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Old
Spanish Trail of Guanacaste
Horses, Volcanoes & Beaches
Experience a taste of
Guanacaste's traditional horse culture, learn about Natural
Horsemanship, and enjoy riding comfortable Criollo horses. |
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Join us for
an exceptional riding getaway at a horse ranch located minutes
from the famous white sand beaches of Guanacaste. Known for their
beautiful, well cared for and trained Criollo horses, Kay and Esteban
will treat you to a real down home hospitality and great riding.
Surrounded by the giant Guanacaste dry forest trees and colorful
tropical flowers, the ranch is an oasis for wildlife, especially howler
monkeys and tropical birds. In addition to riding, take a refreshing
dip in the splash pool, lounge in a hammock in the shade, or take an
early morning bird walk on the surrounding trails. We will explore
the coastal area of Guanacaste on the old Spanish Trail and take you the
the famous Volcano of Arenal for some horseback riding,
sightseeing and time at the hot springs and spa .
 IT-CRIT14
Rates include accommodations, most meals,
land transportation, 5.5
riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 1,595
Single: + $ 250
also: see short Getaway Rides
2008 Dates: any time from
November 15 to Aug 15
Meeting: Santa Cruz
Airport: Liberia or Tamarindo Airport
Transfer: Included from airport
Horses:
Spanish Criollos, Paso
and Quarter mix
Tack:
Western, English, McClellan
Pace: Moderate with trots, canters,
and some gallops
Level:
All
levels
Min/Max: 2-8 riders
ITINERARY INCLUDES:
Airport Transfers, 7 nights lodging,
meals local horse
guides
NOT INCLUDED:
International Airfare, all items of a personal nature, meals other than
breakfast, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, Costa Rica departure tax
Accommodations
-
Stay at
the ranch in the cozy Spanish style ranch house or private casita
surrounded by tropical flowers and shady trees. Cool off in the splash
pool after your ride or sip a cold drink while you watch the horses from
the porch rockers. Ranch breakfast, lunch and most dinners provided.
Extensions to beautiful beach B&Bs or one of the many hotels or condos,
can be arranged before or after your stay. Visitors may want to
enjoy the many other vacation attractions or just lounge on the beach
watching colorful Pacific sunsets. Transportation provided from
Liberia, Tamarindo and area hotels.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive at Tamarindo or Liberia Airport, microbus or taxi transport
to the finca and riding center located just minutes from the beautiful Pacific
beaches of Guanacaste. Orientation, Criollo Horse Show and dinner
or late supper at the ranch. (May vary depending on arrival times)
Day 2: After breakfast, you will have
an introductory lesson riding the beautiful Spanish Criollo horses
of Costa Rica known for their noble temperament and comfortable
ride. You will then ride the old Spanish oxcart trails, passing
through beautiful wooded countryside and small typical villages.
Along the way you may see Howler Monkeys, colorful tropical birds or
other wildlife, while getting a glimpse of the traditional sabanero,
cowboy culture, of the Guanacaste people. We will stop for a
typical lunch along the way at a typical restaurant, then continue
our ride through the ranch country and dry tropical forest. Take a
dip in the splash pool before dinner at the ranch.
Day 3: After breakfast, you will leave
by car for the famous Arenal Volcano region near the mountain town of
Fortuna. You will travel around spectacular Lake Arenal stopping
at Toad Hall is famous for its local art and homemade fare. Coffee
and Pastries included. We then will pass through tropical
rainforest lush with tropical flowers, birds and wildlife. We will
stay at the Los Lagos Hotel Spa and Resort or similar. In the
afternoon, you can enjoy swimming in the cold water pools, or relax
in thermal pools fed by the volcano. The hotel has lush gardens,
hiking, butterfly farm and a wild life viewing area, or select from
many optional tours. Dinner on your own.
Day 4: After breakfast, you will have
the choice of taking either the Canopy your or Horseback
to the Volcano - Guided Tours (included). When you return, you will
have free time to swim or take advantage of the spa. We will
leave around 4pm for our drive around the lake to the ranch,
stopping for a typical dinner along the way.
Day 5: After breakfast, start your day
with a demonstration of Natural Horsemanship training working with
young horses or another lesson riding the beautiful Tope horses used
in local weekend fiestas and parades. After lunch, take a short
ride to Monkey Park and Rescue Center to learn about some of the
interesting wildlife of the area and explore the tropical butterfly
enclosure, then pick up our horses and ride to a typical small town
salon for cold drinks and bocas. Don’t forget your camera. Pool
side supper after the ride.
Day 6: After breakfast, you will do an
early morning ride through beautiful old ranch trails and cattle
country to the quaint town of Tempate on the Old Spanish Trail for
lunch. Then return to the ranch along rustic trails. Free
Afternoon: you will be taken Tamarindo Beach famous for its white
sand beach, shopping and great surfing. Watch a spectacular Pacific
sunset, then choose one of the many fine restaurants for dinner on
your own. Transport back to the ranch. (Afternoon option: ½ day
Sunset Sailing and Snorkeling Tour $75)
Day 7: After an early breakfast we will
leave for Junquiall Beach and pick up our horses for a three hour
ride through beautiful trails and small towns to remote beaches. We
will ride along some of our most beautiful Pacific beaches,
mangroves and estuaries, a great place for those who want to canter
their horses on the beach. After our ride we will stop for lunch at
Lolas Restaruant on Avellanas Beach, one of the most beautiful and
tranquil beaches. Farewell dinner at a typical beach
restaurant included.
