Sabanero Cattle Drive and Guanacaste Fonda Experience
Starting at $197
Step into the world of Guanacaste’s cowboys as you ride horses like a Sabanero and participate in hands-on culinary traditions at a rural hacienda. This private, immersive experience lets you herd cattle, grind sugarcane, and prepare Costa Rican coffee the traditional way, all while enjoying stunning landscapes and local hospitality.
Ride Horses Like a Guanacaste Cowboy and Explore Local Culinary Traditions
Discover the soul of Guanacaste through two unforgettable experiences—riding horseback like a true Sabanero and stepping into a traditional rural kitchen to prepare iconic Costa Rican dishes. At a historic working hacienda, you’ll help herd cattle alongside skilled horsemen, following time-honored techniques passed down through generations. Then, enter a traditional fonda, where you’ll learn the secrets of cooking over a wood-burning stove, grinding sugarcane, and brewing coffee the Costa Rican way. Set against a backdrop of rolling pastures, dry tropical forest, and breathtaking volcano views, this hands-on cultural adventure is perfect for travelers seeking authenticity, nature, and connection with local traditions.
Specifics:
- 🕒 Pick Up Time: 7:30 am or 1:30pm (recommended for optimal experience)
- 📍 Meeting Point: At your door or hotel’s main lobby
- ⏳ Duration: Half-day tour
- 🚙 Driving Time: Up to 1.5 hours, depending on your location (one way)
- 🙋♂️ Minimum Amount of People: 2 people
- 👶 Minimum Age: 5 years old
- 💲 Price Includes: Private Transportation, dedicated bilingual guide, traditional lunch, Immersive Guanacaste Fonda & Traditions, the Sabanero Horseback Cattle Drive, all taxes and fees, and a $5 allocation from Link Expeditions to The Linking Forests Fund, helping protect Costa Rica’s biodiversity with every tour you join.
- 💡 Price Note: The listed price applies to groups of 4 or more travelers. For groups of 2, the price is $XX per person, and for groups of 3, it’s $XX per person. If your group includes more than 9 people, please contact us for a customized quote.
- 🛑 Not included in the price: Gratuities or any items and services not mentioned in the Included section.
Why You Should Consider This Activity:
✅ Authentic Guanacaste Cultural Immersion
Step into the heart of Costa Rica’s cowboy culture by experiencing the traditions of the Sabaneros and Fondas, both deeply rooted in Guanacaste’s identity.
✅ Ride Like a Real Sabanero
Saddle up and participate in an authentic cattle drive, where you’ll learn the same techniques used by generations of Guanacaste’s skilled horsemen.
✅ Hands-On Culinary Traditions
Visit a traditional fonda and engage in live, interactive cooking experiences, where you’ll grind sugarcane, craft tortillas by hand, and brew Costa Rican coffee the traditional way.
✅ Stunning Natural Landscapes
Ride through rolling pastures and tropical dry forests while taking in panoramic views of five volcanoes—Orosí, Cacao, Rincón de la Vieja, Miravalles, and Tenorio.
✅ Ideal for Private Groups
Designed as a private experience, this tour is perfect for travelers looking for a meaningful and engaging adventure in nature while avoiding large crowds.
✅ Support Responsible Tourism & Local Communities
By joining this experience, you contribute to the preservation of Guanacaste’s heritage and support local families, conservation efforts, and sustainable tourism practices.
✅ Delicious Traditional Lunch Included
Savor a home-cooked Costa Rican meal prepared with fresh local ingredients and options for vegetarians, vegans, and dietary preferences upon request.
✅ Perfect for All Experience Levels
Whether you’re an experienced rider or a first-timer, the horses are well-trained, and the tour is tailored to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
What To Expect:
Scenic Journey Through Guanacaste’s Pampa
Your private, air-conditioned vehicle will pick you up on time in the morning or afternoon, depending on your preference. The journey takes you through the Pampa Guanacasteca, a vast, open landscape characterized by rolling grasslands and cattle ranches, which is home to Costa Rica’s time-honored Sabaneros. Along the way, you’ll pass through small rural villages, where daily life unfolds at a relaxed pace. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours, allowing you to soak in the beauty of the region before arriving at a historic working ranch with over 340 years of heritage.
Warm Welcome at the Hacienda
Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome at the Hacienda and enjoy a refreshing seasonal drink made from local ingredients. Before your first activity begins, this is a perfect time to relax, take in the surroundings, and use the restroom if needed.
