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Costa Rica Bike Tour: Highlights

Discover Costa Rica by bike with Lizard Head Cycling Guides on a scenic adventure featuring quiet, lightly traveled roads, beautiful Atlantic and Pacific beaches, and incredible natural beauty. In partnership with an experienced local guide service, our tour offers authentic insights into Costa Rica’s culture, wildlife, and landscapes.

Ride through lush forests, charming villages, and spectacular coastal scenery while spotting monkeys, tropical birds, and other native wildlife. With outstanding local support, breathtaking beaches, and other great activities like boating or ziplining, our 10 day tour of Costa Rica is the perfect blend of adventure, nature, and relaxation.

Costa Rica Bike Tour: Dates

Potential tour dates are listed below and not all tour dates will run. Lock in your preferred tour date early as unopened tour dates will be closed. Please see the Winter/Spring/Autumn Tour Calendar and the Summer Tour Calendar for confirmed departures. Any unopened date can be a Custom Week (9 riders required). Please contact us via email or call 970.728.5891

2027 Tour Dates

• February 21 to March 2, 2027 (Book Now!)

Tour Status Notes: NO STATUS = Date Set, no riders have signed up. TOUR OPENED = Tour Opened, rider minimums not met. TOUR A GO! = Tour is Go, rider minimums met. SOLD OUT = Tour Full, rider maximums met.

Why Should You Sign Up Now And OPEN A Tour Date?
This is the proverbial chicken and the egg conundrum! We need our cyclists to first commit to the date that works for them so we can commit to that date.

When you OPEN a date, you get to pick your preferred departure and there is no penalty if the tour does not run. Once you pick your tour date, Lizard Head closes nearby dates and funnels all additional riders to your chosen date until the tour meets the rider minimum. Don't wait. Just do it!

BONUS: As an added bonus, we can also hold a spot for you on another tour date of your choosing. There is no fee to switch to another tour date.

NOTE: In anticipation and encouragement of future tour sign-ups prior to reaching the tour minimum, the Lizard Head Cycling website may be updated to show TOUR A GO prior to actual tour confirmation. Even if the website says that the tour is a GO, please wait for your official Email Confirmation before booking non-refundable travel reservations.

Costa Rica Bike Tour: Overview

Tour Length: 10-Days Cycling/9-Nights Lodging

Meeting/Ending Town: Guancaste – Liberia Airport (LIR)

Total Miles: 170 miles (additional mileage options available)

Mileage Range: 20-35 miles

Ability Level: Intermediate (2/3) , Upper Intermediate (3)

Tour Cost: $4250 per person. Add $900 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (includes 9-Nights). Please see our Reptile Rewards & Tour Discounts page for more information on Group Discounts. Please note that for discounts to apply the tour minimum must be met.

Tour Includes: 10 days of guide service, 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 5 dinners, park service fees, shuttles, and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental, and gratuties are additional.

Lodging for 9 Nights: (subject to change)

• Nights 1 & 2: Hotel Mangaby, Playa Hermosa, Guancaste Province
• Nights 3 & 4: Arenal Montechiari, La Fortuna, Alajuela Province
• Nights 5 & 6: Guayabo Lodge, Turrialba, Cartago Province
• Night 7: Hotel Suerre, Guapiles, Limón Province
• Night 8: Turtle Beach Lodge, San Francisco de Tortuguero, Limón Province
• Night 9: Escape Caribeño, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limón Province

Meeting Hotel and Ending Hotel reservations and costs are NOT included unless specified otherwise. Guests are on their own to make reservations at the Meeting Hotel or Ending Hotel, or other nearby hotels.

Bike Rentals

This tour is unique among Lizard Head tours in many ways, including how bike rentals are handled. Rather than supply riders with bikes from Lizard Head’s fleet, we instead partner with our local tour provider to offer rental bikes on this trip (it just wouldn’t make sense for us to bring a fleet of bikes from Colorado to Costa Rica!). For this trip, 29er mountain bikes and E-Bike bike rentals are available. A bicycle rental covers the entire 10 day trip, with a $325 cost for the 29er’s and a $450 cost for the E-bikes in addition to the tour cost. Please let us know if you want a rental bike when you sign up!

