What's the best way to experience Costa Rica? May we suggest: mountain biking, jungle hiking, 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, the day's catch indulging, breathtaking vista gazing and deep deep sleeping. But that's just a suggestion.
Day 1 A perfect lineup of activities makes for great adventures throughout the country
Fly to the Pacific coast, then bike through lush farmland and quiet villages outside bustling Quepos.
Days 2-3 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 to kayak, horseback ride or take a zip-line tour In the beautiful Savegre Valley, a Tico family invites us home for lunch - homemade casado anyone? Hike through the rain forest and teak plantations, stopping to visit a community project and cool off in a hidden cascade-fed swimming hole.
Day 4 White-water rafting on the Río Savegre,
one of Central America's most pristine rivers After a scenic flight to the Nicoya Peninsula, pedal quiet roads past sabañeros (cowboys) tending their cattle and farmers working their fields.
Days 5-6 Secluded Punta Islita hotel, an Andrew Harper favorite,
set on a sublime white-sand beach View works by Costa Rican and international artists at Latin America's first open-air museum - a great spot to buy local crafts Time by the pool, at the spa, on the trail or on a surfboard? Up to you Swap stories during a fresh seafood feast.
Trip Highlights
- A perfect line-up of activities make for great adventures throughout the country
- Spot wonderful wildlife (sloths, monkeys, lizards and more) in Manuel Antonio National Park
- White-water rafting on the Río Savegre, one of Central America's most pristine rivers
- Sublime white-sand beaches great for swimming and surfing
- The secluded Punta Islita hotel, an Andrew Harper favorite
Premiere Inns
Hotel Parador (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): These African-style luxury safari tents offer the ideal setting for enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle. (pool)
Hotel Punta Islita (2 nights): A Travel + Leisure favorite, 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. (pool, spa, tennis, golf)
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 9, 16, 21 miles
- 0 - 700 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Walking 2, 3.5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 5.5, 6.2, 8.3 miles
- 400 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 8, 11, 20 miles
- 0 - 1550 feet elevation gain
- Rafting 2.5 hours
Day 5
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Walking 1.2, 3 miles
- 130 - 450 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Guided Walk 1 hour
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 |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
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.- 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.- 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
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?- 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.- New York, NY
This trip was amazing! We especially loved the attention to detail, the outstanding service, and fantastic itinerary!- Seattle, WA