Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose (Arrival)

After welcoming you at the San Jose Airport, a BikeHike Adventures Inc. 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 starts with a transfer to 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 evening 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 awake at the crack of dawn and 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 valley of Naranjillo. Mountain Biking 25 km / 16 mi. Trekking 14 km/ 9 mi. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Naranjillo to Santa Maria (Mountain Biking and Hiking)

The adventure continues by trekking towards the Continental Divide, challenging the infamous “Cemetery Hill” - a strenuous 13 km / 8 mi 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 mi. Mountain Biking 13 km / 8 mi. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Continental Divide (Mountain Biking)

Today we tackle the hardest, steepest climb of our adventure. The challenge before breakfast is mountain biking a 14 km / 9 mi uphill stretch to the Continental Divide, leading us to an altitude of 2,330 m / 7,700 ft, 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 singletrack trails. We finish the afternoon in the lush and beautiful Orosi Valley where rich pastures and dark green forests of coffee carpet the land and we rest for the night in a comfortable hotel in the town of Orosi. Biking 45 km / 29 mi. (B, L)

Day 6: Reventazon Valley (Mountain Biking and Hiking)

We start with a pre-breakfast of robust Costa Rican coffee, snacks and fruit and then we jump on our bikes, pedalling along a riverbank to the Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge. Here we'll stop for a hearty and typical breakfast. The landscape in this region is tropical, covered with dense primary rainforest. Leaving our bikes, we take to the mountains on foot, trekking amongst thousands of trees covered with ferns, bromeliads, mosses and other epiphytes. By the end of the day we are on flatter ground, camping near the small settlement of Taus. Biking 9 km / 6 mi. Trekking 13 km / 8 mi. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Pacuare River (Mountain Biking and Whitewater Rafting)

After breakfast we continue mountain biking towards our rafting “put-in” in the town of Tres Equis. This is the gateway to the mighty Pacuare River. We'll first have lunch and then embark on a thrilling rafting journey on this exciting river that cuts through pristine rainforest and cascading waterfalls.  We'll run through a section of about 30 km /19 mi of class II-IV rapids. By afternoon we'll arrive at our comfortable and luxurious riverside camp. Nestled between the sounds of the rainforest and the hum of the river, we have the remainder of the day to explore this lush environment looking out for toucans and oropendolas overhead or simply relaxing in a hammock to the sounds of the river. Mountain Biking 40 km / 25 mi. Whitewater Rafting 10 km / 6 mi. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Pacuare River Valley (Hiking)

Today we spend some quality time in this beautiful location on the banks of the Pacuare River. This area of rainforest is maintained as much as possible in its natural state. The camp is a very comfortable camp with permanent tents on wooden platforms, raised off the ground. There are showers, flush toilets, sinks and a dining area with a gazebo strewn with lots of hammocks. We'll head out today on a hike into the rainforest to some of the nearby waterfalls and swimming holes. (B,L,D)

Day 9: 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 a riverside camp. Dinner tonight is a home cooked gourmet Pacuare feast. Whitewater Rafting 3-5 hours, 17 km / 10 mi. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Pacuare River - Caribbean (Sea Kayaking)

THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS!! For the final leg of the crossing we continue paddling 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! Kayaking 5-8 hours, 40 km / 25 mi. (B,L)

Day 11: Caribbean - San Jose

This morning is free to relax around the hotel or on the beach. After lunch, we journey by vehicle back to San Jose. (B)

Day 12: Departure

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

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