3 Best Horseback Riding Tours in La Fortuna (Which One to Book!)
Looking for a great horseback riding tour in La Fortuna?
Fantastic choice! Horses are an important part of Costa Rican culture, and a horseback ride is a different and exciting way to explore. When we lived in La Fortuna, we had a ton of fun exploring the countryside with horseback tours. For that reason, we’ve rounded up our top picks for you, so that you can enjoy waterfalls, rainforests, and the iconic Arenal volcano via horseback.
I mean, adventure, nature, and relaxation – what’s not to love? So saddle up, and we’ll take you through the best choices for your trip.
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this half-day horseback riding tour with epic views of the Arenal Volcano and a visit to a traditional village!
Tip: Reserve this tour in advance and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Go River Horseback Riding
- Our Top Choice
- Best Horseback Riding Tours in La Fortuna
- Book our FAVORITE horseback riding tour here before spots fill up!
- Reserve your spot on this top-rated private horseback riding tour here!
- Secure this half-day ride with FREE cancellation options!
- Other Things to do While You're in La Fortuna
- Where to Stay in La Fortuna
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
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Best Horseback Riding Tours in La Fortuna
1. 3-hour Horseback Tour with Views of Arenal Volcano
Tour Details
We had the most epic experience with this small group horseback riding tour! La Fortuna is known for its lush jungle, and exploring the trails on horseback was an unforgettable experience.
Not only did we get to ride alongside (and, at times through) the Arenal River, but we also spotted tons of wildlife, including monkeys, rare plants, and exotic birds. And don’t even get us started on the views of the famous Arenal Volcano – they were incredible!
What made this tour exciting is that our guide, Victor, let us do more than just walk. He taught the group how to trot and canter. The horses are incredibly well-trained so we were comfortable with this and it definitely got our adrenaline going. So if you’re looking for a thrill, then you’ll want to snap up your place on this tour.
Of course, three hours is quite a long time to spend on horseback, but we enjoyed a reprieve at the Maleku Village. This village is home to a local Indigenous community, who educate visitors on their traditional way of life. We watched a short presentation about the tribe and its history, which was super interesting. So this tour is not just great for adventure-seekers, it’s also a good choice for those who are keen to discover more about Costa Rica’s history and culture.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
2. Private Customizable Half-Day Horseback Riding Tour
Tour Details
Have something specific in mind for your horseback riding adventure? Well then, look no further than this fully customizable private tour!
Sometimes, joining a group tour means that you don’t quite get everything you want out of the experience. We love the fact that this private tour is catered exactly to you, so you can tell the guides exactly what you want or have them suggest the right trail for you based on your experience level.
This is ideal if you’re a first-timer and feel nervous about riding, or if you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum and want a more challenging ride than most group tours would typically offer. In fact, if you’re experienced enough, the guides will allow you to gallop, which is generally pretty rare when it comes to horseback tours.
Our guide, Andreas, was so kind and really went above and beyond to make sure that we were happy. Another thing that really impressed us was how well-cared for the horses were. It was evident that they were happy and healthy, and we were impressed when Andreas told us that they work one week on, one week off to make sure that they don’t get too tired. So if you’re passionate about animal welfare, this is definitely a great tour to support.
Honestly, for $130 USD we think that this experience is amazing value for money. It’s a little more expensive than the other tours in this article, but so worth it because it’s a private and ethical experience that is designed around you!
Related Read: For even more great activities to add to your La Fortuna itinerary, check out our guide to the 10 best things to do here!
3. Small Group Half-Day Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfall
Tour Details
La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in the whole of Costa Rica, so getting to visit on horseback really is the ultimate adventure! We loved this half-day ride through the area’s verdant jungle, especially as we got to see tons of birds, reptiles, and even sloths along the way. However, the highlight was naturally the waterfall!
When we got close to the waterfall, we dismounted along with the rest of our group and began the 15-minute hike there. There were about 500 steps, so it would have been too much for our trusty steeds! Still, it was nice to get off and walk, and we relished the chance to swim in the cool, jade-green water. Be sure to read our full guide to visiting La Fortuna waterfall so you’re all ready to go!
Our guides gave us plenty of time to swim and then we continued on our way. We also got to take our horses across a suspension bridge, which afforded beautiful views of the jungle canopy, and we visited the Maleku Village on the way back to the base to learn more about Indigenous Costa Rican culture. It was so interesting!
