Price (Land Only)
$2599 USD    
$2699 USD - Peak Season*
*Christmas, US Thanksgiving and Easter
Trip Dates
Jun 20, 2009 - Jul 4, 2009
Jul 11, 2009 - Jul 25, 2009
Aug 8, 2009 - Aug 22, 2009
Sept 12, 2009 - Sept 26, 2009
Oct 17, 2009 - Oct 31, 2009
Nov 7, 2009 - Nov 21, 2009
Dec 16, 2009 - Dec 30, 2009
Jan 9, 2010 - Jan 23, 2010
Feb 13, 2010 - Feb 27, 2010
Mar 6, 2010 - Mar 20, 2010
Mar 27, 2010 - Apr 10, 2010
May 15, 2010 - May 29, 2010
Jun 19, 2010 - Jul 3, 2010
Jul 10, 2010 - Jul 24, 2010
Trip Rating

Challenging

Meals
14 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 10 Dinners
Accommodations
   
Hotel Camp    
9 Nights 5 Night    
Trip Includes

Meals as indicated, (B-breakfast, L- lunch, D-dinner), all accommodation (twin shared), all internal transport including one domestic flight, 24-speed mountain bikes, two-person tents, support vehicle, airport transfers and veteran guides.

Trip Doesn't Include

Gratuities, departure taxes, alcohol, items of personal nature.

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Costa Rica

The Coast To Coast Adventure

Mountain Biking, Hiking and Whitewater Rafting

(15 Days)

Slide Show

Costa Rica - The Coast to Coast AdventureNational Geographic Tours of a Lifetime Award LogoThe challenge: to traverse a small Central American country solely by muscle power. This trip is for the truly adventurous. From the Pacific coast to the Atlantic shores of Costa Rica, we bike, hike and raft in one adventure-filled expedition. From the picturesque cliffs and beaches of Manuel Antonio, we go on to challenge the Continental Divide, a barrier that has held man back for thousands of years. As we cross to the Talamanca and Central Mountain ranges, we pass through some of the most diverse terrain in the world. Finally, having conquered many of nature's greatest challenges, we drift peacefully to the Atlantic shores, humbled by our deliverance. For the physically fit and the insanely energetic, it is the trip of a lifetime.

Trip Highlights

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose (Arrival)

After welcoming you at the San Jose Airport, a BikeHike Adventures representative will transfer you to a comfortable hotel in the city. The rest of the day is free to explore the cosmopolitan sights of San Jose.

Day 2: Manuel Antonio (Hiking and Swimming)

The day begins with a 25-minute flight into Quepos, a fishing village on the Pacific coast. You have time to relax, chill out on the beach or visit Manuel Antonio National Park, which is famous for its abundant wildlife. After a morning of hiking, swimming, and exploring the hidden coves of this unique park, we'll spend the afternoon discussing the details of the trip and tending to any necessary prep-work. (B,D)

Day 3: Pacific Coast to Naranjillo (Mountain Biking and Hiking)

THE ACTIVE ADVENTURE BEGINS...we wake at the crack of dawn, enjoy a light buffet of fresh fruit, yogurt, and coffee. Mountain bikes are our mode of transport as we leave Quepos and climb into the steep mountains and beautiful valleys of the sparsely populated Pacific Coast. In the small town of Esquipulas we have a hearty breakfast, rest up and prepare our packs for the next leg of today's journey. Trading our wheels for hiking boots, we continue by trekking into the cool mountains of Central Costa Rica. We camp overnight in the midst of endless mountain range in Naranjillo. Mountain Biking 25 km/16 miles /Trekking 14 km/ 9 Miles. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Naranjillo to Santa Maria (Hiking)

The adventure continues by trekking towards the Continental Divide, challenging the infamous “Cemetery Hill” - a strenuous 3 km/2 mile glute burning climb up a steep, winding pass. We then switch to pedal power and head for the pueblo of San Lorenzo ending in the quaint village of Santa Maria where we refortify with some typical Costa Rican fare and rest up in cozy cabins for the night. Trekking 13km/8 miles /Mountain Biking 13 km/8 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Continental Divide (Mountain Biking)

Today we tackle the hardest, steepest climb of our adventure. The challenge this morning is mountain biking a 14 km/9 mile uphill stretch to the Continental Divide, ascending to an altitude of 2330 meters/7650 feet - the highest peak of our journey. Following the rule that everything that goes up must come down, the remainder of the day is mountain biking at its best - mostly downhill on dirt roads and single-track trails. We finish the afternoon in the beautiful Orosi Valley where fertile pastures and dark green plantations of coffee carpet the land. We end in mountain top cabins with intoxicating views of the lush valley below. Mountain Biking 46 km/29 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Orosi Valley (Free day)

