Horseback Riding at Rincon de La Vieja National Park with Hacienda Guachipelin

At Hacienda Guachipelin we created eleven options for you to enjoy a horseback riding within the beautiful nature of Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

1 – Horseback Riding to Las Chorreras Waterfall – $29

Explore Las Chorreras Waterfall on Horseback – 1 Hour.

Two side-by-side waterfalls cascade into a beautiful sky-blue mineral water pool at Las Chorreras Waterfall. It is an excellent place for a cooling swim or just to enjoy the lovely surroundings. A tiny, shallow canyon of volcanic rock rings the waterfalls and pool, creating an intimate and private tropical oasis.

Our Costa Rica horseback riding tour involves a 30-minute ride each way on scenic forest trails from Hacienda Guachipelin. You have plenty of time to relax at the waterfall before your ride back to the hotel. The views of the waterfall and along the ride are absolutely unbeatable! Don’t miss out on this unique Costa Rica experience.

All of our horseback rides follow mostly forest trails, with very little time on transited ranch roads. Tours are guided by one of our experienced ranch cowboys.

2 – Horseback Riding to La Oropendola Waterfall – $37

Explore La Oropendola Waterfall on Horseback – 2 Hours.

Departing from Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, our one-day tour in Guanacaste begins with a 45-minute ride on a spectacular trail in the forest. Located near the entrance to the Las Pailas sector of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, La Oropendola Waterfall, with its impressive 25 meters, falls into a bubbling turquoise pool in the exuberant canyon of the Blanco River, creating an incredible tropical oasis, perfect for a refreshing dip.

When you arrive at the canyon, there is a short hike on a varied terrain trail to reach the river. You also have to walk a bit inside the river to get to the waterfall. After relaxing and swimming for a while at the waterfall, we ride back to Hacienda Guachipelin.

All our horseback rides are done on trails mostly within the forest, with some short stretches in the streets with the transit of the Treasury. This tour is guided by one of our experienced sabaneros. All participants must use safety helmets.

3 – Horseback Riding to Las Chorreras & La Victoria Waterfalls – $39

Horseback Ride to Two Stunning Waterfalls – 2 Hours.

Visit two amazing waterfalls on this horseback riding adventure. From Hacienda Guachipelin, we ride our horses for 30 minutes on pretty forest trails to Las Chorreras Waterfall. Two side-by-side waterfalls cascade into a beautiful sky blue mineral water pool, perfect for a cooling swim. A tiny, shallow canyon of volcanic rock rings the waterfalls and pool, creating an intimate and private tropical oasis.

After our break, we ride another 20 minutes to the captivating Victoria Waterfall. The falls drop 115 feet (35 meters) into the Rio Negro (Black River). The surrounding canyon has unique vegetation and topography, and you can swim in the crystal clear pool at the waterfall’s base.

From where we leave the horses, there is a short, steep descent down to the river. You have plenty of time to relax at the waterfall before your 45-minute ride back to the hotel.

All of our horseback rides follow mostly forest trails, with very little time on transited ranch roads. Tours are guided by one of our experienced ranch cowboys. We recommend wearing closed-toe shoes, as well as long pants or knee-length shorts.

4 – Horseback Riding to Las Pailas Hiking Trail – $42

Explore Las Pailas Trail on a Trusty Horse – 5 Hours.

Hiking at the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano should be on everyone’s Costa Rica adventure list! Our Guanacaste day tour combines the best of hiking in the park with fun horseback riding.

From Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, you ride our friendly ranch horses for 45 minutes on a pretty forest trail to the Las Pailas entrance of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Las Pailas, which means “the cauldrons” in Spanish, spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steam and sulfur pour out of the yellow and rust-colored ground at natural fumaroles. Clay and coffee-colored pools boil with hot volcanic water, and smooth gray volcanic mud bubbles and explodes in large pits. It’s an experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.

Hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park on the Las Pailas loop trail takes you 2.5 miles (3.5 kilometers) through dry tropical forest to see the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, and volcanic activity. You cross little rivers and see small waterfalls along the trail. More than 300 bird species live here, along with animals like white-faced, howler, and spider monkeys, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, and white-nosed coatis.

The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)

5 – Horseback Riding to La Oropendola Waterfall & Las Pailas Hiking Trail – $45

Ride to La Oropendola Waterfall & Las Pailas Trail on Horseback – 4 Hours.

Enjoy a perfect day tour in Guanacaste hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, horseback riding, and visiting the spectacular Oropendola Waterfall.

From Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, you ride 45 minutes on a pleasant forest trail to the Las Pailas entrance of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Meaning “the cauldrons” in Spanish, the Las Pailas area spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steam and sulfur pour out of the yellow and rust-colored ground at natural fumaroles. Clay and coffee-colored pools boil with hot volcanic water. Smooth gray volcanic mud bubbles and explodes in large pits. It’s an experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.

Hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park on the Las Pailas loop trail takes you 2.5 miles (3.5 kilometers) through dry tropical forest to see the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, volcanic activity, and wildlife. You cross little rivers and see small waterfalls along the trail. Our bilingual naturalist guide points out many of the 300 bird species that live here and many other animals, like white-faced, howler, and spider monkeys, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, or white-nosed coatis.

When you finish your hike, you are ready for a refreshing swim in the Oropendola Waterfall. It is a short walk from the national park entrance on a trail with varying terrain to get down to the river bottom. The Oropendola Waterfall plunges an impressive 82 feet (25 meters) to a sparkling turquoise pool in the lush canyon of the Rio Blanco (White River), creating a picturesque tropical oasis.

The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)

6 – Horseback Riding to Rincon de la Vieja & Rio Negro Hot Springs – $50

Ride to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Then Relax in Natural Hot Springs & Mud Baths – 4.5 Hours.

Our adventure begins at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, from where we ride our friendly ranch horses for 45 minutes on a scenic forest trail to the Las Pailas entrance of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The Las Pailas area spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steaming fumaroles, mini-geysers, and bubbling volcanic mud pits give you an incredible experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.

Hiking on the Las Pailas loop trail takes you through 2.5 miles (3.5 kilometers) of dry tropical forest to see the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, volcanic activity, and wildlife. Our bilingual naturalist guide points out many of the 300 bird species that live here as well as other animals like white-faced, howler, and spider monkeys, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, or white-nosed coatis.

After your hike, a car is ready to take us to the Rio Negro Hot Springs, one of the most popular attractions at Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Surrounded by thick tropical dry forest, Rio Negro (Black River) flows through 10 man-made pools filled with steaming mineral-rich volcanic waters. You access pools on both sides of the river by two hanging bridges. Heated volcanic clay is available to smooth over your skin like a spa “body masque.” After it dries, wash it off with cold river water before jumping back in the hot pools.

There are changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers at the hot springs entrance. From there, you walk a beautiful trail less than a quarter-mile (350 meters) through the forest to the hot springs pools.

The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)

7 – Horseback Riding to Simbiosis Spa – $50

Ride a Horse to our Spa For the Ultimate Relaxing Experience – 4 Hours.

Combine the fun adventure of horseback riding in Costa Rica with a private spa experience with thermal waters, a sauna, and mud baths. From Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, our day tour in Guanacaste begins with a 45-minute horseback ride on a scenic forest trail.

On the banks of the Colorado River at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, Simbiosis Spa – Aguas Termales is a relaxing day trip in Rincon de la Vieja. We offer baths with volcanic mud, pools in the middle of the forest with clay hot springs, sauna, massages, and body treatments, and our beautiful reception area with the changing rooms.

For an optimal natural spa experience, we recommend starting with the sauna for about 10 – 15 minutes to open all the pores of your skin. Then we recommend applying pure volcanic clay — which comes directly from our volcanic mud pans — all over your body. Wait for the mud to dry and then wash it off in the showers.

Now it’s time to relax in one of our three pools with clay hot springs. Finish your treatment with a cold shower so that the pores of your skin can close again, leaving you feeling like a newborn.

In addition to this basic spa experience, we also offer a variety of massages and body treatments to increase rejuvenation. Please make reservations for additional treatments. Search our menu of massages and body treatments.

Massages are not included but can be added at the time.

8 – Horseback Riding to Rincon de la Vieja, La Oropendola Waterfall, & Rio Negro – 62

Hike, Explore a Waterfall, and Relax in the Hot Springs – 6 Hours.

Our best Costa Rica horseback riding tour combines hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, visiting the spectacular Oropendola Waterfall, horseback riding, and relaxing in the Rio Negro Hot Springs.

From Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, we ride our friendly ranch horses for 45 minutes on a scenic forest trail to the Las Pailas entrance of the national park. Las Pailas (“the cauldrons” in Spanish) spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steaming fumaroles, mini-geysers, and bubbling volcanic mud pits give you an incredible experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.

The hike on the Las Pailas loop trail takes you through 2.5 miles (3.5 kilometers) of dry tropical forest to see the best views of the volcano, nature, volcanic activity, and wildlife. Our bilingual naturalist guide points out many of the 300 bird species that live here along with other wildlife, like white-faced, howler, and spider monkeys, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, or white-nosed coatis.

When you finish your hike, it’s time for a refreshing swim in the Oropendola Waterfall. It is a short walk from the national park entrance on a trail with varying terrain to get down to the river bottom. The Oropendola Waterfall plunges an impressive 82 feet (25 meters) to a sparkling turquoise pool in the lush canyon of the Rio Blanco (White River), creating a picturesque tropical oasis.