Ride Like a Sabanero – The Cattle Drive Experience
Once ready, you will begin your Sabanero Horseback Cattle Drive, an authentic experience where you’ll step into the boots of a traditional Guanacaste cowboy. Under the guidance of experienced Sabaneros, you’ll help drive cattle from one pasture to another, just as they have done for generations. Riding through the breathtaking Tropical Dry Forest, you’ll pass by rolling pastures, historic stone corrals, and shaded forest trails, all while keeping an eye out for wildlife such as deer, coaties, and tropical birds. This experience highlights the teamwork between horse and rider, a skill essential in traditional cattle ranching. As you ride, you’ll observe the traditional attire of the Sabanero, from the wide-brimmed sombrero to the handcrafted leather gear they wear. You will also learn the specialized sounds and movements used to guide livestock, an invaluable part of ranch life.
Spectacular Lookout Point
This immersive activity allows you to experience horseback riding with purpose, following a real working route that begins at the corrals and continues through pastures. The cattle drive itself lasts approximately 30 minutes, after which the ride continues for an additional 40 minutes toward a spectacular lookout point. From here, on a clear day, you can admire expansive views of the Pampa and five volcanic giants—Orosí, Cacao, Rincón de la Vieja, Miravalles, and Tenorio. During the dry season, the landscape is dotted with blooming trees, while in the rainy season, the forest provides welcoming shade. The Sabanero Horseback Cattle Drive is recommended as the first activity of the morning or as the second activity in the afternoon, allowing you to experience the best conditions for both the ride and the stunning views.
Step into a Traditional Fonda
The second experience of the day is the Immersive Guanacaste Fonda and Traditions, an opportunity to step inside a traditional rural kitchen and engage with Guanacaste’s culinary heritage. A fonda is more than just a place to cook—it is a gathering space where families and communities come together to share food, traditions, and stories. In this experience, you will explore the Traditional Cooking Elements that have been used for generations, including the wood-burning stove, clay oven, sugarcane mill, and essential tools like the coffee dripper and grinding stone known as the metate.
Hands-On Culinary Experience
This is a hands-on activity, allowing you to participate in the preparation of traditional Guanacastecan dishes. You’ll have the opportunity to brew coffee the Costa Rican way using the pour-over method, extract fresh sugarcane juice by grinding it in the mill, and prepare staple foods from corn, such as tortillas and rosquillas. This interactive experience connects you with centuries-old cooking techniques and the resourceful ways in which locals have used the land’s bounty to craft delicious, hearty meals.
Enjoy a Traditional Costa Rican Lunch
After an engaging morning or afternoon of authentic Guanacaste traditions, you will sit down to enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch. The meal includes white rice, red or black beans, and a protein of your choice (chicken, fish, beef, or pork), accompanied by a fresh green salad. We are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or other dietary preferences with advance notice.
Return with Lasting Memories
As the day comes to an end, you’ll return to your hotel or vacation home in the same comfortable private vehicle, knowing that you have not only experienced the rich traditions of Guanacaste but also supported local communities, responsible tourism, and the conservation of Costa Rica’s cultural heritage.
What to Bring:
Essentials:
Recommended for enhanced experience:
Additional Info:
- Age Requirement: 5 year old and older
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
- Languages: Available in Spanish and English
- Physical Rating: Active
- Group Size: All group sizes are welcome to enjoy this authentic Guanacastecan experience.
- Surroundings: Land-based Activity
Essential Considerations
Experience Guanacaste Like a Local
Ride with real Sabaneros, cook with local experts, and immerse yourself in centuries-old traditions at a working hacienda
Book Now!Cancellation Policy:
We understand that plans can change. Cancellations made at least 72 hours before the scheduled excursion will receive a full refund, minus any applicable bank or financial service fees. Cancellations made between 72 and 48 hours before the excursion will receive an 80% refund, minus any applicable bank or financial service fees. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the excursion are non-refundable, and no-shows will incur a 100% penalty charge.
All changes and cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to hello@linkexpeditions.com and must be confirmed by us to take effect. Please note that tours, excursions, activities, and field trips must be prepaid in full to secure your booking. All prices are quoted in USD.
Some experiences we offer are facilitated by trusted vendors we have carefully selected to align with our values. For these specific activities, the cancellation policy will be subject to the vendor’s terms and conditions. For example, fishing and private catamaran tours typically have a 50% penalty charge if canceled within 21 days.
While we strive to accommodate everyone, our cancellation policies are in place to help us continue providing you with the best possible service. Late cancellations not only affect our operations but also limit opportunities for other travelers who may have wished to book. By adhering to these policies, we can ensure your excursions and transportation are secure, offering you a smooth and hassle-free experience. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
