A Sincere Review of 2025’s Horseback Riding and Eco-Tourism Food and Fun
Well, I just got back, and to be honest, I’m still feeling the gentle rhythm of the ride in my bones. You know, it was this experience called the ‘Pura Vida Trail Ride’ deep in Costa Rica’s green heart, and it’s set up for the 2025 season. Frankly, it turned out to be so much more than a simple vacation with a few horse rides. The entire thing, in a way, was about connecting with a place on a level that is sort of hard to get from a tour bus window. So, this whole trip was a mix of quiet moments on horseback, you know, some really eye-opening chats about living with nature, and some absolutely amazing local food. At the end of the day, it’s an experience I kind of feel a need to share, because it’s not every day you find something that feels this real and this good for the soul.
The Ride Itself: Getting to Know Your Four-Legged Guide
Okay, let’s talk about the main event, which is of course the horse riding. The horses here are not just, you know, animals for riding; they are pretty much your partners on the trail. I was given a very sure-footed and calm mare named Luna, and she seemingly knew every twist and turn of the path before I did. We rode through these trails that were just a little bit muddy from the morning mist, which, as a matter of fact, made the whole forest smell incredibly fresh and earthy. You are actually surrounded by greenery that is so intense it is almost hard to describe. Honestly, it’s a deep, living green in about a thousand different shades that you just don’t see anywhere else. Our guide, a local fellow named Javier, was absolutely fantastic; he didn’t just lead the way, he was, like, reading the forest for us.
Javier would, for example, suddenly hold up his hand for us to stop, and then he’d point out a family of howler monkeys having a conversation high up in the canopy, their calls echoing in a way that was slightly eerie. On another day, we came around a bend, and right there, in the distance, was the Arenal Volcano, with a perfect ring of clouds around its peak, which was honestly breathtaking. The trails themselves were really varied, too. Sometimes, you know, we were crossing these small, clear streams where the horses would stop for a drink. Then other times, we were carefully going up a slope that opened up to a view that basically stretched on forever. It’s that feeling of quiet adventure, just you and your horse moving through this incredible landscape, that is arguably the heart of this entire trip. Seriously, it’s something special.
The ‘Eco’ Part: More Than Just a Word on a Brochure
So, after a day of riding, you’re probably wondering where you rest your head. This part was just as thought-out as the trails, you know. We stayed at a place called ‘La Ceiba Eco-Lodge’, and basically, it’s not your typical hotel. Instead of sealed rooms with air conditioning, our cabins were sort of open-air, with screened walls that let in all the sounds and smells of the rainforest. Honestly, falling asleep to a chorus of frogs and waking up to the sight of a toucan in a nearby tree is just utterly incredible. The whole lodge operates on a very serious commitment to sustainability, which you can see in almost everything they do.
For instance, all the power comes from solar panels that are pretty much hidden from view, and they collect rainwater for everything. The idea, as they explained it, is to create a stay that actually supports the forest instead of taking from it. By the way, there’s no single-use plastic anywhere on the property. You get a reusable water bottle when you arrive, and frankly, it’s a small change that makes a big point. It shows that, you know, comfort doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. Strolling around the lodge grounds in the evening was a little activity in itself. You’d see these tiny, bright-red poison dart frogs, and the air was just alive with the chirping of insects and the calls of night birds. It felt very much like being a guest in nature’s house.
The Food: A Real Taste of a Simpler Way of Life
I mean, the tour is called ‘Horse back riding and Eco tourism food and fun’, so the food part had a lot to live up to, and it definitely did. At the end of the day, this was some of the most memorable food I’ve had in a long time. It was not fancy or complicated at all. In fact, it was the opposite; its appeal was in its freshness and simplicity. Breakfast was almost always a big plate of gallo pinto, which is that classic Costa Rican rice and beans dish, served with fresh eggs, some local cheese, and slices of sweet plantain. It’s the kind of meal that, you know, genuinely prepares you for a day of adventure.
So, a lot of the ingredients came directly from the lodge’s own organic garden. You could actually see the tomato plants and cilantro patches from the open-air dining area. For instance, one night we had fresh tilapia that had been caught in a nearby lake, wrapped in banana leaves with herbs from the garden and cooked over a fire. Honestly, you can taste the difference when food is that fresh. And the fruit, wow, the fruit was just on another level. We had these huge plates of mango, pineapple, and papaya at every meal, and they were so sweet and flavorful. They also made these amazing juices, like, a blackberry juice that was a little bit tart and incredibly refreshing after a long, warm ride. It’s pretty much farm-to-table eating without any of the pretense.
The ‘Fun’ Beyond the Saddle: Waterfalls and Coffee Beans
Alright, so while the horse riding was the star, the “fun” part of the package added these other layers to the experience. For example, one afternoon, instead of riding, we took a short hike to a secluded waterfall. The water was really cool and so clear, and swimming in that natural pool with the jungle all around was, frankly, a perfect way to relax. The force of the water was quite strong, giving you a natural shoulder massage if you stood underneath it. It was just one of those simple, perfect moments, you know?
Another day, we visited a small, family-run coffee farm that was just a little ways down the road. Learning about the journey of a coffee bean from the plant to your cup was actually fascinating. The farmer, a man whose family had worked that land for generations, showed us how they pick the red coffee cherries by hand. He then explained their organic process, and then we got to sample some freshly brewed coffee right there. Okay, it was probably some of the best coffee I have ever tasted. There was also an optional night walk offered, which I absolutely did. With our guide and some flashlights, we saw some of the forest’s nocturnal residents, like a couple of sloths moving very, very slowly and some really strange-looking insects. Seriously, it’s a completely different world after dark.
Is This Adventure Right for You? A Few Final Thoughts
So, who should consider this kind of trip for 2025? Honestly, it feels right for a pretty wide range of people. You really don’t need to be an expert rider. The guides are extremely good at matching you with a horse that fits your experience level, you know, and they provide clear instructions. I saw total beginners feeling comfortable by the end of the first day. At the end of the day, what you do need is a spirit of adventure and a willingness to step away from your usual comforts. Like, you have to be okay with a friendly lizard on your cabin wall or a bit of rain on the trail.
In terms of what to bring, good broken-in walking shoes are a must, as well as lightweight long pants for riding to protect from bugs and scratches. Anyway, a decent rain jacket is probably the most important thing you can pack, as the weather can change in an instant. This trip is for you if you’re looking for something that is a little slower, more connected, and deeply rewarding. It’s for someone who finds joy in the quiet clop of hooves on a dirt path and the taste of a mango picked just hours before.
“My biggest piece of advice, to be honest, is to just lean into it. Let your phone lose service. Talk to the guides. Ask questions. Actually try all the new foods. The experience is what you make it, and it’s so much richer when you’re fully present.”
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Pura Vida Trail Ride
- Authentic Riding: You get well-cared-for horses and ride on genuinely beautiful, uncrowded jungle trails.
- True Eco-Tourism: The accommodation and overall philosophy are seriously focused on sustainability and supporting the local environment.
- Deliciously Simple Food: Expect incredibly fresh, locally sourced meals that are a highlight in their own right.
- Well-Rounded Fun: The package includes a good variety of activities like waterfall swims and local farm visits, so it’s not just riding.
- Accessible Adventure: You just don’t need to be a pro rider to have an amazing time; it’s great for adventurous beginners, too.
Read our full review: [2025 Horseback Riding and Eco tourism Food and Fun Full Review and Details]
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