Costa Rica Bike Tour & Adventure
Costa Rica Bike Tours
Biking, hiking, kayaking, & more in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica
Overview
We are pleased to offer this multi-adventure tour that features biking in Costa Rica as well as other activities that showcase this eco and adventure tourism hot spot of Central America! On this incredible guided and supported 10-day adventure you will bike, swim, hike, kayak, snorkel, zip-line, surf, and, take every opportunity to bask in the sun!
Winter weary northern souls will soak in Vitamin D on world-renowned beaches and be rejuvenated and ready to conquer the challenges offered. Don't be intimidated, however, the difficulty level can be adjusted according to your specifications.
If this itinerary does not suit you, ask us! We can request a tailor-made program for you with your special interests as the focus, ranging from culture, nature, rest and leisure, family, hiking, cycling, and multi-adventure.
Highlights
- Arenal Volcano area and Arenal Lake
- Sea kayaking tour or surf lesson in the pristine waters off Isla Chora
- World-renowned Samara Beach
- Canopy Tour (zip-line tour): offers everyone an exhilarating opportunity to soar through the rain forest high above the forest floor. There you will view jungle life from a perspective previously reserved for a select group of researchers and photographers, observing the rainforest from a variety of different vantage points – from above, below and within the canopy itself
- Hiking in Chilamate Rainforest and in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Itinerary
Day 1: Individual arrival in Costa Rica, transfer to first hotel in San José
Day 2: Transfer to Sarapiquí, mountain bike
Day 3: Sarapiquí - Arenal volcano
Day 4: Arenal Volcano, Pedal and Paddle adventure
Day 5: Arenal - Monteverde Cloud Forest
Day 6: Guided tour to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Day 7: Monteverde - Samara Beach
Day 8: Samara Beach, Kayak and snorkeling or surf lessons
Day 9: Samara Beach - San Jose
Day 10: End of tourDay 1: Individual arrival in Costa Rica
Our local representative will be waiting for you at the Juan Santamaría International Airport to transfer you to your hotel in San José, conveniently located near downtown, close to many dining opportunities. We can provide specific tourist information so that you can take full advantage of your time in San José.Costa Rica’s capital and the largest city in the country, San Jose is considered to be among the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. Downtown San Jose is the busiest part of town. A maze of streets and avenues, here you can find most of the city’s museums as well as several hotels and plazas. In the center of the city, several attractions can be found, such as the National Theater, the National Museum, and the Jade Museum. Also, several parks like Plaza de La Cultura and Parque Morazan are interesting places to visit. In San Jose exist a wide variety for gastronomic, each corner of the city has great restaurants or the famous Barrio Escalante, a gastronomic center where high-quality food is offered. But for more local and typical food, the central market offers tasty food.
Sample accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson - standard room
This property is located only 500 meters from Parque Metropolitano La Sabana Park in central San Jose. It offers an outdoor pool, hot tub, and a fitness center. The restaurant serves international-style cuisine. Room service is also available.Day 2: Transfer to Sarapiquí, mountain biking, 22 or 30 km
Get ready for the rainforest! You will enjoy a morning transfer to Sarapiquí (2 1/4 hours), to a hotel located in the middle of the dense rainforest. The afternoon will find you enjoying your first adventure, a mountain bike tour into the jungle. There are different biking routes to follow depending on your level and your wishes. You will enjoy a network of trails, dirt roads, and single tracks located in Hacienda la Linda, a typical hacienda that includes livestock, local crops, dense rainforest, and crystal clear rivers.Sarapiqui is located in the Heredia province and it has gain popularity because of the rich biodiversity as well as the adventure activities that can be done here. Surrounded by lush green forests and banana and cacao plantations, Sarapiqui was once just a small port town. Located at the junction of the Puerto Viejo River and Sarapiqui River. In Sarapiqui, several private reserves can be found such as La Tirimbina, La Selva, and many others making a great place to admire nature and wildlife.
