Is prior horseback riding experience required?

No previous horseback riding experience is necessary; guides provide basic instruction and the horses are trained for all levels.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

You may spot howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, toucans, coatis, and various reptiles along the trail.

How difficult is the hike portion of the trip?

The hike is moderate, covering about 2.5 miles over uneven volcanic terrain and forest paths, suitable for most reasonably fit participants.

Is the park entrance fee included in the booking?

No, the park entrance fee is paid separately upon arrival to support Rincon de la Vieja National Park’s maintenance and conservation.

What should I bring with me?

Bring water, closed-toe shoes, long pants, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera to capture volcanic features.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, horseback riding is suitable for ages 4 and up, making it a family-friendly adventure.

Horseback Ride & Hike at Rincon de la Vieja | Hacienda Guachipelin

Rincon de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, offers a rare mix of volcanic energy and rich wildlife set in a dry tropical forest. Hacienda Guachipelin invites adventurers to a dynamic 5-hour excursion combining horseback riding and hiking along the Las Pailas trail. Departing from the ranch, guests mount well-trained horses for a scenic 45-minute ride through shaded forests to the park’s rugged entrance. The trail leads to Las Pailas, or “The Cauldrons,” an area where geothermal forces power dramatic fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and steaming hot springs painted in sulfurous yellow and reddish tones. This volcanic playground is unique to Costa Rica’s largest and most active volcano in the Guanacaste region.

After dismounting, the adventure transitions to a 2.5-mile hike on the Las Pailas loop trail, winding through dry tropical forest and crossing clean streams and small waterfalls. This trail provides ample opportunity to witness a diversity of wildlife: howler monkeys vocalize overhead, brilliant toucans flash through the canopy, and elusive white-faced monkeys move between branches. Over 300 species of birds call the park home, along with reptiles, armadillos, and coatis.

Hacienda Guachipelin stands out as more than a tour operator—they represent a gateway to Costa Rica’s wilderness, combining local expertise, sustainable practices, and carefully managed horse rides that respect the environment. Their horseback trip reduces trail impact and opens up areas less accessible by foot alone, making the experience both adventurous and responsible.

Visitors should note the park entrance fee is separate and prepare for variable terrain and active volcano conditions. Whether you’re a horseback novice or an eager hiker, this blend of movement and nature offers a deeply immersive way to connect with the raw power and beauty of Guanacaste’s volcanic heart.

About Hacienda Guachipelin

Hacienda Guachipelin is an adventure and wellness destination located in Liberia, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The property operates a wide range of guided tours, private excursions, and spa services centered around Rincón de la Vieja National Park and nearby natural attractions.

Guests can choose canopy and canyoning adventures, horseback rides to waterfalls, multi-length hikes to Las Pailas, La Oropéndola, La Cangreja and Las Chorreras, river tubing, mountain biking, and bird watching. Spa and thermal offerings include Simbiosis Spa, Río Negro hot springs and mud baths, volcanic mud treatments, magnesium massages, facials, body exfoliation, and specialized masks and wraps.

Many experiences are available as private or group options, including private canyon canopy tours, private horseback rides, private hikes, and private river tubing adventures. Multi-activity passes such as one-day nature and adventure passes combine waterfall visits, hot springs, and lunch options for full-day itineraries. Hacienda Guachipelin lists duration-flexible experiences from short spa treatments (45 minutes) to longer outings like a 5.5-hour horseback riding half-day tour.

The business provides entrance and combo packages for popular sites—Oropéndola, Chorreras and Victoria waterfalls—and offers equipment rentals such as mountain bikes. All descriptions and offerings correspond to the tours, thermal experiences, and spa services available at the Hacienda. Information is presented to help travelers select hiking routes, canopy tours, horseback excursions, tubing trips, and restorative spa treatments in Liberia, Guanacaste. Booking options include private and group reservations, and the property lists entrance fees and combo lunches for select waterfall and hot spring visits via Hacienda channels.