Horseback Riding Rincón de la Vieja: Mountain Trails & Views

Ride mountain trails to a volcano viewpoint with a Costa Rican cowboy

Horseback riding near Rincón de la Vieja National Park with a local guide who teaches you about Costa Rican ranching culture and history as you cross scenic mountains, cattle ranches, and rainforest. The ride ends at one of Guanacaste's best viewpoints, where you see the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and the surrounding landscape. Along the way, taste fresh seasonal fruits like guavas and nances, and watch for monkeys and colorful birds.

The experience

You start by meeting your local Costa Rican cowboy guide, who leads you across mountain trails that wind through working cattle ranches and patches of tropical rainforest. The route follows the landscapes surrounding Rincón de la Vieja National Park, and your guide shares stories about traditional ranching life and Costa Rican culture as you ride. The pace suits both beginners and experienced riders, so the focus stays on the landscape and the animals you encounter rather than on difficult terrain.

Partway through the ride, you stop to pick and taste seasonal tropical fruits straight from the trees: guavas, nances, and whatever else is ripe that day. Wildlife appears regularly: keep an eye out for monkeys swinging through the canopy and colorful birds moving between the trees and open pasture. The ride takes about two and a half hours total, building toward the highlight: a viewpoint that overlooks the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and the rolling countryside of Guanacaste stretching out below.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• horseback riding across mountain trails, cattle ranches, and rainforest.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (8 to 17 years) · Infant (under 1): free

GroupPrivate

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Costa Rica Excursions Travel

Is this one for you?The ride takes two and a half hours at a pace that works for first-time riders, so you can fit it into an afternoon without needing extensive riding experience or a full day commitment.

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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 (8 to 17 years); Infant (under 1): free.

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's the viewpoint like at the end of the ride?

The viewpoint sits at one of the best spots in Guanacaste for seeing the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and the surrounding countryside. You get panoramic views across the mountains and ranches you've just ridden through, with the volcano as the centerpiece.

Will I see wildlife on the ride?

Monkeys and colorful birds are common along the trails and in the rainforest sections. Your guide will point them out, and the pace of the ride gives you time to watch for them as you move through the landscape.

What kind of fruits do you pick along the way?

The fruits depend on the season, but guavas and nances are typical. Your guide picks them fresh from the trees and you taste them during a stop on the ride.

Is this suitable if I've never ridden a horse before?

Yes, the ride is suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike. The terrain and pace are designed to be accessible, so you can focus on the scenery and the guide's stories about Costa Rican ranching culture.