Costa Rica: Jungle Horseback Ride & Waterfall Swim with Lunch

Summary

Horseback riding in costa rica with jungle trails local farm and secret waterfall swim

You’ll ride horseback through Costa Rica’s jungle with a local guide, visit a small family farm to meet animals and see their organic garden, then cool off swimming beneath a hidden waterfall before sharing a traditional lunch together. Expect muddy boots, real conversation, and memories that linger long after you dry off.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — cicadas buzzing somewhere above us, horses shifting their weight on the soft earth outside this little farmhouse near Quepos. Our guide, Andrés, handed me the reins and grinned like he knew I was nervous (I was). The air smelled like wet leaves and something sweet I couldn’t place. We’d just left Manuel Antonio maybe half an hour ago but it already felt like another world — Londres is tiny, green everywhere you look, and people wave even if they don’t know you.

We stopped at Tucanes Tours’ farm before heading out. There were goats and a pony (the goats tried to eat my shoelaces), and Andrés showed us their organic garden — he picked something that looked like basil but wasn’t, let us smell it. Safety talk was short but serious; I appreciated that since I hadn’t been on a horse since I was twelve. The horses themselves were patient — mine kept flicking his ears back at me as if checking if I was still there.

Riding through the jungle is… slower than you expect? You notice things: how the light shifts when clouds pass over, or how suddenly it goes quiet except for your horse’s hooves in mud. At one point Andrés pointed out a toucan up in the branches — I almost missed it because its beak looked fake from far away. We reached this “secret spot” after maybe an hour (I lost track), where water spilled down rocks into a pool clear enough to see pebbles at the bottom. The waterfall wasn’t huge but it was loud, cold enough to make your skin tingle. Some of us jumped in right away; others just sat on rocks with our feet in the water. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave yet.

Lunch back at the farm tasted better than it should have after all that — rice, beans, chicken cooked with herbs from their own garden. It’s funny how food can feel different after you’ve been outside for hours. On the drive back toward Manuel Antonio, my clothes still damp from swimming, I kept thinking about that moment under the falls — how quiet everything got except for water and laughter echoing off stone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Horseback riding and nature exploration

• Stop at Tucanes Tours Operation Center
• Start horseback ride at Londres of Quepos
• Visit Tucanes Tours Farm and safety briefing
• Horseback ride to 12-foot waterfall
• Swim at waterfall base

Top questions

How long does the horseback riding tour take?

The tour lasts several hours including stops at the farm and waterfall; allow half a day including pickup from Manuel Antonio or Quepos.

Is hotel pickup included from Manuel Antonio?

Yes, round-trip transportation from Manuel Antonio and Quepos is included.

Can beginners join this horseback riding tour?

Yes, well-trained horses are provided and all experience levels are welcome.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, a traditional Costa Rican lunch is served at Tucanes Tours’ farm after riding.

Will we have time to swim at the waterfall?

Yes, there’s free time to swim or relax by the waterfall during the tour.

Are children allowed on this horseback riding tour?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; minimum two people per booking required.

What animals will we see at the farm stop?

You’ll meet goats, sheep, a pony, and possibly more local animals at Tucanes Tours’ farm.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options near the starting point in Londres of Quepos.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip pickup from Manuel Antonio or Quepos hotels, all safety equipment for horseback riding through jungle trails with a certified local guide, time meeting animals and exploring an organic garden at Tucanes Tours’ farm, free time to swim beneath a 12-foot waterfall deep in nature, plus a traditional Costa Rican lunch before heading back home still smelling faintly of river water and fresh herbs.