Day 01

Upon arrival at San José International Airport, you will be greeted by your Bi. Costa Rica guide for the 40 minute shuttle to beautiful and tranquil Atenas, located on the West edge of the Central Valley, and famous for “the Worlds best climate” (per National Geographic). Our hotel here is Vista Atenas, with pristine landscaped grounds, nice rooms, sparkling pool and spectacular views! The owners here are European and are known for their excellent meals, combining Continental and Tico influences.

During and after dinner, we will get a change to know one another, discuss tour details and itinerary and have a look at maps. If time permits, we will also fit bikes; if not, this will be done tomorrow morning following breakfast.

Day 2

After our delicious full breakfast (7.00 am), we will make a short transfer (approx 45 minutes) to the lush agricultural zone outside Naranjo, which features some of our finest coffee plantations, lush green expanses covering the surrounding steep hill sides. Our biking will also take us through dairy farms and ornamental tropical pant operations as we work our way towards the cloud forest and rain forest reserve of Valle Escondido, our Italian owned lodge located near the tiny community of San Lorenzo.

Along the way, keep your eyes open for sightings of the spectacular blue morpho butterfly, an amazing neon flash in the jungle! Watch for them near the many crystal clear tropical streams and rivers we cross; good spots for toucans as well. The lodge is situated in its own private reserve and features several well groomed hiking trails, ideal for a late afternoon hike: this region is famous for bird life and we often spot howler monkeys too.

Dinner will be taken in the hotel restaurant and of course features great pasta for hungry bikers! If you are feeling really energetic, Valle Escondido offers one of Costa Rica’s finest and most exhilarating Canopy Tours, steel cables strung through the treetops and negotiated via a very safe sling/harness system. Great fun! For those who simply wish to relax, both pool and Jacuzzi are available.

Day 3

Following another filling breakfast (7.00 am) we set out on bikes heading towards La Fortuna, the delightful town located at the food of the Arenal Volcano, reputed to be the world’s most continually active volcano since its 1968 eruption. Today’s rides take us into the very remote and rugged mountains between Monteverde and La Fortuna; biking is quite challenging along the initial stages then becomes somewhat easier as we approach the town. Again, lots of streams to cross, some quite inviting for a quick dip on hot days! As we leave our lunch stop of Chachagua, watch for the first glimpse of towering Arenal! Quite often we hear eruptions too, even though the volcano is still 20 miles away.

Our hotel here is the spotless San Bosco, located right in the center of town, with 2 pools, Jacuzzi, 2 volcano viewing decks and a gym with stationary bikes if you have not had enough biking! In the early evening we will shuttle (15 minutes) to the Eco-Termales Hot Springs, great soothing those tired muscles. Dinner will be taken in an excellent typical restaurant with great view of flaming molten lava spilling down the for slopes of Arenal.

Day 4

Today we have a spectacular ride around the lower slopes of the volcano and then on around the remote west side of beautiful Lake Arenal. Early breakfast (6.30 am) since today’s route is 42 miles and we need to beat the heat; the early start also gives us a better chance to spot birds and wildlife, which are abundant in the rain forest surrounding the lake. This is a great area for howler monkeys and toucans: once spotted a tapir on this stage! Several stream and river crossings today; be prepared to get wet.

Although this stage is remote and rugged, the only long sustained climb is on the way up towards the volcano. Some short and steep climbs/descents as we continue around the lake towards Tronadora, our late lunch stop. For those feeling energetic, a further 7 miles of biking are on offer, otherwise we will shuttle on to wonderful Mystica Lodge, our destination. The lodge is situated on a hill above the lake, thus offering a tremendous view; on clear days one even see the volcano at the far end of the lake. Meals are superb here; the very best Italian meals in Costa Rica with outstanding pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven built by the Italian owner, Francesco.

Day 5

After breakfast at Mystica, we set of on bikes for a beautiful, remote and sparsely tourist region between the Tenorio and Miravalles Volcanoes. Our destination is isolated, rustic Carolina Lodge on the north-east slope of Tenorio and close to the incredible turquoise blue, Rio Celeste; many birds and animals, hot springs, waterfalls, primary and secondary rain forest. Great home cooked meals prepared in typical rural style.

Our ride take us up to the ridge above Tierras Morenas where we will encounter many large windmills, part of an alternative energy project. Listen for the call of the bell bird in this area, we may even spot one of these very shy birds. Also note the tremendous change in eco-system as you look down to the hot dry plains of Guanacaste.

Day 6

Early breakfast today so we can bike / hike to spectacular Rio Celeste with time to take a swim and watch for abundant wildlife. Back to Carolina for lunch and then back on the bikes as we head north to our next stop, Hotel Yokos in Guayabo, located at the foot of impressive Miravalles volcano.

The lodge is locally owned and operated and features large, comfortable rooms, big pool, hot springs and even a natural sauna! Excellent biking en route as we traverse quite varied terrain and eco-systems.

Day 7

Following a delicious Costa Rica style breakfast we set out on bikes for a wonderful downhill ride to the town of Bagaces, a typical Guanacaste town representing the cowboy culture of the province. As we head downhill note how the climate and eco-system change as we leave the cool heights of Miravalles and drop down into the dry tropical forest of the plains Upon arrived in Bagaces we load up our bikes for a quick shuttle to Rio Corobici, where we will have a lunch at a nice restaurant right on the river.

Directly after lunch we enjoy a great 2 hour raft trip on the wildlife filled Rio Tenorio: watch for both howler and capuchin monkeys, many species of birds, large iguanas and even crocodiles on the lower stretch of the river. Leaving the river we shuttle (approx. 2 hours) to our first Pacific beach, tranquil Playa Potrero, where we will stay at the very nice Isolina, with 2 pools, beautiful lush tropical gardens and a short walk from the beach.

Dinner tonight in the excellent Italian restaurant at the hotel.

Day 8

Prior to breakfast you have a chance to take a swim in the warm, placid waters of Playa Potrero, a peaceful beach directly behind the hotel. After breakfast we begin biking south along the coast, passing spectacular beaches such as Flamingo and Conchal: stop for a quick dip if you like! Following Conchal we head in land towards Villarreal, riding through typical rural scenery.

After Villarreal we turn West, riding out to beautiful and remote Playa Avellanes, one of Costa Rica’s most pristine beaches, famous for excellent waves and incredible sunsets. Lunch will be taken at a great spot right on the beach which offers excellent meals and refreshing tropical drinks as we relax under the towering palms. Our hotel is just up the beach, peaceful Las Olas, with large airy rooms, nice open air restaurant and a private entrance to the beach. Watch for large iguanas here, as well as still more monkeys!

Today the tour concludes following breakfast. Those who wish to return to the San José / Central Valley area can return with the shuttle. For those who wish to continue their trip at the beach this can be arranged too.

Your tour includes:

This tour is all-inclusive, including all lodging, all meals, all entry fees, all scheduled tours, all transfers, bilingual guides, support vehicle with safe water, sport drinks, fresh fruit and snacks, luggage transfer.

Bikes are included: Haro Escape 7.0 aluminum framed hard-trails, Shimano LX/XT 9 speed components, RST front shocks, sun rims with specialized tires, Cut-eye, cyclo-computer, 2 water bottles, pump, seat pack with spares/tools. Shimano SPD, toe-clip and standard flat pedals are all available. Helmets are mandatory; we use specialized.