Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
Noon hour pickup in Liberia for transfer to Monteverde and your hotel, in time for dinner, where you can get to know your co-adventurers and guides. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens; or
Hotel Las Orquideas, Monteverde
Upgrade: Hidden Canopy Hotel; 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 a fascinating coffee plantation, learning about the process and the culture, supporting the local growers, and tasting a variety of Arabica roasts. After lunch, flora and fauna admirers can take a canopy tour with treetop walkways, while adrenaline junkies can test their nerves on ziplines, including one of almost 1km, and the optional “tarzan swing” - not for the faint of heart!  This afternoon there may be 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. Before dinner you can take a night-time jungle walk, which reveals many nocturnal animals and insects. BL
Same lodging

Day 3: 65km/41miles - Cycle across Nicoya Peninsula to Malpaís
Start with a downhill transfer (or rough ride for advanced riders) to the port of Puntarenas, where 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; or
Hotel Tropico Latino; or
Beija Flor Resort, Malpaís
Upgrade: Florblanca; add $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. The ride takes you up and over a mountain - a wonderful, quite challenging mountain bike ride, with amazing views. Other independent options include swimming, surfing, hiking, and waterfall exploration. B
Same lodging

Day 5: 46km (28miles) - Cycle to Punta Islita
Pre-dawn start today! The ride to Punta Islita is one of the nicest rides we know of! From Malpaís, you ride through Santa Teresa, then along the beach to Ario. You will cross a few rivers and ride through highland ranchlands and agricultural areas. You will stop for lunch at beautiful, isolated Punta Coyote, a seldom visited beach known for white sand, nesting turtles, and tranquil waters.
We normally recommend taking the van transfer after lunch, to allow you plenty of time to fully enjoy your accommodation - one of the finest and most highly acclaimed resorts in Central America. BLD
Hotel Punta Islita, Punta Islita

Day 6: 36km (22miles) - Cycling along beaches and challenging inland climbs to the bustling beach town of Samara
Pre-dawn start today! Savour the tropical delights of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches as you make your way from Punta Islita 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; or
Hotel Samara Beach, Samara

Day 7: 61km (38miles) - A lengthy ride along the hilly coast to Playa Junquillal
Pre-dawn start again! 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
Villa Serena; or
Hotelito Si Si Si; or
Hotel Guacamaya Lodge; or
Hotel Iguanazul, Playa Junquillal

Day 8: Farewell
Return to Liberia this morning for returning flights, or optional transport to San Jose. B

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