Itinerary

Day 1: Bienvenidos to San José, Costa Rica
Highlights: Hotel surrounded by the rainforest, welcome dinner

We'll provide a shuttle from San José at 1:00 pm to our 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: Biycle 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

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. Dinner is on your own in town tonight.

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, Eco Termales Hot Springs

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 for dinner. 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 Arenal
   
Day 7: Bicycle Downhill to Sunny Guanacaste Province
Highlights: Fertile plains of western Costa Rica, hotel in the dry forest

Ready for a change of pace? You will get your chance today as we pedal for the Pacific plains, Costa Rica's version of the Wild West. Birds, monkeys, and sabaneros ("cowboys") on horseback are some of the things you are likely to see. This is the Guanacaste province, one of the few areas in the world where you can still find primary tropical dry forest. We'll enjoy a Guanacaste-style grill tonight for dinner. Distance: 62 km (38.5 miles).

Hotel Features: Colonial style accommodation in the middle of the Costa Rican Dry Forest with traditional Costa Rican restaurant, swimming pool, and walking trails full of wildlife
   
Day 8: Boat Ride and Viewing Wildlife on Bebedero & Tempisque
Highlights: Boat tour on the Bebedero and Tempisque rivers, traditional dance show with marimba music.

Early this morning we'll bike 15 very flat kilometers (9 miles) to Bebedero where we'll board the boat that will take us across to the Nicoya Peninsula. River banks are prime feeding areas for a wide variety of animals, so this is a great opportunity to see monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles and other wildlife. After getting off the boat we'll pick up our bikes and ride to our hotel located just outside the old town of Nicoya. Take a dip in the pool before going to our special dinner featuring the traditional dances of the Guanacaste region. Total distance: 51 km (31 miles).

Hotel Features: A modern hotel outside the colonial city of Nicoya. New rooms with air conditioning, cable TV and two double beds. Swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
   
Day 9: Bicycle to the Pacific Coast
Highlights: Beach hotel with swimming pool, seafood dinner together

The beach awaits today, and what a beach it is -- nestled in a quiet cove along the Pacific Ocean. We'll bike the rolling hills from Nicoya to Samara. If you arrive at our hotel early, you can choose to enjoy the beach or the pool for the afternoon. Or you can just relax with a cool drink and enjoy the ocean breeze. We'll celebrate the end of our journey this evening with a final dinner of local fresh seafood. Distance: 37 km (23 miles).

Hotel Features: Deluxe hotel with ocean views of Playa Carrillo one the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
   
Day 10: Shuttle back to San José
Highlights: Tour ends with a complimentary shuttle back to San José
After breakfast this morning, we offer a free shuttle back to Alajuela or San José. We'll arrive between 2:00 and 3:00 pm, so if you are departing today, be sure to book your flight for no sooner than 6:00. There are daily flights from a local airport to San José as well, if you would like to spend some extra time on the beach or explore more of Costa Rica. Pura vida!

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