This method of travel between the Arenal Volcano and Monteverde offers the best views of the volcano and lush mountains.
Desafio mainly uses what we call the The Lake Trail. There are other trails such as the Castillo Trail; you might read about them in your guidebooks, which we consider unsafe and unfair on the horses (our company does NOT use the Castillo trail unless conditions are extremely dry and we have experienced riders).
We are offering two horseback riding trips between Monteverde and Arenal:
These trips offer one-way transportation for people and their luggage.
We will either take your luggage by packhorse or by boat as circumstances allow.
With advance notice it is also possible for us to make arrangements with car rental agencies for us to chauffer your car around the lake while you ride by horse.
We have stables and pasture near the Arenal Lake which allows us to operate this trail and keeps our horses from having to make return trips up or down the Mountain after a tour.
Some other organizations that operate solely out of Monteverde or Arenal sometimes require their horses to make a return trip.
See this article for more information on the different trails used and why there have been concerns about some horse tours being offered by other outfitters.
If you are looking for a little adventure and a chance to get around in Costa Rica without having to take a bus or taxi then this is the way to go!
And anyway the horseback ride is about as bumpy as driving on our roads.
Below are details on two horseback rides we are offering from Monteverde to Arenal or vice versa.
Hi Janet:
I am back home in cold and snowy Vermont…. but dreaming of Costa Rica. So many images are dancing through my head still.
(the horse ride to Arenal Feb 2008) … It was a truly delightful day… one of the best of my two week visit in Costa Rica. The views, the guides, the fruit, the weather, the sturdy little steeds… all of it! I hope to do it all again someday, sooner than later.
Thank you!
PamB
“To the Desafio staff(Monteverde),
We recently (March 08) went to Arenal on horseback. Your guides Nixon and Andre were very good and spoke highly of your operation. Everything was timely and we had a great time.
Thanks again.
We also went to the Don Juan plantation.
Very interesting.”
Mike Kin
There are a few hotels which are located outside the Monteverde and La Fortuna / Arenal areas that are outside our range of included pick up and drop off points.
We are happy to provide transportation to these locations for an additional charge at a competitive price. These hotels include but are not limited to; San Luis Eco Lodge and the Arenal Observatory Lodge.
This tour takes in total approximately 5 ½ hours depending on the riders and the hotels where we will be picking up and dropping off.
Along the Lake Trail there are many tropical birds, views of the volcano and scenic jungle parts. This is a suitable ride for any level of experience.
1 ½ Hours by car from Monteverde to Rio Chiquito
3 ½ Hours by horse from Rio Chiquito towards the volcano
¼ Hour boat ride across the lake
And finally a car ride from the Arenal side of the Lake to your hotel.
(Click Photo to View
Enlargement)
Includes:
all guides
gear (tack, ponchos, etc)
transportation from door to door.
fruit and water snack break
transfer of luggage
Departures:
From Monteverde or Arenal anytime before noon. There is a minimum of 2 passengers for this tour.
Pricing:
Groups of 2 to 6 people: $75 per person
Groups of 7 to 8 people: $64 per person.
Groups of 9 to 15 people: $59 per person
For larger groups please write for possible prices and more information.
For the price of $40 we are able to provide a driver for your rental car so you can take advantage of this spectacular trip.
Desafio Horse Guide – Nixon
Dear Desafio
I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our recent horse riding trip from La Fortuna to Monteverde with the guide Nixon (January 08).
From the start he was very friendly, professional and courteous. We found the ride relaxing and Nixon's manner warm and helpful, particularly with the English and Spanish and vice versa. I have enclosed a picture that I took of Nixon on the day and just wanted to email to say how much we enjoyed his company and the trip in general. Nothing was any trouble and was glad to have someone like that with us, particularly as I'm not an experienced rider and he made me feel comfortable.
Two Day Horse Adventure - Riding in Monteverde and Journey to Arenal Volcano
Enjoy the delights and wonderful views of the Monteverde and Volcano Arenal areas by horseback. A unique two-day tour that includes two days of riding, luggage transfer, a boat ride on Arenal Lake, food and accommodation. This tour is suitable at any time of year and for all levels of riding experience. Our experienced Costa Rican horse guides will choose the most suitable horse for each rider, depending on size and riding experience. We have healthy, well cared for horses with clean comfortable saddles.
Day 1
9.00am We will pick-up you up at your hotel in Monteverde and drive you to where the horses are waiting. Here we will mount up and start our adventure through the varied scenery in the area; passing by forests and mountains, pasture land and farms. We'll ride will be for about 2 hours before stopping at a café for a short break, to stretch our legs and use the bathrooms. The café serves delicious fruit milk shakes and homemade cakes. Then we will have a further 1.5 hours before we reach our destination, the Los Olivos Ecolodge in Los Nubes. The lodge is located in the highest area in the Monteverde zone. On this part of the ride we will cross the continental divide where we will have great views of the Golf of Nicoya. Los Olivos Ecolodge offers local hospitality, a restaurant, a tiny lake, two hiking trails in a private forest and excellent views nearby. A 1 kilometer walk will take you to look out point to the Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. The lodge has 4 cabins, each one has a double bed and one single bed (plus a loft area, reached by a ladder, with another single bed).
At the Ecolodge lunch will be served at about 1.00pm- 1.30pm. After lunch you can go hiking or just relax. The Ecolodge is in the heart of the countryside away from all the tourist activities.
6.30pm Evening Meal (or arrange with hotel a different time)
Day 2
8.00am On this day we will pick you up after breakfast and drive 1.5 hours to a farm on Arenal Lake. Here we will mount different horses than used on day one. The "Lake Trail" follows a trail along Arenal Lake from the bridge of Rio Chiquito to the Caño Negro River. It is a very beautiful lakeside route with good safe trail in all weather. There are many tropical birds, views of the volcano, farmland and scenic jungle sections. This wonderful journey includes a boat ride on Arenal lake and a fruit fiesta along the lake. After the boat ride a car will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Arenal.
Price: $175 (Double occupancy). Minimum 2 people. Family rates available.
Included in Trip: Horse and horse guide, experienced Costa Rican guides*, all transport, lunch and evening meal on Day One at the Ecolodge, one night's accommodation at the Ecolodge, breakfast and fruit fiesta and water on day two, boat ride, ponchos, riding hats on request and luggage transfer.
Not Included: Flights to Costa Rica, optional tours or transportation to other tours.
What to Bring: long pants for riding, sweater or light jacket, light hiking boots, rain jacket, sun screen, insect repellant, any personal medication, in Costa Rica), traveler's insurance (to included horse riding), full passport, traveler's cheques and a credit card (bring VISA, other cards are difficult to use in Monteverde). For Fortuna you'll need T-shirts, shorts and sandals.
*Note: we cannot provide an English- speaking guide
for tours of under 4 people. However, our Spanish speaking guides are
accustomed to North American travelers and always seem to be able to communicate and have fun!
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