The 14 Best Horseback Riding Tours in Costa Rica

1.Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 127 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $94Our pick

Ride a calm horse through reforested land and private farms near La Fortuna, then leave the saddle for a steep hike to La Fortuna Waterfall. You can swim at the river, spot monkeys and toucans, and visit a small Maleku cultural center. Guides such as Otto, Kevin, Danny, Pablo, and Carlos have earned warm praise.

“The experience was great! Our guide Otto was awesome and made the tour great. The horseback ride was a good length without getting too sore and the falls were beautiful”

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2.Horseback riding through the beaches of Esterillos near Jaco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89Top rated

Ride along Esterillos Beach near Jaco with local guides Micha and Sylwia. The 90-minute outing suits beginners, families, couples, and experienced riders, with gentle horses, ocean views, a short forest section, wildlife, and sunset options. Groups are limited to six, and the ride returns to CR Beach Barn.

“It was a beautiful ride on the beach, and back through some more shadowy areas. The horses are very well trained and super good looked after! Happy horses! Mika was an amazing guide, gave us some great instructions and answered all our questions!”

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3.Arenal Canopy and Horseback Riding Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $162

Pair eight rainforest zip lines with a one-hour horseback ride near La Fortuna. You’ll cross cables up to 2,460 feet long, follow trails past farms and forest, and reach Silencio Observation Point for Arenal views. Guides such as Charlie, Dillon, Eddy, and Alberto are noted for calm instruction and friendly help. Hotel pickup, fruit, and water are included.

“Great experience with a peaceful horseback ride through the jungle. Zip lining was also so much fun and a great view. We even saw a white hawk!”

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4.PRIVATE Buena Vista: Zip line, Horseback, Hot Springs + Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $275

Spend about nine hours at Buena Vista with a private guide such as Eugenio, Elial, or JB. Ride horses, tackle eight zip lines, try the water slide, sample Costa Rican treats, paint on volcanic mud, soak in hot springs, and finish with lunch. Pickup is available from Tamarindo-area hotels on the guided option.

“Our guide (sorry if I butcher the spelling) Eli was incredible, the staff in general was incredible, and the food was incredible. If you want an amazing experience that is exciting, delicious, and relaxing then there’s no other choice!”

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5.Arenal Volcano River Horseback Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 58 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $109

Ride for about three hours from Go Adventure Arenal Park with a local guide such as Victor, Carlos, or Jorge. Expect private-farm trails, volcano views, native wildlife, and stretches where confident riders may trot or canter. Cloudy weather can shift the route toward the river.

“I used to ride horses when young in competitions, I work out and strength train 5 days a week so I'm not a weak person nor was this my first rodeo. Due to stirrups not being suitable for someone with a small stature and they could not adjust the besides to tie them up and twist them in a way that injured my ankle so much so I ended up with a swollen ankle I had to ice the next day. Aching muscles for 5 plus days since I had to use all my leg muscles to stay on horse with feet falling out of stirrups. Even hot springs could…”

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6.Ocean View Zip Line + Horseback Riding & Natural Pool Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend about four hours at Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park, flying across 10 zipline cables, riding 45 minutes into the hills, and swimming at a waterfall pool. Guides such as Gabriel, Roberto, and Greddy help first-timers feel secure. Expect a small group, moderate exercise, and no hotel pickup.

“Staff was awesome. Made everyone feel welcome. Definitely would go back and try the different activities”

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7.3-in-1 Monteverde Cloud Forest Waterfalls, Wild Trekking and Horseback Riding

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $116

Expect a demanding 5 km downhill trek through Monteverde’s cloud forest, rustic bridges, four waterfalls, and a possible river swim. Then ride a calm horse uphill for about 30 to 35 minutes before lunch with wide views. Pickup is included from Monteverde and Santa Elena. Miguel may guide the horseback section.

“It is a hard hike, not recommended for anyone with any foot, knee or hip issues, very steep up and down hiking”

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8.Rainforest Magic Horseback Riding Waterfall Tour Private Park Setting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 54 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Ride a well-mannered Costa Rican stepping horse through Ocean Ranch Park near Jaco on a roughly 1.5-hour jungle and river route to El Encanto waterfall. Bilingual guides such as Jesus, Jose, and Domi help first-time riders feel at ease. Wildlife sightings may include monkeys, toucans, macaws, butterflies, iguanas, and frogs.

