Arenal Volcano riding tour
Arenal Volcano riding tour
Arenal Volcano riding tour
4.5
About
With our healthy and well trained horses, we start this incredible guided tour, crossing rivers and through the trails in the rain forest, enjoying all the views of the San Carlos plains, and the amazing lava paths of the majestic Arenal Volcano. We can see also, monkeys, birds like toucans, turkeys, hawks, falcons etc.Departure time: 8:30 a.m. / 1:00 p.m.What to bring: Long pants, hiking boots, suns screen, mosquitoÂ’s repellent, camera, binoculars and rain gear.
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4.5
44 reviews
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24
Very good
12
Average
6
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1
Terrible
1
ananas08
none6 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
I bought evening passes to both hot springs (includes buffet dinner and access to spa from 5p-9p) as I was unsure which one to go to. If you want to go to both, I highly suggest going to Baldi first before Tabacon so you can fairly compare both. In addition, take a stroll around the hot springs before you eat since you will not be able to enjoy the scenery when it gets dark. It's a hard decision to make since each has a different atmosphere and there is a pretty big price difference between the two. However, you get what you pay for.
Baldi ($28 without transportation) feels like being in a Jurassic Park amusement park/block party with upbeat music playing. It has a very fun feeling and has some covered pools in case it rains. However, the dinner buffet has a small selection and was only okay (2.5 stars). Also, all of their showers are cold which is uncomfortable when used at night.
Tabacon ($70 without transportation), on the other hand, feels like you're in a nice spa. They had clean showers with hot water and space for you to change in the shower. It is also built around a running river which carries water heated by the volcano while Baldi's water is pumped into their pools. Their food was delicious (4.5 stars) - with much bigger and tastier selection of food. Tabacon's pools did not have any overhead cover for rain.
Baldi ($28 without transportation) feels like being in a Jurassic Park amusement park/block party with upbeat music playing. It has a very fun feeling and has some covered pools in case it rains. However, the dinner buffet has a small selection and was only okay (2.5 stars). Also, all of their showers are cold which is uncomfortable when used at night.
Tabacon ($70 without transportation), on the other hand, feels like you're in a nice spa. They had clean showers with hot water and space for you to change in the shower. It is also built around a running river which carries water heated by the volcano while Baldi's water is pumped into their pools. Their food was delicious (4.5 stars) - with much bigger and tastier selection of food. Tabacon's pools did not have any overhead cover for rain.
Written 13 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ExploreWorld9732
Saint Paul, MN79 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
Beautiful scenery, nice horseback ride, beautiful waterfall & a great place for a swim. It was another unique Costa Rican experience.
Written 10 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John V
New York City, NY5 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
I would really like to thank Jorge Montero, owner of Waves and Trails Travel for arranging our hotel and tours in the Arenal Volcano area, the volcano itself is spectacular, (but more spectacular if you do the horseback riding tour) my wife loved it and my children had a blast while doing the zipline and riding the horses overlooking the arenal volcano. The hotel was full but because of Jorge's assistance we were able to check in and his tour guide/driver that took us from San Jose knew this magical view point where no other tourists know about it and suddenly we were in front of an 90 feet tall waterfall in the middle of the rainforest. I would like to highly recommend Waves and Trails Travel for your trip to Costa Rica.
