We first visited this region a decade ago, attracted by the beaches, warm weather, stunning scenery and ecological diversity. With the development of eco-friendly boutique hotels Costa Rica and the recent paving of formerly dirt roads, the country is now more appealing than ever. The cycling is on roads where you’ll ride through lush vegetation, past volcanoes, rainforests and waterfalls.
Only Great Explorations:
In Costa Rica, the bike routes are on paved roads wherever possible (90% of time); being Costa Rica, road conditions change – you have to be aware of potential potholes (and iguanas) and there is some inevitable traffic on some of the routes we use. The support van is always on hand, should you wish a lift at any time. Typical van transfer times (through scenic countryside) are as follows: D1- 2h; D2- n/a; D3- n/a; D4 – 1h; D5- 4h; D6 -1h.
Straight Talk
San Jose, Costa Rica
Starting and End Location
Fortuna, La Fortuna, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Day 1 and 3
Hotel Mystica, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Day 2
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Resort and Nature Reserve, San Ramón, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Day 4
Cristal Ballena, Bahía Ballena, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Day 5-6
Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Extension Manuel Antonio
Santa Teresa Beach, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Extension Santa Teresa
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Jan 18-24 | Jan 17-23 |
| Jan 25-31 | Jan 24-30 |
| Feb 1-7 | Jan 31-Feb 6 |
| Feb 8-14 | Feb 7-13 |
| Dec 6-12 | Dec 5-11 |
| Dec 13-19 | Dec 12-18 |
Trip can start any date. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity LevelModerate
20-40+ miles daily
TerrainModerate
CostLand Cost
US $3,450
Includes 6B/2L/5D
If less than eight participants, supplement is:
6-7 participants: US $450
4-5 participants: US $850
Single Supplement
US $880
Bike Rentals
Hybrid or Mountain Bikes: US $320
E-bikes*: US $480
Post-trip Extension in Manuel Antonio
US $595 2D/2N
Single supplement: US $245
Includes 1/2 day walking tour with local guide
Post-trip Extension in Santa Teresa
US $595 2D/2N
Single supplement: US $245
Includes 1/2 day surfing lesson with local guide and daily yoga
Luxe Option:
US $995 2D/2N
Single supplement: US $450
Flight Costs
Quepos to San Jose (end of regular trip): US $110
If booking the Extension in Santa Teresa, you can fly from Tambor (TMU) back to San Jose on Sansa Airlines
*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. Rental rates include delivery to the first hotel and pick-up from the last hotel. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Getting There
Direct flights to San Jose are available from a number of North American cities including Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, LA, Chicago, and Toronto. You will want to arrive the night before our trip departs; our meeting hotel is the AC Hotel San Jose Airport Belen.
La Fortuna
We will meet after breakfast (8:30 am) in the lobby of the AC San Jose Hotel. We will shuttle to our start point outside of San Jose where you’ll enjoy a mostly downhill ride, (descending over 2,000 meters over a distance of 50km). After lunch, we will shuttle to La Fortuna (there is an add-on option to ride from the last 25km to the hotel). If time allows, stop to hike into the 75m waterfall near town or head straight to the hotel to enjoy the hot spring pools at the hotel before dinner.
Distance: 48 km; 590 m gain or 78 km; 1,870 m gain if riding from hotel in San Jose
Add-on or short ride to La Fortuna: 25 km; 600 m gain
Mystica
We’ll cycle from La Fortuna to Lake Arenal, and then take a boat cruise to Rio Chiquito and cycle a lake-side route, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. Ride as much as you wish today – it is one of the most scenic rides in Costa Rica. The Mystica inn is a magical place, with yoga rooms, massage offered, swimming pool, a splendid Italian restaurant with home-made pasta (the mother and daughter owners are from Sardinia); swaying in the hammock after your ride and dip is sublime.
Distance: 45 km; 900 m gain
La Fortuna
Departing Mystica, we’ll continue around the lake all on paved roads that are delight to ride with minimal traffic as kite surfers fly by on Costa Rica’s largest lake. There are charming cafes to stop at including Macadamia and the famous German bakery in Nuevo Arenal that shouldn’t be missed. Descend back to La Fortuna and the Volcano Lodge where hot springs await.
Distance: 54 km; 920 m gain
Los Angeles Cloud Forest
From La Fortuna, we’ll ride to Bajo Rodrigues along roads dotted with fruit stands of enticing watermelon, mango, papaya and strawberries. After lunch we’ll shuttle to our luxurious hotel, the Villa Blanca, a hacienda-style lodge with en-suite casitas and fine restaurant. There is a walking trail right from the hotel where you’ll have the chance to encounter howler monkeys and birds.
