The World’s 14 Best Costa Rica Horseback Riding Tours

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 Arenal, then hike to La Fortuna Waterfall for photos or a swim. Guides provide riding help, helmets, hotel transfers, and nature interpretation. The ride is beginner-friendly, but the steep walk to and from the falls requires good fitness. Minimum age is 7.

“The whole experience was great ! They pick you up from the hotel and take you to the place where the horse riding begins. The guide was excellent! Waterfall and hike were breathtaking . You have to be fit enough to hike up the last stretch to the waterfall.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Safari & Barigona Beach on horseback

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 86 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Ride from Horsejungle through Guanacaste forest, jungle, and rivers to quiet Barrigona Beach. Your guide pauses for wildlife, plant, and photo stops, then gives you time to ride along the white sand and clear water. The three-hour outing costs $79, includes a helmet, and returns to the starting point.

“We had a wonderful experience! Thank you to our amazing guide for this wonderful memory and honestly being one of the most fun guided tours we have ever experienced.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Horseback riding through the beaches of Esterillos near Jaco

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

Ride the broad beaches of Esterillos near Jaco with CR Beach Barn guides Micha and Sylwia. Expect a 90-minute, small-group outing on gentle, well-cared-for horses, with ocean views, a short forest stretch, wildlife, and the option of a sunset ride. Beginners, families, couples, and experienced riders are welcome.

“Such a great beautiful memorable experience! Sylvia was so much fun to ride with and very knowledgeable. The sunset ride was beyond gorgeous! Would definitely recommend to anyone and will be back myself! Thank you so much for such a lovely experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Arenal Canopy and Horseback Riding Adventure

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

Combine eight rainforest zipline cables with a one-hour horseback ride near Arenal. You’ll cross nearly 2 miles of cables, then follow a guide through farmland and forest to Silencio Observation Point. Hotel transport, water, fruit, gear, and guides are included. Tell the guide your riding and height comfort levels.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Arenal Volcano River Horseback Riding Tour

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

Ride through a private farm near Arenal Volcano with guides such as Carlos, Victor, and Jorge. Expect volcano views, native plants, birds, monkeys, and a pace that may include trotting or cantering. If clouds hide the volcano, the route may shift toward a river, waterfall, or swimming area.

“I had an amazing time on the ride! I was used to most rides where you cannot do anything but walk through a trail but on this one we were able to trot and some even galloped along the way depending on the horse/rider. The guides were fun and knowledgeable about the area (volcano).”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 zip across 10 cables, ride 45 minutes through mountain paths, and hike to a waterfall pool. Guides such as Gabriel, Roberto, and Greddy have helped make this a friendly, safety-minded outing. Allow about four hours, bring swimwear, and expect a moderate workout.

“Zip-lining and the guides for it were excellent but the horses looked a little rough and a lot of the horseback ride takes place on a road going through a neighborhood. Definitely come here for the zip lines but the horseback ride part is not as good as it could be.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Start high in Monteverde, then walk about 5 kilometers downhill through rainforest, bridges, rivers, and four waterfalls. If weather allows, swim in the clear pools before riding a horse about 30 to 35 minutes uphill. A typical Costa Rican lunch and transport from Monteverde or Santa Elena are included. Miguel is one guide named in guest feedback.

“This is a fabulous experience. The hiking was downhill and challenging (72 yo with not great knees) but doable. Fortunately they have walking sticks. Beautiful scenery and many waterfalls. The horse ride is fun, and a lovely spot for lunch. One of the best deals in the area. Everyone is helpful and friendly, and we met people from many countries. Staff is great!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Rainforest Magic Horseback Riding Waterfall Tour Private Park Setting

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

Ride a Costa Rican stepping horse through Ocean Ranch Park near Jaco to El Encanto waterfall. A bilingual guide leads the roughly 1.5-hour jungle and river ride, with chances to spot monkeys, toucans, macaws, butterflies, and iguanas. Hotel transport, snacks, and drinks are included in some arrangements, so confirm those details before booking.

