Costa Rica Biking
From Arenal Volcano Down the Coast to the Osa Peninsula
Discover the real meaning of pura vida in Costa Rica, a diverse slice of Central American paradise. Picture green pastures and a rain forest alongside a breathtaking lake. A mighty volcano that regularly smolders and rumbles. A remote peninsula that beckons with pristine playas, warm Pacific waves and miles of tranquil roads crisscrossing one of the most biologically rich corridors in the world. And a country inhabited by some of the friendliest people on earth. Bike with Backroads through several ecological zones and stop for breaks in remote villages and on inviting beaches. At night, settle in at oceanfront retreats and a rain-forest lodge where relaxation comes naturally.
Trip Planning Links
- Experience Costa Rica from the air (on scenic flights), land and water
- Explore the remote Osa Peninsula, one of the planet's most biodiverse regions, by kayak, foot and bike
- Spin through lush rain forest, listening to toucans call and howler monkeys roar
- Arenal Volcano, an active cinder cone that regularly steams and rumbles
- Soak in hot springs in a rain forest oasis
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 La Fortuna
Meet in San José 
Pedal through a lush agricultural area laden with sugar cane, banana, pineapple and papaya en route to La Fortuna, nestled beneath rumbling Arenal Volcano After a scenic cruise across Lake Arenal, enjoy panoramic views while biking a portion of the Vuelta del Lago mountain bike race route Spin past palms, ferns and bromeliads, then reward yourself with a sweet treat at a German bakery In the evening, soothe your biking muscles with a soak in hot springs.
Day 3 Dominical
A morning charter flight whisks us to the Pacific coast Hop on your bike in the quaint surf town of Dominical and pedal along a rolling seaside road, listening to the sounds of the surrounding rain forest Bask on warm white sand this afternoon, then wrap up the day with an al fresco seafood feast as the sun sets over the ocean.
Days 4-6 Golfo Dulce
Embark on an epic ride (sure to be a highlight!) along the coast and through the jungle to the tranquil Golfo Dulce and Osa Peninsula, one of the world's most biologically diverse regions Keep your eyes and ears open for howler monkeys, toucans, parrots, macaws and sloths Pedal quiet hilly back roads through friendly Tico communities with an option to hike and kayak in Corcovado National Park Return to San José by scenic charter flight.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Bali Biking Thailand Biking Hawaii BikingOther Central/South America Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This was the most incredible vacation I have ever taken, and I have been promoting Backroads since returning home. Each day brought wonderful and unique experiences. Never having taken a trip like this, I did not know what to expect and now cannot believe I waited this long to try a group trip like this one. My husband and I plan to take many more trips with Backroads in the future.- Cherry Hill, NJ More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Costa Rica tour experts. For biking tours in Latin America, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Latin America biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Latin America walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Latin America multisport tours click here.
Costa Rica Biking
TICO TREASURES: Premiere Inns*
Lost Iguana
La Fortuna (2 nights) At this colorful resort, relax in your spacious room with a private balcony, swim in the sparkling swimming pool and revel in views of Arenal Volcano.
* Casual Inn
Cristal Ballena
Dominical (1 night) Superb ocean vistas, 30 landscaped acres and a large swimming pool are yours to enjoy at this welcoming tropical retreat.
Villas Corcovado
Golfo Dulce (2 nights) Nestled amid 70 remote acres of pristine jungle, with a swimming pool, a quiet beach and private gardens, these luxury villas overlook the calm waters of Golfo Dulce.
Costa Rica Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 11, 22, 32 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available.
- 16, 27, 47 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 17 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 22, 39, 68 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 21, 32 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 3.1 miles
Please note that all biking is done on mountain bikes and the terrain can make the routes feel more difficult than the mileage may suggest.