Today is a day of leisure, spent in the beautiful Orosi Valley, to relax after the first week’s adventure. You are free to explore the area or just use the day to relax. Your guide will have some options of what to do and see in the area. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Tapanti (Mountain Biking and Hiking)

After a fix of strong coffee, snacks and fresh fruit we're back on our bikes, carving along a river to the Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge where we stop for breakfast. This is an area of vast rugged terrain covered with dense primary rainforest. Leaving our bikes behind, we take to the mountains trekking amongst thousands of trees covered with ferns, bromeliads, mosses and other epiphytes. The end of the day is on flatter ground, camping near the small settlement of Taus. Mountain Biking 9 km/6 miles/Trekking 13 km/8 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Pejibaye River (Mountain Biking and Whitewater Rafting)

Our day starts on water as we begin rafting on the Pejibaye River. The Pejibaye is a jungle river with fun rapids, clear water and spectacular scenery. It is a great introduction to rafting in Costa Rica and good preparation for the ‘real deal’ on the Pacuare River. From the take-out we have a short biking section finishing with a steep climb up a mountain road to reach our night retreat nestled high above the river valley. Whitewater Rafting 10 km/6 miles/Mountain Biking 20 km/13 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Pacuare River (Mountain Biking and Whitewater Rafting)

After breakfast we mountain bike directly from the hotel towards the whitewater rafting “put-in” at Tres Equis, which is the gateway to the raging Pacuare River. From here we embark on a whitewater rafting journey through pristine rainforest spotted with waterfalls. The rapids section of the river is approximately 30 km/19 miles of Class II-IV rapids. This afternoon we arrive at our luxury riverside camp were we spend the night. Nestled between the sounds of the rainforest and the hum of the river, take time to explore the lush environment first hand looking out for toucans overhead or simply relaxing in a hammock to the sounds of the river. Mountain Biking 18 km/11 miles/Whitewater Rafting 10 km/6 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Pacuare River (Hiking)

Today is a full day of leisure at the camp to truly appreciate the wonders of a rainforest. There is plenty to keep you occupied including hikes through the dense jungle searching for brilliant dart frogs, or to a nearby waterfall for a refreshing swim under the cascade. You can traverse across the river as the locals do in a basket on a cable, float down a rapid with just a lifejacket, or relax in a cozy hammock listening to the chorus of insects and birds. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Pacuare River (Whitewater Rafting)

After breakfast we cast off the shores paddling through gurgling swells that cut through a virgin rainforest and cascading waterfall. We maneuver through the exhilarating rapids through dense rainforest and rugged canyons. Along the way we break on the riverbank and climb through the muddy jungle to a spectacular hidden waterfall with loads of fresh water pools and cascades to play in. We get back in our boats for a little more whitewater before stopping for a picnic lunch on the shore. Our rafting ends near the town of Siquirres at The Finca Pacuarito riverside camp. Dinner tonight is a home cooked gourmet Pacuare feast. Whitewater Rafting 3-5 hours, 17 km/10 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Pacuare River - Caribbean (Whitewater Rafting)

THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS!! For the final leg of the crossing we continue rafting down the Pacuare. The frothy whitewater mellows to a gentle flow and we paddle our way into the Caribbean lowlands where banana plantations gradually swallow the receding rainforest. At the end of the adventure, we reach the mouth of the Pacuare as it meets the Caribbean Sea, celebrating our passage with bubbly in the surf, while enjoying a well-deserved rest. After some time on the beach we are picked up by a motorboat and transferred to Moin from where we travel by vehicle to the beach. Here we stay in a comfortable hotel as we congratulate ourselves on completing the journey from Coast to Coast of Costa Rica! Whitewater Rafting 5-8 hours, 40 km/ 25 miles. (B,L)

Day 13: Caribbean

The day is free to relax and enjoy the beach, the hotel and the nearby town of Cahuita. There are also a number of optional tours in the area. You'll be sure to unwind and relax these last few days here, after your active adventure crossing the country. (B)

Day 14: Caribbean - San Jose

Today we journey by vehicle, back to San Jose taking time to appreciate the breathtaking views as we pass through Braulio Carrillo National Park. (B)

Day 15: Departure

A BikeHike Adventures representative will transfer you to the international airport for your return flight home. (B)