“The best experience and excellent staff! My 8 and 9 year old loved it too! The horses were well cared for and it couldn’t have been more beautiful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Monteverde Cloud Forest Horseback Riding

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

Ride gentle horses through Monteverde’s private reserve and countryside with guides such as Marvin, Miguel, Carlos, or Seven. Choose an 8:00 am birding ride, an 11:00 am outing with clearer views, or a 3:00 pm ride for sunset skies. Expect forest trails, plantations, Gulf of Nicoya views, wildlife, sugarcane treats, and snacks.

“Beautiful landscapes and very friendly tour guide! We ended up being late (add at least an extra 30 min to the estimated drive time!) and others in our group left before us. However, this company left someone behind so we could still enjoy this experience. That was truly special, and we were so happy to get to enjoy the tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Horseback our Hacienda – 4 hours Coffee Tour

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

Spend four hours in Aquiares, riding gentle, well-cared-for horses through coffee fields and forest to a waterfall and Ceibo Lookout. Guides such as Andrew, Christian, and Wilman explain local life and coffee production, then lead you to the mill, church, hacienda, and shop. Bring swimwear if you want to enter the waterfall.

“A coworker and I had a great time with Wilman riding horses, enjoying some homemade cake and coffee, and learning about the entire process of growing and processing coffee. It was an amazing experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Ride through the forest at Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park with bilingual guides, then cool off in a natural pool near a small waterfall. The two-hour route suits beginners, includes a helmet, insurance, snacks, and water, and returns to the park near Jaco and Los Suenos.

“This was one of the best excursions I have ever been on. Our guides, David, Ronnie, and I can't remember the third's name, were amazing and very knowledgeable. It was fun and adventurous. I will make a day of it next time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.ZipLine, Horseback Riding, Tubing, Hot Springs & Lunch @ Volcano National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $230

Leave Playa Flamingo at 6:00 am for Rincón de la Vieja National Park with a bilingual guide such as Ronny. Ride horses through the rainforest, tackle river rapids by tube, eat a Costa Rican buffet, zip across the canopy, then relax in hot springs and volcanic mud. Hotel transport, park fees, lunch, fruit, and drinks are included.

“Great day long adventure. The day will proceed as follows: 1. Horse back riding 2. Tubing in the rapids 3. Lunch 4. Zip lining the canopy 5. Hot springs and mud Some hints. You don't need your phone to capture images because they provide photographers for $45. If you deem it truly necessary, bring a waterproof case to carry your phone. Also, try carrying some extra cash with you to give tips into the tip box at the end of each portion. Fun, long day. But, well worth the day away from the beach.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Queveri Horseback Riding Tours

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

Ride calm horses through Finca Agropecuaria Queveri while helping herd cattle to the old dairy. You’ll see farm animals, flowers, and mountain views, then visit a high viewpoint if weather permits. The experience ends with a four-course Costa Rican lunch at the owners’ La Fonda del Alto.

“The hosts of this tour are extremely friendly and personable. Beware as the road up is extremely rocky so get a 4x4 SUV and you're ok. The horseback riding seemed to go on and on which was fantastic and made this tour well worth the money. The farm has cows, goats, pigs, chickens and of course horses. The horses you ride are extremely well mannered and calm. The view in the hills is incredible and breathtaking. Coffee and banana bread was perfect before the tour and then afterwards we got a delicious lunch made from products of the farm! Don't book a horse back tour anywhere but here!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Tamarindo with guide Wilmar Retana for a full day of ziplining, horseback riding, a waterslide, sugarcane demonstrations, hot springs, volcanic mud baths, and a typical Costa Rican lunch. The tour lasts about 8 to 9 hours, includes hotel pickup, private air-conditioned transport, snacks, and bottled water, and requires at least four adults.

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

Check availability →Read our full review