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Rancho Tranquilo: Traveler Reviews

Final de la calle publica | San Salvador in the Diamante Valley, Dominical 11901, Costa Rica
506-8859-9153
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Ranked #8 of 11 attractions in Dominical
Type: Horseback Riding Stables
Owner description: Private Horseback Tours in the Diamante Valley, the "Valley of the Waterfalls." Come ride the happy horses at Rancho Tranquilo!Giant... more » Owner description: Private Horseback Tours in the Diamante Valley, the "Valley of the Waterfalls." Come ride the happy horses at Rancho Tranquilo!Giant waterfalls--gorgeous vistas--lots of wildlife. Top quality, healthy horses - the ride you've been looking for!All tours include our famous homemade thin-crust pizza, beer & soft drinks. Ask about our new all-inclusive Dude Ranch Package, leasing programs, riding lessons, and horsecare workshops. « less
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32 reviews from our community

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Roxbury Connecticut
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“great time”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 8, 2012

We had a terrific time riding at Rancho Tranquilo. The horses were great, well tended, and the location and scenery amazing. Most of all, Linda made us feel like personal guests at her home-which was also amazing. Linda keeps the groups small, so she led the tour with just our family (my husband, me and 2 boys ages 15 and 16) which lasted almost three hours. The waterfalls were not flowing much when we were there, so we did an upland tour with fantastic views of the Pacific, surrounding valley,and then a fine pizza lunch. We really had fun!

Visited April 2012
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Newark, Delaware
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“A unique experience in a unique place”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 26, 2012

This is the second time we have visited Rancho Tranquilo and, as before, Linda was friendly, attentive, filled with local knowledge, and just "good people" all around. Staying in her cabina, it is easy to forget that there is a world outside the Diamonte Valley. If you want to try something different, take one of Linda's horseback tours-seeing this wonderful land on the back of a horse is truly an experience to treasure. Don't worry if you're not an experienced equestrian-LInda has a variety of horses for all levels of experience.

In addition, if you are considering relocating to Costa Rica, Linda also has properties that can be rented or for sale-in fact, we just rented a place through her and will moving there soon. Visit Rancho Tranquilo and you may find yourself dreaming of becoming an ex-pat yourself!!!

Visited April 2012
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Boulder, Colorado
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Beautiful !!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 9, 2012

What a beautiful place in the world. A perfect place for a vacation away from the hustle of city life.

Absolutely stunning views from the cabina which we rented for a night.

Horse back riding in such a beautiful place makes it all so much better.

Definitely recommend Rancho Tranquilo for a part of your vacation in Costa Rica

Visited March 2012
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Pineville, North Carolina, United States
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Wonderful private horseback trip through paradise”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 29, 2012

My wife and I were privileged to take a 3 hour private horseback trip at Linda Gray's Rancho Tranquilo. Our horses were beautiful, well cared for, wonderfully tempered and trained , amazingly sure footed and an all around delight. The horses are only ridden every other day. Unlike other tours in the area, Linda's tours are private - it was just me and my wife. Our young guide, Andrea, a recent college grad, was an accomplished rider and obviously loved what she was doing. The valley near San Salvador is beautiful and remote but still close to San Isidro and Dominical. We took one of three trail rides that went to a lovely waterfall. Linda's homemade pizza is terrific and the view from her beautiful house is spectacular. All in all a wonderful experience. I can't wait to go back!

Visited January 2012
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Western Maryland
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Rancho Tranquilo”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 28, 2012

We found Rancho Tranquilo online when planning our trip. I was especially drawn to the name, as I was looking for some tranquilty. The owner, Linda, was very responsive in email correspondance. It was a lovely drive to the small ranch from the Dominical area. The horses were ready to go when we arrived in a nice staging area. The saddles have bags that hold frozen water bottles, which was great to quench yor thirst along the way. We were disappointed not to be able to meet Linda in person as we had heard so many interesting things about her and were interested in learning about relocation to CR. But she had a lovely young lady, Andrea, as a guide for us. She was super patient and accomodating. My husband is not really a rider and goes on these excursions to humor me:) We have a 10 year old who loves to ride as well. My husbands horse was a perfect match to his personality and as horses go, for him, he was very complimentary of Princessa. My horse was a spirited lad that likes to run. I would recommend that for anyone who likes spunky horses, request Rocky. Although he did not fit my riding personality, it was a lovely day to a 600' waterfall, San Luis (AKA: Angel Falls). The ride is mostly on a rocky dirt road and for the most part you are in the sun. Not an issue for us coming from frozen Maryland:) The vistas were lovely and at one point you can see to the ocean. We were also able to see El Diamante Waterfall in the distance, which is one of the largest waterfalls in C. America.I would suggest bringing sunscreen and a hat. This is not a nose to tail ride and there are many opportunities to trot and gallop. I would not recommend this ride for children younger than 8-9 years old and only if they have had some riding experience. My son loved his horse. At the waterfall, you tie up the horses and walk only a short way through some forest. It is a somewhat muddy cut trail, but not anything strenuous. At the top, you walk into the rocky stream area at the foot of the waterfall. It was peaceful sitting there looking up and listening to the falling water. We felt like we had ample time there relaxing as our son explored the stream bed. We were there in mid January, which is the beginning of dry season. Remarkably, this waterfall dries up until the rains usher in green season again. After returning to the ranch, you are served delicious fresh homemade pizza and cold drinks, which was served in Linda's open air kitchen with mountain vistas and cool breezes. Great hospitality! Thank you for a great and memorable day at Rancho Tranquilo!

Visited January 2012
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Ask MountaineerFaith about Rancho Tranquilo
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CaballoLinda, Owner at Rancho Tranquilo, responded to this review
February 3, 2012
Hi Faith Family! Thanks for the nice review. I am really sorry I wasn't able to meet you when you came, my cousin was here visiting that week and I had to take her up to the airport. Next time you come we'll definitely get together.
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