Horseback riding on the beach at Playa Flamingo

You ride at sunset on sand instead of a trail.

Horseback riding on the beach near Playa Flamingo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where you ride for two hours along the shoreline and hidden trails with a live guide. The horses are matched to your age and experience level. You'll watch for tropical birds, reptiles and monkeys while your guide points out the rural landscape that defines the region.

The experience

The ride starts near Hotel Dreams las mareas and takes you onto the beach itself. The sand becomes your trail. A guide in English or Spanish leads you through this part of the Guanacaste coast, where the landscape shifts between open shoreline and tree-lined paths inland. The horses here are chosen for your size and riding experience, so a seven-year-old gets a different mount than an adult, and someone who has never ridden before rides a different horse than someone who has.

Two hours is long enough to move past the initial adjustment to the saddle and actually feel the rhythm of the ride. The beach ride is popular partly because sunset happens during the window when most departures run, so you're watching the light change over the water while you move. Bottled water comes with you. Bring sunscreen and a hat that won't blow off at a trot.

This is not a lesson or a walk. You're riding, not being led. The guide stays with the group and watches for wildlife: tropical birds are constant, and monkeys and reptiles show up often enough that keeping your eyes open pays off. The route itself is the point: the beach, the hidden trails, the animals and the light. No cars, no pavement, just the horse and what's around you.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Spanish.
• bottled water.
• horse matched to your age and experience level.

Options for this experience

3 options

Horseback ridingGuide in English or Spanish · 9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:30Two-hour horseback riding; pickup is included.

Planet Hollywood HotelGuide in English or Spanish · 9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:30Two-hour horseback ride at Planet; the fee is included in the price because we must collect you from and return you to your hotel. Pickup is included.

Andaz ResortGuide in English or Spanish · 9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:30Horseback ride at Andaz Resort lasting two hours, with two hours of riding; the drive is not counted in that time. The extra fee is included in the price because we have to collect you from and return you to your hotel. Pickup 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 timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 10 years): free · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

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

Low physical effortNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Jairo Tours In Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Pick this ride if you want to move through the landscape on horseback rather than watch it from a vehicle: the beach and the hidden trails are yours to cover at a pace that lets you notice the animals and the light as you go.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

13 verified 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: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (7 to 10 years): free. Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

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

Yes. The horses are matched to your experience level, and the guide works with riders of all abilities. Children from age 7 can ride. The operator matches each rider to a horse suited to their size and experience.

What animals will I see on the ride?

Tropical birds are common throughout the ride. Monkeys and reptiles show up regularly along the trails and beach, though sightings depend on the time of day and the season.

Does the ride happen at sunset?

The two-hour ride is timed so sunset often falls during the ride, especially during certain times of year. The exact timing depends on the season and your departure time.

What's included in the price?

The ride includes a live guide in English or Spanish and bottled water. Pickup is included in at least one of the available options. Confirm which one when you book.