Welcome to
Tula Vida Ranch
Tula Vida Ranch is a sanctuary for horses and humans nestled in the volcano valleys of Costa Rica. Across 85 acres of lush forest and open pasture, a wise herd of rescue horses roams freely, greeting you as you wander the trails.
This is a place where nature heals deeply, time slows down and you feel the rare peace of truly belonging.
The Land & Experience
Every step here connects you to something alive — volcano views at sunset, rainforest trails shaded by ancient trees, bubbling rivers, birds of every colour or horses quietly grazing nearby.
Our fully off-grid ranch runs on pure spring water and solar energy, with a flourishing kitchen garden, endangered tree nursery and newly planted orchards. It’s like stepping back in time, yet with all the comfort you need to rest deeply and restore your energy.
The Rooms
- light-filled interiors
- comfortable beds
- great showers
- private bathrooms
- fans (we don’t need AC here)
- screened windows
And wide-arched verandas framing sweeping views of green as far as the eye can see. You might enjoy your morning drink with a horse grazing by your window or fall asleep to the distant hum of the cicadas. Here, privacy and peace are balanced with a feeling of connection — to the land, to the herd and to yourself.
Whether you choose a private room for quiet reflection or a shared space for deeper connection, you’ll find the perfect base to relax, recharge and feel completely at home.
The Food
We cook with fresh, local ingredients, many harvested straight from our own gardens. Lettuce, herbs and vegetables are picked just steps from the kitchen, while tropical fruits arrive bursting with sun-ripened sweetness, and cheese is hand-made in our local village.
Meals are served family-style, inviting conversation, connection and the simple pleasure of sharing good food and a cultural experience together. Expect vibrant Costa Rican flavors, wholesome dishes inspired by our local team, and the occasional surprise from the day’s garden harvest.
Whether you’re enjoying breakfast with volcano views, a colorful lunch after time with the herd, or a painting-worthy sunset backdrop for your dinner, each meal is designed to leave you feeling satisfied, energized and deeply cared for.
Welcome home.
The horse experiences take place all around the property
Horse experiences take place across the ranch—in our bespoke arena, under the shelter of the barn, or out in one of the tranquil places the herd calls home. We like to go out and meet the horses in their world, where the combination of their presence and wild beauty creates a multi-sensory somatic experience, something that words can’t fully describe, but that stays with you long after you leave.
We are minutes from Tierras Morenas village and 35 minutes from Tilaran and Nuevo Arenal towns.
La Fortuna - a world-renowned hub for tourist experiences - is a 1 hour drive.
Liberia International airport (LIR) is 1h45 on good roads.
San Jose airport is a 4-5 hour drive.
Discover the area
Tula Vida is nestled in the hills surrounding Lake Arenal, between the Arenal and Tenorio volcanos in Costa Rica.
Activities in the Arenal Volcano area
Arenal is known as the adventure center of Costa Rica and is one of the key destination stop-offs for most tourists visiting the country. Known for its majestic active volcano with the stunning lake at its base and natural rainforest canopies all around, you can do a wide range of activities in this area.
The Climate
12 climatic zones
Due to its geographical diversity, Costa Rica has numerous microclimates so the weather is very changeable.
Our location
In our corner of Costa Rica, there is usually a nice, cool breeze and limited humidity so it does not get too hot.
Temperature range
Weather here is typically in the 70s-80s°F / 20-30°C (and sometimes in the 60s°F / 15°C at night).
The beaches
The beaches are generally hotter (75-95°F / 25-35°C) with more humidity.
Background on Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. It is a country proud of its heritage and traditions. Costa Rica abolished its military forces in 1949 and since then has devoted substantial resources to investment in health and education. It is a country that has placed a high priority in investing in public education, including the university system, as well as technical and vocational training. Its population of 4.9 million people enjoys a literacy rate of 96% and a life expectancy of 79.3 years.
The country has a strong legal system managed by the ‘Judicial Power’, which ensures law compliance and covers both nationals and foreigners within the country’s territory. The country is often cited as a model for conservation in harmony with community development and economic growth. All these changes have translated into important social achievements. In the last 20 years poverty was reduced from 40% to less than 20%. It is known as the “safest country in Central America” and where there is crime, petty theft is by far the most common threat for visitors. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country’s political stability and high education levels.
Costa Rica was considered the country with the highest rate of happiness in the world (Happy Planet Index 2019).
Costa Rica is blessed with impressive scenic beauty, a fact that is not lost on the millions of tourists that visit each year. Located in Central America in an area that covers 51.000 square kilometers (19.729 square miles), Costa Rica possesses approximately 6% of the world’s biodiversity. In 2015, the country was able to produce 99% of its electricity from renewable sources, and the government continues to invest in renewable energy generation in an effort to meet its goal of becoming carbon neutral.
Due to its small size, a diverse array of fabulous sites is within easy access. A trip to Costa Rica affords the opportunity to visit 12 different life zones, 20 national parks, 26 protected areas, nine forest reserves, eight biological reserves and seven wildlife sanctuaries. Costa Rica is the birthplace of ecotourism.
It is not surprising that tourism is Costa Rica’s main source of income and hard currency. Prior to Covid-19, earnings from tourism amount to more than $2.8 billion US dollars per year. 50% of the country’s GDP comes from ecotourism and adventure activities, a figure that makes Costa Rica one of the most successful examples of the emerging model of sustainable tourism in the entire world. Tourism Minister Ventura called the tourism sector a “motor for development” in Costa Rica, providing jobs and growing the country’s international brand.
Ecotourism has become the fastest growing subsector of the tourism industry across the globe since the second half of the 1990s, maintaining an annual growth rate of 15% according to statistics from the World Tourism Organization. It is estimated that up to 80% of all visitors to Costa Rica come to do eco-tourism related activities, particularly in the Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio national park and Monteverde areas.
*Sources (March 2017): OECD; Washington DC’s Embassy of Costa Rica; the Happy Planet index; CentralAmericaData.com
Are you ready?
The horses are waiting for you!
At Tula Vida, the pace slows. Horses want to be around you, the fresh air hums with birdsong, and the land itself seems to welcome you home.
Here, in the heart of Costa Rica’s volcano valleys, you’ll find a ranch unlike any other — where nature is alive and accessible, where comfort meets wild beauty, and where every moment invites you to breathe, listen, and simply be.
Whether you join us for a restorative retreat or a private stay, your time here is an immersion into connection—with the land, with the herd, and with yourself.
