Sunset & Horses

The best part of this ride is the setting: a broad, quiet stretch of Esterillos Beach, where you can watch the sun drop over the Pacific from horseback. Guides such as Gustavo and Diego are used to pairing calm horses with first-time riders, while experienced riders may get a chance to trot or canter where conditions allow.

I like the small groups of no more than seven and the relaxed pace. I also like that the guide takes photos, so you do not have to spend the whole ride holding a phone. The main caution is transportation and communication. Esterillos is a drive from Manuel Antonio, and one poor booking experience involved a cancellation that was not communicated in time.

At a glance

• A quiet beach ride: The route uses secluded Esterillos Beach, with possible sections through a stream, forest, and trails.
• Good for beginners: You receive a basic riding lesson, safety instructions, and a helmet before setting out.
• Calm, well-trained horses: The horses are described as gentle and well cared for, with matching based on age, size, and experience.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is seven, giving the guide room to help nervous or inexperienced riders.
• Photos included: The guide takes a photo during the experience, and several outings also included extra phone photos or videos.
• Sunset or morning options: Sunset trips include drinks, while morning rides may include lunch. Check the exact inclusions when booking.

Riding into the Pacific sunset at Esterillos Beach

This is not a long ranch outing with a quick glimpse of the ocean. The main appeal is spending the ride beside the sea, often with very little around you. Esterillos Beach is known here as a quiet, open setting, and the lack of crowds gives the ride a more local feel than a busy beach packed with umbrellas and swimmers.

The ride lasts about one hour and 30 minutes, which is long enough to settle into the saddle without taking up your entire day. You begin at the meeting point near The Riding Adventure horseback ranch in Esterillos Este, close to Sunset Del Mar Resort. Parking is on the beach, and the activity returns to the same place.

Before you mount, the guide explains how to sit, hold the reins, and work with the horse. That opening lesson matters if you have never ridden before. You do not need advanced skills, but you do need to listen carefully and be comfortable following basic instructions.

The route may include the beach, a stream, forest sections, and trails, depending on the chosen outing and conditions. The beach is the main event, but those other stretches help keep the ride from feeling like a straight line along the sand.

Calm horses and patient guides

The horses are one of the strongest parts of this experience. The available information describes them as safe, healthy, calm, and well trained. Several outings were led by Gustavo or Diego, both of whom are described as friendly and attentive with riders at different skill levels.

That is especially useful for families or mixed groups. An experienced rider can enjoy more movement, while a first-time rider can stay at a slower pace. One family with children aged 5, 8, and 14 found that Diego took time to help the children feel comfortable. Another mixed group included one experienced rider and three beginners, with each person matched to a suitable horse.

You should still give honest details when you book. The operator requires every rider’s age and weight, and the maximum listed weight is 100 kilograms. Children must have an adult with them, and the ride is not recommended for children under 8. That makes the outing a better fit for older children, teens, couples, and adults than for families with very young children.

The small-group limit of seven is a real advantage. A guide can keep an eye on nervous riders and offer more useful help than on a large trail ride. It is not a private tour, though, so do not book it expecting the whole beach outing to be reserved just for your party.

What the 90-minute ride feels like

The experience begins with basic instruction and helmet fitting. The guide then helps you mount and starts the group at a controlled pace. For a beginner, the first part is about finding balance and learning how the horse responds. It is normal for this to feel more like a lesson than a scenic ride at first.

Once everyone is comfortable, the group heads toward the beach. The broad sand gives the horses room to move, although the pace depends on the guide, the group, the tide, and beach conditions. Some outings allowed riders to trot or canter, while others were described as calm and relaxed. You should not assume a fast ride is included.

The most memorable section is the open beach with the Pacific beside you. At sunset, the light changes quickly, so the scenery can shift from bright sand and blue water to warm orange and pink tones within minutes. The beach’s quiet character is more important than any one dramatic attraction. You are there for space, sea air, and the simple odd pleasure of seeing a horse’s tracks beside your own.

The route can also include a stream crossing, forest, or inland trails. These sections offer shade and a change of pace, though the exact route is not guaranteed. If you are booking mainly for the sunset, ask how much time will be spent on the beach and when the group is scheduled to reach the shoreline.

At the end, the guide brings everyone back to the starting point. Sunset outings are described as ending with drinks. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so plan on a nonalcoholic refreshment unless you arrange or purchase something separately.

Morning lunch and sunset drinks

The timing changes the feel of the outing. A morning ride may include lunch, while the sunset version includes drinks but no meal. The information provided is not perfectly consistent about the exact food and drink arrangements, so I would confirm the details before paying.

Some outings included a Costa Rican lunch after the ride, served at a beachfront restaurant or a scenic place overlooking the beach. That lunch was particularly useful for families and anyone planning this as a half-day activity. But it should not be assumed for a sunset booking. The stated inclusions say no meals are provided on sunset tours.

The sunset option is best for couples and anyone who wants the most dramatic setting. It also means returning after dark, especially if you are staying around Manuel Antonio. A past outing described the drive back at around 7 p.m. as safe, but the distance still makes transportation worth planning carefully.

Photos without carrying your phone

A photo is included, and the guide may also take pictures or short videos with your phone. This is a small feature, but it adds value. Riding, holding reins, and trying to frame a sunset shot at the same time is not easy.

Do not expect a full professional photography package unless you have confirmed one in writing. The stated inclusion is a photo, while past bookings varied in how many photos or videos were provided. The safest approach is to bring a phone with enough battery and ask the guide at the start what they can capture.

