One of my favorite adventure experiences is horseback riding in the places I visit. Sitting atop a powerful steed lets me get an up-close view of the local landscape that just isn’t possible from a vehicle. A sure-footed horse willingly plods through mud and muck, brush and thickets that I wouldn’t care to walk though. They ably cross streams to carry me to the other side with dry boots and climb hills to give me the vista without the exertion.
This November, I had the good fortune to visit Nicaragua for the first time. A few miles from the Pacific coast fishing and surfing village of San Juan del Sur, I was delighted to go to Rancho Chilamate, an off-the-grid, solar-powered eco-ranch that runs daily horseback trail and beach rides. Owners Jaime Lake and Blue Van Doorninck designed and built a charming Hacienda where they live and operate the ranch. Jaime and Blue are the consummate hosts, making every guest feel like old friends.
Our small group was welcomed into the main house and chose cowboy boots, hats and bandanas to get in the mood. Suitably garbed for the ride, we went to the paddock to saddle up. All of Rancho Chilamate’s horses are healthy and happy, but like people, they have different personalities so Trail Boss Jaime matched our riding level with the right horse.
- Rancho Chilamate takes its name from this native Chilamate tree. Photo: Out of the Blue Photography
Off we went down the road through the neighboring rural community. As two of the few foreigners living in the area, Jaime and Blue feel it is important to respect and give back to the local community. A portion of each ride revenue is donated to a local community development fund which helps with medical expenses, school costs and building assistance. Blue also provides school photographs of the students, which is a treasure to their families. Obviously, they are well-liked, as the resident children ran out to wave and say “Buenos Diaz!” as we rode by.
Our little cowboy posse left the dirt road to a lesser trail, saw howler monkeys chattering in the trees, crossed rivers and rode across a spectacular hilly field. After about an hour, we arrived at picturesque Escamequita beach, one rarely visited by tourists and frequented only by locals surfcasting for dinner, but one that enjoyed some notoriety from being the site of Survivor: Nicaragua.
- The beach ride with Kachina was a thrill! Photo: Out of the Blue Photography
As if they day could get any better, the pinnacle was galloping Kachina the full length of the beach at water’s edge. I wasn’t quite brave (or skilled) enough to completely let her have her head, but the unadulterated joy I felt as we seemed to fly was just amazing. Blue has a passion for photography and does a photo shoot of every ride (included in the price), so I have images from the wonderful day to frame as well as those etched in my mind.
Rancho Chilamate offers half and full day trail, beach and sunset rides at very reasonable prices. They include transfers from San Juan del Sur to the ranch, all equipment, photos of the ride and celebratory rum toasts at the conclusion. No experience is necessary so there is no reason to not to summon your inner cowboy and saddle up with Jaime and Blue. Contact Covington Travel to plan your horseback riding adventure in Nicaragua today.
Many thanks to COPA Airlines and the Nicaragua Tourism Board for hosting this trip and opening my eyes to the many eco-adventures of Nicaragua.
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