A Ride Through Time

As a seasoned surfer, I’ve spent countless hours riding the waves of Central America, but this time, I decided to trade my surfboard for a saddle. The allure of experiencing Costa Rican cowboy culture on horseback was too tempting to resist. The adventure began at a 200-year-old casona, a ranch house steeped in history, setting the stage for a journey through time.

The ride took us through a local cattle farm and the Papagayo dry forest, a landscape that changes with the seasons. In May, the dry season was in full swing, revealing the rugged backbone of the land. The absence of waterfalls, which grace the area during the rainy season, offered a different kind of beauty. The dry forest, with its unique flora and fauna, was a testament to the resilience of nature.

The real magic of the ride, however, lay in the people we met along the way. My friend and I were joined by two other guests, whose stories and experiences added a rich layer to the journey. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are shared ones.

The Rhythm of the Land

Riding through Guanacaste, I felt a deep connection to the land. The region is known for its cowboy culture, or Sabanero, and its tradition of breeding Criollo horses. These horses, sure-footed and sturdy, are a reflection of the landscape itself. My horse was a perfect example, navigating the trails with ease and grace.

The trail offered plenty of shade, a welcome relief from the intense heat of the day. Despite the dry season, the greenery was lush and vibrant, a testament to the land’s vitality. As we rode past stone corrals and deeper into the forest, I felt a sense of being completely in tune with the natural world.

This immersion in nature is what I love most about horseback riding. It’s a way to experience the land as it has been experienced for centuries, to understand a culture through its landscape. In Guanacaste, this means embracing the cowboy spirit and the wild beauty of the region.

A New Perspective

Every ride in this part of Costa Rica is a unique experience. The time of day, the season, the horse, and the paths taken all contribute to a ride that is never the same twice. This time, the dry season offered a different perspective, one that was no less beautiful than the lushness of the rainy season.

The ride was not just about the landscape, but also about the connections made along the way. The people we met, the stories shared, and the laughter exchanged added a richness to the experience that I hadn’t anticipated. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are those that bring people together.

As I look forward to future rides, perhaps a sunset horseback ride on the beach, I carry with me the memories of this journey. The sense of freedom, the connection to the land, and the camaraderie of fellow adventurers are what make these experiences truly unforgettable. For now, I’ll return to the waves, but the call of the cowboy culture will surely bring me back to the saddle soon.