Horseback Riding in Costa Rica

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The main goal for our 2013 trip to Costa Rica was relaxation.  We rented a VRBO house in the middle of the jungle in Dominical and spent most of the week sipping mojitos by the infinity pool while the kids ran around and played.  A resident toucan perched over the pool and capuchin monkeys swarmed through twice a day, shrieking and gobbling up fruit.  We sat on the deck with our bird-identifying book and spotted 20-30 species without leaving the house.  It was a wonderful trip and one of the most relaxing we’ve ever taken.

Dominical Costa Rica

Relaxing in Costa Rica

We ended up taking two small excursions during that week, and they were both lovely.  The first one was a horseback ride up to Nauyaca Waterfall near Dominical.  If you had asked me the week before whether I would ever let my 4 year old ride a horse on her own I would have looked at you like you were crazy, but when we got there the horses were so calm and the guide so confident she could handle it that I agreed to let her at least try it out.  Claire did great and ended up having the time of her life, so I’m glad I gave in:)

HorsebackRiding1

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It was an extremely hot and humid August day, but we rode in the shade for most of the leisurely climb up towards the waterfall.  A quick stop for lunch at a little lodge introduced us to a resident scarlet macaw and aggressive peacock.

HorsebackRiding2

Finally, Jason and I and the exhausted kids reached Nauyaca falls.  On the walking path, we narrowly escaped the diving wasps that hung out above the restroom area, and witnessed a tiny snake attempt to swallow a frog.  The struggle for life ended with the snake giving up and slithering away from the stunned frog.

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The waterfall was beautiful and the cool spray enjoyable after the hot ride up.  Jason joined our guide in jumping off of the rocks into the roiling water below the falls.

Waterfall

At the end of the day we were all worn out, sweaty, exhausted, and happy:)

  • Janna - Such gorgeous photos! Makes me want to take a trip down there asapReplyCancel

  • Dannielle Lily - I didn’t realise Costa Rica was such a good place to take kids! It’s high on my list 🙂ReplyCancel

  • sara - The pics and the views are stunning! I’ll definitely visit Costa Rica soon 🙂
    Which camera and lens do you use?
    Thank you!

    http://instantraveler.com/ReplyCancel

    • admin - I use a Canon 5D Mk III and the main lenses I use while traveling are the 24-70 2.8L and the 70-200 2.8L 🙂ReplyCancel

  • karla - You all look so happy and it seems like a relaxing and educational trip as well. Family peg, for when someday I have my own 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Erica - Love those lychee-related fruits!! They call it “rambutan” here in the Philippines and I could those for days.

    http://girlunspotted.comReplyCancel

  • Sabine - It does look like such a relax place to visit and to be and lot’s of fun activities for the kids 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Natasha Amar - Looks like a great family trip! The first photo is adorable by the way.ReplyCancel

  • Laura - What a beautiful house you picked! Love that infinity pool and I’m sure the kids did too. That always makes it truly feel like a relaxing and special vacation.ReplyCancel

  • Jocelyn - That pool is amazing!! Also that looks like a really fun family vaca 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Lexi - Your kids are the cutest and your photos look like something out of a magazine!ReplyCancel

  • Grietje from Travel Gretl - She looks great on the horse! Like having the best fun 🙂
    Sounds like a good trip!ReplyCancel

  • Elena - Costa Rica is so beautiful! And that swimming pool looks so inviting, the kids must have been in paradise there!ReplyCancel

  • Simone - I LOVE your photos!!
    Your kids are so lucky 🙂
    Simone x | The Aussie FlashpackerReplyCancel

  • Connie Reed - What a wonderfully relaxing and fun trip. How awesome to see a toucan and monkeys in your yard the way we see robins and squirrels.ReplyCancel

  • Stacey Valle - Such a wonderful adventure with your family! I’m sure your daughter is so thrilled and thankful that you let her ride on the horse 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Nic - Wow, what an awesome way to spend the day exploring this beautiful country. I really can’t wait to get over there. Beautiful photos too.ReplyCancel

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