As one of Costa Rica’s last remaining areas of primary rainforest, Sarapiquí is home to over half of the country’s total species of birds. The species diversity is astounding, with more than 1,850 plants, 448 birds, 70 species of bat and five of Costa Rica’s six felines. (B)
Sample accommodation: Ara Ambigua Lodge, Standard room
Offering its guests an outdoor pool and an à la carte restaurant, the property has free breakfast included and Wi-Fi access. Offering its guests an outdoor pool and an à la carte restaurant which serves international-style dishes and is open daily. Laundry facilities are available on-site. An array of activities can be enjoyed on-site or in the surroundings, including billiards, birdwatching, hiking, and a butterfly garden.Day 3: Sarapiquí - Arenal Volcano, hiking
The morning is free for exploration of the rainforest reserve on your own. Your lodge accommodation has a private reserve with many trails to hike and explore. You will find many species of animals including 3 species of monkeys, sloths, poison frogs, and many others. There is so much to see that you will want to rise early! By mid-afternoon, you will be transferred to the area of the Arenal Volcano and your overnight accommodations, Los Lagos Hotel Spa and Resort, located on the west side of the volcano between the National Park and La Fortuna Village. At the hotel, you can enjoy the naturally heated hot springs!La Fortuna is home to the greater Arenal recreation area, the entire region is paradise on Earth for outdoor adventurers. Volcanic views grace the landscape and heat several geothermal hot springs. A lake and rivers beckon you toward aquatic adventure. Refreshing waterfalls reward you after hikes, offering crisp pools and spectacular views. Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most notable natural features. Standing at 5,437 feet (1,657 meters), this volcano has been resting (i.e. not active) since 2010. However, it is no less majestic to behold, as it’s practically a behemoth against the region’s perfect skies. Rising above the rainforest that surrounds its base, Arenal Volcano frames the skyline with near-perfect symmetry. (B)
Sample accommodation: Los Lagos Hotel Spa and Resort, Standard room
This hotel is located next to Arenal Volcano, 6 km from La Fortuna. It offers a natural hot spring, outdoor adventure activities, a luxurious spa, and scenic volcano views. The hotel’s Las Palmas Restaurant features gourmet, tropical dishes made with local produce. You can also enjoy a cocktail at the relaxing swim-up Lemnos Wet Bar outdoor pool. The hotel offers many activities onsite, from canopy tours, to visits to frog, butterfly and crocodile farms. A 2.8 km walk takes you to the breathtaking viewpoint of the volcano.Day 4: Arenal Volcano, pedal and paddle adventure, 19 km
Start your unforgettable voyage as you embark on our private boat loaded up with all the necessary gear. Once you're ready to give it a try your guide will plunk your board into the water. Start by paddling out on your knees and when you are ready, stand up and find your balance.Stand Up Paddling looks exactly as it sounds: you stand up on a large, wide, super buoyant board (similar to a surfboard) & use a long paddle to move yourself along. As you embark on your journey out to the middle of Lake Arenal, you’ll be blown away by all of the natural beauty of Volcano Arenal.
After this tour, you will have the chance to change into your dry clothes and fuel up with a refreshing snack before heading to your next adventurous mountain bike challenge. Picnic lunch is included. You will bike along Lake Arenal pass along the rainforest, rural farmlands, and wildlife. You'll have the chance to see different kinds of monkeys, toucans, coatimundis, and more throughout this beautiful landscape. You will bike on a gravel road that stretches 24km crossing the Caño Negro river towards Rio Chiquito (B, L)
Sample accommodation: Los Lagos Hotel Spa and Resort
Day 5: Arenal - Monteverde Cloud Forest, hiking and zip line
The trip combines comfortable door-to-door minivan transfers with a fun and scenic cruise across the tranquil Lake Arenal, where you will experience beautiful views of the majestic volcano and the forested Tilaran Mountain Range. You will also have the chance to see a variety of wetland birds such as kingfishers, flycatchers, waders, and other exotic species that abound on the lakeshore.You will be picked up from your hotel in Arenal and be driven to the Lake Arenal dam, where you will board a covered boat. This is where the scenic 45-minute cruise across the lake begins. Next, you will begin the impressive 1.5-hour journey up the mountainside on a steep road offering stunning views of the lush, green valley. You will be driven directly to your Monteverde area hotel.
