Costa Rica is cattle country as much as rainforest country, and some of its best riding happens on working ranches where horses still earn their keep. The strongest options combine three things: well-kept horses, private trails away from traffic, and a destination worth reaching, such as a waterfall, a volcano viewpoint or a river pool. This guide covers the ranch lodges and riding outfitters that are clearly operating today, region by region, and what to ask before you climb into the saddle.
Where to ride at a glance
| Region | Where | Style of riding |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste, Rincón de la Vieja | Hacienda Guachipelín | Waterfall rides, national park trails, a “cowboy for a day” program on a historic ranch |
| Guanacaste, Rincón de la Vieja | Buena Vista del Rincón | Forest rides on a mountain eco adventure property |
| Guanacaste, Rincón de la Vieja | Borinquen Thermal Resort | Rides and hikes to waterfalls from the resort’s stable |
| Arenal and the north | Centaura and La Finca Lodge | Private half-day, full-day and multi-day rides in the San Carlos countryside |
| Río Celeste area | La Carolina Lodge | A daily ride across a family ranch with volcano views |
| Sarapiquí | El Lugar Hotel & Nature Reserve | Costa Rican Walking Horses on a large private farm |
| Monteverde | Horse Trek Monteverde | Ranchland and cloud forest rides with Gulf of Nicoya views |
| Southern highlands | Hacienda AltaGracia | Trail rides and equine programs on a coffee and horse estate |
Guanacaste: ranch country below Rincón de la Vieja
The foothills of Rincón de la Vieja volcano are the classic place to ride in Costa Rica. Old cattle haciendas run right up to the national park boundary, and the rides lead to waterfalls, hot springs and steaming volcanic ground. Costa Rica’s tourism board describes Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park as having two sectors, Las Pailas and Santa María, with trails past fumaroles and bubbling mud pots.
Hacienda Guachipelín
Hacienda Guachipelín is the most complete riding base in the region. According to its history page, the land has been a ranch since 1880, the Batalla family has worked it since 1975, and the hotel opened in 1985 on a working ranch of about 3,460 acres. It’s also one of the few riding lodges certified at the CST Elite level in the official CST directory.
The hacienda’s horseback riding page lists rides from 90 minutes to six hours:
- Las Chorreras Waterfall: about 90 minutes to twin falls that drop into a sky-blue mineral pool.
- La Oropéndola Waterfall: about two hours to a swimming waterfall.
- Las Pailas Trail: about three and a half hours combining riding and hiking inside the national park (not on Mondays, when that sector closes).
- Cowboy for a Day: six hours of ranch work with the hacienda’s cowhands, from saddling horses and milking to herding cattle.
The Cowboy for a Day program is the standout for confident riders who want to see how a Guanacaste ranch actually runs.
Buena Vista del Rincón
Further along the volcano’s slopes, Buena Vista Lodge now trades as Buena Vista del Rincón, a mountain hotel and eco adventure park. Its site describes guided rides through the forest to hidden waterfalls, with guides pointing out birds and plants, and its day pass includes a short ride for visitors who aren’t staying. The CST directory lists Hotel Buena Vista del Rincón at the Basic level.
Borinquen Thermal Resort
On the volcano’s western foothills, Borinquen Thermal Resort is a hacienda-style resort where most outings leave from the stable. Its adventure page lists a ride or hike of just over two hours to the El Misterio and Escondida waterfalls, and a more demanding “Top of the World” route with a natural rock slide and a summit viewpoint. It’s a good pick if you want to finish the day in volcanic mud and hot pools.
Arenal and the northern lowlands
Centaura and La Finca Lodge
Centaura is a family riding business based at La Finca Lodge, a ranch in the San Carlos countryside outside La Fortuna. It specializes in private, customized rides, from half and full days up to multi-day trips and full riding vacations. A May 2026 National Geographic Traveller feature followed a half-day ride from the La Finca stables, about 20 miles from La Fortuna, across sugarcane fields and the San Rafael River to an Arenal viewpoint. It reported that the family bought the farm in 2004, began hosting guests in 2008 and rides Costa Rican paso and criollo horses, ranch-style with one-handed reins.
For lodging around the volcano itself, browse our Arenal and La Fortuna eco-lodges.
La Carolina Lodge, near Río Celeste
La Carolina Lodge is a rustic family ranch near Tenorio Volcano National Park and the Río Celeste. Its riding page describes a daily ride across meadows, fruit groves and hillside pastures along the forest edge, with views of Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes on clear days. The lodge calls it an advanced ride, and children under 10 can’t take part.