“Excellent Tour, on time pick up, great ride to the water fall, fast ride if everyone agrees to run the horses. Nice lunch afterwards with round trip to Hotel. Definitely something you want to do in CR.”

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9.Monteverde Cloud Forest Horseback Riding

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $120

Ride for two hours through Monteverde’s private countryside reserve, with views of the Gulf of Nicoya, coffee and sugarcane fields, forest, and open pasture. Guides such as Marvin, Miguel, Carlos, and Seven lead relaxed rides for beginners. Choose 8:00 am for birds, 11:00 am for clear views, or 3:00 pm for sunset skies.

“Very fun!! The staff were kind and good instructional-wise. Would definitely recommend for those who love horses and are also a little too lazy to want to walk too much :)”

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10.Horseback our Hacienda – 4 hours Coffee Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $65Best value

Spend four hours in Aquiares, north of Turrialba, riding a well-cared-for horse through coffee fields and forest to a waterfall and Ceibo Lookout. Guides Andrew, Cristian, or Wilman explain local coffee farming, the mill, church, and community. Coffee, fruit, and light snacks may be served, but transport and dinner cost extra.

“First things first.. If you are traveling in from the city, use the app Waze to get to the Coffee farm. We did not and traveled through the mountains in the most unconventional way. The experience was STELLAR, we arrived late due to issues listed above and the staff waited on us politely. The staff introduced us to the horses and told us all the safety precautions when riding horses. We began the tour and the guides were extremely friendly, he even offered to take pictures for us and gave us a detailed history of the farm including all that they do in the local town. After the tour we…”

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11.Sunset & Horses

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67

Ride the quiet sands of Esterillos Beach with a bilingual guide such as Gustavo or Diego. Horses are matched to your experience, and the 90-minute outing includes a riding lesson, helmet, and a guide-taken photo. Sunset rides end with drinks. Morning rides may include lunch, but confirm what your booking includes.

“Diego was amazing!! The horses were great! I'm an experienced rider and I brought along 3 inexperienced riders and we all were matched with horses that were a good fit for us and we all were very satisfied with the ride. We got a good lesson in the beginning to help the newbies feel comfortable -- and we were all offered safety lessons and helmets. And then on the ride we were allowed to trot if we desired, and even canter! The view was spectacular. The beach was clean, quiet and wide, so plenty of room for all of us to have space. Then we ended at lunch that was…”

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12.Horseback + Natural Pool Adventure in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Ride a calm horse through the Costa Rican jungle at Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park, about five minutes from Jaco Beach and Los Suenos Resort. Bilingual guides lead the way to a waterfall and natural pool for a refreshing swim. Guides including Ronny, Jackson, David, and Alejandro have earned praise for patience and careful handling.

“Ronny and Jackson were wonderful. The waterfall was beautiful and the horses were docile. Overall, a great experience.”

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13.Queveri Horseback Riding Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

At Finca Agropecuaria Queveri, you ride with the owners and Queveri staff through farm paddocks, help herd cattle to an old dairy, and learn about the land. Weather permitting, the route reaches a viewpoint over four volcanoes and Tapanti National Park, followed by a four-course Costa Rican lunch.

“Really nice experience. Hosts were friendly and the food was exceptional. I would highly recommend this. Be prepared for a bumpy car ride up the mountain.”

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14.Vandara Hot Springs & Horses+ Zipline+ sugarmill+ waterslide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $170

From Tamarindo, guide Wilmar Retana takes you by private air-conditioned transport to Vandara Hot Springs near Liberia. You can combine ziplining, horseback riding, a waterslide, sugar mill traditions, volcanic mud baths, hot springs, and a Costa Rican buffet lunch in one full-day outing. Bring swimwear and sturdy shoes.

“Great experience with zip lining, horse back riding, cultural information and hot springs. I would recommend it”

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