Tamarindo & Flamingo: Horseback Ride to Conchal Beach with Pickup

4.59

(148 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect my horse, Canela, to be so patient with me — I’m not exactly a natural in the saddle. We started near Brasilito, just after the guide, José, gave us a quick rundown (and a helmet that smelled faintly of sunblock and leather). The horses seemed almost sleepy at first but perked up as soon as we hit the trail. There was this mix of salty air and something sweet from the trees — maybe guava? I kept glancing at the Pacific in the distance, all blue and flickering through the leaves.

José told stories about growing up here in Guanacaste. He pointed out a magpie-jay making a racket overhead and laughed when I tried repeating its name in Spanish. The path wound up and down little hills — not steep, but enough that I felt it in my legs. My friend’s horse kept stopping to nibble grass, which slowed us down but honestly made me feel less like we were on some rigid tour and more like just… being out there together.

When we finally reached Conchal Beach, I kind of lost track of time. The sand is made of crushed shells — not powdery soft but cool underfoot, with tiny bits that stick between your toes. We got off our horses and wandered along the edge where the water meets land; it was quieter than I expected except for kids laughing somewhere behind us. José handed out bottled water while we just sat for a minute looking at everything. Even now, I can almost hear those waves if I close my eyes.