Christine Chauvin (Ltd.)
430 East 56th Street
New York, NY 10022

Tel: 212 421-0671
Fax: 212 935-0559

e-mail:
christine@adventuresonhorseback.com

 

COSTA RICA

A new ride in the Tropics
February 16 – 24, 2008
6 Riders

Introduction
I was most definitely seduced by Costa Rica during my recent inspection trip. I found it a delightful and beautiful country. Dominated by mountain ranges and verdant forests, gouged by fertile valleys and flanked by beautiful beaches, it is blessed with a large variety of ecosystems from the Caribbean to the Pacific and as a result has an astonishing wealth of flora and fauna (one of the world’s richest biodiversities). Its people, the “Ticos”, are most friendly and hospitable. It is easily accessible from the USA with no jetlag!

There is something of interest for everyone: beaches, surfing, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, abundant wildlife, nature and canopy walks, arts and crafts… and of course horseback riding. Not so long ago it was the only means of transport of the locals.!

I was there during the wet season (September) – Pacific side was often overcast with rain showers mostly at night - the central highlands however, that separate the two coasts, were in a constant cloud where it rained incessantly; as a result I did not see any volcanoes! This region is better explored as an extension during the dry season (December through April!).

During my 6-day survey I concentrated on the central Pacific region and the southern shores of the Caribbean. I loved them both, and rode horses everywhere.

Pacific side, for a couple of days, checking out the horses, tack and outfitter, I joined four lovely ladies who were on a ten-day riding holiday. In general I found the horses (on the small side) to be very fit (not fat), sure-footed, gentle, extremely well mannered and very comfortable. They were a pleasure to ride. Some could even be ridden without a bit! Tack was excellent. I was most impressed by Mainor, our guide. Wonderful with the horses (he trains most of them), he was extremely safety conscious and very attentive to everyone’s needs. Our naturalist, Mario, was most knowledgeable, fun and absolutely charming. We rode through picturesque terrain of lush farmland, forests, crossed rivers and climbed hills from which one could view the ocean. The vegetation was in part so dense and overgrown that our guide had to hack through it with his machete. At times the grasses were so tall they swallowed up the horse and rider in front of me. Everywhere beautiful flowers, butterflies, birds, macaws, monkeys… On my last day with them we rode to the Ocean and galloped on the beach at low tide. Tremendous fun!

Caribbean side, south of Puerto Viejo, for a couple of days I joined Edwin Salem (a world class surfer entr’autres), to whom I had been introduced by a friend. He was putting the finishing touches to his small rustic retreat in the jungle, just 600 yards up the hill from the sea shore, where a constant breeze excluded the use of fans or AC. The simple, well-designed accommodation in open plan wooden chalets on stilts is pleasing, very comfortable and blends in perfectly with the environment. It was a joy to wake up to the birds’ symphonic variations.

In the morning, before riding down to the beach, Edwin took me a few hundred yards further up the hill to see his farm, as we rode back down, a beautiful “jaguarundi” suddenly darted across our path and disappeared into the jungle (smaller version of the Jaguar and black)! It all happened in a flash, the horses didn’t bat an eyelid. We then spent the whole day riding along 10km of beautiful crescent shaped beaches of white sand bordering a mangrove forest. We tethered our horses to some palm trees and swam in crystal clear, warm, turquoise blue waters, rich in marine life. We lunched on grilled fish at “Maxie” a shack-restaurant on the beach. Fabulous!

Less developed than the Pacific side (for the time being), the Caribbean is still rustic and wild. The next morning we took a boat and cruised further south where the beaches are only accessible by sea. The coastline was gorgeous with the jungle literally falling into the sea. I was very sorry to leave!

On the basis of this experience, I thought it would be fun to do a ride encompassing both Ocean coasts since they are very different. To avoid a long day’s drive on bumpy roads, a charter plane will whisk us from one side to the other in under one hour.

---

THE RIDE

Day 1 (Feb 16)
Arrival Juan Santamaria International Airport where you are met and transferred to your Hotel. Welcome Dinner Overnight at Hotel Le Bergerac or similar.

Day 2 (Feb 17)
Depart at 8:30 A.M - drive to Cien Fuego EcoRanch (Pacific side), stopping en route to visit a Butterfly farm. After lunch at Cien Fuego, horse presentation, assignment and a 3-hour ride along rolling hills to connect with your mount and familiarize with the local tack.

Short drive to our hotel in Tarcolitios. Dinner and overnight Villa Lapas Ecolodge
Day 3 (Feb 18): Return to our horses and ride to, and into, Machuca River Canyon where it is possible to swim with the horses. After enjoing a picnic lunch, we will ride to Finca La Maravilla 3 hrs) where we leave the horses for the night. Short drive to Tarcolitios.
Dinner and overnight Villa Lapas Ecolodge

Day 4 (Feb 19)
Morning ride. From La Marvilla ride through the adjoing La Mariana estate (meadows, rolling hills, savannahs, gallery forest and rivers). Lunch at Maravilla. Optional shorter afternoon ride in the hilly southern part of la Maravilla estate, or canopy walk/glide in the rainforest preserve of Villa Lapas.

Dinner and overnight Villa Lapas Ecolodge

Day 5 (Feb 20)
AM Coastal ride from La Maravilla to the beaches of the Pacific (subject to tide times) for some exhilarating canters on the beach. After a picnic lunch, we will take a boat trip through the Mangrove Swamp canals and up the Tarcoles River which is home to one of the largest Crocodile colonies in Costa Rica. Short drive (5mn) to the hotel, to change and transfer to Herradura (15mn) where we will board our chartered flight to Limon on the Caribbean side. A two hour drive will take us to Edwin Salem’s lodge, south of Puerto Viejo.
Cocktail and dinner Edwin’s Jungle Retreat

Day 6 (Feb 21)
Whole day beach-ride. Ride along the fabulous beaches of white sand, swim with the horses… lunch at “Maxie”.

Return to the lodge for Asado dinner and overnight Edwin’s Jungle Retreat

Day 7 (Feb 22)
Boat ride to remote beach coves for a morning of swimming, snorkeling, surfing (Edwin is a master teacher) or simply sunbathing. Return to the lodge for lunch and siesta.

Afternoon Jungle and beach ride (2hrs).

Dinner and overnight Edwin’s Jungle Retreat

Day 8 (Feb 23)
Morning at leisure. Lunch at the lodge.

2.00 PM Drive to San Jose with our naturalist/guide from the Pacific side!

Farewell Dinner in San Jose. Overnight Hotel Le Bergerac or similar

Day 9 (Feb 24)
Private transfers to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) for your flights back home.

End of Services

 

---

COST ON THE BASIS OF 6 RIDERS*
$2,800 per person on a sharing basis.

($325 single supplement)

Includes: airport transfers, accommodation in twin/double occupancy, full board drinks included, horses and equipment, water on the rides, private bilingual guide (days 2 to 5 and last day), entrance fees, private charter flight on day 5 (Atzeca plane) and ground transfers.

Excludes: International airport tax of $26, extras at hotels (telephone calls, room service, laundry, alcoholic drinks, etc…), tips and gratuities for Guides, Driver and service providers.

*cost would have to be adjusted in case of less than 6 riders

---

For further information about this ride please call
Christine at (1) 212-421 0671, or email christine@adventuresonhorseback

[Return to Tour Schedule]