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Horseback Riding - Arenal to/from Monteverde

An incredible taxi / boat / horseback / 4x4 Costa Rica adventure!

This spectacular old mountain trail was used before the Spanish conquest of Costa Rica. There is quite a distance between the Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. La Fortuna (the town nearest the volcano) stands 350 meters above sea level, while Monteverde straddles the Continental Divide at 1,500 meters (4,500 feet- a true cloud forest). Because of the steep mountain range, one of the most direct routes between Monteverde and Arenal is by a horseback trail.

Generations of locals have used the Cano Negro Trail Pass to travel between Arenal to Monteverde, and we invite you to re-live this exciting journey with us.

The exciting horseback adventure

 
  1. Pick-up from La Fortuna or your Arenal area hotel at 8h30 am.
  2. Arrive at Dam, after a 30-minute ride by mini bus. Board our covered 22 passenger boat, and enjoy a fun 30 minute cruise across Lake Arenal with great views of the active volcano. The boat will dock at the #3 or A site depending on trail conditions. Your luggage will be safely sent by mini bus to your Monteverde hotel.
  3. Ride from Castillo to Monteverde by exciting horseback trails that climb 1,200 meters (3,600 feet), from the lake to Continental Divide. Experience 3 river crossings, the lush forest, and magnificent views of volcano, lake, and surrounding mountain range. at the Monteverde Mirador. (Note: from site A to #4, there are no river crossings. In rainy season, we use this alternative Chiquito Trail.) It is a 3.5 hour ride with a 30-minute picnic break.
  4. Arrive at the Monteverde Mirador.
  5. Take a 30-minute 4x4 ride to your hotel in the Monteverde Cloud Forest area or to the village of Santa Elena.

    6. Reservations and booking: write to info@arenal.net

The tour passes through steep mountain trails and is taken at a slow pace. Since it's demanding for the horse to go up/down 1,500 meters, we don't gallop until the very end (if you feel like it.) Besides, enjoying the great views is a major point of this adventure. We will stop along the way for a picnic and to observe birds and animals.

You don't have to worry; the majority of our guest have never ridden a horse before. Our groups are never larger than 6 people, and our guide is a local farmer that has spent his life working with horses. He is always there to assist you.

If the river is too high or the trail is in bad condition, we will either use the alternative trail (from site A to #4) or simply suspend the tour. Our taxi / boat / taxi route runs all year, and it is a great alternative if the trail conditions are too poor.

The horseback adventure tour costs $75 US per person. It includes transfers door to door, a light lunch, luggage transfer by mini bus /boat. Our horses are strong, well kept, and well fed.

Our horseback adventure climbs the Continental Divide, offering spectacular views. No experience necessary, our smiling horses are easy to handle!

If you have a car, and you would like to do the horseback trip between Arenal and Monteverde, we can drive your car around the lake and meet you at your destination. We take full, written responsibility for your vehicle, and we ask $40 for the driver. Alternatively, you can drive around the lake, and then take a local horseback riding tour in Monteverde.

For reservations, write to info@arenal.net

Warning note: If you decide to shop La Fortuna for horseback tours, please beware of cut-rate prices that are sold on the street. To meet the cost of these "bargains," the operators will often use poor horses that are old and underfeed. They under pay their guides, and the equipment can be dangerously old. A weak horse can fall under the effort, and if you are sitting on it, it's not a good thing. Check the state and quality of the saddle and straps. Never ride a horse with a missing horseshoe, it hurts them. Make sure your horse is fresh, and had at least a 4 day rest before going on this trip. The only trail the La Fortuna operators use (Castillo) is too muddy from June till end of December. We are one of the rare operators who use an alternative trail (via Rio Chiquito) during wet season. Because our horses are based in Monteverde, we have a choice of trail.

 

Our other great shortcut: taxi / boat /taxi from Arenal to Monteverde

San Jose: Hotel Santo Tomas   San Jose Airport Hotel     Quepos Manuel Antonio Hotel
Pure Trek Canyoning near the Volcano

ICRA