Desafio Adventure Company uses Horse Trek Monteverde for its local horseback tours in Monteverde. Tours can be organized for individuals and groups who always have a lot of fun on their horses! Tours horse rides in Monteverde vary from 2.5 to 6 hours as well as multiple day horseback rides around Costa Rica. Desafio is happy to tailor-make any sort of equestrian tour you might be interested in. English-speaking guides can accompany the larger tours and departure times and tour structures can be flexible.
All the rides talked about below are suitable for first time riders. We also have many options for people with more experience as well. Horse Trek Monteverde have some of the best horses in the area and are recommended by many of the guidebooks. The company ensures regular health checks by vets and has been working hard over the years to give horse back riding a good reputation in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Sometimes people ask us about riding in the one of the Reserves. This is not possible as these are protected places where a horse would have a negative impact. We can offer rides on trails that consist of secondary forest and pasture with great views of the Pacific Ocean.
Here are some of the local riding tours we are currently offering:
Enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Monteverde Zone. The ride will be along little used back roads passing by farms of coffee, sugar cane and bananas. with open open views of the surrounding countryside as well as the Gulf of Nicoya. The ride is 2.5 hours long plus transport time. Price: $28 including transport.
Local Horse Ride: In the Clouds
This route is partly along the continental divide with stunning views of the local countryside and farms, the Gulf of Nicoya and with any luck, Arenal Volcano. The route is along little used back roads and small tracks. The length of the tour allows us to penetrate deep into the farming community with a great opportunity to see the land use of the area, well away from the tourist areas. The ride is 4 hours long plus transport time with a break for a drink in a local lodge. Price: $44 including transport.
This tour is especially suited to people with no experience as you never leave the farm. The farm has pasture land and a charming secondary forest. The tour is 2 hours long. Price $30 including transport
A great way to visit the San Luis waterfall is on horse. This ride takes a total of 5.5 hours. Not all of the time is spent on a horse as you will need to hike along the river to reach the waterfall. The trip commences with a 1.5 - 2 hour ride down into the valley of San Luis adjacent to Monteverde. The ride down the mountain has some breathtaking views. At a trailhead in San Luis you will part temporarily with your horse and hike 20 minutes along the river to reach the spectacular cascade. There you can take some time to relax and enjoy the scenery. You can also take a swim if you are brave enough - this water is very cold! To return you hike back out and ride another 2 hours back up the mountain.
This is quite a hike to do on foot and much more fun on horse than taking a taxi. San Luis is a small community where much of the Monteverde's coffee is grown. Being lower in elevation than Monteverde it offers an opportunity to see different flora and fauna.
Price: $52per person plus $8 entrance fee to the trails and waterfall
Two letters from satisfied riders who did the San Luis Waterfall tour March 2008
From Scott
What a fantastic day of horseback riding! The horses, the views, the people, the guides and the waterfall – everything was excellent!
We met the other riders at the meeting place at 8.30am and fitted with modern riding helmets and from there rode down into the unbelievable scenic San Luis Valley – we could see the Pacific ocean clearly (the Gulf of Nicoya) and we were still very near the continental divide.
After an hour and a half or so of comfortable riding (my mount was called La Reina 'the queen' and she was perfect for a less-experienced rider). We dismounted at the entrance to the San Luis Waterfall area. Marvin Anchia, our guide (and owner of the horses), was not only an incredible horseman but a very nice, fun guy, tied the horses in the shade and we set off for the hike along the San Luis river, up to the waterfall. And what a waterfall it was! Maybe as high as 100m in two different drops, it was a magical tropical scene.
Two of our group swam in the pool at the bottom of the falls but it looked like the water was very, very cool, some might even say cold! We brought along a few snacks as was recommended and hung out at the falls for a while before heading back up to Monteverde to the drop off point. A few of us walked the short distance to Stella's Bakery and ending an exceptional day with a snack or dessert. For me, Stella's blackberry pie with ice cream was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
From Serena
The extremely scenic horseback ride to the San Luis Waterfall takes you away from the hub-bub of Monteverde on an adventure that you'll long remember.
As your horse carries you down the steep but safe winding road down the mountain, you'll be in awe of the panoramic views of the mountainsides and of the expanse of blue of the Gulf of Nicoya. Be sure to have your camera ready!
After riding about 1.5 hours, you'll reach a beautiful farm where there are restrooms and drinks available. While the horses rest, you'll enjoy an adventurous 45 minute hike along the San Luis River. Again the stunning views of the forest and the surrounding cliffs are memorable. When at last you turn the bend and see the 300ft waterfall cascading into a crystal pool, a wide smile will certainly come to your face. Put on your swimsuit and take a plunge into the invigorating water. Feel the cascading water beat on your body as you swim under the falls. Wow! It's exhilarating! If you don't want to swim, the sight of the falls and the feeling of the mist on your skin is a great way to relax from the hike.
As you walk back along the trail and climb the mountain back to Monteverde on your horse, you'll definitely feel glad you made the trip.
ALL DAY COWBOY RIDE! If you are a horse lover than you are going to love this tour!
Help prepare the horses in the morning and set off an all-day excursion. Picnic by the river where you are bound to see monkeys and many birds. Plenty of opportunity to swim in our clean and refreshing river before setting off again on the horses. When you return to the farm you will get an opportunity to bath and feed the horses and give them a fond pat on the neck good bye!
Price is $75 including all transport, at least 6 hours on horse, picnic lunch and a swim in the river. Plus a lot of fun!
These tours are suitable for all levels of riding experience. Desafio has horses to suit every level of experience and we will find the one for you. Our rides are off the main roads (there is too much traffic in Monteverde). We ride through a typical Costa Rican farm and a private secondary forest with views of the pacific coast. Banana and coffee plants can be seen and with luck some interesting birds or monkeys.
Our Site via RSS
This waterfall is over 100 feet high!