Monteverde horseback riding: Waterfalls, hiking & 4 volcanoes
Walk down to waterfalls, ride back up on horseback
A 5-hour guided trek in Monteverde combines hiking, river swimming and horseback riding, starting from a mountain viewpoint overlooking four volcanoes. The route descends through cloud forest to a river with four waterfalls, crosses rustic bridges, and climbs back to the trailhead on horseback over about 35 minutes. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Monteverde or Santa Elena, lunch and snacks, and a live guide in English or Spanish are included.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Hiking, waterfalls, and horseback riding
- Start hike from mountain top
- Cross rustic bridges
- Snack by the river
- See four big waterfalls
- Swim in the river (if weather permits)
- Horseback ride uphill for 35 minutes
- Enjoy typical Costa Rican lunch
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Monteverde or Santa Elena.
- entry to the Monteverde Horseback Riding area and Monteverde Waterfalls.
- a live guide in English or Spanish.
- lunch and snacks.
- driver and all fees and taxes.
Times
- Every day 07:30 09:30
Before you book
Operated by Faro Travel Costa Rica
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts at a viewpoint where the weather permits views of Volcán Arenal, Volcán Rincón de La Vieja, Volcán Tenorio and Volcán Miravalles, plus part of Guanacaste Province and Arenal Lake. From there you hike down the mountain into the cloud forest toward a river system fed by four waterfalls. The trail crosses rustic bridges and opens onto pools where you can swim if conditions allow. A snack waits at the riverbank before the return leg.
The climb back to the trailhead happens on horseback over roughly 35 minutes, which is what separates this from a straight hike. You ride instead of walking the uphill stretch. The guide leads both the descent and the ride, and the pace is built for people who want real hiking and real riding, not a gentle stroll. A full Costa Rican lunch comes at the end, and the driver returns you to your hotel in Monteverde or Santa Elena.
The experience requires good weather to run. If conditions force a cancellation, the operator offers a different date or a full refund. Children from age 5 are welcome, and the itinerary suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health. You can add a zipline bike to the day at checkout, or book the trek as self-guided if you prefer to move without a guide.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to hike and ride in the same day rather than choose one: the descent on foot and the climb on horseback give you both skills in a single morning. The fixed 5-hour window and included transport from your hotel mean the day holds together without you arranging anything separately.
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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 (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 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. No refund if you cancel.
Can I see volcanoes from this horseback riding tour in Monteverde?
Yes. The viewpoint at the start of the trek overlooks four volcanoes (Arenal, Rincón de La Vieja, Tenorio and Miravalles), and on clear days you can also see part of Guanacaste Province and Arenal Lake.
Will I actually swim in the river during the hike?
You reach a river with four waterfalls and pools where swimming is possible if weather and water conditions allow it. The snack break happens at the riverbank.
How long is the horseback riding part of this tour?
The horseback ride back up the mountain takes about 35 minutes. The full experience, including the hike down, river time and the ride up, runs 5 hours total.
Is hotel pickup included in Monteverde?
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if your hotel is in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Pickup from outside those areas is available as an add-on at checkout.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?
The experience requires good weather to operate. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.
Monteverde horseback riding: Waterfalls, hiking & 4 volcanoes
5h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 116 per person
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