Jaco Horse Tours — Local services in Jacó

A Truly Unforgettable Horseback Riding Experience with Gilberto – More Than Just a Guide, a True Cowboy at Heart

If you're reading this wondering whether to book a horseback riding tour with Gilberto, stop hesitating and do it. It was hands down one of the most magical, memorable, and soul-nourishing experiences of our trip—and that’s entirely thanks to Gilberto.

From the moment we arrived, Gilberto greeted us with a warm, genuine smile and a calm confidence that immediately put us at ease. He’s not just a horseback riding instructor—he’s a storyteller, a protector, a teacher, and a true lover of nature and animals. You can tell right away that he has a deep bond with his horses, and that bond translates into the most peaceful and respectful riding experience I’ve ever had.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, Gilberto makes sure you feel completely safe and comfortable. He took the time to introduce us to each horse, explain their personalities, and match us with the one best suited for our riding level. His instructions were clear and patient, delivered with both expertise and kindness. Not once did we feel rushed. He truly values connection—between rider and horse, and between people and nature.

The tour itself? Absolutely breathtaking. Gilberto guided us through stunning landscapes—rolling hills, lush trails, river crossings, and panoramic views that looked like they were straight out of a painting. But what made it even more special were the stories he shared along the way: about the land, the history, the culture, and the horses themselves. He’s a wealth of knowledge, but never overbearing. Everything he said came from the heart.

Gilberto has a way of making you feel like you’re on a personal journey, not just a tourist excursion. He was attentive the entire time, checking in on each of us, adjusting the pace based on how comfortable we were, and making sure everyone was having a great time. His passion for what he does shines through every moment, and his calm energy is infectious.

By the end of the ride, it didn’t feel like we were saying goodbye to a guide—it felt like we were leaving a friend. The entire experience left us feeling more connected to nature, to the animals, and to ourselves. It was the kind of day that stays with you long after it’s over.

If you're lucky enough to ride with Gilberto, take it all in. Let yourself slow down. Trust the horses. Listen to the stories. It’s not just a ride—it’s a memory you’ll carry with you forever.

Thank you, Gilberto, for sharing your world with us. We’ll...

This was an amazing experience!! When you meet the people giving the tour, you can select to do a shorter tour ($40/person) where they take you on the beach or the bigger tour ($60/person) where they take you in the beach and a piece of the jungle. We chose the bigger tour. When they take you through the jungle first you will also potentially see sloths and monkeys! In order to get to the jungle, you first have to cross a river with the horses which was so much fun. They go deep, up to the horses bellies but not past that so it’s totally safe. We saw a sloth on our tour and it was so cool to see in its natural habitat. Then you come back to a beach destination and they take cool pictures of you. They also take pictures of you throughout the ride so you don’t have to worry about taking out your phone. After your pictures are taken at the end, Ronald will take you galloping and trotting on the beach to finish the tour. The tour guides Alejandra and Ronald are very friendly. It was a real pleasure being able to meet and speak with wonder people. All in all this was a great tour, very adventurous and extremely fun to bond with horses for...

I wish I could give this 5 stars. The owner met us, then gave us another guide. I happen to speak Spanish but no one else in our group did including the other guide. The other guide was kind but seemed very timid and inexperienced. Another woman joined us on perhaps her own horse? She was intoxicated and should not have been riding much less own a horse based on how she rode. The owner met us toward the end of the tour again and let us gallop on the beach and led us to a flock of macaws. He was very enthusiastic, explaining this is his family business. I liked him very much and wished he had stayed with us the whole tour. The other couple on the tour had never ridden and could have used his guidance. The horses already seemed very tired by our afternoon tour so we were ok with ending early to give them a break. The intoxicated woman distracted from what could have...