Distance: 44 km; 350 m gain
Osa Coast
Wake up early and explore the Hummingbird trail right from the hotel. Visit the chapel and dairy farm on the property, or sip your coffee in one of the lounges and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
We will ride to the historic village of San Ramon, “the city of presidents and poets”. Many of Costa Rica’s most famous political and literary figures were born or lived here. There is an excellent regional museum and historic church to see here. After lunch at a local restaurant (one of our favourites of the trip), we transfer to the Osa coast to the village of Ojochal. Along the way, pass through Dominical, Uvita and other coastal villages. Optional cloud forest walk before cycling.
Distance: 21 km; 425 m gain
Afternoon shuttle is typically 4 hours
Sierpe
For anyone that might want to visit our secret beach, one of the most beautiful along the coast and accessible by a little known trail, we’ll take you there after breakfast. Then, we ride a quiet road through traditional villages to Sierpe. Here we board a boat for a cruise down the Sierpe River through mangroves that are home to an incredible assortment of animals and birds. Our local naturalist will explain about the biodiversity and flora and fauna here. Late afternoon, we will return to the hotel for swim and then for a final night treat, we’ll enjoy a superb dinner at Exotica in Ojochal, one of the top restaurants along the coast.
Distance: 30 km; 60 m
Mangrove Boat Tour is 2 hours
Depart
We offer a complimentary transfer to Quepos for those flying back to San Jose, or to Manuel Antonio or Jaco for those continuing to Santa Teresa.
Manuel Antonio
For those wishing to extend their vacation to Manuel Antonio Park, we offer a two day extension, staying at the wonderful Si Como No Hotel with breakfast daily; we will transfer you from Cristal Ballena, arriving in time for a walking tour with our expert naturalist guide. Spend the afternoon at pristine Playa Manuel Antonio.
Next morning you will be provided options for kayaking, horseback riding, zip line tours or rafting (included).
This includes transfers, hotel for two nights with breakfast daily, and park entry with naturalist guide.
Depart
We’ll time the shuttle to Quepos to co-ordinate with your onwards travel plans; the flight cost from Quepos to San Jose is US $44 and takes 32 mins.
Santa Teresa
Wishing to extend your vacation time and visit the Nicoya Peninsula? Santa Teresa offers the newest hip destination in Costa Rica. We offer a two day extension that includes two nights at a charming casual resort with the prime frontage on the best stretch of beach in Santa Teresa, with a swimming pool, yoga studio, and spa.
This includes the transfer from Manuel Antonio – speed boat crossing to Montezuma, then taxi to resort – hotel for two nights with breakfast daily, yoga sessions each day, and surf board rentals with optional instruction.
In Santa Teresa, we also offer an optional upgrade to a luxe hotel, at the outstanding boutique Flor Blanca Resort.
Depart
For transfer to San Jose airport your options are bus (6 hrs; US $12) or flight from Tambor (25 min; US $83).
All of the rooms here are large and tastefully decorated and most have great views of the volcano. There are two restaurants each with separate heated jacuzzis. We like the Volcano Lodge because it is locally owned and managed and has the best location and views of the volcano.
This lodge boasts outstanding views of Lake Arenal and features a natural pool, organic gardens, yoga studio and superb restaurant on site. We stay at Mystica on some trips, in lieu of one night at Villa Blanca.
This 75 acre boutique hotel is surrounded by the spectacular Los Angeles Private Biological Reserve. There are 35 individual casitas and a large common ‘Hacienda House’ with billiards room, comfortable salons with fireplace and the Sendero Restaurant, where authentic Costa Rican meals are served.
Located within walking distance of Ballena Natrional Park (named for the whales that are often seen close to shore in winter months), this hotel sits on 30 acres of land with extensive gardens. The infinity pool is large with sweeping views over Ballena National Park and the restaurant on site is excellent. Alternate: Alma do Ojochal or Hotel 360
This upscale, boutique hotel boasts outstanding treetop views over the forest to the Pacific. The rooms, situated in 3-story villas are very comfortable and all have superb views. Amenities include 2 restaurants, 2 beautiful swimming pools, spa, on-site theatre. The service is excellent and this is our favorite hotel in Manuel Antonio!
This casual hotel boasts the best location in Santa Teresa, with beachfront bungalows and duplex units with A/C and is a Frommers guidebook favorite. There is a good swimming pool, an excellent restaurant on site, as well as yoga studio and impressive spa. If you want a ‘luxe’ experience with refined service and more upscale rooms, consider Flor Blanca, below.
Here’s what Frommers says: “This lush hotel is the most luxurious option in this neck of the woods and one of the top boutique hotels in the country. The individual villas are huge, the spa is modern and there is a full-size dojo, or yoga studio. There is a free-form swimming pool and small, but private beach. The restaurant Nectar offers New American and Nuevo Latino cuisine at its finest."
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“A+- a memorable family trip”
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