The Cowboy Way In Guanacaste

By BobbyRica | July 1, 2009

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Costa Rica’s driest region is where its cowboy culture lives. Guanacaste, named for the country’s national tree, is dusty in the north and mist-covered high in its hills. It is close to two large bodies of water, namely Costa Rica’s largest lake, Lake Arenal, and the Pacific Ocean.

Guanacaste’s cowboys are the sabaneros. They are in large part what makes this region unique and worth a visit. Like their American counterparts, they are hardy, industrious, and quite skilled in handling animals. They are, however, less the TV cowboys but more of the hardworking, tough people who have learned to live in small farms and haciendas as hired hands. The womenfolk of the sabaneros are assigned more traditional roles in the household.

Guanacaste’s economy has relied much on cattle; but owing to the exhaustive grazing and poor export markets, this industry has failed to develop. Tourism has somewhat kept the cowboy culture of this region alive, thanks also in part to the land’s natural appeal.

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Those who want to sample the cowboy culture could start with horseback riding in Quesada town or in the Las Imagenes Biological Station, which offer horseback riding through the park. Some cattle ranches, such as those on the lower slopes of the volcano in Parque Nacional Rincòn de la Vieja, offer lodging along with the horseback ride through the park.

To watch firsthand the skill of the sabanero, it is best to visit the smaller towns, specifically those that lie on the Nicoya Peninsula. Early in the year, in January and February, local redondel de toros (bullrings) come alive with the Costa Rican version of the Spanish bullfight and the American rodeo. No cattle are harmed in this fiesta; only the rope handling and bull riding are showcased for locals and visitors to see.