Your wedding day, graduation, the day you got that promotion. What are some of your best days? Well, make space for these five days in Costa Rica. You'll road bike past scenery so gorgeous you're instantly in love. Be greeted by farmers - and howler monkeys! Soak in hot springs, dive into cloud forest, gape at waterfalls and that majestic volcano. Love the riding and those papaya batidos. By the end, you'll know these five incredible days will never be forgotten.
Day 1 Jump-start the day with a coffee plantation tour,
learning about - and sampling - grano de oro (golden bean) java 
En route to the Los Angeles Cloud Forest, bike beautiful undulating roads past prolific coffee plantations, small villages, brilliant orange poró trees and friendly farmers Commune with nature at the eco-friendly Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel.
Day 2 Ride past thriving rain forest and breathtaking waterfalls,
listening to toucans call and howler monkeys roar - a particularly challenging option takes you up and over the Continental Divide! An interpretive walk through the cloud forest reveals an incredible variety of flora and fauna The mountain town of Zarcero invites you to explore its charming century-old pink and blue church Taste some of Costa Rica's mind-boggling array of tropical fruits. Fresh guanabana , anyone?
Day 3 Soak in hot springs amid palms, bromeliads and ferns
Pedal rolling roads flanked by plantations of papaya, pineapple and yucca to La Fortuna The afternoon is yours to do as you choose - zip-line through the jungle canopy or indulge in a visit to the spa, perhaps?
Days 4-5 Take in views of majestic Arenal Volcano on a scenic boat ride across Lake Arenal
Bike part of the Vuelta del Lago race route - at your own pace of course Listen for the call of howler and white-faced monkeys as you leisurely stroll along a network of hanging bridges high in the lush rain forest canopy Pedal through scenic ranchland to Proyecto Asis, where we explore a wild animal rescue center and learn about the community conservation project.
Trip Highlights
- Road bike past thriving rain forest, breathtaking waterfalls and captivating villages
- Commune with nature at the tranquil eco-friendly Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel
- Ride in the shadow of imposing Arenal Volcano
- Optional zip-lining and hanging bridge trail exploration complement the biking and offer one-of-a-kind Costa Rica experiences.
- Soak in hot springs in a jungle oasis
- Proximity to Costa Rica's beaches - why not extend your trip? We make it easy!
Casual Inns
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel (1 night): This eco-conscious boutique hotel features charming casitas, each with a splendid view of the cloud forest. (spa)
Tilajari Hotel Resort (1 night): Spot caimans and iguanas from this welcoming retreat, set overlooking the San Carlos River amid 35 acres of rain forest and manicured gardens. (pool, spa, tennis)
Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens (2 nights): Arenal Volcano is on display at this tranquil oasis, whose spacious bungalows each offer a private deck with whirlpool tub and a secluded outdoor shower. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 10* | 1000 | 22 | 2500 | ||||||
| Coffee estate tour (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| Hike to Villa Blanca (3 miles) | ||||||||||
| 2 | 14* | 300 | 23* | 900 | 36* | 1500 | 55 | 4700 | ||
| Cloud forest and hummingbird hike (1.5 miles) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 19* | 1800 | 30* | 2300 | 35 | 2600 | ||||
| 4 | 14* | 1400 | 23* | 1900 | 40 | 2900 | ||||
| Boat cruise on Lake Arenal (30 minutes) | ||||||||||
| Hanging bridges walk (2 miles) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 21 | 200 | ||||||||
There is less than 5% of riding on hard-packed dirt on this trip. Since the overwhelming majority of the trip is paved, we've elected to use standard road bike tires on our titanium road bikes. Most guests find this to be the right answer. If you prefer to skip the dirt, a shuttle is always a possibility.
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 12/15-19 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/21-25 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/27-31 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
2014 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 1/2-6 Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 1/14-18 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 1/26-30 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 2/16-20 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 3/9-13 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/14-18 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/22-26 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/28-1/1 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
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
Great trip! Good bike routes, wonderful food and accommodations, very friendly people, and incomparable leaders and drivers. The friends we made were icing on the cake.- Ann Arbor, MI
What can I say but fantastic! Our support drivers were SO crucial to our good time. They kept us hydrated, fed and happy. Since my first travels with Backroads 11½ years ago, I have been constantly talking about the company with other people. I have never had such great vacations as I have had with Backroads.- Fort McMurray, AB
This was a great trip from top to bottom. The leaders and van support were just terrific. Thank you for the beautiful birthday party and the gift that our leaders arranged. It was beautiful. Our whole family had the time of our lives.- Los Gatos, CA
As usual, we had a great time on our Costa Rica trip. The leaders were real cheer leaders for the country and the places we visited. We feel very fortunate that we were able to see and experience places in the country not frequented by the ordinary tourist. The lodging was extraordinary and each place had its own unique quality. We admire your ability to search out the unusual for your guests. Our leaders made us feel like real champs and that's a good way to feel.- Franklin Lakes, NJ
We loved the whole experience, it really met all our expectations, we're still dreaming about it!- Ann Arbor, MI
Great trip, wonderful guides far beyond my expectations. I am excited to take my next trip with my grown children so they can have this experience. It was the perfect start to my husband's retirement. Thank you.- Edmonton, CAN
Visiting this area of Costa Rica at this time of the year was perfect!-Marblehead, MA
Excellent trip with wonderful experiences I wouldn't have done without Backroads. The add-ons (boat tour, selection of lunch spots, stop at animal sanctuary) were absolutely amazing experiences that made the trip extra-special. The rides were also incredible with beautiful scenery.-Orlando, FL