Horseback riding near Buena Vista: Hot springs, mud spa & canopy

Feel reborn with mineral-rich mud masks and glide above Rincon’s jungle canopy

A 10-hour horseback riding adventure from Guanacaste hotels combines a guided forest ride to a lodge, natural hot springs with a mineral mud spa treatment, and optional canopy zip-lining above the jungle near Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. You ride through the forest, soak and cleanse your skin in the geothermal waters, and can choose to slide through the canopy to see the local flora and fauna from above. Hotel pickup and lunch are included.

The experience

The day starts with a guided horseback ride through the forest surrounding Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The trail leads to a lodge where you experience the forest from ground level, then you have the option to switch to canopy zip-lining if you want to see the same landscape from above the ancestral trees. The combination of riding and canopy access means you get two angles on the same ecosystem without leaving the area.

After the ride, you move to the natural hot springs: a geothermal spa where you apply a mineral-rich mud mask that cleanses your skin. This is the relaxation half of the day, built into the schedule so the full 10 hours balances activity with recovery. Lunch is provided, and the tour operates with a minimum of two people, so you won't be the only rider.

Hotel pickup is included from your Guanacaste hotel (the operator serves RIU Guanacaste, RIU Palace Costa Rica, Secrets Papagayo, Occidental Grand Papagayo, Planet Hollywood, and other hotels in the region). A live guide leads in English or Spanish. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. For pickup reconfirmation or questions about your specific hotel, contact the operator through the booking platform.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from your Guanacaste hotel.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• the guided horseback ride through the forest.
• access to the natural hot springs and mineral mud spa.
• lunch.
• optional canopy zip-lining above the jungle.

Options for this experience

4 options

From Planet HollywoodGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Pickup is included

Pickup from Secrets Papagayo and Occidental Grand PapagayoGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Pickup is included

Pickup from RIU Guanacaste and RIU Palace Costa RicaGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Pickup is included

Pickup from the other hotels in GuanacasteGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 to 45 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Destination Services Costa Rica

Is this one for you?You need a full day that mixes physical activity with recovery time, and the schedule here builds both in: the ride in the morning, the geothermal soak and mud treatment afterward. If you want to see the forest from two different heights without moving to a different location, the optional canopy adds that angle without eating up travel time.

Traveler reviews

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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 (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

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.

What does the horseback riding part of the day actually involve?

You ride guided through the forest near Rincon de la Vieja Volcano to a lodge, experiencing the landscape on horseback. The ride is the main activity in the morning portion of the day, and the trail itself is what leads you through the forest to the lodge where you stop.

Can I do the canopy zip-lining instead of horseback riding, or is it an add-on?

Canopy zip-lining is available as an option during the day. You can choose to do it after the ride or as part of your experience, sliding above the jungle to see the flora and fauna from the top of the trees. It is not a replacement for the ride. It is an additional activity you can select.

What is the natural hot springs part like?

The hot springs are a geothermal spa where you relax and apply a mineral-rich mud mask to your skin. The mud is designed to cleanse and refresh you, and this part of the day gives you time to recover after the morning's riding and activity.

How long is the full day, and when does it start?

The tour runs for 10 hours total. Hotel pickup is included, so the day begins with your guide arriving at your hotel to collect you. The exact start time depends on your hotel location and the operator's pickup schedule.

Do I need to be an experienced rider to do this?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health. Contact the operator through the booking platform if you have questions about whether the ride suits your fitness level.