14 Horse Riding in Costa Rica Worth Booking

1.Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall

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

Ride a tame horse from Arenal Mundo Aventura through reforested land and private farms, then walk steep steps to La Fortuna Waterfall for photos or a swim. Guides such as Otto, Kevin, Danny, Pablo, Carlos, Paz, and Crystal have earned praise for their patience. The ride suits beginners, but the waterfall hike is demanding.

“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

CR Beach Barn’s 90-minute ride takes you from Esterillos Este along a broad Pacific beach and through shaded forest near Jaco. Guides Micha and Sylwia provide basic instruction, match riders with gentle horses, and keep the pace relaxed for beginners, families, couples, and experienced riders. Sunset departures offer the finest light, though the forest section can bring mosquitoes.

“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 to Silencio Observation Point. You’ll cross 3 km of cables, then follow farmland and forest trails toward Arenal views. Guides such as Charlie, Dillon, Eddy, Alberto, Valeria, and Danilo have been praised for calm instruction and friendly help. Hotel transport and fruit are included.

“Hotel shuttle pickup and drop off was smooth. Our 2 guides were amazing, I forget their names. Very professional. Felt safe the entire time. Would visit again!”

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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 your own guide and group. Ride horses, zip through forest canopy, try the water slide, sample local coffee and snacks, then relax in hot springs before lunch. Guides such as Eugenio and Elial are praised for keeping families comfortable, safe, and on schedule.

“It was a very enjoyable day!!! Roy and the crew were knowledgeable, humorous, professional, and very courteous. We had two in our party that were a little nervous about zip lining, but the crew did great with them! The cultural demos were well done and informative. Our lunch was surprisingly good! All and all we had a blast!!!”

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5.Arenal Volcano River Horseback Riding Tour

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

Ride from Go Adventure Arenal Park through a private farm near Arenal Volcano for about three hours. Guides such as Victor, Carlos, and Jorge lead riders past native plants, birds, and possible monkeys, with time for volcano views. Depending on weather, your group may take a river route instead. The pace can include trotting or cantering.

“I could not recommend this tour enough. If you love horses or just want a fun ride this is the place. We had route options to choose from due to the weather clouding the view of the volcano, so our group took a trip to the river instead. Carlos and his crew took great care of all the riders and were so patient with the less experienced ones. Running with the horses through the jungle had to be the highlight of my whole trip to Costa Rica.”

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

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

At Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park near Herradura, you’ll ride 10 zip lines from a mountain canopy, then spend about 45 minutes on horseback before hiking to a natural pool. Small groups, bilingual guides, tropical fruit, and coffee or tea are included. Guides named in feedback include Gabriel, Roberto, and Greddy.

“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

Follow a steep, self-paced trail through Monteverde and El Tigre Waterfalls, crossing rustic bridges and passing four major falls. If weather allows, swim in the river before riding a gentle horse uphill for about 35 minutes. Miguel and the Faro Travel team handle the riding portion, followed by a typical Costa Rican lunch and hotel transfer.

“Surpassed expectations! We spent 2 hours trekking 5km, going over hanging bridges and taking photos of magnificent waterfalls. The forest was beautiful and peaceful. Then, we took the 4x4 for the last 3km and had a beautiful view for lunch. Great that they offer the 4x4 for people who don’t want to horse ride.”

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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 gentle Costa Rican horse from Ocean Ranch Park through jungle and river trails to 180-foot El Encanto waterfall. Guides help first-time riders, point out monkeys, toucans, macaws, butterflies, and plants, then serve pineapple and a cool drink at the ranch. The ride lasts about 1.5 hours within a two-hour visit.

“The ranch was beautifully kept. Staff was excellent. Our only complaint would be the horses' condition. We own horses and know what healthy horses looks like. These horses were underfed. The horses were very well mannered, but they offered no rest interval for the horses in between group trails .”

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9.Monteverde Cloud Forest Horseback Riding

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

Ride through Monteverde’s private countryside reserve with guides such as Marvin, Miguel, Carlos, or Seven. The two-hour route can include forest, plantations, open fields, mountain views, and Gulf of Nicoya scenery. Choose 8:00 am for birds, 11:00 am for clearer views, or 3:00 pm for sunset skies. Beginners are welcome.

“It was Truly amazing! A very lovely family, very nice Tour, amazing Guides and views! We loved it. The Highlight of our Trip so far.”

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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 at Aquiares, 7 kilometers north of Turrialba, riding through coffee fields and forest to a waterfall and Ceibo Lookout. Guides Andrew, Christian, and Wilman explain local life and coffee production, with visits to the mill, church, hacienda, and shop. Choose a 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. departure.

“Everything was as described the best part for me was the waterfall and the dinner but please note that the dinner isn’t included with the tour you’ll have to request it after tour but they do have drinks and fruits that you may have before and after your tour starts that’s included with tour they treated me like I was at home I really enjoyed it and would definitely come back.”

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11.Sunset & Horses

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

Meet near Sunset Del Mar Resort in Esterillos Este for a 90-minute beach ride with a bilingual guide. You’ll receive a riding lesson, helmet, and a calm horse suited to your level. Gustavo and Diego are named in past guest accounts, but guide assignment can vary. Sunset rides include drinks, while morning rides may include lunch.

“Really fun time. Quite beach with great sun set view. Can be hot to start but the guide was great and personable!”

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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 calmly through the jungle at Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park with bilingual guides, then stop at a waterfall and natural pool for a refreshing swim. The two-hour outing suits first-time riders, families, and busy schedules. Guides including Ronnie, Jackson, David, and Alejandro have been praised for patience and care.

“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 near Orosí, you’ll ride calm horses to herd cattle toward the old dairy with help from the Queveri family. If weather allows, continue to a mountain viewpoint facing Poás, Barva, Irazú, Turrialba, and Tapantí National Park. Finish with a four-course Costa Rican lunch at La Fonda del Alto.

“We loved this family. Sweet, down to earth, enjoying what they do. Their horses were super calm, well trained and the views on the trail were beautiful. All sorts of farm animals, gorgeous flowers and fauna. Definitely a great deal with dinner or lunch included.”

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

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

Spend a full day near Liberia with guide Wilmar Retana, combining ziplining, horseback riding, a waterslide, sugarcane traditions, hot springs, volcanic mud, and a Costa Rican buffet lunch. Hotel pickup, private air-conditioned transport, snacks, and bottled water are included. The tour needs at least four adults and suits moderately active visitors.

“It was an amazing experience. Wilmer was a great tour guide, very knowledgeable about the country, and easy to talk to.”

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