Costa Rica - Cloud Forest

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from KH of Portland on 08/04/2025

Day 1
After the drive from the airport (2 hours) relax by the swimming pool with a BBQ and campfire. Stroll round the tropical garden with colourful butterflies, hummingbirds and monkeys.

Day 2
Enjoy breakfast, then meet the horses. After a briefing, a riding assessment and a trial ride in the arena, we are off into the countryside! Take in views of the Pacific Ocean on one side (750m above sea level) and the cloud forest on the other.

Day 3
Waterfall Picnic Ride: After breakfast, ride through the hacienda farmland, through fields of grazing cattle, to the mountain River Zamora. After riding through forest, reach the hacienda's waterfall which drops into a lovely pool, where we can swim and relax.& Picnic on the bank and then ride back to the hacienda.

Day 4
Sunrise Ride: An early morning today (5am!) to experience the sunrise and the amazing sights and sounds of Costa Rica's wildlife awakening from the back of a horse.

Day 5
Jungle and hotel stay: After breakfast, today's ride is into the cloud forest and across neighbouring hacienda farmland where we can canter through the meadow until we reach the jungle. This area is protected primary forest, with its unique fauna and flora, centuries old and has never been cut down. Riding on the edge of the forest, we are surrounded by wildlife, (it is too dense to ride deep into the jungle), pumas, jaguars and ocelots live wild here in Costa Rica, but are very shy, and are rarely seen. In the early afternoon, we arrive at our accommodation, a small local hotel where the horses stay with us.

Day 6
Mountain and Pacific View Ride: First thing, about 7am, we take care of the horses together then retire for Gallo Pinto, a hearty Costa Rica breakfast. Today's ride is 4-5 hours, through the incredible ocean and mountain scenery, back to the ranch.

Day 7
Breakfast together and then transfer to the airport.

Optional beach day
Load up the horses early and drive down to Costa Rica's pristine coast. Have breakfast on the way then spend the day riding on the beach and then having a swim with the horses. Afterwards, eat at a good restaurant on the shore and at the end of the day, with a cappuccino, relax and take in the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.
The beach day costs extra, and can be swapped for one of the other itinerary days or you might want to book an another night at your accommodation. It also needs three riders to be viable.

NB If the weather is not suitable for riding an alternative activity will be offered.

Non-rider and other activities:
Hiking and quadbikes are available on the farm, whale watching (30min drive) and a rope park in the area offers abseiling zip wire fun.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

There are 12 horses on the farm, mainly Quarter horses, ridden in Western tack on a loose rein. The riding is relaxed and not fast.

Some terrain is challenging and steep in places, so riders need to be balanced with an independent seat, not relying on the reins. This will be rigorously assessed on arrival.

You will be expected to help with horse care when staying away from the ranch, but not on the other days, unless you would like to.

This ride is suitable for established riders, comfortable in walk, trot and canter, who can adjust their riding style to Western. Your host will give instruction on the assessment ride on the aids that the horses have been trained to understand.

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The hacienda is quite remote, located in the Puntarenas mountains, about 30 minutes from the beach. There are three guest lodges that are air conditioned, each with a small kitchen, fridge, microwave and tea and coffee making facilities, a living area and bathroom with solar shower and toilet. Guests eat together at the main house and there is an outdoor swimming pool. Two of the lodges can accommodate up to four people, the other is designed for two people.

Your hosts are a welcoming German/Costa Rican team, their finca is a working cattle ranch with 200ha of pasture. Two hearty meals a day of fresh, authentic local produce are included, with beer and wine. The fridge in the kitchenette of each lodge has staples of ham, bread and butter for snacks in between, plus tea and coffee. There are places to eat a short drive away and many guests choose to hire a car whilst travelling in Costa Rica.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. There’s a departure tax due when leaving the country by air. Somes airlines include this in ticket prices; a few have still not done so. Check with your airline or travel company whether you need to pay this separately. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

This part of Costa Rica has 3 distinct seasons - the dry season December to the end of April (no rain), the Green season (occasional rains May through September (usually no problems for riding) and the rainy season, late September to mid November (heavy rains, but depends on the year). Please note with heavy or persistent rain it may not be possible to ride for safety reasons and refunds will not be given.

At Unicorn Trails, the health and safety of our customers is of paramount importance. COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Health authorities have classified Costa Rica as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. Dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever are present throughout the country, although the coastal and southern states with lower altitudes are the most affected, especially during or shortly after the rainy season between April and November. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Costa Rica and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.

Riders should not have health concerns that limit their riding and must be aware that this a tropical country with higher temperatures than they may be accustomed to.

Bring personal medications, other needs available at pharmacies near by.

In Costa Rica the supply voltage is 120V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 120V).
WiFi and mobile reception is very poor in Costa Rica, It's also advisable to buy a local sim card AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE COMING THROUGH SECURITY/PASSPORT CONTROL as it's very difficult to buy one after.

WiFi and mobile reception is very poor in Costa Rica, It's also advisable to buy a local sim card AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE COMING THROUGH SECURITY/PASSPORT CONTROL as it's very difficult to buy one after.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384 (One can be provided, but we recommend you bring your own)
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- Comfortable light weight riding clothes
- Casual wear
- Closed shoes
- Long trousers
- Light rain/wind proof gear is needed in the rainy season
- Hat
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- Binoculars are a good idea

Provided by hosts:
Some sizes of riding helmets are available (not compulsory for over 17)
Guide books are available.

7d / 6n programme with 5 riding days. Other options are available, including tailor made packages.

December to June (drier season) recommended.
Confirmed dates: 2-8 Mar, 15-21 Mar; 21-27 Apr; 15 -21 May.

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Additional information on travel in Costa Rica can be obtained from the Costa Rican National Tourist Bureau in Miami, Florida www.tourism-costarica.com.

Costa Rica Birds - Raymond Leung Costa Rica

A Journey through nature - Adrian Hepworth

Costa Rica Culture and Traditions - Jack Donnelly Costa Rica

History, Travel and Tourism - Samuel Ash

Costa Rica supports an enormous variety of wildlife, due in large part to its geographic position between North and South America, its neotropical climate, and its wide variety of habitats. Costa Rica is home to more than 500,000 species, which represent nearly 5% of the species estimated worldwide, making Costa Rica one of the 20 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world. Of these 500,000 species, a little more than 300,000 are insects.

One of the principal sources of Costa Rica's biodiversity is that the country, together with the land now considered Panama, formed a bridge connecting the North and South American continents approximately three to five million years ago. This bridge allowed the very different flora and fauna of the two continents to mix. While encompassing just one thirtieth of a percent of Earth's landmass, Costa Rica contains four percent of species estimated to exist on the planet. Hundreds of these species are endemic to Costa Rica, meaning they exist nowhere else on earth. These endemic species include frogs, snakes, lizards, finches, hummingbirds, gophers, mice, cichlids, and gobies among many more.

In 1948 Costa Rica was the first country in the modern world to abolish its army. In that tradition, efforts to establish the University for Peace began at the United Nations under the leadership of the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Carazo.

Costa Rica is six hours behind GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram.