Golden hour + hooves on sand is a great combo. This horseback ride in the Jaco and Manuel Antonio area feels authentic because you head straight to the secluded Esterillos Beach and spend time riding at a relaxed pace with a guide. I also like the small-group feel (max 7), which usually means you get real attention instead of being shuffled through.

Expect an easy start: you meet up at the ranch area in front of Sunset Del Mar Resort, get helmeted, and get a riding lesson so you understand how to handle the horse before you roll out. One thing to consider: transportation and timing can be the tricky part. Some people pay extra for a taxi, and you’ll want to confirm how you’re getting there from your hotel.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Secluded Esterillos Beach: quiet shoreline, wide open space to ride and breathe
• Max 7 travelers: smaller groups make it easier to feel comfortable on your horse
• Helmet + riding lesson: you’re taught the basics before the ride starts
• Guides who match rider levels: people with zero experience still feel taken care of
• Sunset finish with drinks: the end-of-ride moment is part of the experience
• Photo included: you get at least one shot taken for you

Where the Tour Starts: Sunset Del Mar Resort and Beach Parking

Your day begins at the ranch area in front of Sunset Del Mar Resort. The setup is simple and very Costa Rica: parking on the beach, with the tour team ready to get you organized. In other words, you’re not stuck in a long meeting-room briefing first.

The practical upside is that you’re close to the action. Instead of spending your first hour watching a slideshow, you’ll get moving quickly—usually after the guide checks who’s ready and reminds everyone on basic riding posture and safety.

Getting on Track Fast: Helmet, Lesson, and the Guide’s Role

Before you ride, the guide gives instructions so you know how to ride properly and what to do to enjoy the tour. The tour includes helmets and a riding lesson, which matters a lot if you’re nervous or brand-new. You’re not just thrown onto a horse and told good luck.

From what I’ve seen in the guide style shared by this operation, people like Diego and Gustavo (both specifically named in rider feedback) for being calm, reassuring, and practical. That’s the difference between an experience that feels like a production and one that feels like a real ride.

Two things to keep in mind as you learn:

• You’ll be in a group setting, so follow the guide’s cues for spacing and when to walk, trot, or change pace.
• You’ll want to listen to how the guide handles inexperienced riders. Multiple riders mention getting extra patience and support if you don’t have riding experience.

The Ride Itself: Secluded Esterillos Beach + Trails and Water Moments

This is the heart of the tour: a ride that takes you along the secluded Esterillos Beach with your guide. The beach section is the main payoff because it’s quieter than the obvious tourist hotspots, and it gives you room to settle in without feeling crowded.

While you’re riding, you’ll likely cover more than just straight sand. Riders describe time along areas that can include streams and trails, not only the shoreline. Expect a mix of surfaces, and go with the flow—this is a guided route that’s meant to feel natural.

Pace and what you might do with the horses

This tour is described as suitable for all levels. In rider accounts, the guides allow more confident riders to trot, and some groups have even been able to canter or do water-area gaits when conditions and rider comfort line up. The point for you is simple: if you want a gentle ride, you can keep it calm. If you want more motion, the guide helps you find that comfort level.

Why the beach matters

A secluded beach doesn’t just look good on photos. It changes the whole experience:

• Horses aren’t distracted by crowds
• You can breathe and hear the ocean
• You get that wide-open feeling, the kind you don’t get when you’re riding next to beach bars

The Itinerary Moment That Stays With You

Stop 1 is the riding adventure itself. You’ll start at the ranch meeting area, get your safety basics, then ride out with the guide. The tour is about 1 hour 30 minutes total, so it’s long enough to feel like an actual outing, but not so long that you’re exhausted before the best part.

Then you return back to the meeting point. That matters because it keeps the experience focused. You’re not crisscrossing the region for hours—you’re here for the horses and the beach.

What You Get Included: Guide, Helmets, Photos, and Taxes

Included highlights are straightforward:

• Professional local and bilingual guide
• Helmet use and a riding lesson
• A photo taken
• Local taxes

That photo can be worth paying attention to. If you’re someone who loves having real, usable images without juggling your camera during the ride, that’s a plus. Some riders also mention video being handled during the ride by the guide using their phone, so if you care about video, it’s smart to ask what’s offered and how to receive it.

Sunset vs Morning: Lunch and Drinks Change the Feel

The tour runs as morning and sunset versions, and the vibe shifts with it.