IMPORTANT: Passengers should expect to carry their bags/luggage to and from the boat. Drivers will do their best to help if you have any problems with carrying heavy bags. Just let them know in advance.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy a Canopy Tour (Zip Line)! The tour is located in a private reserve created in 1994. It starts with a short guided walk through the private 70-acre reserve of the cloud forest. The first part of the tour will take you through primary (old-growth), and secondary (new-growth) forests. You will fly through the treetops listening closely to the vast variety of birds seen throughout the reserve. Then, just when you think you have become one with the canopy the tour ends with an exhilarating rappel down from the “Scary Tree”. The tour has 14 cables, 17 platforms, 1 rappel, and 1 Tarzan swing. (B)
Sample accommodation: Cala Lodge, standard room
Cala Lodge is a unique small family-owned hotel, surrounded by nature and stunning mountain views. Enjoy the peacefulness, the cloud forest, and the personalized service.Day 6: Guided tour to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, hiking
The tour is essentially a natural history walk in which you will learn about the incredible diversity of flora and fauna and many of the unique relationships various cloud forest species have with each other. Guides are equipped with a spotting telescope as well as binoculars and several informational guidebooks. Bring your camera, as you can take pictures through the guide's scope. This walk usually takes about 3 hours. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is where some of the best-kept cloud forests in all of Costa Rica can be found. It is a cloud forest, not a rainforest, due to its elevation of 4,724 feet (1,440 meters) above sea level. (B)Sample accommodation: Cala Lodge, standard room
Day 7: Monteverde - Samara Beach
A morning transfer will take you to Sámara Beach (4 1/2 hrs.) Here you will have optional activities to choose from such as a surf lesson, dolphin boat tour, or a walking tour.Samara Beach is located in the northwest part of the Nicoya Peninsula and is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, inside a long crescent-shaped bay. Known for its breathtaking sunsets, great surfing waves, and healthy atmosphere, it’s the ideal place to go for a low-key beach getaway. The town is quite small, and you can easily walk to get around. Samara beach is perfect for relaxing and swimming. The west end has better waves for surfing and the east end is a bit calmer. On the west end of the beach is where the center of town is, it’s much busier. You’ll find restaurants, surf lessons, beach lounges, massage stands, bars, and tour operators on the beach. (B)
Sample accommodation: Hotel Giada, standard room
The Hotel Giada is just 250 meters from Samara Beach and features tropical style decor. It offers an outdoor pool and spa bath, and air-conditioned rooms with private balconies. There is an on-site restaurant and bar.Day 8: Samara Beach, kayak and snorkeling or surf lessons
There are adventures on the agenda today! After breakfast, there is an opportunity for a kayak and snorkeling excursion to exotic Isla Chora. Here you can escape into a relaxing underwater world, snorkeling with tropical fish, swimming in the clear waters, or simply sitting and soaking in the sun. After a refreshing tropical fruit snack, you can paddle back to Samara Beach. If you do not like to kayak or snorkel, there are surf lessons available as well! The afternoon is free to relax on the beach or enjoy the hotel facilities.Sample accommodation: Hotel Giada, standard room
Day 9: Samara Beach - San Jose
After breakfast, transfer to San José (5 1/2 hours), with arrival around noon. The rest of the day is yours to explore the surroundings! (B)Sample accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson - Standard room
Day 10: End of tour
All good things must come to an end! Say goodbye to beautiful Costa Rica and its people. Transfer to San Jose International Airport is included! A driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you straight to the International Airport, just 15 minutes from the hotel. In Costa Rica, you must arrive 3 hours before your departure flgiht time at the airport.If Costa Rica isn't your thing, check out all our featured bike trips, specials, and news, or look at our list of tours & trips in Europe and beyond.
