Horseback Riding in Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna, Costa Rica
The valley below Arenal Volcano is cattle country as much as rainforest, and the mix of open pasture, river crossings, and secondary forest makes for varied riding that the hiking trails don't reach. Several outfitters in the La Fortuna corridor run half-day rides through the valley with the volcano as the backdrop — the view of Arenal from horseback in open pasture on a clear morning is the version of this landscape that stays with people. Longer rides push into the forest margins where the canopy closes overhead.
Dry season is the most comfortable window: dry trails, firm pasture, and morning air cool enough for a long ride without the humidity that makes green season demanding. The January through April window is when clear volcano views and good conditions are most reliable together. Green season riding is available and the forest is more vivid after rain, but mud limits the routes operators can safely run. Most outfitters include transport from La Fortuna and accommodate riders with no prior experience.
Weather & Conditions
| Month | High / Low | Rain Days | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84° / 68°F | 10 | Good |
| Feb | 85° / 68°F | 7 | Good |
| Mar | 87° / 70°F | 9 | Good |
| Apr | 87° / 70°F | 16 | Good |
| May | 86° / 70°F | 22 | Okay |
| Jun | 84° / 70°F | 24 | Okay |
| Jul | 83° / 70°F | 24 | Okay |
| Aug | 83° / 70°F | 25 | Okay |
| Sep | 82° / 69°F | 26 | Okay |
| Oct | 82° / 69°F | 25 | Good |
| Nov | 82° / 68°F | 18 | Good |
| Dec | 83° / 68°F | 12 | Good |
Where to Go
Gateway town. Restaurants, tour operators, gear shops. Base for all Arenal activities.
1,670m dormant volcano. Last major eruption 2010. Cloud-covered most afternoons year-round.
Hiking on the lava flow and peninsula trails. Wildlife throughout. Entrance fee required.
Costa Rica's largest lake. Kayaking, windsurfing, and wildlife along the forested shores.
250-hectare private rainforest reserve. Six suspension bridges. Best wildlife walk near Arenal — sloths, toucans, howler monkeys.
70-metre waterfall in the rainforest. 500+ steps down to the pool. Cold, clear water. 20-minute drive from town.
Safari float through old-growth jungle. Class 1. Caiman, monkeys, kingfishers, herons. Year-round operation.
1.5–2hr north of La Fortuna. Motorboat tours on the Río Frío. Jabiru storks, caiman, freshwater turtles, migratory birds.
Class III–IV whitewater. Half-day rafting trips from La Fortuna. Higher water and better rapids in green season.
Dormant volcanic cone adjacent to Arenal. Strenuous 4-hour hike to a crater lake. Permit required.
Know Before You Go
Whether you visit in dry season or green season, the Arenal basin follows a consistent pattern: mornings are clear, afternoons bring cloud and rain. Every activity — the Mistico Hanging Bridges, the volcano hike, horseback riding, the La Fortuna Waterfall — is better before noon. Guides who have worked here for years build all their tours around early starts. Follow their lead.
There are dozens of hot spring operations around La Fortuna, from large commercial parks with multiple pools and swim-up bars to smaller, quieter pools fed by the same geothermal source. The best experiences are at properties with their own private springs. The commercial parks are crowded in peak season and serve a different purpose entirely. Know which you want before you book.
The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is 1.5 to 2 hours north of La Fortuna near the Nicaraguan border. A day tour by motorboat on the Río Frío delivers jabiru storks, caiman, freshwater turtles, migratory waterfowl, and a density of birdlife that makes Mistico look like a warm-up. Most operators include lunch and run from roughly 7am to 4pm. Book it for a day when you want something different from the volcano.
Hotels & Lodges for Horseback Riding
Nayara Springs
A private subterranean sanctuary carved into 800-year-old lava.