costa rica - BikeHike Adventures

C O S TA R ICA
The Ultimate Adventure Medley
by mountain bike, raft, sea kayak, zip-line & foot
9-days
For those of you who refuse to be tamed, consider this action-packed adventure. The goal is to traverse across the country on a series of trails, rivers, and
backcountry roads. We ride knobby tire mountain bikes though fertile farmland
in the lush Central Valley, hike to the base of the rumbling Arenal Volcano, and
soak in the Ecotermales Hot Springs with front row seats of red hot lava dripping from the cone. In La Fortuna we traverse through the rainforest canopy,
zigzagging across cables safely equipped with harnesses and pulleys. We
navigate six person rafts down class 3-4 rapids on the raging Pacuare River and
paddle sea kayaks through the ocean surf on the whitesand beaches of the
Pacific coast. For the physically fit and the hearty adventurer, this trip will offer
the challenge of a lifetime!
B i k e H i k e A d v e n t u r e s 1
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Email [email protected] or sur f us at w w w.bikehike.com
Day 1
SA N JO SE
arrival
A BikeHike Adventures representative will meet you at the
Juan Santamaria International airport in San Jose and transfer you to a comfortable hotel in town.
Day 2
PA C U A R E R I V E R
whitewater rafting
We begin with a scenic two hour drive along the foothills
of the Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes to our whitewater
rafting “put-in” on the Pacuare River. Here we kick off for
two days of adventure tackling (28 km’s/15 miles) of class
Day 3
III-IV rapids. The first day on the river is a short paddle
PA C U A R E R I V E R
day giving us plenty of time to explore this pristine river
whitewater rafting
valley. Tonight we overnight at a luxury riverside campsite
We have another day of Pacuare adrenaline planned,
with tents mounted on wooden platforms facing the river,
plunging downstream through a dramatic landscape of
beautiful manicured gardens, an open-air dining room and
rain forest, cascading waterfalls and fertile canyon walls.
kitchen, a washroom with flush toilets and sinks and lots
This section has non-stop rapids that are mightier and
of hammocks in a gazebo to relax in. There are also some
faster than yesterdays. We’ll stop along the way to do a
short hikes accessible from the campsite if you still have
side hike up to some natural waterslides. We “take-out”
some energy. (B,L,D)
near the town of Siquirres and then head towards the town
of La Fortuna - closest town to the Arenal Volcano. (B,L)
Day 4
A R E NA L VOL CA NO
mountain biking, zip-lining, & hot springs
Up until now we’ve stayed on terra firma, but it’s time to
ascend to the rainforest canopy - a thrilling way to view the
diversity of a Costa Rican rain forest. Secured in a harness,
100 feet off the ground, we’ll traverse on cables between
the trees, viewing the vegetation from the canopy. Afterwards we take to the trails on foot, hiking to a 120-foot cascading waterfall. Wading below the powerful rush of water
is absolutely thrilling. Late afternoon we jump on bikes,
cycling amongst dense tropical forest and a few cattle
farms. This route connects the Arenal Dam with the main
entrance to Arenal Volcano National Park. We’ll also ride
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email [email protected] or sur f us at w w w.bikehike.com
to the village of El Castillo. Today there are opportunities
we will explore the route (minus the crowds!) meander-
to see howler monkeys, coatis and a lot of bird life includ-
ing inland and back to the coast. As evening draws in we
ing keel-billed toucans, snowy egrets and kingfishers. The
witness the spectacular sunsets of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Arenal Volcano is visible during most of our ride today and
Overnight at the same hotel in Samara. (B,L)
is a constant reminder of its active presence because of
the frequent rumblings. The day concludes soaking in the
Ecotermales Hot Springs, natural springs heated by the
volcano. Overnight in a comfortable hotel. (B)
Day 7
P L AYA C O Y O T E
mountain biking
Right after breakfast, we drive to the beaches of Coyote.
Day 5
SAMARA BEACH
sea kayaking
Here we spend another day exploring this spectacular
coastline by knobby tire mountain bikes. An incredible
playground of dirt roads, rolling hills, trails and hard-
Today we depart for the southwestern Pacific Coast. Our
packed sand beaches await us as as head south. We settle
route is around the picturesque Lake Arenal and down
for the night in a cozy hotel. (5-7 hours biking).Overnight at
to the cattle grazing plains of Guanacaste. This afternoon
a cozy hotel in Coyote. (B,L,D)
we paddle down the Nicoya coast exploring the pristine
beaches and rugged rocky points. Keep your eyes peeled
along the way for sea turtles basking in the turquoise
water, flying fish darting through the air, or a glimpse of a
playful dolphin. We land our kayaks on the palm fringed
white sand beach in time for a cool drink at the Mirador
viewpoint. At Playa Samara, the evening is free to play in
the surf, walk along the beach, or relax by the hotel pool.
(B,L)
Day 6
SAMARA BEACH
mountain biking
Host to the annual Vuelta de la Soledad mountain bike
race with around 800 entrants, the laid-back beach resort
of Samara is Costa Rica’s hidden tropical paradise on the
Pacific Coast. With a superb coral reef and its own picturesque wooded island in the bay, it is popular with swimmers and windsurfers and is a thriving fishing and farming
community. The race covers 83kms of beach, road, hill and
trail encountering various river crossings which traverse
countryside and rainforest, rugged pacific coastline and
sleepy Costa Rican villages. On today’s biking adventure
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B i k e H i k e A d v e n t u r e s Fo r m o r e d e t a i l s c a l l B i ke Hi ke A d v e n t u r e s a t 1 - 8 8 8 - 8 0 5 - 0 0 61 o r 1 - 6 0 4 -7 31 - 2 4 4 2
email [email protected] or sur f us at w w w.bikehike.com
Day 8
C OYO T E BE AC H - S A N JO S E
T R I P I NC LU DE S
We have a free morning to enjoy the beach and then after
All accommodation (twin shared), meals as indi-
lunch, we will begin our drive back to San Jose, the capital
cated (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), all internal
of Costa Rica. This evening is a chance to take in the sights
transportation, 24-speed mountain bikes with front
and sounds of San Jose. Overnight at a comfortable hotel.
suspension, sea kayaks, rafting gear, 2-person tents,
(B)
airport transfers, and veteran wilderness guides.
Day 9
SA N JO SE
departure
You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight
NO T I NC LU DE D
International flights, airport departure taxes, gratuities, meals not indicated and items of a personal
nature.
home. (B)
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