Great horseback riding adventure
My family put the guide to the test having an experienced 13 year old rider as well as grandparents in their 70's. The guide was obviously great with horses and tourists as well. Everyone had a great time and the horses behaved perfectly. The only people on the tour was my family. We did 2.5 hours of riding and the cost was very reasonable. Great way to experience the nature and animals in the area. Must check this out if you are in the Rio Celeste!
Operator response
Hola,
Thank you, Wes, for taking the time to share such a detailed review. We’re truly glad your family had the opportunity to experience a Rio Celeste horseback adventure together.
It’s always special for us when multiple generations ride with us at the same time, from experienced younger riders to grandparents, because it really shows how accessible and enjoyable this experience can be for everyone. Our horses are carefully trained to be calm and responsive, which helps make the ride comfortable, whether it’s someone’s first time or they’ve ridden before.
This route was designed to give guests a genuine connection to the rural land, passing through a working cattle pasture and gradually ascending into the higher plateau areas overlooking the Rio Celeste region. From the foothills of Volcano Tenorio, the landscape opens up into wide, scenic views that are especially rewarding when the weather cooperates, as it did during your visit.
We’re also very happy to hear your family enjoyed the private experience and felt the value was fair. We always aim to keep it personal, peaceful, and focused on the surrounding nature and wildlife so guests can truly take in the environment of this farming community.
If you ever return to the area and would like to extend your stay in the cloud rainforest, we would love to host you at our Volcano Tenorio Glamping Ranch. You can find more information at tenorioglamping.com.
We sincerely appreciate you choosing us for your family’s experience and hope to welcome you back again in the future.
Pura Vida!
Great Ride
Marcos was fantastic! The ride was so beautiful and fun. I would definitely do it again and have Charlie as my ride! He was smooth and gentle the whole way.
Operator response
Hola, thank you so much for the kind words.
When we purchased the horses 18 months ago, Marco spent many hours working with them and providing them with appropriate medical attention.
Over the past year, Marco and team have not only cared for the horses medically, he has also spent many months training the horses for an excellent riding experince.
Horse riding with unsafe practices, language issues and zero accountability
My family of six — including four children aged 5 to 11 — booked horseback riding with Costa Rica Horseback Adventures at Volcano Tenorio Glamping Ranch as the highlight of our daughter’s 11th birthday. We travelled there and stayed on site specifically for this experience. We are not first-time horse riders, and I feel compelled to share our experience.
On the morning of the ride, while we were already on our way, I was told for the first time that there would be no English-speaking guide on site and that the caretaker would communicate using Google Translate. When we arrived, we signed waivers — but the “important safety briefing” promised in their email never happened.
I was the first to mount. Within seconds, the horse bucked and threw me to the ground. I suffered cuts and bruising to my arms, wrists, and legs and ongoing pain during our trip. What shocked me most was the lack of response from staff: no first aid, no assessment, no support. My wife had to treat my injuries herself.
There was no English-speaking staff on site, and communication was being handled remotely by the owner via WhatsApp. It took around 40 minutes before an English-speaking guide returned from another tour. Through Google Translate, the caretaker told me the horse “had been hit a lot” (see photo), which raised further concerns about animal handling.
After the incident, I wrote to the owner explaining my concerns. His reply was polite but largely dismissive. He explained — and justified — that safety briefings only occur after all riders have already mounted their horses, which in my view is even more concerning, as riders (including children) are already at risk before learning the basics. He also stated that first aid was not provided because it was not “requested,” which is worrying — a guest who has been thrown should not need to ask for medical assistance.
He further explained that English-speaking guides are not guaranteed, comparing it to needing Japanese or Chinese speakers. This misses the point that his website, booking communications, and materials are all in English and marketed to international tourists. Finally, he referred me to liability waivers. The overall tone focused on disclaimers rather than acknowledging preventable safety gaps.
Our daughter’s birthday was ruined. Our children watched their father be thrown from a horse. And I spent days of our holiday in pain. Two weeks late, I still have bruising across my left side and my left hand is still unable to grip at full strength. We fully understand that horses can be unpredictable — but risk still needs to be managed responsibly.
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My specific concerns:
• Safety briefing after mounting — riders, including children, are put onto horses before receiving safety instructions.
• Late disclosure of language limitations — we were only told that morning there would be no English-speaking guide, despite marketing in English to tourists.
• No incident-response protocol — after a fall, there was no first aid, no check-in, and no assessment. A guest should not need to request help.
• Remote communication by the owner via WhatsApp — not appropriate for managing an on-site injury.
• Owner’s response — focused on waivers and technicalities rather than accountability or corrective action.
I am sharing this so other families — especially those with children — understand the risks. Until meaningful safety standards are implemented, I cannot recommend this operator.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We apologize that this experience did not meet your expectations, and we would like to clarify several points for future guests.
This experience takes place in a very rural area near Rio Celeste, Costa Rica. As stated on Viator and our website, English-speaking guides are not guaranteed. At the time of this incident, our tour manager, Santiago, returned from an ATV adventure and personally checked on the guest, who confirmed to him that he was fine and not seriously injured. In addition, the owner communicated directly with the guest multiple times via WhatsApp during the incident. Our ranch manager was also present on site and available with translation support.
At the time of this booking, a minimum age requirement was in place for horseback riding and was clearly published for safety reasons. The group included a child below the minimum eligible age, which was not properly disclosed at booking. Age requirements are in place to protect both guests and animals and rely on accurate information provided by guests.
Regarding the incident itself, the guest was the first member of his group to mount and stated to staff that he was experienced. While staff were still in the process of mounting the remaining family members, and before instructions or the safety briefing could begin, he exited the stable area on his own and handled the reins in a manner that caused the horse to react, resulting in the guest losing balance and falling.
Our safety briefing is conducted once all riders are mounted in a controlled ring so techniques can be demonstrated clearly and safely. This step could not begin because the mounting process for the rest of the group had not yet been completed.
Our caretaker responded immediately, assistance was provided, and first aid supplies were available on site. The guest remained mobile, stated he was not seriously injured, and did not request medical treatment.
A comment attributed to Google Translate regarding horse mistreatment is incorrect and appears to be the result of a translation error. Our horses are well cared for and never abused.
Despite the circumstances, we made a goodwill gesture to acknowledge the child’s birthday at no cost to the family.
We take safety seriously and maintain clear procedures and policies. We encourage all guests to carefully review requirements and follow staff instructions, and to understand that interactions with animals involve inherent risk, so experiences can be conducted as safely as possible for everyone involved.
Beautiful ride in beautiful countryside
I took the ride with my family. We felt safe, wonderful views over the volcanic landscape, the path led through river courses.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your reveiw, Matthais! We stive so hard to ensure our guests have a ownderful and relaxing Volcano Tenorio, Rio Celeste horseback adventure.
According to Marco, our horseback riding host and horse care taker, all of the horses loved escorting you on your relaxing adventure.
Once again, thank you for visting our Volcano Tenorio Glamping Ranch and taking a fantastic Volcano Tenorio, Rio Celes hosreback adventure.
Costa Rica ATV & Horseback Adventures