Map
Accommodation
The hotels included are a mix of 3 and 4-star hotels in standard rooms only. Listed in each day’s details, you will find the name of the hotels usually used for this tour. Please note that the final hotel list is based on availability.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 9 nights
- Private airport transfers (airport-hotel-airport)
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary (some transfers are shared transfers)
- Local, bilingual guide during activities
- Daily breakfast & one lunch
- Cannondale F7 or Marin mountain bikes with helmet, water bottle, gloves, & spare tube
- Canopy Tour in Monteverde (zip-line)
- Biking & Kayaking Around Arenal Lake (Lunch included)
- Naturalist-guided hiking tour in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Mountain biking in the afternoon, Sarapiqui
- Mountain biking in the morning, Arenal Volcano
- Ocean kayak to Chora Island & Snorkeling Samara Beach
- Support van for rides & private transportation throughout the tour
- Hotel taxes
What’s Not Included
- Meals other than those mentioned
- Costa Rica Exit tax (payable before departure from the airport): $29
- Tips for guides & drivers
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Tour takes place daily year round, with a minimum of two people.
Book early! Hotel availability may be limited.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Number of participants 2 3 4 6 8 Twin/double $ 2549 £ 1316 $ 2,368 € 1572 Ft 630948 kr 235000 ₪ 6465 ¥ 256453 Mex$ 33152 NZ$ 2815 kr 18376 zł 6745 S$ 2244 kr 17845 CHF 1474 $ 1,686 $ 2472 £ 1276 $ 2,297 € 1524 Ft 611862 kr 227891 ₪ 6270 ¥ 248696 Mex$ 32149 NZ$ 2730 kr 17820 zł 6541 S$ 2177 kr 17305 CHF 1430 $ 1,635 $ 2397 £ 1237 $ 2,226 € 1477 Ft 593151 kr 220922 ₪ 6078 ¥ 241090 Mex$ 31166 NZ$ 2646 kr 17275 zł 6341 S$ 2110 kr 16776 CHF 1386 $ 1,585 $ 2354 £ 1215 $ 2,187 € 1451 Ft 582673 kr 217019 ₪ 5971 ¥ 236831 Mex$ 30616 NZ$ 2600 kr 16970 zł 6229 S$ 2073 kr 16480 CHF 1361 $ 1,557 $ 2353 £ 1214 $ 2,186 € 1450 Ft 582298 kr 216880 ₪ 5967 ¥ 236679 Mex$ 30596 NZ$ 2598 kr 16959 zł 6225 S$ 2071 kr 16469 CHF 1361 $ 1,556 Triple* - $ 2286 £ 1180 $ 2,124 € 1409 Ft 565832 kr 210747 ₪ 5798 ¥ 229986 Mex$ 29731 NZ$ 2525 kr 16480 zł 6049 S$ 2013 kr 16003 CHF 1322 $ 1,512 $ 2211 £ 1141 $ 2,054 € 1363 Ft 547121 kr 203778 ₪ 5606 ¥ 222381 Mex$ 28748 NZ$ 2441 kr 15935 zł 5849 S$ 1946 kr 15474 CHF 1278 $ 1,462 $ 2168 £ 1119 $ 2,014 € 1337 Ft 536643 kr 199875 ₪ 5499 ¥ 218122 Mex$ 28197 NZ$ 2394 kr 15629 zł 5737 S$ 1909 kr 15178 CHF 1254 $ 1,434 $ 2168 £ 1119 $ 2,014 € 1337 Ft 536643 kr 199875 ₪ 5499 ¥ 218122 Mex$ 28197 NZ$ 2394 kr 15629 zł 5737 S$ 1909 kr 15178 CHF 1254 $ 1,434 Quad** - - $ 2147 £ 1108 $ 1,995 € 1324 Ft 531403 kr 197924 ₪ 5445 ¥ 215993 Mex$ 27922 NZ$ 2371 kr 15477 zł 5681 S$ 1890 kr 15030 CHF 1242 $ 1,420 $ 2105 £ 1086 $ 1,955 € 1297 Ft 520925 kr 194021 ₪ 5338 ¥ 211734 Mex$ 27371 NZ$ 2324 kr 15172 zł 5569 S$ 1853 kr 14733 CHF 1217 $ 1,392 $ 2103 £ 1086 $ 1,954 € 1297 Ft 520551 kr 193882 ₪ 5334 ¥ 211581 Mex$ 27351 NZ$ 2323 kr 15161 zł 5565 S$ 1852 kr 14723 CHF 1216 $ 1,391 Single supplement $ 956 £ 493 $ 888 € 589 Ft 236512 kr 88090 ₪ 2424 ¥ 96132 Mex$ 12427 NZ$ 1055 kr 6888 zł 2528 S$ 841 kr 6689 CHF 553 $ 632 Solo traveler*** $ 4531 £ 2339 $ 4,210 € 2793 Ft 1121561 kr 417731 ₪ 11493 ¥ 455866 Mex$ 58930 NZ$ 5004 kr 32665 zł 11990 S$ 3990 kr 31721 CHF 2620 $ 2,997 *Triple room has 2 beds, 1 double and 1 single.