NOTE: You should still let Lizard Head Cycling know if you intend to rent or bring your own bike.

Meals On Tour

Lizard Head Cycling Guides provides most meals on all tours (unless otherwise noted), including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guides will prepare a daily lunch en route for nearly every tour, both road and off-road, as well as provide nutritious snacks at periodic aid stations during the day.

Most of our road tours utilize local restaurants for all meals and, occasionally, guides may prepare a dinner or two during a tour. Due to the nature of being "off the grid", most of our off-road tours feature guides preparing meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. FUN NOTE: When guides prepare a meal in camp and the guests sit around and watch, this is called "Guide TV".

We also pride ourselves on being able to cater to specific dietary requests and needs, so rest assured that you will be able to get the nutrition that works best for you during your tour. Gluten free, Dairy free, Vegan, or someone who loves it all – we will keep you well-fed during the tour!

Lunches: Lizard Head Cycling Guides prepare healthy lunches to keep you going. We will serve you fresh organic fruits and veggies, salads, hummus, sandwich fixings, nuts, gourmet cheeses and, of course, plenty of salty/sweet snacks such as chips and cookies.

Dinners: On our road tours, Lizard Head Cycling sources our favorite restaurants in each town that we visit. Our guides focus on establishments that offer fresh and local ingredients and guests choose whatever they desire to eat off the menu, including: appetizer, salad, entrée, and of course, dessert... yum! Also, while on tour, if a guest wants to dine early before the group and go to bed, this is fine. We understand that on some days, sleep is the most important post-ride element.

Ability Level: Can I Ride This Tour?

Definition of Ability Levels

= Intermediate (2/3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 1 to 3 times a week for a total of 50 or more miles.
= Upper Intermediate (3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 2 to 4 times a week for a total of 75 or more miles.
= Advanced (3/4) Rides and/or takes spin classes 3 to 5 times a week for a total of 100 or more miles. Has ridden multi-day tours and done a century ride.
= Expert (4) Rides 4 or more times per week totaling 150 or more miles. Rides E.F.I. with regularity. Has done numerous multi-day tours, century rides and races.

How Fit do I Have to Be? If one month prior to the tour, you can ride 2 to 3 times a week, equaling a total of 75 or more miles a week, you'll do just fine. We like to jokingly say that "one is ready for a Lizard Head Cycling Tour when they are finished with the tour" and this is true! The only way to simulate a week-long bike tour is to go on a week-long bike tour.

Our average rider age is 55 years. These are bike tours, not races, so we take our time to stop, take pictures and see the sights. We have all day to reach our destination and most riders take "bumps" at some point. We offer reduced mileage options for each day. Of course, if someone wants to ride E.F.I. (Every Freaking Inch), we love to show them all the extra climbs, loops and hidden canyons that can be included!

Do the Bump! Daily mileage options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy this tour. One of our favorite options is to give cyclists a "bump" via the support vehicle, or a 10 to 20-mile lift down the road representing an hour of pedal time. After the bump, the rider is "off the front" and riding at his or her own pace without feeling they are being left behind the group. They'll then have time to linger and take in the spectacular scenery. All cyclists come together in time for lunch. Afterward, cyclists can take another bump and/or continue riding.

Seamless Mileage Options. Lizard Head Cycling Guides designs multiple mileage options for each tour – something we're well known for in our business. This technique is similar to heliskiing in that one does not ski everything, they ski the best. 🙂

Slow or Fast? Many cyclists who sign up for our tours have worried themselves silly about not being able to keep up, but then they're surprised to find that all the worrying was about nothing. They do just fine! Slow and Fast only exist relative to other cyclists. Speed does not matter as long as one is moving on the bike. As long as one is moving, they are truly going fast enough.

Questions? If you have questions about your ability to ride this tour, please contact our office via email or call us at 970.728.5891, we will be more than happy to guide you!

Please also see this blog post for more information.

Costa Rica Bike Tour: Itinerary*

*PLEASE NOTE: Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations, road construction, road closures, and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Also, the distances and elevation profiles shown below may not reflect the actual distances and elevations while on tour as these are provided here to give an idea as to the anticipated mileage and terrain. Please view this itinerary, the distances, and elevation profiles as a general outline of what to expect while on this tour.