El Lugar Hotel & Nature Reserve, Sarapiquí
For riders who care about the horses themselves, El Lugar Hotel & Nature Reserve is the most horse-focused stay on this list. Its riding page describes El Encanto, a neighboring farm of more than 500 hectares with over 100 horses, of which 300 hectares are kept purely for protection. The star breed is the Costarricense de Paso, the Costa Rican Walking Horse, alongside Azteca, Peruvian and Andalusian horses. Rides are graded for beginners, intermediate and expert riders, and the Guácimo River ride lasts about three and a half hours. Non-guests can book too, and there’s a rider weight limit of 130 kg. More lodges in the area are on our Northern Plains eco-lodges page.
Monteverde
Horse Trek Monteverde is a small outfitter co-owned by trainer Marvin Anchia. Its rides cross ranchland, coffee farms and the edge of the cloud forest, with views down to the Gulf of Nicoya, and range from a two and a half hour farm ride to an all-day “cowboy ride” with a river swim and picnic lunch. The company says it rides mainly Quarter Horse, Paso Fino and Criollo crosses and matches each rider to a suitable horse. The longer routes are steep and muddy in places, so they suit riders with some experience. Our Monteverde cloud forest guide covers where to stay nearby.
The southern highlands: Hacienda AltaGracia
At the luxury end, Hacienda AltaGracia is an all-inclusive resort on a 180-acre estate of forest, coffee and equine stables above the San Isidro Valley, run by Auberge Collection. Horses are central to the stay: trail rides leave the stables to small waterfalls and valley viewpoints, and the resort also offers equine therapy sessions. It’s a choice for a special occasion rather than an everyday riding trip.
How to choose a responsible ride
Horse welfare varies a lot in Costa Rica, and a short look at the stable tells you more than any brochure. Before you book, it’s worth checking:
- Condition of the horses: look for good weight, healthy hooves and no saddle sores, and ask how many rides each horse does per day.
- Rider matching: good outfitters ask about your experience, height and weight, and some set a weight limit, which is a sign they take the horses’ backs seriously.
- Group size and guides: small groups with a guide at the front and back are safer on steep or muddy trails.
- Trails: rides on private land or quiet farm tracks are calmer for horses and riders than routes along busy roads or crowded beaches.
- Tack and helmets: ask whether helmets are available, especially for children.
Ranch lodges where the horses live on the property, such as Guachipelín and El Lugar, make this easy to judge, since you can see the stables before you ride. Our guide on how to choose a sustainable hotel covers the wider checks worth making.
Practical tips
- Season: the dry season, roughly December to April on the Pacific side, brings firmer trails. In the rainy months, expect mud, especially around Monteverde and Arenal.
- What to wear: long pants and closed shoes are the norm, and several lodges require them. Bring a swimsuit when the ride ends at a waterfall.
- Combine it: many rides pair naturally with waterfalls and hot springs, which our guide to waterfalls, jungle rivers and hot springs covers in depth.
- Families: check age limits in advance; La Carolina, for example, doesn’t let children under 10 ride. Our family ecotourism guide has more ideas.
For more ideas, see this round-up of the best horseback riding tours in Costa Rica, and browse the Guanacaste eco-lodges for more ranch stays near Rincón de la Vieja.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place in Costa Rica for a horseback riding holiday?
Rincón de la Vieja in Guanacaste has the deepest ranch tradition and the widest choice of rides, from short waterfall trips to full days working cattle. For multi-day riding, Centaura near La Fortuna builds private itineraries, and El Lugar in Sarapiquí has the largest stable of the places in this guide.
Can beginners ride in Costa Rica?
Yes. Most outfitters run gentle rides for first-timers and match each rider to a calm horse. Some rides are advertised as advanced, such as La Carolina's daily ride and the longer Monteverde treks, so check the grading before you book.
What is a Costa Rican Walking Horse?
The Costarricense de Paso is a local breed with a smooth, four-beat gait that's comfortable over long distances. El Lugar says it was recognized as Costa Rica's national breed in 1994, and its neighboring farm El Encanto offers rides on these horses.
Can I ride inside a national park?
At Rincón de la Vieja, Hacienda Guachipelín combines riding with hiking on the Las Pailas trail inside the park. Most other rides cross private ranches and reserves next to protected areas.
Do I need to stay at a lodge to ride there?
Not always. El Lugar and Buena Vista del Rincón both welcome non-guests for rides or day passes, and outfitters such as Centaura and Horse Trek Monteverde work with visitors staying anywhere in their area.
