Costa Rica: Monteverde & Beaches Bike
Seven nights. Challenging cycling on a mix of paved and dirt roads, and beaches. From Monteverde Cloud Forest to the empty west coast beaches, wildlife is abundant.
Costa Rica sets the pace and space for a wonderful active holiday. The climate is perfect for cycling and swimming; the people are educated, friendly, and beautiful; and there are heavenly places to rest at night. This adventure combines the unusual contemplative and adventurous experiences in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with the best tropical beach ride in Costa Rica on the Nicoya Peninsula. A smorgasbord of active delights, it includes abundant wildlife sightings, beautiful rides on quiet roads, opportunities for zip-lining, surfing and horseback riding, and rests at exquisite lodges. You will visit absolute biological reserves, butterfly gardens, coffee plantations, deserted beaches, and tropical surf on the enchanting beaches of the north Pacific coast. The riding includes some challenges on rough and hilly roads which help make the destinations quiet and superbly untrammelled. Van support is available if you choose to replace some of the day’s challenge with an early finish by the pool or at the beach.
Day 1: Arrival
Afternoon pickup in Liberia for transfer to Monteverde and your hotel, in time for dinner and a night walk. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Hotel Las Orquideas, www.orquideasmonteverde.com; or
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens, Monteverde, www.monteverdeforest.com;
Upgrade: Hidden Canopy Hotel, www.hiddencanopy.com; add $100-$150 per person per night, depending on season and room category
Day 2: Coffee plantation, canopy tour and hiking
Start with a two-hour tour of the Café Monteverde cooperative coffee plantation, learning about the process and the culture, supporting the local growers, and tasting a variety of Arabica roasts. Afterwards, a hike through the cloud forest includes a canopy tour with treetop walkways and optional ziplines. This afternoon, you can enjoy ground-level hiking in Monteverde and Santa Elena Reserves, or ziplining in the trees above, and there is time to choose from other independent options including a visit to the butterfly garden, a bat jungle, an orchid garden, horseback rides, waterfalls, or a cheese factory. Unless one of these particularly grabs you, we recommend you consider soaking up the ambience in the village of Santa Elena. BL
Same lodging
Day 3: 65km (41miles) - Cycle across Nicoya Peninsula to Malpaís
Start with a downhill transfer (or ride for advanced riders who want an extra 58 km) on paved and gravel roads toward the port of Puntarenas. Beautiful views across the Gulf of Nicoya form the backdrop for a vibrant waterfront. Ferry across the gulf, and ride through Playa Tambor toward the adventurous villages of Malpaís and Santa Teresa. This can feel like leaving civilization and arriving at the frontier, where the beating heart of tropical forest marries the serene spirit of the ocean surf. BD
Milarepa Hotel, www.milarepahotel.com; or
Beja Flor Resort, Malpaís, www.beijaflorresort.com;
Upgrade: Florblanca, www.florblanca.com, $120–$220 per person per night, depending on season and room category
Day 4: Optional challenging ride into Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, or an opportunity to enjoy beach activities and waterfalls at Malpaís
The longest-standing natural reserve in Costa Rica, the Cabo Blanco area is home to a large variety of animals; white-tailed deer, pacas, armadillos, anteaters, howler, spider and capuchin monkeys, collared peccary, coyotes, porcupines, raccoons and coatis. With a keen eye you can find traces of ocelots, jaguarundis or margay cats. It makes a wonderful, quite challenging mountain bike ride. The views are amazing, and the ride, without cars, often leads to wildlife encounters. Other independent options include swimming, surfing, and waterfall exploration. BL
Same lodging
Day 5: 46km (28miles) - Cycle to Playa San Miguel
The ride to Playa San Miguel is one of the nicest rides we know of! From Malpaís, you ride through Santa Teresa, then along the beach to Ario. Playa San Miguel and adjacent Playa Coyote are seldom visited beaches known for their white sand, great surfing, nesting turtles, and tranquil waters. The area is full of wildlife and perfect for long walks with beautiful sunsets. BLD
The Flying Scorpion, Playa San Miguel, www.theflyingscorpion.com
Day 6: 36km (22miles) - Cycling along beaches and inland roads with a climb to Samara
Today savour the tropical delights of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches as you make your way from Playa San Miguel to Sámara. This is rural Costa Rica at its finest. You may encounter people. You will be tempted by alluring beaches, and will enjoy the solitude of unusually quiet roads. BL
Villas Kalimba, www.villaskalimba.com; or
Hotel Samara Beach, Samara, www.hotelsamarabeach.com
Day 7: 61km (38miles) - A lengthy ride along the hilly coast to Playa Junquillal
This is spectacular riding on rough roads with very minimal traffic. Stop in the cowboy town of Nosara for lunch and take any opportunity to swim as you ride past numerous beaches. We recommend a visit to Playa Garza after the first 15km this morning, where an offshore reef protects the crescent bay with its broad, white-sand beach. Take a break under the palm trees and have a refreshing plunge in the sea before tackling some more amazing riding. Your destination, Playa Junquillal, is well known for its active waters and is a top surfing destination in Costa Rica. BLD
Hotelito Si Si Si, www.hotelitosisisi.com; or
Hotel Guacamaya Lodge www.guacamayalodge.com; or
Hotel Iguanazul, Playa Junquillal, www.hoteliguanazul.com
Day 8: Farewell
Return to Liberia this morning for returning flights, or optional transport to San Jose. B
| Start: | Liberia airport, 14:00, day one |
| Finish: | Liberia airport, 11:00, day eight |
| Route Notes: | A ride of myriad challenges, from a start downhill on gravel roads, to a long paved ride on day three, and a second half with beachfront rides and some hilly, rough, challenging sections. Mountain bikes are required. Note that most people will need at least some van support. |
| Guided Cost: | $3395 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, vehicle transfers, luggage handling, van and guide support, maps and route notes) |
| Self-Guided: | $2995 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, necessary vehicle transfers, luggage handling, maps and route notes) |
| Single Occupancy: | $755 (higher with upgrades) |
| Bicycle Rental: | Mountain Bike: $195 |
| 2011 Dates: | Nov 5-12, Nov 20-27 |
| 2012 Guided Dates: | Nov 3-10, Nov 18-25. You can request a new departure (learn more) |
| Self Guided Dates: | You choose! We confirm within 48 hours |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
