Carol

I keep hearing about horseback riding trips to the La Fortuna waterfall near the Arenal volcano. Many people have recommended it. I will be in CR in a few weeks, and wanted to know if this was really worth doing. <BR><BR>I'm not really big on horses (haven't been on one since I was a teenager) so I was wondering how long the horseback ride was. Can anyone recommend a good tour operator that treats their horses well? (I've heard some disturbing stuff about mistreated animals.) <BR><BR>Also, is the trip really more about swimming once you get there? I probably wouldn't want to swim... is it worth it for the enjoyment of the hike and scenery alone?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR>Carol

Tess

Carol,<BR><BR>I'm embarassed to admit that twice I've tried to get down to the waterfall and yet have made it. I'm giving up! <BR><BR>In order to get to the waterfall you have to trek down a looooong series of steps carved into the landscape. On my first trip to CR, I was with a tour group and about halfway down I realized my level of fitness would not allow me to haul my a$$ back up those stairs once I reached the bottom --- so I turned around and waited back at the top for the others.<BR><BR>Second try --- went back to CR this September and THIS time, I thought, what the heck I'll take the horseback ride to the falls and give it another go (it'd been 10 months since my previous trip, I was in better shape, etc.). Well, let me tell you that one really shouldn't start horseback riding at age 40-something. Yes, it was my very first time on a horse! Goodness, what was I thinking? The ride took about an hour or so to get there. By this time, I'm a bit disheveled &amp; worn out --- and didn't even try hiking down to the falls. I sat trying to recover from the ride and preparing myself for our return. Eventually got back to Tabacon (tour guide had picked us up @resort &amp; drove to LaFortuna, where we got on horses). I was walking funny for the rest of the day. That's my adventure. You may want to hear from others who've actually SEEN the water.<BR><BR>

Tess

Carol,<BR><BR>I'm embarassed to admit that twice I've tried to get down to the waterfall and yet have made it. I'm giving up! <BR><BR>In order to get to the waterfall you have to trek down a looooong series of steps carved into the landscape. On my first trip to CR, I was with a tour group and about halfway down I realized my level of fitness would not allow me to haul my a$$ back up those stairs once I reached the bottom --- so I turned around and waited back at the top for the others.<BR><BR>Second try --- went back to CR this September and THIS time, I thought, what the heck I'll take the horseback ride to the falls and give it another go (it'd been 10 months since my previous trip, I was in better shape, etc.). Well, let me tell you that one really shouldn't start horseback riding at age 40-something. Yes, it was my very first time on a horse! Goodness, what was I thinking? The ride took about an hour or so to get there. By this time, I'm a bit disheveled &amp; worn out --- and didn't even try hiking down to the falls. I sat trying to recover from the ride and preparing myself for our return. Eventually got back to Tabacon (tour guide had picked us up @resort &amp; drove to LaFortuna, where we got on horses). I was walking funny for the rest of the day. That's my adventure. You may want to hear from others who've actually SEEN the water.

Carol

Thanks for sharing your experience, Tess! I'm thinking that since the hike is strenuous enough (which I'd probably be up for, being a glutton for punishment...) I think that spending an hour on a horse to get there, then having to spend another hour getting back... well, that's probably a bit too much for me to do, at least while on vacation! <BR><BR>When you went with the tour, did they drive up close to the falls? I'm staying in Fortuna, close to the waterfall, so maybe I could simple take a taxi to somewhere close enough for me to hike in. Does that sound feasible?<BR><BR>Thanks again!<BR>P.S.. I love your screen name... very clever

David Cook

We made it down a few years ago (my wife &amp; I, 2 kids aged 5 &amp; 10) with some difficulty (slow going with the kids) but it was well worth it, a fantastic spot and since we went in the morning, very few people around. The swim is fantastic with the power of the waterfall so close! You don't have to take a horse, you can drive most of the way then walk the rest. Tour operators were all over the town of Fortuna; shop around. The whole Arenal area is neat, the volcano, hot springs, and giant lake.

Tess

Hi again Carol,<BR><BR>As David said, you don't need to travel by horse and can take a taxi to the waterfall. When I went with the guided tour, our bus pulled up and dropped us off at entrance --- you pay a small fee and then begin your hike down, down, down ...<BR><BR>My one suggestion on the trek there, as well as other hiking in CR is to bring a walking stick. I've managed light hiking in my tennis shoes; I know real hiking shoes would help, but having a walking stick is a great assistance in navigating the terrain and especially the stairs down to the waterfall. <BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR>Tess, a &quot;Hardy&quot; traveller?