Costa Rica - A Taste of Guanacaste

Day 1 Arrive at Liberia, transport to the finca (by arrangement), located just minutes from the beautiful Pacific beaches of Guanacaste. Accommodation in comfortable air conditioned casa or casita. Late afternoon, you will have a Ranch Orientation and a Criollo Horse Demonstration, with a short introductory ride. The beautiful Spanish Criollo horses are known for their noble temperament and will give you a comfortable ride. Dinner at the ranch or a favourite restaurant. (L,D) Itinerary depends on arrival times. Day 2 After breakfast, riders will have a private lesson working with a trainer based at the ranch. The aim is for you to become comfortable on your own horse using Natural Horsemanship methods in the ring. After lunch, later in the afternoon, you mount your horse for a ride through beautiful ranch country and a small village, to one of your host's most popular cantina stops, Chilito’s, in the small town of El Llano. Here you will sample their famous fried chicken and chips, a real “Taste of Guanacaste”. Ride home at sunset. (B,L,D) Day 3 After a full ranch breakfast, you will visit the Monkey Park Rescue Center where you will get to see the local wildlife taken care of at the rescue center, or take a riding lesson, the trainer will introduce you to ways to improve your riding and your horse' behavior. After lunch, you will leave for the colorful town of Cartagena, riding the Old Spanish Trail and this colorful, historic village. Stop for a cold drink before you ride along the historic oxcart trails to the typical village and learn the history and culture of this Guanacaste town. Load up your horses into a truck after which you will have dinner at El Roble, a favorite cantina/restaurant. (B,L,D) Day 4 Today, you will have an early breakfast before being picked up for a private tour to the Tenerio Volcano, to visit the spectacular Rio Celeste waterfall, Today is your best opportunity to see sloths. Choose from a variety of hikes through the rainforest and visit sloths before the lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner at the ranch. (B,L,D) Day 5 After breakfast, you will leave for the cattle town of Tempate. Beautiful views of large working Haciendas and the historic village of Tempate where you will stop for a cold drink. Look out for monkeys, tropical birds and dry tropical flora and fauna on this back country trail. Lunch at the ranch or in Tempate. In the afternoon, visit Tamarindo Beach to swim and relax. Dinner at the beach not included. (B,L) Day 6 After breakfast, you will be picked up for your half day trip to Palo Verde National Park for a river tour, looking for monkeys, crocs, water birds and other wildlife from your covered motor launch. Experienced guide will show you the wonders of the tropical river ecosystem. Typical lunch after with a demonstration of either coffee or sugars culture. Before dinner our trainer will work with young horses using Natural Horsemanship methods. (B,L,D) Other tour options available. Day 7 After breakfast, load your horses onto the truck and leave for the beach. When you reach the beach, saddle up your horses, and ride along the beautiful white sand Pacific beaches along the beautiful beaches of Puerto Viejo, Conchal and Brasilito. Time to play in the water and take photos when you reach the beach end. Take a swim or walk on the beach before a picnic lunch or dinner at the beach. (B,L,D) Times depend on low tide. Day 8 After breakfast take your last photos before you are transferred to the airport, or next destination. (B) During Fiesta Season (November 20-May 1): In the evening you have the option to go to one of the colourful local fiestas to see the famous bull riding and cowboys showing off their lasso skills on quick, well trained, criollo horses and sample local food and drinks. Participate or watch Tope horse parades and fiestas available most Sundays during the fiesta season. Minimum 2 riders. Maximum weight 215lbs. Days may vary depending on arrival times, fiestas and weather. Sequence of days may change depending on arrival day/time and beach ride times depend on low tides. Day 1 itinerary depends on arrival times, if late arrival the itinerary will be adjusted to include the activities. You can add days with an additional all day ride or overnight at the beach, optional trips to Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud forest, Granada Nicaragua, National Parks, or Natural Horsemanship Training.