Costa Rica

Classic tours / multisport / watersport / mountain bike / self drive / special places

Pedals and Paddles

Divided by four mountain ranges and boasting the most diversity of flora and fauna in the hemisphere, Costa Rica is an adventurer’s utopia. This beautiful tropical paradise is the setting for our new Pedal and Paddle tour, a trip of pure magic and unsurpassed beauty, pristine trails and world-class rapids. For six days we’ll experience epic mountain biking in the greater Arenal Volcano and Orosi Valley regions, and for another day, raft the class IV fury of the renowned Pacuare River.

Day 1:Arrival at San Jose International Airport. You will be met by a representative who will accompany you to your hotel in San Jose.

Day 2: Transfer to Irazu, bike to Turrialba. After breakfast, we will transfer to the Irazu Volcano National Park. This colossal volcano (3500 mt a.s.l.), now dormant, actually greeted former US President J.F.K. upon his arrival in C.R. back in the 60’s with an enormous eruption. It took years for the Ticos to clear the ash-covered roads and roofs. It is from the top of this mountain that we begin our biking adventure. The ride is downhill on mixed terrain and follows a neighboring volcano, the Turrialba. We ride on a remote gravel road through farms and tiny “pueblos” and reach the Turrialba in time for lunch. In the afternoon we have time to explore the single tracks and trails that are found here. (B, L, D) (Biking shorts, biking or tennis shoes, biking T-shirt, wind-breaker or jacket, cap. For the evening, hiking boots, long trousers, long sleeve shirt, jacket.) Transfer times: Edelweiss Hotel to Irazu National Park 1 hour 30 minutes. Activity level: Easy to moderately easy.

Day 3: Bike to Turrialba, transfer to put-in, Paquare rafting, overnight at Arenal. Early morning rise! After a healthy breakfast, we start the day’s adventure by biking down hill to the town of Turrialba. This is a challenging down hill and, for a change we are actually riding against the clock! We have to be in Turrialba in time for our pick up and transfer to the Paquare River, where we will enjoy a day of excellent rafting on this famous river that offers challenging level III and IV rapids. In the late afternoon we will transfer to Arenal. (B, L, D) (Biking shorts, biking or tennis shoes, biking T-shirt. For the rafting, rubber sole sandals or Tevas, shorts or swimsuit, cap, towel, and dry set of clothes, shorts, T-shirt, to change into.) Transfer times: From Turrialba to Put-in 1 hour. From Pull-out to Arenal 4 hours. Activity level: Moderate.

Day 4: Arenal. Bike Chato/Fortuna Fall/La Pradera and Arenal National Park Hike. Today we will explore the many trails that are found in this area. We will ride a single track that will take us to Cerro Chato made famous in some scenes of the film Congo and from here we will ride to the entrance to the Fortuna Waterfall. After a short brake and visit to the Fortuna Waterfall we continue our days ride down hill to La Fortuna Town and on to an off the beaten track through farmland and forests. In the afternoon we will visit the Arenal Volcano National Park. (B, L, D) (Biking shorts, biking or tennis shoes, biking T-shirt. For the visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, shorts or swimsuit, cap, towel.) Transfer times: None. Activity level: Easy to moderately easy.

Day 5: Bike Arenal/Monteverde Our first real challenge! This bike route is a classic. From the base of the Arenal volcano we ride ’round the neighboring lake that takes the volcanoes name through plush vegetation, fording rivers and finally climb uphill to Monteverde, home of the world famous Monteverde and Santa Elena Nature Reserves. Our support vehicle will be at hand in the case it is needed but remember this isn’t a race, so we can set a good pace so reaching the top isn’t as much a challenge as it seems. (B, L, D) (Biking shorts, biking or tennis shoes, biking T-shirt, small backpack or hydra-pack. For the evening, hiking boots, long trousers, long sleeve shirt, jacket.) Transfer times: From La Fortuna to Arenal Lake 20 minutes. Activity level: Challenging.

Day 6: Visit Santa Elena Reserve, afternoon SkyWalk. In the morning we will visit the Santa Elena Reserve that was modeled after the larger, more ambitious Monteverde Cloud Forest project. It features several miles of well-maintained trails that lead the visitor through the heart of this high-altitude rainforest. On a clear day you may see the distant Caribbean lowlands and Arenal volcano. The Santa Elena Reserve was created in 1992 as a learning experience for Costa Rican and Canadian high school students working to prove that education, productivity and international relations can go hand in hand. There is a visitor center at the entrance with restrooms and an information booth where visitors can get maps and information. In the afternoon we will visit the SkyWalk. This tour will permit us to view the forest from the canopy level, and allow us to experience this biologically dense area from a birds-eye point of view. (B, L, D) (Hiking boots, long trousers, long sleeve shirt, jacket) Transfer times: None. Activity level: Easy.

Day 7: Bike down hill from Monteverde to Pan-American Highway and transfer to Jaco Beach. 35 km of pure bliss! The downhill from Monteverde is fun. This long and winding dirt road takes us from Monteverde down to sea level joining the Pan-American Highway (where we will board our transfer vehicle). It has little traffic, and our leading guide will conduct us down hill rapidly in fun and in safety. Our minibus will be waiting at the bottom of this road and transfer to Jaco Beach. (B, L, D) (Biking shorts, biking or tennis shoes, biking T-shirt, wind-breaker or jacket, cap, small backpack or hydra-pack) Transfer times: From Largarto to Jaco 2 hours. Activity level: Easy to moderately easy.

Day 8: Transfer to SJ in the late afternoon. Today we relax and take in the week’s experiences. There are activities offered from the hotel such as horseback riding, snorkeling, kayaking or just relaxing by the pool. For those of you that still want to do some biking, your guide will be at hand with the bikes ready to explore the local trails. We transfer to San Jose in the late afternoon. (B, L, D) (Clothes depends on type of activity one decides to participate.) Transfer times: From Jaco to San Jose 2 hours. Activity level: depends on type of activity.

Day 9: Transfer out. Your pick-up will be organized according to your flight departure time. One of Banana Adventure Tours representatives will escort you to the airport for your return flight home. Hasta pronto and a safe journey home. (B)

Price: US$1365, per person double occupancy.

NOTE: Price does NOT include bike rental. MARIN Hawk-Hill mountain bikes are available for rental ($150 for the above tour).

2003 Dates: Jan 5-12, Feb 9-16, Mar 9-16, Apr 13-20, May 11-18, Jun 8-15
Jul 13-20, Aug 10-17, Sep 14-21, Oct 5-12, Dec 7-14

PRICE INCLUDES:

• 2 Nights at San Jose
• 1 Night Turrialba
• 2 Nights at La Fortuna
• 2 Nights at Monteverde
• 1 Night at Jaco
• Meals as described in itinerary by B,L,D
• All ground transfers in air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• Support vehicle during bike tours
• Bilingual Guide during the tours
• Insurance
• All tours listed