Gerardo's Horses, Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre, Costa Rica
Visited: January 2015
Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre is a tightknit community nestled next to the superb Corcovado National Park, one of the most important and biodiverse ecosystems in the world. The village runs along two branches of the Rio Tigre river which merges at its center; it is this which gives the town it's name of Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre or 'Two Arms of the Tiger River'
In the 1970s gold miners seeking their fortunes in the rivers that crisscross the landscape descended into the region and as a result, Dos Brazos's population swelled to over 2,000 people and for a decade it was a rather wild gold mining town. Even to this day many of the locals make their living by panning for gold, if you keep your eyes peeled you might even spot a nugget glinting on the river bed!
Gerardo Cruz's family have been here for generations. They have a small herd of around five horses which they use for day-to-day life in the village, such as doing shopping at the local tienda for the staple food here of rice and beans, as well as taking out tourists. They offer a number of rides up into the mountains and to beautiful waterfalls. One of the huge bonuses of being on horseback is that the wildlife is less cautious of horses than humans. On the ride that I went on, I was able to get within just ten metres of a family of endangered Red-Backed Squirrel Monkeys feeding and squabbling in a tree next to the trail. The guides speak very little English but it's a great opportunity to practise your Spanish and immerse yourself in a corner of untamed rainforest.
In the 1970s gold miners seeking their fortunes in the rivers that crisscross the landscape descended into the region and as a result, Dos Brazos's population swelled to over 2,000 people and for a decade it was a rather wild gold mining town. Even to this day many of the locals make their living by panning for gold, if you keep your eyes peeled you might even spot a nugget glinting on the river bed!
Gerardo Cruz's family have been here for generations. They have a small herd of around five horses which they use for day-to-day life in the village, such as doing shopping at the local tienda for the staple food here of rice and beans, as well as taking out tourists. They offer a number of rides up into the mountains and to beautiful waterfalls. One of the huge bonuses of being on horseback is that the wildlife is less cautious of horses than humans. On the ride that I went on, I was able to get within just ten metres of a family of endangered Red-Backed Squirrel Monkeys feeding and squabbling in a tree next to the trail. The guides speak very little English but it's a great opportunity to practise your Spanish and immerse yourself in a corner of untamed rainforest.
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