Once you land in San José, your guide will meet you at the airport and drive you to your overnight accommodation in San José. Relax and prepare for the next week of adventure!
Accommodation: Hotel in San José
-
Travel coast to coast on this human-powered 12-day adventure! You’ll cross 154 miles (248 km) by mountain biking, hiking, whitewater rafting and sea kayaking. The route traverses mountain villages, coffee plantations, and small riverside communities whose trails take you to virgin forests, immaculate beaches, and crystalline rivers and waterfalls.
-
-
Our challenge starts on the Pacific Coast. We leave San José by bus—our last motorized vehicle for the next 10 days—and head to the fishing village of Quepos, next to Manuel Antonio National Park. There’s time to relax on the beach or visit the national park, famous for its abundant wildlife. Before dinner, we’ll check and set up our bikes, as we have an early start the following morning. The official trip briefing takes place after dinner this evening.
Accommodation: Hotel in Quepos
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
-
The adventure begins… We wake early and enjoy a light buffet of fresh fruit and coffee before setting off by bike to climb the steep mountains of the sparsely populated Pacific Coast. The views from above reward the hard work. In the small town of Esquipulas, we enjoy a hearty breakfast, rest, and prepare our day packs for the next leg of the journey. Trading wheels for hiking boots, we continue on foot into the cool mountains of central Costa Rica, camping overnight in the Naranjillo Valley.
Accommodation: Camp in Naranjillo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 9 mi (14 km)
Biking: 12 mi (19 km)
-
Our day begins with a trek toward the central part of the country, tackling the infamous “Cemetery Hill.” As we hike through coffee plantations, we catch our final views of the Pacific. From there, we head to the pueblo of San Lorenzo and switch to mountain bikes, riding on to the quaint village of Santa María. Here, we refuel with typical Costa Rican fare and settle in for the night in comfortable local cabins.
Accommodation: Cabins in Santa Maria
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 8 mi (13 km)
Biking: 9 mi (14 km)
-
Today we tackle the hardest and steepest climb of the adventure. Before breakfast, we take on a 14-kilometer uphill mountain bike ascent to the Continental Divide, reaching 2,330 meters, the highest point of the journey. And as the saying goes, what goes up must come down—so the rest of the day delivers mountain biking at its best, with mostly downhill riding on dirt roads and flowing singletrack. We finish the afternoon in the beautiful Orosi Valley, where rolling pastures and dark green coffee forests blanket the landscape, and settle in for the night in the town of Orosi.
Accommodation: Hotel in Orosi
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Biking: 30 mi (49 km)
-
After breakfast, we mountain bike along a river toward the Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge, an area of rugged terrain blanketed in dense primary rainforest. Leaving our bikes behind, we continue on foot, trekking into the mountains among towering trees draped in ferns, bromeliads, mosses, and other epiphytes—classic cloud forest ecology. By the end of the day, we reach flatter ground and set up camp near the small settlement of Humo, surrounded by the sounds of the forest.
Accommodation: Camp in Humo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 10.5 mi (17 km)
Biking: 6 miles (9 km)
-
After breakfast, we continue mountain biking to the whitewater rafting put-in at La Cruz, the upper gateway to the raging Pacuare River. After lunch, we load into the rafts and paddle through pristine rainforest, dramatic canyon walls, and past thundering waterfalls. By afternoon, we arrive at our comfortable riverside camp, El Nido del Tigre, nestled between the sounds of the rainforest and the steady hum of the river. There’s time to explore this lush setting—spotting toucans, sloths, and maybe even a boa constrictor—or simply relax in a hammock by the river.
Accommodation: Camp in El Nido del Tigre
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Rafting: 6 mi (10 km)
Biking: 27 mi (43 km)
-
How you spend your day today is up to you. You’re going to be stationed on the banks of the Pacuare River, so there are multiple options here: hiking the hills, swimming in the Pacuare, or exploring primary forest, waterfalls, and swimming holes. You can also have a look at the giant ginger plants, named the same as the camp—El Nido del Tigre. Spend another night at this remote camp, which will give you a sense of isolation as not many people are here.
Accommodation: Camp in El Nido del Tigre
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Today the Pacuare carries us through virgin rainforest, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic river-carved canyons. We navigate exhilarating rapids, and in calmer sections, peer deep into the rainforest lining the riverbanks. Along the way, we take time to hike to spectacular waterfalls and enjoy lunch on the shore. By late afternoon, we take out at the edge of the banana plantations at Finca Pacuarito, where we settle in for the night after an unforgettable day on the river.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Rafting: 12 mi (20 km)
-
The sweet taste of success… This morning, we hop on our bikes for a short ride through banana plantations to the town of Freeman, where we begin the final leg of the journey by kayak. We follow the Pacuare as it leaves the rapids behind and drifts into the Caribbean lowlands, where plantations gradually replace rainforest. As the river slows, we paddle the final stretch to its mouth, reaching the Caribbean Sea and celebrating our coast-to-coast crossing with a splash of bubbly in the surf. After time to relax on the beach, we transfer by boat to Moin and continue by vehicle to the coast. (B, L)
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Kayaking: 7 mi (12 km)
Biking: 16 mi (26 km)
-
This morning relax around the hotel or on the beach. After lunch, we’ll head back to San José, which is around 4 hours away. Along the way, we’ll pass a myriad of spectacular landscapes: high cloud forest, misty mountains, deep, steep, river-carved canyons, and Braulio Carrillo National Park.
