Horseback Riding in Jaco: Sunset Beach Ride with Local Guide

Ride into the ocean on healthy horses trained for the beach.

Horseback riding on a secluded beach near Jaco, Costa Rica, where you ride out into the surf at sunset with a professional bilingual guide. The 90-minute experience starts with instruction at the ranch, moves to the water's edge, and closes with drinks back on shore. A photographer captures the moment your horse enters the sea.

The experience

The ride begins at a ranch positioned directly next to the beach, steps from the Sunset Del Mar Resort parking area. Your guide (a local cowboy with years of experience) meets you there and walks through the basics of riding before you mount. The horses are healthy and accustomed to beach work, and the instruction covers what you need to know to stay safe and comfortable for the next hour and a half.

Once mounted, you head out onto the sand and into the water. The timing is set for golden hour, when the light turns the beach into something you can actually see and photograph. Your guide stays with the group the whole time, and part of the experience is the guide taking photos of you and the horses in the surf. Something most riders don't get to do on their own. The ride itself is the point: you're operating the horse, reading its movements, feeling the shift from sand to shallow water.

After you return to the ranch, the ride closes with drinks. The whole outing runs 90 minutes. Helmets and a riding lesson are included, along with the guide's expertise in both English and Spanish. Bring long pants, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent. The sun and the insects are real on a Costa Rica beach, even at sunset.

What’s included

• Professional local and bilingual guide.
• riding lesson and helmet.
• photos taken during the ride.
• local taxes.
• drinks after the ride.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 to 75 years) · Child (12 to 14 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by The Riding Adventure

Is this one for you?Choose the Magic Sunset Ride if the golden-hour light and the moment your horse enters the water matter to you. Pick the morning option if you want to ride earlier and avoid the heat of midday.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 14 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I ride if I've never been on a horse before?

Yes. The guide gives a riding lesson before the ride starts, covering the basics you need to stay safe and enjoy the experience. Riders of all fitness levels are welcome.

What's the beach like when we ride into the water?

The ride is timed for golden hour, sunset, when the light is warm and the beach is at its most photogenic. You'll ride into shallow water where the horses are comfortable. The guide stays with you the whole time and photographs the moment your horse enters the surf.

Is this a private ride or a group?

It's a small group ride, not a private tour. You'll ride with other guests, all guided by the same local cowboy.

What do I need to bring or wear?

Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes (tennis shoes work). Bring sunscreen and insect repellent. Helmets are provided, and the guide will tell you what else to expect once you arrive at the ranch.

What time does the sunset ride depart?

The Magic Sunset Ride is timed for golden hour, so the exact departure depends on the sunset time on your date. A morning option is also available if you prefer to ride earlier in the day.