the volcano, farmland and scenic jungle sections. This wonderful journey includes a boat ride on Arenal lake and a fruit fiesta along the lake. After the boat ride a car will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Arenal. Click here for more details.
Price: $210 (Double occupancy). Minimum 2 people. Family rates available.
Included in Trip: Horse and horse guide, experienced Costa Rican guides*, all transport, lunch and evening meal on Day One, one night's accommodation at the Belcruz Cabins, breakfast and fruit fiesta and water on day two, boat ride, ponchos, riding hats on request and luggage transfer.
Not Included: Flights to Costa Rica, optional tours or transportation to other tours.
What to Bring: long pants for riding, sweater or light jacket, light hiking boots, rain jacket, sun screen, insect repellant, any personal medication, in Costa Rica), traveler's insurance (to included horse riding), full passport, traveler's cheques and a credit card (bring VISA, other cards are difficult to use in Monteverde). For Fortuna you'll need T-shirts, shorts and sandals
*Note: we cannot provide an English- speaking guide
for tours of under 10 people. However, our Spanish speaking guides are
accustomed to North American travelers and always seem to be able to communicate and have fun!
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