What to wear
Wear long pants and closed shoes (a small heel helps); bring a light rain layer — this is rainforest.
Horseback add-on · Tenorio rainforest, Costa Rica
Río Celeste Horseback Ride on the quiet slopes above the river
An easy, unhurried walk on calm horses — Tenorio beside you, Arenal on the horizon.
scroll
Quick answer
The Río Celeste Horseback Ride follows forest trails on the slopes above Río Celeste, in the Tenorio rainforest north of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, at an easy, unhurried walk on calm, sure-footed horses, with a local naturalist guide leading the way along trails most visitors never reach. Ask us to add it to your Tenorio rainforest day.
Easy paceCalm horsesAbove Río CelesteNaturalist guide
Last verified September 2026 by Miller Contreras, naturalist guide
Duration
2 hours
Group
100% private
Guide
Local naturalist
Level
Easy
Type
Add-on
Experience
None needed
Nature · Tenorio, Costa Rica
Río Celeste from the Saddle, Tenorio, Costa Rica
On the forested slopes above Río Celeste, the rainforest opens just enough for a horse to find its footing — and that's where this ride goes. At an easy, unhurried walk, your local naturalist guide leads you along trails most visitors never reach: the same Tenorio rainforest that feeds the famous turquoise river below. The horses are calm and sure-footed, the pace is gentle enough for first-time riders, and the views do the rest — Tenorio Volcano rising green beside you, Arenal floating on the far horizon, and the valley opening between the trees. It's Río Celeste from a different angle entirely: not the busy waterfall trail, but the quiet high ground, at the pace of a horse.
Part of a private day
See the day →
See the day →
Where does it fit in your day?
The horseback ride isn't sold on its own — it joins one of our private days on the Tenorio side. Transport and your guide are already covered by that day, and we quote it together with the day you choose.
Sloth & Waterfall Rainforest Combo
The full private rainforest day — add a ride on the slopes above the river.
Add it to this day
See the day →
White Water Rafting, Tenorio River
Add the horseback ride to your rafting day on the Tenorio.
Add it to this day
See the day →
Taxes included. Tell us your group size and where you're staying — we confirm the exact quote on WhatsApp.
Real photographs from our days
Photos from the trail
The slopes above Río Celeste, Tenorio, Costa Rica. Drag to explore.
Into the forestA trail on the slopes of Río Celeste
Arenal on the horizonFrom the high ground
The whole familyRiding together
Below TenorioA white horse on the forest trail
The valleyOpening between the trees
Meeting the horsesCalm and sure-footed
Heading downToward the Río Celeste valley
At an easy walkNo experience needed
Why book with us
Book direct with the operator
- We run these tours ourselves. No middleman, no reseller.
- Private from two people on most experiences — no strangers in your van.
- The price you see is the price you pay: taxes and door-to-door pickup included.
On the trail
What is the Río Celeste horseback ride like?
Calm horses, easy trails and the quiet high ground above the river.
The horses
Calm and sure-footed
An easy walking pace — gentle enough for first-time riders.
The trail
Away from the crowds
Forest trails above the river, far from the busy waterfall trail.
The views
Two volcanoes
Tenorio rising beside you, Arenal floating on the far horizon.
The guide
Local naturalist
Knows these trails and the wildlife along them, and stays with you throughout.
On the ride
- Ride forest trails on the slopes above Río Celeste, deep in the Tenorio rainforest
- Travel at an easy walking pace on calm, sure-footed horses — perfect for first-time riders
- Go with a local naturalist guide who knows these trails and the wildlife along them
- See two volcanoes from the high ground — Tenorio rising beside you, Arenal on the horizon — far from the busy waterfall trail
- Enjoy a private ride at your own group's pace, with time to take it all in
Before you go
What should you know before you go?
Duration
About 2 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Style
Private
Type
Add-on
Weight limit
250 lb / 113 kg
Who can ride
Beginner-friendly — calm horses and easy trails, no riding experience needed. Weight limit is 250 lb (113 kg) per rider, for the horses' wellbeing; there's no minimum age, so families can ride together.
Wildlife
You'll see wildlife along the trail — which species is up to the forest, and a quiet pace and a local guide put the odds in your favor.
Included
This is an add-on to your Tenorio day — transport, your guide and everything else are already covered by the parent experience. Private and naturalist-guided, so the route and pace bend to your group.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
On the forested slopes above Río Celeste, in the Tenorio rainforest near Bijagua, northern Costa Rica — with Tenorio Volcano right beside you and Arenal on the horizon.
The hike follows the trail to the turquoise waterfall; this ride climbs the quiet forested slopes above it on horseback — a different route, a different pace, and far fewer people.
No — the horses are calm and sure-footed and the trails are easy, so it's comfortable for first-time riders. Your guide stays with you throughout.
There's a 250 lb (113 kg) weight limit per rider for the horses' wellbeing. There's no minimum age, so children can ride with the group.
It's a private, naturalist-guided ride, and it's an add-on to one of our private Tenorio days, the Sloth & Waterfall Rainforest Combo or White Water Rafting on the Tenorio River — woven into that day with transport and your guide already included.
Twenty-four hours before your tour begins, counted from the start time and not the day. Cancel before that and you get a full refund.
More than 300 five-star reviews on Tripadvisor
Ready to ride Río Celeste?
Tell us your dates and we'll build your private rainforest experience — or pair it with Llanos de Cortés — around your group. Our guides’ eBird lists are public — you can read them before you write.
Prefer a form? Write to us here → · Part of our Nature Experiences · Featured in the Sloth & Waterfall Rainforest Combo Experience
By the Guanadreams team
Led by Miller Contreras — naturalist guide, born and raised in Guanacaste, Costa Rica · 30+ years in tourism and 20+ years guiding
Led by Miller Contreras — naturalist guide, born and raised in Guanacaste, Costa Rica · 30+ years in tourism and 20+ years guiding