After your swim, a car takes us to the Rio Negro Hot Springs, one of the most popular attractions at Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Surrounded by thick tropical dry forest, Rio Negro (Black River) flows through 10 man-made pools filled with steaming mineral-rich volcanic waters. You can access pools on both sides of the river by two hanging bridges. Heated volcanic clay is available to smooth all over your body like a spa “body masque.” After it dries, wash it off with cold river water before jumping back in the hot pools.

There are changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers at the hot springs entrance. From there, you walk on a beautiful trail less than a quarter-mile (350 meters) through the forest to the hot springs pools.

The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)

9 – Cowboy for a Day – $65

Spend a Day with an Authentic Sabanero – 6 Hours.

Have you ever dreamed of being a cowboy or sabanero, riding the field under a blue sky without end, herding cattle and horses, and enjoying the freedom of open spaces?

You have the opportunity at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, located in the heart of the hacienda land in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, at the foot of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Work as a cowboy for a day in our ranch in the company of an authentic Guanacastean sabanero, or Costa Rican cowboy. This name is given because they spend hours and hours looking after animals in the great Guanacaste savanna.

You have to get up early to work on a farm – at 5:45 a.m.! Start by milking the cows in the pen. Fresh milk arrives in the kitchen of our restaurant every morning to be processed and served at breakfast. After milking, you can go to breakfast at the restaurant and return to get ready to ride on the farm.

The tour varies depending on the tasks that must be performed that day. Some of the activities include working in the stables and the corral, saddling and preparing horses, herding cattle and horses, checking cattle in distant pastures, repairing fences, etc. A picnic lunch is included on this Guachipelin adventure.

The tours are guided by one of our experienced sabaneros. All participants must wear helmets. We recommend wearing closed-toe shoes and long pants or shorts that reach the knee.

10 – Horseback Riding to Rio Negro & Sulfur Springs in Rincon de la Vieja – $67

Take a Ride to Rio Negro and Sulfur Springs on Horseback – 6 Hours.

In Costa Rica, some say the best “all-terrain vehicle” for navigating the country is a horse. Enjoy an amazing day tour in Guanacaste horseback riding to the best hot springs at Rincon de la Vieja Volcano! On this Costa Rica adventure tour, you visit both the Sulfur Springs and also Rio Negro Hot Springs.

We ride our calm and friendly horses from Hacienda Guachipelin’s stables on scenic trails through tropical dry forest and the Hacienda ranch. Spot a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles on our two-hour journey into the Santa María section of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park to the Sulfur Springs. These natural volcanic hot springs have a high concentration of minerals with healing properties.

After a relaxing break, we mount up to ride an hour to the Rio Negro (Black River) Hot Springs. There, we enjoy our delicious picnic lunch by the river, soaking in the amazing natural beauty of the area.

Surrounded by thick tropical dry forest, the Rio Negro Hot Springs is a lovely, tranquil setting. The crystal clear river flows through 10 man-made pools filled with steaming mineral-rich water heated naturally by the Rincin de la Vieja Volcano. You access pools on both sides of the river by two hanging bridges. Heated volcanic clay is available to smooth all over like a spa “body masque.” After it dries, wash it off with cool river water before jumping back in the hot pools.

There are changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers at the hot springs entrance. From there, you walk on a pretty trail less than a quarter-mile (350 meters) through the forest to the hot springs pools. Afterward, we leisurely ride back to Hacienda Guachipelin (one hour).

All of our horseback rides follow mostly forest trails, with very little time on transited ranch roads. Tours are guided by one of our experienced ranch cowboys. All tour participants must wear riding helmets. We recommend using closed-toe shoes and long pants or long shorts.

The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)

11 – Horseback Riding to la Cangreja Waterfall – $70

Explore Beautiful Wildlife at La Cangreja National Park on Horseback – 6 Hours.

Join us on a horseback ride to the spectacular La Cangreja Waterfall. From Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, we ride our friendly ranch horses 45 minutes on a scenic forest trail to the entrance of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

From the park entrance, the only way to get to this waterfall is by hiking 3 miles (5 kilometers) into the national park. Along the trail, you might see wildlife like white-faced, howler, or spider monkeys, white-nosed coatis, armadillos, Central American agoutis, iguanas, and birds like the blue-crowned motmot or emerald toucanet.

Spilling 130 feet (40 meters) in a white ribbon of water out of the green forest, the Cangreja Waterfall forms a clear blue pool at its base. Dissolved copper minerals from the volcano give the water its celestial blue color. Our bilingual naturalist guide brings along a picnic lunch for you to enjoy by the waterfall.

The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)

Private transportation available: $190 (price for Tamarindo Area)