What's the best way to experience Costa Rica? May we suggest: jungle hiking, mountain biking, surfing, Class III river rafting, toucan and oropendola watching, howler monkey spotting, blue morpho butterfly viewing, fresh pineapple tasting, Costa Rican coffee sipping, Pacific breeze feeling, national park strolling, catch-of-the-day indulging, breathtaking vista gazing and deep deep sleeping. But that's just a suggestion.
Days 1-2 Grab your paddles and explore the coastline in your sea kayak
Spot a wealth of wildlife with a local naturalist in Manuel Antonio National Park, from monkeys, lizards and iguanas to butterflies and toucans Craving a new perspective? Opt for a surfing lesson or zip-line adventure through the jungle canopy.
Day 3 Put your legs in four-wheel drive for an epic hike off the beaten path
In the beautiful Savegre Valley, a Tico family invites us home for lunch - homemade casado anyone? Stop to visit a community project and cool off in a hidden cascade-fed swimming hole Kick back on your private deck in our blissfully secluded safari jungle lodge.
Day 4 Make a splash during a thrilling white-water rafting excursion on Río Savegre
A scenic flight to the Nicoya Peninsula Stroll along beautiful palm tree-lined beaches and take in Costa Rica's dramatic coastline Secluded Hotel Punta Islita, an Andrew Harper favorite.
Days 5-6 Time by the pool, at the spa, on horseback or on a surfboard? Up to you!
Pedal past sabañeros (cowboys) tending their cattle and farmers working their fields View works by Costa Rican and international artists at Latin America's first open-air museum - a great spot to buy local crafts Swap stories over a fresh seafood feast.
Trip Highlights
- A perfect line-up of activities that make for great adventures throughout the country
- Spot wonderful wildlife (sloths, monkeys, lizards and more) in Manuel Antonio National Park
- White-water rafting on Río Savegre, one of Central America's most pristine rivers
- Sublime white-sand beaches great for swimming and surfing
- The secluded Hotel Punta Islita, an Andrew Harper favorite
Premiere Inns
Parador Resort & Spa (2 nights): A Spanish-style resort with blissful views of the Manuel Antonio rain forest and the azure Pacific. (pool, spa, tennis)
Rafiki Safari Lodge (1 night): African-style luxury safari tents offer the ideal setting for enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle. (pool)
Hotel Punta Islita (2 nights): This eco-friendly resort is tucked away between an ocean cove and the forest on the pristine Nicoya Peninsula. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. (pool, spa, tennis, golf)
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 | Activity | 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 | Kayaking | Around Quepos (2 hours) | |||||||||
| 2 | Hiking | 2 | 100 | 4 | 300 | ||||||
| Other | Optional zip-lining, surfing or mangrove tour | ||||||||||
| 3 | Hiking | 3* | 500 | 7* | 2000 | 9 | 2800 | ||||
| 4 | Hiking | 1* | 100 | 3* | 600 | ||||||
| Rafting | On Río Savegre (2.5 hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Biking | 8 | 200 | 19 | 900 | 30 | 2400 | ||||
| Other | Optional surfing, horseback riding or golf | ||||||||||
| 6 | Other | Islita Pueblo guided walk (1 hour) | |||||||||
On this trip, we'll be using titanium mountain bikes that are just right for the non-technical dirt road riding as well as the paved riding. (approximately 0% dirt and 100% paved).
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 8/19-24 Price: $3798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $680
- 8/26-31 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $680
- 12/20-25 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $680
- 12/21-26 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $370
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
2014 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 2/3-8 Price: $3798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $840 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $640
- 2/24-3/1 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $840 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $370
- 3/3-8 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $840 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $640
- 3/25-30 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $840 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $370
- 3/31-4/5 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $840 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $640
- 8/18-23 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $840 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $640
- 8/25-30 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $840 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $640
- 12/19-24 Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $840 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $640
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
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.- 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!- Chicago, IL
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.- New York, NY