BikeQuest: Costa Rica Mountain biking extraordinaire
Biking between two volcanoes includes some rain forest and cloud forest terrain
You came here to mountain bike. We added some outstanding other adventures -- bushwhacking, canyoning, white water rafting (on the Pacuare, ne of the 10 most beautiful rivers of the world according to National Geographic), wilderness camping, canopy zip line tour. Plus great food and really comfortable sleep. What more could you want?
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and get ready
When you arrive we'll go straight to your hotel, on the slopes of Irazú volcano. Get your bikes ready -- or try out our bikes and adjust them to your riding style.
Day 2: Volcano to Volcano on two pedals
Wake up and start climbing the towering Irazú Volcano (3400+ meters MSL). This volcano is the largest and highest in the country. Sometimes on a clear day you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific ocean from the Park (cross your fingers). The air is thin but it’s worth a short hike to see the main crater and some extinct ones on the way.
Biking between two volcanoes - and some rivers
Helmets, gloves, water bottles, and a small crash course on Costa Rican road signs and you are ready for your two-pedal adventure to the Turrialba Valley, about 42 miles by pedal power, and some pretty wild descents. Some of the most incredible scenery is up ahead as you travel through farms, plantations, and hillside towns on the way down. The air temperature gets really chilly -- about 55°F, and we're riding above the clouds, or sometimes in them.
The campsite is magnificent, perched on a rock outcropping overlooking the Turrialba valley -- yet so comfortable -- with hot showers, real toilets, real beds. Most of your light comes from the city below.
Day 3: Canyoning -- ropes, harnesses, waterfalls, WHEEE!
Canyoning means having a lot of faith in your guides and fellow bikers
It is officially a day of canyoning, but getting there by bike is part of the fun. The first canyon is about 7 KM uphill from the campsite.
Canyoning is a new sport in the USA, but in Europe it is well loved for the pure adrenaline it produces. Harnesses and ropes and rock climbing all in waterfalls and deep crevasses, soaking wet and steaming jungle bodies -- enough to convince you Romancing the Stone was someone else’s bridge party. This real adventure trip makes the ‘canopy tour’ over rated.
The choice of canyons will be made almost at the last minute, depending on rains and what bridges are out on the way up to the start. Regardless of which canyon, we'll be hiking through forest and in the stream until we reach the first waterfall. Your Serendipity Adventure guides will teach you all you need to know (in case you don’t already) about descending down waterfalls using your harness and climbing rope. The adrenaline rush is high and the natural jungle setting is breathtaking.
We save the biggest falls for last, after eating a lunch and some hot chocolate, to warm up a bit. It's cold in the canyon -- we have paddle jackets for you, but you'd better bring some long underwear to keep you warm. Long underwear? In the tropics?
Day 4: Biking with rainforest, waterfalls, and wilderness
We've found some interesting places to ride - stop for a swim at the waterfall
We’re crossing the Turrialba valley and ascending to the edge of the Indigenous reserve.
We'll be biking from 4000 feet down to 2400 feet over 8 KM followed by 5 KM of pretty flat. Up again, (8 KM, from 2000 to 2660 feet), then descending to the Reventazón River (7 KM dropping to 2000 feet).
After crossing the lake (Lake? What Lake? On bikes? -- oh, that’s what those paddles are for!) we start the serious climb - 22 kilometers, going from 1960 feet to over 4100 feet. The payoff is a primitive campsite, and the only artificial light is the distant city below you.
Day 5: Hiking -- or more accurately known as "Bushwhacking"
Hiking in the rain forest means whacking a trail with machetes
The bikes stay below as we head off on foot up into the mountains to explore the tropical humid rainforest. This is a REAL (no manicured trails) hike that involves slippery and wet terrain, muddy jungle trails, machetes, and humidity. At the same time, this trek offers a true insight into the fascinating world of the tropical rainforest and how people survive and enjoy themselves in these areas. We will hike through virgin rainforest as well as ranches and native American territory.
The hike last about 5 to 6 hours depending on the pace and is an estimated 8 kilometers in rugged mountain environment (note: please do not compare this type foot travel with hiking distances on improved trails or roads. A proper description would be "trailblazing" or “bushwhacking”. You WILL be using your machete).
When we exit the forest we'll be back to the bikes -- and it's downhill back to our home base (with the final 6 km all uphill).
Day 6: Bike to the river, then intense white water rafting on the spectacular Pacuare River
Onto bikes again we’re descending about 13 KM to Peralta, then a STEEP uphill for 1 KM (honestly, you'll push the bikes) to get to the final descent to the Pacuare River. We will put in for rafting in the Pacuare River, an amazing 28 KM of outstanding white water.
Your team works hard to conquer the rapids of the Pacuare River
This is the last adventure - an expeditionary journey on the spectacular Pacuare River (Class III and IV). Our small group (only your raft, with paddles, with two support boats) allows you to make some exploratory hikes and play in the river hydraulics.
This technical river is challenging as we maneuver through awesome rapids, broken by short calm stretches which offer views of the pristine rainforest and cascade after cascade of crystalline waterfalls. The first day you will start by developing skills necessary for late today and all day tomorrow. Remember that we have two rafts with us: the paddling raft, if you want to use your muscles and balance and are quick to respond, and then we also have the oar boat, which carries your gear and food. At any time you can switch between boats -- sort of like going from a Hobie Cat to the Queen Mary. (There is also a safety kayaker, whose only responsibility is to be sure that, if you go out of the boat -- and that is pretty common, and a lot of fun--- you will have a convenient “rescuer” right beside you, immediately). This is the promise of the Pacuare: the powerful water will thrill you, the savage beauty of the surroundings will humble you.
The Pacuare is threatened by plans for a massive hydroelectric project, so we'll enjoy it while we can even as we at Serendipity continue to work to prevent the river’s destruction.
Your bikes (and bike containers, if you brought your own riding gear) are waiting at the take-out in Siquirres. You won't have an ounce of strength left for pedaling, so we're loading everything into the 4x4 and heading back to San José. 230 KM of biking, 28 KM of white water, 1 KM of canyoning and 8 KM of hiking -- it has never felt so good before.
Day 7: Depart paradise
You will be leaving today. We'll get you (and your bike container) to the airport for your flight. You'll be bragging about this trip for years. And we're pretty sure you'll be back.
Prices
You choose the dates. You decide who goes with you. This is your private adventure. If you prefer to JUST BIKE, the costs come down; call us to discuss options
This itinerary is ideal for active mountain biking clubs and families. It is hard biking. For information on how much this trip would cost, see our BikeQuest: Costa Rica Mountain Biking Vacation pricing.
Detailed TERMS, DIRE WARNING! - please READ this before making a reservation.
The first step to enjoying a Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