Accommodation: Hotel in San José
Meals: Breakfast
-
After your final breakfast in Costa Rica, your guide will come pick you up at your hotel for your homebound flight. If you’d like to stay longer and explore the wonders of Costa Rica, just ask your guides for some recommendations!
Meals: Breakfast
-
-
-
Included:
-
- Experienced bilingual hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area (First aid, CPR, Swiftwater Rescue certified, some also Wilderness First Responders)
- 12-day active adventure in Costa Rica
- Accommodation for 11 nights:
- 5 nights in hotels
- 5 nights in campsite
- 1 night in a local cabin
- All transportation during the tour
- Airport transfer on Day 1
- Transfer from San Jose to Quepos
- Motor boat from the finish to Moin
- Cahuita to San Jose
- Airport transfer
- Support vehicle from one area to the other
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners)
- Group equipment (rafts, camping gear, etc.)
- Rental bikes — 29ers Mountain Bike (Scott and Trek), or similar — every bike has front suspension and disk brakes
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
-
- Single occupancy room at hotels
Not included:
-
- Flights to Costa Rica
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Personal equipment
- Visa or anything entry-related
- Departure tax ($29)
- Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
- Guide gratuities — optional
- Insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout
-
-
In order to join this Costa Rica active adventure, you need to have a great level of fitness and good stamina.
-
- Some mountain biking experience will make the trip more enjoyable.
- As for whitewater rafting, experience is not necessary, but you’ll be paddling all the time you’re on the raft, so fitness and stamina are a must.
- Within a day, expect to do…
- up to 30 mi (49 km) of biking
- Up to 17 km (10.5 mi) of hiking
- Up to 20 km (12 mi) of rafting
- Up to 12 km (7 mi) of kayaking.
If you’d like to see what else is in the area, check out our other Costa Rica adventures!
-
-
No sleeping gear is needed for overnight stays at El Nido del Tigre and Finca Pacuarito.
We supply the basic equipment needed for the activities. We asked our customers to bring their own cycling helmet.
Luggage carrier
-
- Duffle Bag
- Daypack (approx. 20-35 L)
- Daypack rain cover
Upper body
-
- Shirts (poly-pro outer wear (for quick drying)
- Short sleeve and light colored long sleeve for sun protection)
- Lightweight rain jacket (Gortex, nylon or similar)
- Medium weight wool or fleece over-sweater
- Lightweight thermal underwear top (polypro/wool)
Lower body
-
- Lightweight comfortable pants
- Shorts (quick dry)
- Lightweight rain pants
Head
-
- Sun/rain hat with brim (preferably 360˚ brim)
- Bandana
Footwear
-
- Lightweight adventure shoes or hiking boots
- Sandals with SNUG straps (Teva type)
- Lightweight fast drying hiking socks
Personal gear
-
- Sunglasses (UVA and UVB resistant)
- Keeper straps for sunglasses
- 1 headlamp (long lasting LED bulbs are the best option)
- Extra batteries (for headlamp, camera, etc)
- Additional small flashlight
- 2-3 one quart, durable water bottles
- Prescription glasses or contacts (bring an extra pair of glasses)
- 1 copy of your passport
- Insect repellent
- Waterproof sunscreen 30+ SPF
- Gallon & quart size Ziploc bags
- Towel
Optional gear
-
- Dry bag
- Camera w/ waterproof camera bag
- Deck of cards
- Binoculars
- Sarongs (works as a towel, or quick cover-up)
- Writing materials (pen, pencil, notebook…)
- USB memory card (to share pictures with other participants)
- Trekking poles
Biking (feel free to bring your own pedals and seat if you want)
-
- Bike shorts with padded seat
- Bike water bottle
- Bike helmet
- Bike gloves (can also be used for paddling)
- Bike shirts (optional)
Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!
-
-
Group sizes:
-
- For this Costa Rica active adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 12:1.
- It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
Costa Rica active adventures can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
-
- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors older than 12 may be permitted to join the tour, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has travelers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
-
-
During this Coast to Coast Costa Rica adventure, you’ll spend 5 nights at hotels, 5 nights in campsites, and 1 night in a local cabin.
The 5 hotel nights are based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout. As for the campsite & local cabin, a single occupancy room/tent is likely not available, but let us know if interested at checkout.
-
To get to Costa Rica, most people fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José. Your guide will then pick you up at the airport at a prearranged time and take you on your tour. On the final day of your adventure, your guide will also transport you back to the airport.
-
A mix of US dollars and credit or debit cards works best while travelling. Bring smaller-denomination bills in good condition (notes under $100 are ideal), as traveller’s cheques are rarely accepted. Cards are widely used, but small shops and street vendors may only take local cash. ATMs are available, and it’s a good idea to check with your bank before departure to ensure your card works internationally.
Spending money depends on your habits, but you’ll want extra cash for some meals, drinks, souvenirs, and tips. Lunch typically costs $10–12, while dinner ranges from $12–20. A departure tax of $29 is payable at the airport in cash or by card (check if it’s already included in your ticket). Tipping around 10% is customary, and gratuities for guides and drivers are always appreciated.
-
Insurance is mandatory in order to join this tour. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
-