We think that this is the perfect choice for budget travelers. In fact, this tour is one of the most affordable options out there and we really felt like we got a lot of bang for our buck with this one. So if you’re seeking an affordable adventure, don’t hesitate to book this one!
Related Read: Another one of the best things we did in La Fortuna was go on a chocolate tour. These great tours will teach you all about local chocolate and let you sample some, too, of course!
Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
This is just one of the many fun activities to fill your itinerary with and there are so many other things to do in La Fortuna you won’t want to miss! These are just a few of our top picks:
- Hot springs – Be sure to get plenty of relaxation time during your stay in La Fortuna. The Free Natural Hot Spring River is a public river running through the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. It’s only 15 minutes outside La Fortuna and feels amazing after a day of hiking! If you don’t mind paying for a soak, there are tons of other amazing hot springs in La Fortuna to choose from too.
- Go on a night walk – After a day of adventure, going on this night walk and dinner tour makes for a fun evening experience. Guides lead you on an easy hike through the rainforest, spotting all the critters that come out after dark. To finish it off, you’ll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove.
- Drink great coffee – It’s no secret some of the best coffee in the world comes from Costa Rica! You can grab a cup of coffee at one of the restaurants in La Fortuna or take it a step further with a coffee tour. We had the freshest cup of coffee and tasted amazing homemade chocolate on this Costa Rican coffee and chocolate experience that takes place on a small family-owned plantation.
- Arenal Volcano – Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of La Fortuna! You can wander the trails at Arenal Volcano National Park on your own or as part of a hiking tour. For more unique volcano views, take to the sky aboard the Sky Tram, fly by on an ATV ride, or take a leisurely sunset cruise on Lake Arenal.
Related Read: Curious how to fit it all in? Our 3-Day La Fortuna itinerary shows exactly how to plan the ideal mix of adventure and relaxation!
Where to Stay in La Fortuna
Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. We even wrote an entire blog about the best hotels in La Fortuna. However, to make it super easy, we’ve narrowed it down to our top places for each price point. So keep reading to find one that suits your needs (and budget!).
Luxury – $$$
Luxury travelers should stay at The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal, which is one of the most exclusive properties in La Fortuna! This five-star resort delivers a true tropical escape with sweeping views of Arenal Volcano and everything you could dream of for a relaxing getaway.
The highlight here is the network of 28 natural hot spring pools, each with different temperatures and tucked among lush gardens. It’s the ultimate place to unwind after a day of exploring. The resort also features a large main pool, a swim-up bar, a full-service spa, and several restaurants and lounges serving excellent Costa Rican and international cuisine. Plus, many of the rooms have private terraces overlooking the volcano.
Rooms typically cost $600 USD and up! Check availability and book your stay at The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Those with a medium budget should check out Casa Luna Hotel & Spa. I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it! The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature, as well as a tropical garden.
One of my favorite things about staying here was the fact that all the rooms have views of the volcano and the rainforest. The hotel also includes a delicious breakfast, which makes life nice and easy when you have an early start, as we do for days 2 and 3 of this itinerary!
Rooms typically cost between $150 and $250 USD per night. Check availability and book your stay here!
Budget – $
Hotel Villas Vista is our top choice for a budget-friendly stay! Located just slightly outside of downtown La Fortuna, giving you incredible views of Arenal Volcano. But, it’s still walkable to downtown, so it’s the perfect balance of serene escape and convenience!
You’ll have an entire villa to yourself, and while they are simple and rustic, they are comfortable and private. The grounds are lush and well-kept, and guests consistently rave about the breakfast.
Prices start at $85 USD per night, which is honestly a steal for this location and accommodation. See all of the options and book your stay here!
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
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Pura Vida!
Ready for a fun way to experience La Fortuna’s gorgeous scenery? Regardless of which horseback riding tour you choose, you’ll experience something uniquely beautiful! We loved exploring this way when we lived in La Fortuna and I’d recommend a horseback riding tour to anyone traveling through.
If you’re looking for more fun activities, travel tips, or itinerary planning, be sure to check out the rest of our Costa Rica blogs! After living and traveling all over the country, we love sharing our expertise and favorite experiences. Check out these blogs below to help inspire your travels!
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