Day 8: After Breakfast, you will have
time for ring work with your horse or take a farewell walk,
depending on flight times, then transfer to the airport with an
optional stop at a gift shop or market.
Optional Sunday Fiesta: After Brunch, we
will leave to spend the day at one of the local weekend Fiestas.
Ride with us in a Tope, the traditional Sunday Horse Parades with a
special party for riders and non riders after, then watch the
colorful bull riding or sample traditional dishes for a real taste
of Guanacaste Culture. (offered most weekends Nov 15-May 15)
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History
 Kay and Esteban, have been providing
quality horseback riding tours for over 12 years, as well as
breeding and training the wonderful Spanish Criollo horses.
Kay is a
wildlife artist with a Ph.D. in Biology and Ecology originally from
Michigan, and Esteban, her husband, is a
Zotecnista ( farm vet)
born and raised in Guanacaste. Life on the ranch is a
comfortable blend of their two cultures. Kay first came to Costa
Rica as an ecology professor and later director of an international
conservation organization working on tropical forest preservation
and protection. A life long avid rider, she soon fell in love with,
not only the noble criollo horses of Guanacaste, but also her farm
vet, Esteban. Esteban’s family has been part of the horse and
cattle culture of Guanacaste for over five generations. Kay and
Esteban have developed Finca Casagua into one of the finest horse
ranches in the area breeding and training their own stock. Located
in an oasis of large Guanacaste trees, surrounded by green pastures,
just minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica,
the ranch is centrally located to take advantage of Guanacaste’s
famous tourists attractions.
About Guanacaste – Costa Rica’s north Pacific
province of Guancaste is one of the hot vacation spots in the
world. Famous for its vast white sand beaches, surfing breaks,
world class sport fishing, dry tropical forest flora and fauna, and
of course, colorful cowboy or Sabanero culture, Guanacaste offers
endless options to the rider and non rider alike. Once a remote
vacation spot, Guanacaste is now served by all the major airlines
through the new international airport in Liberia, just 45 minutes
from the ranch and Pacific Beaches.
About
the Horses
– “Our horses are special, they are why we are
here.” Chosen for their noble temperament and comfortable gate, the
Spanish criollo horses of Guanacaste are used for cattle ranching,
rodeo, pleasure riding, fiestas and even lower level dressage. A
combination of blood lines from the Andalusian, Barb, Jennet and
later the Peruvian Paso, the criollo horses are also the foundation
for the Paso Costarricence. Casagua staff will match rider to horse
to give the best riding experience available in the area. Most of
our horses were born on the ranch and trained with Natural
Horsemanship, Imprinting and other non- violent methods. In
addition to tours and trail rides, boarding and training, Casagua
most recently began a “Paint and Paso” breeding program with a goal
of breeding criollo horses with “color and comfort” using their
handsome paint stallion and criollo mares.
Traditional Fiestas & Tope Horse Parades -
From the end of
November to the end of July is Fiesta time Costa Rica. Every weekend
traditional small town fiestas feature bull riding, traditional
foods and dance. Horses abound, from Guanacaste cowboys to residents
and visitors riding a variety of Costa Rica horse breeds. Costa
Rican pasos horses offer a smooth high stepping ride. Sundays from
50-1000 horse enthusiasts meet for the colorful Topes or horse
parades and fiestas. Anyone can join in the festivities as a band
leads the high stepping horses through town to the fiesta and bull
ring. After the parade, riders and their guests are treated to a
reception with traditional food, drinks and music. Later riders join
the fiesta to watch the bull riding or even go to a dance.
Natural Horsemanship & Equine Education -
During your visit
learn more about basic horsemanship, Natural Horsemanship training
or take lessons either traditional Cowboy style or the high stepping
Spanish style on our beautiful Costa Rican pasos. Casagua
staff continually improve their Natural Horsemanship training skills
with clinicians in the US and Costa Rica. Casagua hosts a variety
of clinics on all aspects of horse training and health.
Weddings & Private Parties -
We offer private
parties and wedding packages including weddings on horseback, ranch
weddings, pre wedding parties and receptions for large or small
groups. Even non riders enjoy our Sabanero Show featuring beautiful
Spanish horses and Guanacaste cowboys. Let us help you design your
perfect day and a honeymoon on the beach.
Side
Trips and Attractions
Deep
Sea Sport Fishing
Canopy Tours
Kayaking
Sunset Sailboat Tours
Day Spas
Surfing
Arenal Volcano day tour
Golfing
Bird watching
Monkey
Rescue Center
Day Trips to the Arenal Volcano
Rental Cars to explore on your own
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