Horseback riding at Rincón de la Vieja: 5 activities in one day

One day wraps five separate adventures into a single trip through the volcano.

Horseback riding at Rincón de la Vieja combines five activities in a single eight to ten hour day: you ride through tropical forest on the volcanic slopes, zip line across the canopy, plunge down a 500-meter forest waterslide, learn about Guanacaste traditions, then soak in natural hot springs and volcanic mud. A professional guide leads the full sequence, with hotel pickup, lunch and all equipment included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Volcano adventure with multiple activities

• Horseback ride through tropical forest
• Zip line over rainforest canopy
• Cultural presentation on Guanacaste heritage
• High-speed waterslide through forest
• Relax in hot springs and mud bath

The experience

The day starts on horseback through the lush forest that covers the volcanic foothills. You move at a pace that lets you watch for the birds and monkeys that live in the canopy above. From there you move straight to the zip lines: seven of them strung across the rainforest, each one offering a different angle on the volcano and the tree cover below. The pace shifts again when you reach the waterslide: 500 meters of it carved through the forest, built for speed and the adrenaline that comes with it.

Midway through the day, a guide walks you through the stories and traditions of Guanacaste: a cultural break that sits between the physical intensity of the earlier activities and what comes next. After that comes the hot springs, fed by the volcano's geothermal heat, where you can soak and then coat yourself in the warm volcanic mud. The mud bath is the last thing on the itinerary, designed as the wind-down after everything else. Hotel pickup and drop-off bookend the day, and lunch is included between activities.

The guide speaks English, Spanish or French depending on the group, so you get commentary throughout in the language that works for you. The full sequence takes eight to ten hours from start to finish. This is a physically demanding day: the operator notes it requires at least a moderate fitness level, and it's not suitable for anyone with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional guide in English, Spanish or French.
• all five activities (horseback riding, zip lining, waterslide, cultural presentation and hot springs with mud bath).
• buffet lunch.
• all equipment and gear.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Costour

Is this one for you?The guide leads the full day in English, Spanish or French, so you can follow the commentary and cultural segment in whichever language works for you. This is a full-day commitment with moderate to high physical demands: the horseback riding, zip lines and waterslide all require stamina and comfort with heights or speed, so it suits travelers who want a packed day of varied activities rather than a single focus.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What's the horseback riding like on this day?

The riding happens on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja through tropical forest, moving at a pace that lets you look for wildlife in the canopy. It's the opening activity before you move on to the zip lines and other parts of the day.

How many zip lines are there?

Seven zip lines cross the rainforest canopy, each one giving you a different view of the volcano and the forest below.

What happens at the hot springs?

The natural hot springs are fed by geothermal heat from the volcano. You soak in the warm water, then apply volcanic mud as a bath before rinsing off. It's the final activity of the day and designed as the relaxation phase after the more intense activities.

Is lunch included?

Yes, a buffet lunch is included and served between activities during the day.

Do I need to arrange my own transport?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't need to arrange transport to or from the volcano.