My younger son and I had a fantastic day with Randall at Rancho Típico Don Juan. (See my full trip report here.) We were lucky enough to be the only people who were booked that day so we had a private tour. From beginning to end, Randall did a fabulous job hosting us on his ranch.
This was so much more than a horseback riding tour. It was equal parts history lesson, nature exploration, and horseback riding adventure. The horses were obviously an integral part of the experience, but they were also largely a means of covering the most ground on the property so that Randall could show us the land and give us the most information possible about it.
Randall’s knowledge of Costa Rican history, culture, and nature was vast and his love for the land was strong. Several years ago he convinced his family to close their commercial ranch and let nature take back the land. The results are stunning. Their property is gorgeous and full of birds, reptiles, insects, and a huge variety of vegetation. Nature is truly Randall’s passion and he was so thrilled as he told us about all the flora and fauna that have gradually made a comeback on their land. His excitement was palpable when he spotted birds or taught us about the different plants and the role they played in the ecosystem.
The tour included a quick educational walk through the rainforest and a relaxing stop by a waterfall. It is amazing that the property included lush fields, dense rainforest, and gorgeous waterfalls. It truly is a stunning place.
Randall was a wonderful host. He was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. I was so appreciative of the fact that he took so many pictures and air dropped them to me at the end of the tour. It is really special to have so many photos of my son and I together, especially because we don’t get to do too many things just the two of us. We definitely created some special memories together. The delicious homemade lunch at the end of the tour capped off a fantastic day. I felt like this was such a unique tour and so different from the other activities we did in Costa Rica. It is a traditional Costa Rican experience but one that isn’t marketed to the masses so it manages to stay off the beaten path. And that is exactly where it is meant to be and what makes it so special.
