Alberto's Horses — Local services in La Fortuna

The trail and views were amazing and the horses for the riders were incredibly trained and well behaved through very tough conditions- mud up to to their knees, barking dogs, zooming vehicles flying past them on the road, and drills and mowers from construction work next to them. However I have to say that this ride was very difficult for beginners given the weather conditions and Alberto was very unhelpful and rude if we ran into any issues or asked questions about how to steer our horses, stop them from pulling on the bit, or control speed. He kept blathering on about “control” and “confidence”- i know this is classic cowboy culture, but this unsolicited advise was very frustrating when I just wanted to enjoy being on a great horse with great views. It was clear as time went on he was pretty misogynistic. I wasn’t doing anything unsafe. I have ridden for a couple of years and so when he asked if I had experience, I said yes, and he took that to mean I was an experienced rider. While I can walk/trot/canter just fine, he had to horses go through a very narrow and steep tunnel that felt like a slip and slide because there was wet mud. The horses legs were sucked into this mud up to their knees and it required a lot of effort for them to lift each leg out of it. I’ve never been on a pleasure trail ride with those kind of mud conditions before and had trouble steering my horse into the very narrow and steep crevice. He started yelling at me, grabbed my horses lead rope, and yanked me down the tunnel very quickly right on his very anxious and jumpy horses tail. At the bottom he proceeded to yell at me for a whole 10 minutes about how I have no confidence, didn’t know how to build a relationship with a horse and couldn’t get it to trust me, and that I’m a spoiled novice and don’t deserve to say I’ve ever been on a horse! He wouldn’t stop yelling at me until I almost cried and said “ok fine, I barely know how to ride and I’m a beginner. Are you happy now?” He nodded and proceeded to ignore me the rest of the ride and made it very awkward for me and my friends.

I would not recommend this place if you have experience riding because of the way Alberto treated me. It’s been 1.5 years and the way he belittled my riding experience still triggers me given this wasn’t supposed a riding lesson at all but a...

The best horse back riding experience I've ever had, and I'm from Texas! Call ahead to reserve a spot and being cash. Alberto and his wife greatest us in the morning with smiles and kittens and puppies. The horses were super happy and healthy and the gear was in excellent condition! I asked him and he said they are a hybrid of a Costa Rican and quarter horse, so they have excellent temperament and also strong enough to carry my 250 6 foot 5 inches person plus a back pack with towels and a couple water bottles.

The ride was an amazing experience through open pasture. It was just my girlfriend and me, we went for the early ride. It had been a few years for me since I had ridden, Alberto had me up to speed in about ten minutes. The view of the volcano from the pasture is amazing! We went through the river we're the horse stopped to drink. After riding up the river we went up to the road and stopped to have fresh coconut water which was amazing! We got to the horse parking and got off the horse and walked the short distance to the waterfall. He gave us artesian volcano water bottles and we went in, the water fall is amazing. Also it's 400 steps of stairs down and later back up again to get to the swimming area at th base of the falls. We rode back down afterwards and, I don't know if we were supposed to, galloped our horses around the pasture; you'll never get to do that in the US ( also be careful galloping is for experienced riders only in my opinion). When we got back his wife feed us smoked chicken, fresh made pico de gio and chips, and pineapple water. We stayed for a while and tales to him about horses and family. Alberto is a kind soul and a genuine amazing person, also the locals call...

This was one of the most rewarding days of my life !💕 You can be assured if you appreciate the majesty of horses and Mother Nature , a trial in endurance , heaven awaits your arrival. Riding horses through quite fields, under blue skies , gazing upon the towering volcano you are at peace. Cows , horses and birds gracefully move about their world . Without disruption, your horses and the skilled ,kind and generous Alberto open your eyes to treasures unknown. Stopping for a cold coconut water with local friends you relax a bit before the next part of the journey is delicious. When you arrive at the top the horses are tided in shade and fed hay . You walk down the stone steps to swim in the sparkling full of life La Fourtuna water fall . This is beyond amazing and powerful . Time is spent enjoying for an hour or so . The ride back is just as interesting as the ride up . Passing through jungle and creek beds the splashing of the horses is magical. One the most amazing and beautiful sites I’ve ever seen . When you return a beautiful meal is served and exceptional conversation with Alberto re-emerges . The horses are well cared for . Appreciated and loved! The pureness in which all is done will leave in impression in your soul💗 All things included in one fee so you don’t have to worry about anything but showing up and being present . Also it’s not an “ easy” ride or walk . You would do well to be healthy and ready for life’s adventures. It’s...