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Costa Rica Multisport

Costa Rica Multisport

Costa Rica is a paradise for lovers of wildlife and fun-filled adventure. Here white-faced monkeys enliven the jungle canopy while blue morpho butterflies color the sky, warm ocean waves lap sandy shores and rivers wind through lush rain forests. On the Pacific Coast, explore the area around Manuel Antonio National Park with jungle hikes, mountain biking and Class II - III rafting. Then journey to the remote Nicoya Peninsula, a perfect setting for more activities - or for simply lounging on the beach. Our carefree days are complemented by nights of pure relaxation at tastefully appointed tropical retreats.

Days 1-2 Quepos

Meet in San José and fly to the Pacific Coast Hop on your bike to explore lush farmlands and quiet villages on the outskirts of bustling Quepos Hike in Manuel Antonio National Park with a local naturalist, who helps us spot a wealth of exotic plants and wildlife, including monkeys, butterflies and iguanas The afternoon is yours to go kayaking, zip-lining or horseback riding.

Day 3 Savegre

Head out on a morning hike into the beautiful Savegre Valley  Learn about the Los Campesinos Project, a community tourism effort in the village of Quebrada Arroyo, before continuing to a waterfall and private swimming hole  Hike through rain forest, teak plantations and a hidden river valley to our secluded hotel, stopping en route to join a local family for lunch in their home  Relax on your private deck and swim in the lodge’s pool, which features a 100-foot waterslide.

Days 4-6 Punta Islita

Prepare for a thrilling white-water rafting excursion on the Río Savegre A short scenic flight carries us to Playa Carrillo, one of Costa Rica’s finest beaches As you pedal on quiet dirt roads, spot sabañeros (cowboys) working the pastures and tending their cattle Our beachfront resort offers many ways to play and relax: hike on nearby nature trails, go horseback riding, try surfing, lounge by the pool or treat yourself to a massage Enjoy a feast of fresh-seafood specialties  View the works of local artists at the open-air Islita Contemporary Art Museum  Fly back to San José. 

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COASTAL RETREATS: Premiere Inns

Hotel Parador (2 nights): With views of the rain forest and azure Pacific, this luxury resort has an infinity pool, spa and rooms with private balconies.

Rafiki Safari Lodge (1 night): These African-style luxury safari tents offer the ideal setting for enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Hotel Punta Islita (2 nights): Featured on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List and named one of the world's best by Travel+Leisure, this eco-friendly resort is wonderfully set between an ocean cove and the forest on Costa Rica’s pristine Nicoya Peninsula.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

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
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2011 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

Guest Trip Reviews

For a family of 22 individuals with ages spanning from 10 to 77, I can't believe EVERYONE had such a great time. So much so, that Grandpa has already okayed the planning for another family trip with Backroads for Christmas 2008. To put together a family trip like this where we have 3 generations and different levels of fitness and expectations and have everyone happy at the end of it is - well it just blows my mind. I can't thank everyone at Backroads enough.
Margaret Shouvlin - Old Greenwich, CT

Fantastic trip. The best word is "seamless." Considering being in a foreign country, having to take plane rides, and multiple destinations and activities, things moved along like they were following a French train schedule. The accommodations were great; I loved the locales. I've already highly recommended Backroads to several people.
James C. - Lafayette, LA

This was simply the best vacation that I have taken to date, and it will be difficult to match or surpass it. The activities were challenging and fun; the location was beautiful; the group was wonderful; and the leaders were first-rate. Thank you!
Katie Pamenter - Chicago, IL

A fantastic trip. The group was great and everything worked beautifully. To hike into Rafiki, and then to trudge down through the mud to the river where rafting guides are waiting, and then to get off the river and onto planes which take you to an unpaved airstrip on the beach where you can literally see your bikes from the air, lined up and waiting -- that is vacation nirvana. And arranging a soccer game with the local kids was genius. When we were flying home, my kids said "Dad, I really feel like I 'get' what Costa Rica is all about from this trip." What could be better?
Mitch Evall - Beverly Hills, CA

It was really a fantastic trip for so many reasons. The people were fantastic. I loved how well organized the organization is in terms of trip planning and taking care of luggage and even day packs. It was a real treat to really only have to think about what to wear that day. I loved all of the activities and what a great mix of activity and relaxation! Keeping busy by day and being at the pool by 4 or 5 for Happy Hour and dinner...! It almost made it all go by too fast. Backroads is definitely a quality organization and it is very impressive how many repeat vacationers there are - with good reason.
Alice Wilder - New York, NY

This trip was amazing! We especially loved the attention to detail, the outstanding service, and fantastic itinerary!
Helen Gray - Seattle, WA