The best picture opportunities come when the group is spread out on the beach, with the horses in profile and the sun behind you. Ask permission before handing over your phone, and protect it from sand and moisture.

Getting there from Manuel Antonio or Jaco

The meeting point is in Esterillos Este, in Puntarenas Province, near Sunrise Avenue and the Rancho Monterey area. The activity ends where it starts. The directions deserve attention because the property can be easy to miss.

One useful landmark is Alma Hotel, with the horses reached down a small dirt track beside it. The location is also described as being in front of Sunset Del Mar Resort. Since several nearby hotel names appear in the directions, confirm the exact meeting point, the guide’s phone number, and the route before leaving your hotel.

From Manuel Antonio or Quepos, the drive can take roughly 40 minutes or more depending on your starting point and road conditions. One rider paid $80 for transportation from Manuel Antonio, while others arranged a fixed-price taxi through the operator. Transportation is not part of the $67 activity price unless it is specifically added to your booking.

That price difference matters. At $67 per person, the riding experience is reasonably priced for a small group with a guide, lesson, helmet, taxes, and a photo. Add a separate long-distance transfer for one person, and the total can feel much less attractive.

If you have a rental car, driving yourself may offer the clearest value. If not, ask for a fixed transfer price before confirming. Do not assume that transportation is included simply because pickup may be available from designated areas.

There is also a highway crossing mentioned near the riding area. The guide handled it safely, but it can feel stressful. Ask how the group gets from the meeting area to the beach and whether the horses are mounted on the beach side.

What to wear and bring

Wear long pants and closed tennis shoes or similar footwear. Shorts can leave your legs rubbing against the saddle and do not offer much protection from brush or the stirrup straps.

Bring sunscreen and insect repellent. The ride can feel hot at the start, especially before the sea breeze picks up. A small amount of water is sensible, even though sunset outings end with drinks.

You should also bring:

• A phone or camera with a charged battery
• A little cash if you plan to buy alcoholic drinks
• A hat for before or after the ride
• A light layer for the ride back after sunset

Helmets and a riding lesson are listed as included. One past booking raised a concern that a helmet was not provided, so I would simply confirm this at booking and ask for one before mounting. Safety instructions should be part of the start of every ride.

How the $67 price compares

The $67 per-person cost covers the central experience rather than a full-day package. You get the horse, local bilingual guide, riding instruction, helmet, photo, and local taxes. For a small group capped at seven, that is a fair price if you are already in the Esterillos area or can share a reasonably priced transfer.

The value is strongest when you care about the setting and personal attention. A quiet beach ride with a guide who can work with both beginners and experienced riders is more useful than a cheaper ride where you are simply placed on a horse and led in a line.

The value drops if you are traveling alone from Manuel Antonio and must pay a high private transfer. Ask about the total cost for one person before booking. A group transfer or shared taxi could make the numbers work better, but no specific shared transfer is guaranteed.

Morning rides may include lunch, which can improve the overall value. Sunset rides do not include a meal, and alcoholic beverages are excluded. Treat the $67 as the base price, not the final cost of a meal, drinks, or transport.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this for:

• First-time riders who want a patient guide and a short lesson
• Couples looking for a sunset activity with strong photo opportunities
• Families with children 8 and older
• Experienced riders who still enjoy a calm beach setting
• People staying near Jaco or Esterillos who can reach the ranch easily
• Anyone who prefers a small group over a large commercial trail ride

I would hesitate if you need a private tour, dislike riding in heat, or have very limited time around Manuel Antonio. I would also look elsewhere if a young child under 8 is part of the group or if any rider weighs more than the stated 100-kilogram limit.

The ride is not a luxury horseback excursion. It is a local-style outing with a simple meeting point, a small operation, and some details that require confirmation. That informality can be part of its appeal, but it also means you should verify the meeting location, transportation, helmet, photos, and food before the day begins.

Booking details and cancellation

Confirmation is normally sent when you book. If you book within five hours of departure, confirmation is subject to availability and may arrive later.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refundable. The activity depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

I would save the operator’s contact details and message the day before. That is a sensible precaution because one serious booking problem involved a canceled ride that was not communicated until the party had already waited at the site.

Should you book Sunset & Horses?

Book it if your idea of a good Costa Rica afternoon is simple: a calm horse, a nearly empty beach, a wide Pacific sunset, and a guide who gives beginners time to settle in. The quiet Esterillos setting, small group, and well-matched horses are the main reasons to choose it.

Before booking, confirm the pickup cost and exact meeting point. Also verify what your departure includes, especially lunch, drinks, helmet use, and the number of photos. With those details settled, this is a good-value outing for couples, families with older children, and riders who want scenery more than speed.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride start?

The meeting point is in Esterillos Este, Puntarenas Province, near Sunrise Avenue and the Rancho Monterey area. The location is described as being in front of Sunset Del Mar Resort, with parking on the beach. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The ride lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guide provides a riding lesson and basic safety instructions, and the experience is suitable for different riding levels. Horses are matched to the rider’s age, size, and experience.

Can children participate?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the ride is not recommended for children under 8 years old. You must provide each passenger’s age when booking.

What should I bring?

Bring long pants, tennis shoes or other closed footwear, sunscreen, and insect repellent. A charged phone is also useful for photos and videos.

Are meals, drinks, and transportation included?

Sunset tours do not include meals, and alcoholic drinks are not included. Sunset outings include drinks as described, while morning tours may include lunch. Transportation may be available from Manuel Antonio or the Jaco area, but confirm the cost because it is not included in the $67 base price.