Morning tours

Morning rides can include lunch, and multiple riders mention a delicious Costa Rican lunch at the end when they rode in the morning. If you’re the type who hates hangry travel, the morning format is often the smoother choice.

Sunset tours

For sunset rides, the tour includes drinks after the ride. You’ll want to know that sunset tours do not include meals. Translation: bring a snack plan for before you go, or make sure you’re not expecting a full dinner included.

If your goal is purely atmosphere—golden light, ocean air, and calmer temps—go sunset. If your goal is a full half-day experience with food already handled, go morning.

Price and Value: Is $67 Reasonable?

At about $67 per person for an experience around 1 hour 30 minutes, the value comes down to what you’re buying.

You’re paying for:

• Safe handling and training-focused guidance
• Helmet and beginner-friendly instruction
• A ride on a quieter beach route
• Small-group attention (max 7)
• A photo included, plus drinks for sunset

One reason this can feel like good value is that the operators clearly invest in the horses. Riders praise the horses as well trained and calm, and many mention feeling comfortable even with zero experience. That’s hard to fake. A chaotic horse-handling setup gets people hurt and reviews get ugly fast.

Where you should be careful is transportation costs. The tour price does not clearly say it covers hotel transfers. In one account, a rider paid $80 for transport, while others arranged a taxi with the operator for a fixed price. Before you book, ask yourself a simple question: how will you get there and back without stressing?

Logistics That Matter on the Day

Here are the details that actually help you have a smoother ride.

What to wear

Bring long pants, tennis footwear, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Sand and sun are real here, and long pants help with comfort around brush or saddle contact.

Weight and age rules

This is not a casual no-strings rule list—these limits affect safety and horse handling:

• Not recommended for children under 8
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Not for people over 100 kilos
• All passenger weight and age must be advised at booking

Comfort rule: ask the guide what pace fits you

If you’re nervous, it’s okay to tell the guide you want a calmer ride. The whole point of the lesson and group setup is to help you match to the horse and route.

The One Possible Downside: Communication and Transportation Timing

The biggest red flag in the feedback wasn’t about the horses. It was about one case of missed communication close to departure, leading to a long wait and a canceled activity message that wasn’t received quickly enough. I’m bringing it up because it’s the kind of problem that ruins a travel day.

You can reduce your risk with two practical moves:

• Confirm your exact meeting location and timing the day before, not just at booking.
• Have a clear plan for what happens if you’re running late or can’t find the setup quickly.

Transportation is the other consideration. Some riders paid extra for taxi rides. Others arranged pickups with the tour team. So, treat transportation as something to clarify early, especially if you’re staying in Manuel Antonio and don’t want to self-navigate at peak daylight or after dark.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great fit if:

• You want a real beach horseback ride without extreme difficulty
• You’re a beginner and want a lesson and helmet included
• You like calm horses and a guide who keeps things organized (Diego and Gustavo are named in feedback)
• You want a small-group outing, not a crowded beach line

Skip or reconsider if:

• Your child is under 8, or you can’t provide adult supervision
• You’re over 100 kilos
• You need a fully included hotel-to-hotel transfer with no extra coordination (since transport can be separate and varies)

If you like nature, quiet space, and that magical sunset color, Esterillos Beach is the kind of place that rewards patience.

FAQ

FAQ

Where do you meet for the Sunset & Horses tour?

You meet at the ranch setup in front of Sunset Del Mar Resort, with parking on the beach.

How long is the horseback riding experience?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience includes a riding lesson and helmet, and the ride is described as suitable for all levels.

Are meals included with sunset rides?

No meals are included on sunset tours. Morning tours can include lunch, depending on the tour type.

Does the tour include helmets and a guide?

Yes. The tour includes a professional local and bilingual guide, helmets, and a riding lesson.

What are the age and weight limits?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. It is not recommended for children under 8. It is not for people above 100 kilos, and you must provide age and weight at booking.

Should You Book Sunset & Horses?

I’d book this if you want a calm, guided beach ride in a quiet area and you value small-group attention. The best parts are the practical safety setup (helmet + lesson), the calm horse handling described by riders, and the payoff of riding along secluded Esterillos Beach.

Just do two homework items first: confirm your transport plan from your hotel, and double-check the meeting point and timing so you don’t risk a day ruined by confusion. If those two are locked in, this is the kind of Costa Rica evening that sticks with you.