The horseback ride to the rainforest side of the volcano begins with a 45 ride to Los Lagos Hotel for an hour stop. Here there are trails around crocodile ponds and ponds with koi fish. The variety of ginger flowers, bird of paradise, and passionflowers created the need for an additional roll of film. There is also the Baldie Hot Springs complete with showers and changing rooms. The number for information on the hotel and/or hot springs is 506 479-9126.
We continue up the trail behind the hotel for another 2km to Mirador Observatory, which offers views of Los Juncos Lake and Rio de Lava (cold lava flow), Muro de Lava (lava wall), and the top of Arenal Volcano.
Luis can be contacted at 506 479-9959, speaks exceptionally good English, providing the names of flora and fauna along the way. He requires no minimum number of people and brings the horses to your hotel at the time you request. I paid $25 for 4 hours including entrance fee