Horseback Riding & Chocolate Farm Combo
Ride jungle trails to a natural waterfall pool in the morning, then tour an organic cacao, vanilla and coffee farm for lunch. Two experiences, one unforgettable day.
* Rack rates before Costa Rica's 13% VAT. Includes hotel pickup from Manuel Antonio. Max weight for horseback: 265 lbs (120 kg). Book now, pay at the farm.
The combo experience
Most tours give you one thing. This one gives you two that fit together almost too well. You spend the morning on horseback through jungle trails on a working farm in Londres, about 40 minutes from Quepos. Then, after a swim in a natural pool at the end of the ride, you hand the reins back, wash up, and step into the same farm's organic garden for the afternoon: cacao trees, vanilla vines, coffee plants, and a farm-to-table lunch prepared with produce grown right there.
The two halves of the day are genuinely different. The horseback ride is physical, outdoors, trail-focused, with the smell of horses and the sound of birds. The farm tour is hands-on and educational in a different way: understanding where chocolate comes from, how vanilla is cured, what coffee processing actually involves. Together they add up to a full day that doesn't feel repetitive.
Groups run 2 to 20 people. Your bilingual guide stays with you through both activities. The pace is relaxed enough for families but has enough content to keep adults engaged throughout.
You can also do each activity on its own: see Horseback Riding through the Jungle or the Chocolate, Vanilla & Coffee Tour as standalone tours. The combo saves you the second pickup and gives you more time on the property.
Part 1: Into the jungle on horseback
Your driver picks you up at 8:00 AM from your hotel in Manuel Antonio. On the 40-minute drive to Londres, your guide covers some of the history of the Quepos region: the banana era, the African palm expansion, how the Central Pacific coast developed. It's not a lecture, just good conversation that makes the drive feel short.
The farm itself is a proper working property with stables, a corral, open-air areas with bathrooms, and more animals than most people expect: rabbits, goats, ponies, sheep, chickens. Kids tend to lose 20 minutes here before the ride even starts.
The horseback ride covers about 1.5 hours round trip on jungle trails. The terrain gives you valley views, dense lush vegetation, and regular sightings of birds and reptiles. Your guide will point out what you're looking at, whether that's a vine snake draped across a branch or a pair of toucans arguing overhead. The horses are calm and well-suited for riders of all experience levels, including complete beginners.
At the far end of the trail, the route opens onto a natural pool surrounded by jungle. This is your swim stop. The water is clear, cool, and shaded. Most people stay longer than they planned to. When you're ready, you ride back to the farm, hand over the horses, and get cleaned up before the second half of the day begins.
Weight limit for horseback: 265 lbs (120 kg). Minimum age: 7 years.
Part 2: From bean to bar on the farm
The afternoon stays on the same Londres property, so there's no second van ride. Your guide walks you through the organic garden where the farm grows cacao, vanilla and coffee alongside a range of other tropical plants.
The cacao section is usually the one people remember most. You see the pods on the trees, crack them open, taste the raw pulp (sweet and slightly citrusy, nothing like chocolate yet), and then follow the process: fermentation, drying, roasting, grinding. By the end you understand exactly why good chocolate costs what it costs.
Vanilla gets its own attention: the orchid vines, how flowers are hand-pollinated, the months-long curing process that turns a green pod into the ingredient you know. Coffee follows with the harvest-to-cup chain, and you'll see how the farm approaches each step sustainably.
You also meet more of the farm animals during the tour, and there are opportunities to taste along the way: fresh cacao pulp, coffee from the farm's own harvest, spice blends made on site.
The day ends with a farm-to-table lunch prepared with organic produce grown on the property. An organic glass of wine from the farm is included. It's a proper sit-down meal, not a snack. Most groups wrap up around mid-afternoon, then it's the 40-minute drive back to Manuel Antonio.
If the farm tour sounds like exactly what you need on its own, the standalone Chocolate, Vanilla & Coffee Tour runs separately. Fans of hands-on food experiences also enjoy the Local Flavor Cooking Experience.
What's included
- Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Manuel Antonio
- Certified bilingual guide for both activities
- 1.5-hour guided horseback ride through jungle trails
- Swim stop at the natural pool at the end of the trail
- Guided tour of the organic cacao, vanilla and coffee garden
- Farm-to-table lunch prepared with on-site organic produce
- Organic glass of wine from the farm
- All beverages throughout the day
- Safety equipment for horseback riding
What to bring
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Hat or visor
- Long pants (recommended for horseback riding)
- Closed hiking or walking shoes (no sandals for the ride)
- Bathing suit and a small towel for the natural pool
- Mosquito repellent
- Camera
- Cash for any extras or tips
A typical day
- 8:00 AM Hotel pickup in Manuel Antonio
- 40-minute drive to the Londres farm with regional history from your guide
- Meet the farm animals and get acquainted with your horse
- 1.5-hour guided horseback ride through jungle trails with valley views
- Swim stop at the natural pool in the jungle
- Ride back to the farm and refresh before the afternoon
- Guided tour of the organic cacao, vanilla and coffee garden
- Tastings along the way: raw cacao pulp, farm coffee, spice blends
- Farm-to-table lunch with organic wine
- 40-minute drive back to Manuel Antonio, arriving mid-afternoon
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The horses on the Londres farm are used to beginners. Your guide walks with the group and controls the pace. First-timers do this tour regularly, including families with young kids. If anyone in your group is nervous, let us know when you book so the guide can give them a little extra time getting comfortable before the trail.
Yes. Non-riders can skip the horseback portion and join the group for the farm tour and lunch. They can also explore the farm grounds and meet the animals while the ride is happening. Let us know in advance so we can arrange it, and WhatsApp us to discuss pricing for the mixed group.
The swim stop is part of the standard route, so it happens on almost every departure. Very heavy rain can occasionally make the access path slippery, and in that case the guide will make a call on safety. It's uncommon but worth packing your bathing suit regardless, because the pool is one of the highlights of the day.
It's a proper sit-down meal prepared with ingredients from the organic garden. Think rice, beans, plantains, fresh vegetables, and a protein, cooked in a traditional Costa Rican style. An organic glass of wine from the farm is included. It's served after the farm tour and is more substantial than a picnic lunch. If you have dietary restrictions, let us know when you book.
Long pants and closed shoes are required for the horseback riding portion. Sandals and shorts are fine once you're back at the farm for the afternoon. Bring a bathing suit for the natural pool, sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent. The farm provides water and beverages throughout the day, so you don't need to carry much.
Ready to book the Horseback & Chocolate Combo?
Hotel pickup included. Book now, pay at the farm.
Prefer just your group? Take this tour private →
