This relaxing cycling trip gives you time to explore the unique wildlife and forests of Costa Rica on leisurely rides around spectacular Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. Explore the easygoing lifestyle of rural villages on the San Carlos plains, and get high on a canopy tour through the trees tops. Two-night stays require less packing.
***Extend this bicycle tour 3 more days for just $530 per person and end at a beach on the Pacific Coast. Check out our Coasting Costa Rica Plus! Sabaneros and Beaches Tour Details page here.***
Day 1: Bienvenidos to San José, Costa Rica
Highlights: Hotel surrounded by the rainforest, welcome dinner
We'll provide a shuttle from our recommended accommodation in San José, departing at 2:00 pm, to our tour starting hotel, tucked away from the road in a beautiful valley on the edge of a private rainforest reserve. In the afternoon we'll fit bikes and enjoy the beautiful pool before gathering for a welcome drink. We have a special dinner planned tonight.
Hotel Features: An environmental and pet friendly hotel, located in a hidden valley on the edge of a protected cloud forest with walking trails and a Canopy Tour.
Day 2: Bike the "llanuras de San Carlos"
Highlights: Rural country side, iguanas
After a hearty Costa Rican breakfast we'll head off into the San Carlos plains, one of the richest agricultural areas of the country. Our "out and back" ride takes us through sugarcane and pineapple plantations. Don't forget to look up occasionally as you ride today: the trees along the river are full of iguanas basking in the sun! Our hotel tonight is located in the center of a family-run farm. We'll have a traditional Costa Rican dinner together in the open-sided "casona" of the old farmhouse. Distance: 33 km (21 miles).
Hotel Features: Peaceful riverside bungalows nestled in lush tropical gardens with exotic fruits, flowers, birds and butterflies.
Day 3: Ride to La Fortuna and rainforest hike
Highlights: Hike in the rainforest, night views of Arenal Volcano, Eco Termales Hot Springs
Today we'll do a short ride to the village of La Fortuna, located at the base of Arenal Volcano. We'll ride through papaya and yucca plantations, pasturelands recently turned into reforestation projects and a few small villages. In the afternoon we'll hike in a Rainforest Preserve accompanied by our naturalist guide. The hike ends at the Arenal Volcano lookout point where we'll have a night-time view of the mountain, and if we are lucky we'll see "fire rocks" cascading down its side. We'll finish the day with a visit the famous Eco Termales Hot Springs and dinner together.
Hotel Features: Family run hotel in the center of the town. Very close to restaurants, post office, banks and pharmacy.
Day 4: Ride to Chachagua
Highlights: Small rural villages and farms
There's no need to pack this morning. Our loop ride out of La Fortuna takes us into the countryside past small rural villages, beautiful rivers, and rich agricultural land. This evening we'll suggest one of our favorite restaurants in town. Distance: 32 or 48 km (20 or 30 miles).
Hotel Features: Family run hotel in the center of the town. Very close to restaurants, post office, banks and pharmacy.
Day 5: Bicycle around Arenal Volcano
Highlights: Great views of Arenal Volcano, Rainforest Zip Line Canopy Tour
Arenal Volcano dominates our ride this morning - and what a sight! You may even see and hear it erupt as you ride around its base, from a safe distance of course. We'll stop on the way to do the exciting Zip Lines Canopy Tour. As you approach Lake Arenal, keep your eyes and ears open for the distinct sounds of howler monkeys and the comic antics of coatimundi, as well as other wildlife that call the lake home. Tonight we'll stay at a very special and small resort overlooking the lake. Tropical/European dinner together tonight. Distance: 22 to 38 km (14 to 24 miles).
Hotel Features: beautifully decorated cottages with mural paintings, king sized beds, sitting areas, dresser and private terraces overlooking Lake Arenal.
Day 6: Bike to Nuevo Arenal
Highlights: Lake Arenal
Today we continue our spectacular ride around the north shore of Lake Arenal. The road gets closer to the water today and we'll suggest a perfect picnic spot where you can take a refreshing swim before riding back to our hotel. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the most beautiful lakes in the world before our final dinner together tonight. Distance: 30 to 60 km (19 to 37 miles).
Hotel Features:
beautifully decorated cottages with mural paintings, king sized beds, sitting areas, dresser and private terraces overlooking Lake ArenalDay 7: Shuttle to San José
Highlights:
Our bicycle adventure comes to an end today. We'll also provide a shuttle back to San José and the airport, arriving around noon, for those needing to get home. If you plan to depart today, be sure to book a flight that leaves no sooner than 3:00 pm. Pura Vida!-
HighlightsWorld famous Eco Termales Hot Springs, Arenal Volcano at night, Bike around Lake Arenal, Monkeys, iguanas and more, Zip line canopy tour
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Includes7 days, 6 nights accommodation, 5 dinners with beer or fruit drink, 4 breakfasts, group shuttle to San José at tour's end, and all activities included in the itinerary.
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CountriesCosta Rica
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Begin/EndSan José
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Arrive/DepartSan José / San José or Liberia
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Total Distance136 - 196 km (85 - 122 miles)
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Daily Distance22-60 km (14-37 miles)
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What to ExpectWonderful bike rides, wildlife and bird viewing opportunities, Arenal Volcano and Tico hospitality
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Rating201
Varied terrain: long flat stretches on two days, other days with several short climbs. Lots of extra mileage options. -
NotesIf this sounds great but you'd like a longer tour, check out our Coasting Costa Rica Plus! Sabaneros and Beaches tour, which extends this itinerary by 3 days.
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Terms
Here on ExperiencePlus.com
- Costa Rica 2009 Update
Mario Cordero, who coordinates our bicycle tours in Costa Rica, tells us about the roads, a new bicycle tour, and the political situation - Interview with Mario Cordero
Mario has been leading tours and coordinating our trips in Costa Rica since 1993. We recently took a few moments to catch up on his life in Costa Rica. - Tales from the Road in Costa Rica
One story of a local encounter while bicycling in Costa Rica. - We Are ExperiencePlus! Meet your Tour Leaders
We'd like to introduce you to your tour leaders. We believe we have the best bicycle tour leaders out there, click through to see a slideshow about them.
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
Map Key
Start
City (on route)
End
City (not part of route, provided for reference)Avon, CT
Aurora, CO
Plymouth, IN
Woodside, NY
Annapolis, MD
Palo Alto, CA
St. Paul, MN
Key Biscayne, FL
