Introduction to our Horse-riding Tour

The idea of hopping on a large animal and traversing the Nicaraguan countryside for the first time can be intimidating, but at Guacimo Ecolodge we try to make this experience as exciting and memorable as possible.

Here’s what your day of horse-riding will look like:

You’ll wake up to the sound of birds (there are 221 different species in the Indio Maíz). Margarita, our lovely cook, will prepare a fresh, nutritious breakfast for you and you’ll eat overlooking the Rio San Juan.

A fifteen minute boat ride and you will arrive at the beautiful, yet remote, fishing village of El Castillo. It’s a popular place with backpackers and the village is overlooked by the impressive El Castillo fortress. Once used to defend the rich city of Granada from pirates, now the fortress is home to a library and museum.

In El Castillo you’ll be met by Don Tapia, your local guide. You’ll recognise him because he’s always wearing boots and a hat. Don Tapia is well established in El Castillo. He owns a shop there and works at the Cocoa cooperative. He’s a true local and horses are his passion.

Don will bring you to meet your new four-legged friend. These gentle horses will take you through the farmlands and countryside of El Castillo.

At Guacimo Ecolodge we offer two options for our horse-riding tour:

1) Horse-riding through Nature Tour

This horse-riding tour is no pre-packaged, tourist-filled pony trail. Instead you will embark on a long ride through the backlands of El Castillo and hear the stories of the area through Don Tapia’s perspective. Amid the stunning farmland and countryside backdrop, you’ll have the opportunity to see diverse wildlife as well as exotic flowers and trees.

With Don Tapia as your guide, you will traverse unfamiliar environments that you couldn’t access by car and may not have taken the time to journey to on foot. From this elevated vantage point you will be able to connect with nature in a new way – both through the stunning landscape surrounding you and the beautiful horse you are riding.

2) Horse-riding and Cocoa Cooperative Tour

This option embraces all the beautiful nature and excitement of the first horse-riding tour, but also includes a visit to the cocoa cooperative of El Castillo.

You will be immersed in the farming and production processes of the cooperative. Follow Don by horseback as he explains the planting process of the cocoa as well as the importance and the history of the industry to the local El Castillo community.

At the cooperative, learn in depth about the cycle of cocoa from planting, fermenting and exportation (the cocoa from this coop is exported as far as Europe so maybe you’ve tried it before!).

If looking at all the cacao has you craving something sweet, then try a fresh cup of hot cacao to fuel you for the rest of your day in beautiful El Castillo.

Are you ready to saddle up?

No matter which horse-riding tour option you choose you are guaranteed to feel the sense of excitement and freedom that comes with placing your trust in such a magnificent creature. And with Don Tapia as your guide, you will be immersed in the local trade and will experience the life of the river dwellers of Nicaragua.



To book your Nicaraguan adventure with Guacimo Lodge click here