**A quad room typically consists of 2 queen beds.
***A solo traveler supplement is incurred if the reservation is made for just one person (with zero travel companions). Many of the excursions offered require a minimum of 2 people and a supplement will be incurred for a single participant.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
The terrain of Costa Rica is moderately hilly. Seventy percent of this tour is on quiet roads with little or no traffic. Dirt or gravel roads make up 80 percent and dirt trails make up 20 percent. There is a support vehicle during the entire tour. Minimum age for this tour is 14.
Airport Info
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Local Travel
Arrival and departure transfers are included. A local representative will be waiting for you upon your arrival at the airport, holding a sign with your name on it. A private transfer will be provided to your hotel in San Jose. At the end of your tour, you will be transferred back to the airport.
Departure Exit Tax: Depending on the airline, a departure tax of $29 USD may be levied on departure. For more information, visit the Costa Rican Immigration Agency website.Climate
Costa Rica is a year-round destination. It is a tropical country where you will find many different climates and microclimates despite the rather small size of the country. It is usually said that there are two seasons in Costa Rica, the dry season from November/December to the end of April and the green season that starts in May and usually ends in November/December. But the weather depends on the regions of the country you are looking to visit. Although Costa Rica is a small country, there are microclimates, which cause different types of climate within a short distance. The Central Valley may have temperatures around 24°C or 75.2°F throughout the year. In the summer temperatures can reach 30°C or 86°F. Usually, it has a lower temperature during the night, and you might need a layer and a jacket with long pants. Monteverde Cloud Forest can get a little cold, especially at night. Expect rain! In the area of the Northern Plains, you can find the popular Arenal volcano. It is an area with warm weather and where rain can be expected. Please check local conditions before your arrival.
Important to know
Documents
Entry requirements into Costa Rica depend on your country of origin.
Please visit the website of the Costa Rican embassy of your home country for more details. Visitors coming from the USA, Canada, or the European Union do not need a visa if they intend to stay less than 90 days within the country. You will need to present your return ticket at the immigration desk upon entry to Costa Rica. Bear in mind that you will have to pay a departure tax of US $ 29,00 (some airlines include the departure tax in the price of your ticket) before leaving the country.
Since Nov. 1, Costa Rica has allowed all countries in the world to enter by air, as long as they meet the country’s visa and COVID-19 entry requirements.
The Government of the Republic has facilitated the entry of international tourists and eliminated the requirement of RT-PCR tests for the detection of the coronavirus. Neither Costa Ricans nor foreigners will be issued sanitary confinement (or quarantine) orders when entering the country by air. These measures are subject to change and dependent on the evolution of the pandemic both in Costa Rica and around the world.
Those entering Costa Rica must complete an epidemiological Health Pass and provide proof of health insurance to cover any medical treatment and quarantine lodging related to COVID-19 illnesses while in Costa Rica.
Please be sure to further research entry requirements.
Sustainability
25% of Costa Rica surface is protected land. The numerous private reserves and national parks of Costa Rica help to conserve its incredibly rich biodiversity Tourism contributes significantly to the conservation of these natural areas. The entrance fees of the national parks and private reserves and the government grants help pay the protection costs of this green paradise. Remember that when you pay an entrance fee to visit a private reserve or a national park, your money helps pay park rangers, reforestation programs, community and tourist facilities, scientific research and many more small things needed to save the very diverse biodiversity of the country.
The prestigious Certificate for Sustainable Tourism is a program created by the Costa Rican Tourism Board to categorize and differentiate tourism companies according to the degree to which their operations approach a model of sustainability in the management of natural, cultural, and social resources. This local company and tour have earned the second highest level of certification with the goal to achieve the very highest level soon.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by GWA.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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