Horses, Yoga & Mountain Calm: A 7-Day Horsemanship Retreat in Costa Rica

Each day follows a gentle shape. You're up early for tea and a morning yoga session at 06:15, which sets up the body awareness and breathing you'll carry into the horse work. Breakfast is at 08:00, then the main natural horsemanship session runs from 09:30 — this is where the real learning happens, working on the ground with your horse, reading its responses, and building trust before you ever think about riding. Lunch is at midday, afternoons bring a second session that changes depending on the day (liberty workshop, a herd connection experience, riding, or one of the excursions), and dinner at 18:00 turns into social time with the group.

What sets this apart from a standard riding holiday is the liberty work and the emphasis on connection over control. You learn how a horse reads your body, how clear intention changes its behaviour, and how trust — not tack — is what actually gets a horse to work with you. The neck-rope and bareback riding options are for people who want to feel that connection without equipment in the way. It's a different philosophy of being around horses, and six structured lessons over the week give you enough repetition to feel the difference by the end.

The lead instructor is Isabel 'Isa' Avendaño, co-founder of Finca Soley, who has over 20 years working with horses and blends natural horsemanship, liberty work, and French classical dressage. Yoga is taught by Analia Duran, and Milton Avendaño — the other co-founder — handles the cultural side, taking guests to the farmers market and helping everyone settle in.

The location does a lot of the work here. Finca Soley sits in the mountains near Tucurrique, surrounded by tropical greenery, with a pool, a yoga deck, and views out over the hills. The Orosi hot springs are a short drive away, and the surrounding Cartago region is farm country — quiet, green, and a long way from the tourist strips. It's the kind of place where watching the herd from the terrace counts as an activity.

The optional Equestrian Yoga Course adds five 90-minute sessions for those who want to go deeper into the movement side, and massages can be booked on-site. Everything else — the horsemanship, the excursions, the meals, the transfers — is built into the week.

What's included

- 6 nights' shared accommodation in mountain lodges - Scheduled airport transfers from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) - Fresh breakfast, homemade lunch, and dinner (except farewell dinner) - Water, coffee, tea, juice, and herbal teas from the garden - One glass of wine or beer with dinner - 6 horsemanship lessons (groundwork, liberty, horse connection, riding) - Liberty workshop - Horse connection experience with the herd - Theory session on horse psychology and communication - Natural hot springs visit in Orosi (transport and entrance included) - Mindful trail ride (approx. 45 minutes) - Farm tour - Local farmers market visit - Welcome tea circle - Daily morning yoga sessions

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Equestrian Yoga Course (optional add-on, five 90-minute sessions) - Private room upgrade (available for an additional fee) - Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (paid directly by each guest) - Personal expenses (tips, souvenirs, snacks, drinks during excursions, laundry) - Massage and additional riding lessons (available for an extra fee) - Additional alcoholic beverages