Vanderbilt Family
Vanderbilt Family
Written 20 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yanelle t
2 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
On Tuesday May 24, 2017 my husband and I went on the tour to see the Arenal volcano and to Tabacon hot springs. Although it was an excellent tour and scenery our driver Oscar was the worst ever our tour guide Hernan was great but the driver was very irresponsible with lives on board. I felt like my life was coming to an end soon. He drove so fast to the volcano sight way over the speed limit which was very unsafe especially when your traveling with other lives on board. We made it safely to the volcano and springs to thank God and had a wonderful relaxing time. On our way back to San Jose he continued to drive recklously and it was dark and VERY foggy to the point where you could not see a thing around not even the car in front of you. This is the point where I truly was praying to God for a safe trip back and fearing my life. As he drove fast around cliffs and very dangerous areas. He supposely hit something and lost control of the bus and hit a hard dirt wall. As my husband and I were sitting in the back we were the ones that were injured the most as it slammed SO HARD into the wall. We had no serious injuries at the time my husband hurt his knee with the chair and I had hurt my leg and back as well. We were offered to go to the hospital but at that time we declined. After we hit the wall he was begged by all the passengers to slow down and take it easy and he still didn't and continued on driving recklously. At this point I was scared and my anxiety kicked in. I just kept praying to make it home safe and quick. He also stopped at a pit station to wash off the dirt and grass so that it wouldn't be noticeable. EVERYONE on that bus was scared at this point. The next day I woke up worst and could barely walk. As our trip came to an end and we were leaving the I had to be transported in the airport with a wheelchair due to the pain. When I got back to the states I went to the doctor and I have a strained groin muscle and my back is also strained. I am on various medications but recovery may take a while and to be able to walk straight again as well. I wanted to let you know so that I can possibly prevent this from happening again to another person with that same irresponsible driver Oscar. I will never forget this as it is still haunting me because that wall could have been a cliff where we could have rolled off and died. I am in pain and recovering I don't wish this on anybody especially if your visiting from far away. I hope something can be done before something serious really happens next time with this man in the driver seat. I get some people drive crazy over there but I had been on buses and cars prior to this and none of them drove as recklous as he did. Thank god there were no children on this tour. My trip was amazing and so is the country but it was a bummer when this bus accident happened and I got injured the way I did. Please be careful with this driver named Oscar he is not safe at all.
Written 27 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
susan148
Buford2 contributions
Mar 2012
The tour guide, "JOHNNY", who was hired by Costa Rica Dream Adventures, made our day at the volcano, river cruise and rain forest trek the most outstanding adventure we could ask for. He has been doing this for over 20 years and his knowledge was totally unbelieveable. From plant names, to animals we should be looking out for, to the layers of the soil--even the best place to have "casada"(great lunch dish), our day was exceptional due to JOHNNY. Our flight from Tambor to Aernal was also great and NATURE AIR pilots were the best. They directed their flight coming back so we would fly over the volcano and points of interest were pointed out by them. What a great day due to wonderful people that were ozzing with knowledge.
Written 10 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike p
Philadelphia, PA2 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
if you like horseback riding and being outdoors close to an active volcano--go for it. september and october will offer the best views
Written 9 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CDBAlbq
Dallas, TX76 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
Cloud forests and drive around lake are very scenic. But no volcanic action in at least last year. As you are forewarned, the ride is very slow. And long sections into & out of Santa Elena are unpaved.
Written 2 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
orthocaster
North Carolina37 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
If you cant walk this is the best way to see the Volcano.
Written 1 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ivie04
Wantagh, NY62 contributions
Sept 2010 • Friends
Wow talk about beauty. It is great both at night and during the day. We paid to go see the volcano and enjoy the hot springs one evening and were allowed to return the next day to enjoy it again. It was worth it. You don't get the same epxerience if you only go once. At night it's nice and relaxing but during the day is something completely different. Recommend bringing a water camera because it because a pain to have to constantly lock things up and you want to stay in the water as much as possible. There are many walkways to different springs so stick to the buddy system at night as navigation can become a bit confusing. I stayed in San Jose so it was a bit of a travel to get there and back but I went with family. Perhaps doing a tour would put your mind at ease in terms of traveling. And be sure to stop for a freshly cut cocoanut along the way! Spa options available too.
Written 12 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sparkstr
Cocoa Beach, FL43 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
Love to ride there in Costa Rica....GOOD horses and handlers everywhere I have ridden there!!!..This ride is AWESOME!!!
Written 15 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, How far is arenal volcano from san jose aurola
Written 15 March 2018
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