Day 1: Travel to Playa Hermosa

Welcome to Costa Rica. Upon arrival at Liberia International Airport, you’ll be met by our local team and transferred to the Pacific coast, where Playa Hermosa provides the perfect setting to begin the adventure. Settle into your hotel, take a stroll along the beach or enjoy a swim in the warm ocean before meeting your guides and fellow travelers for a trip briefing and welcome dinner.

Day 2: Guanacaste Backroads Loop
25 miles of riding

Your cycling adventure begins on the quiet backroads of Guanacaste, a region known for its ranching traditions, tropical dry forests and laid-back atmosphere. Ride through small rural communities, passing cattle farms and open countryside while keeping an eye out for monkeys and native birdlife. Along the way, we’ll pause in a typical Costa Rican village to experience the relaxed pace of local life before returning to Playa Hermosa.

Day 3: Lake Arenal to La Fortuna
31 miles of riding

After a morning transfer into Costa Rica’s northern highlands, today’s ride follows the northern shoreline of Lake Arenal. Rolling terrain, fresh mountain air and ever-changing views make this one of the country’s most rewarding cycling routes. Coffee farms, cattle ranches and tropical forest line the road as the impressive Arenal Volcano gradually dominates the landscape. The day ends in La Fortuna, where you can unwind in the area’s famous natural hot springs.

Day 4: La Fortuna
Free Day

Today is yours to experience La Fortuna at your own pace. Surrounded by rainforest and volcanic landscapes, the region offers countless opportunities for adventure. Hike through lava fields, explore hanging bridges high above the forest floor, paddle across Lake Arenal, visit spectacular waterfalls or soar through the canopy on a zipline. Alternatively, simply relax in one of the area’s renowned thermal springs before preparing for the next stage of the journey.

Day 5: Orosí Valley to the Turrialba Highlands
25 miles of riding

A scenic transfer brings us to the lush Orosí Valley, one of Costa Rica’s most picturesque regions. Surrounded by coffee plantations, sugarcane fields and forested hills, today’s ride follows quiet country roads through fertile farmland and traditional villages. After the ride, we continue to our mountain lodge near Turrialba, where cool mountain air, tropical gardens and views of the surrounding volcanoes provide a peaceful setting for the next two nights.

Day 6: Irazú Volcano Descent
30 miles of riding 

Today’s ride begins high on the slopes of Irazú Volcano, Costa Rica’s highest active volcano. Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy sweeping views across the Central Valley and, on exceptionally clear days, both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. From here, enjoy a memorable downhill ride through changing landscapes, passing farmland, forests and rural communities as you descend toward the Turrialba region.

Day 7: Cycling & Pacuare River Rafting
18 miles of riding & an afternoon of rafting

This is one of the signature days of the journey. After a short morning ride through the countryside, we reach the mighty Pacuare River. Following a brief transfer to the rafting put-in, trade your bike for a raft and paddle through one of the world’s most celebrated whitewater rivers. Exciting rapids, towering canyon walls and pristine rainforest create an unforgettable adventure before we continue to Guápiles for the night.

Day 8: Caribbean Lowlands to Tortuguero
20 miles of riding

Ride through the tropical lowlands as the scenery gradually shifts toward Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. After the morning ride, we travel to La Pavona, where boats replace vehicles for the journey into Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by water, this remote region is a maze of canals surrounded by dense rainforest. After settling into the lodge, we’ll visit Tortuguero village to discover its unique Caribbean culture and relaxed atmosphere.

Day 9: Tortuguero Wildlife & Caribbean Ride
20 miles of riding

Begin the day exploring the canals of Tortuguero National Park by boat, accompanied by a local naturalist. Keep watch for monkeys, sloths, caimans, colorful birds and other wildlife hidden within the rainforest. Returning to the mainland, we continue by bike through banana-growing country before transferring to the Caribbean city of Limón.

Day 10: Say Farewell to Costa Rica!

This morning, after breakfast, we will take a transfer to Liberia Airport to catch our flight home. Take this time to linger on your fantastic journy in Costa Rica as you watch the countryside roll by.

Costa Rica Bike Tour: Logistics & FAQs

General Tour & Cancellation Policies

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all of our tour and cancellation policies, which can be found by clicking here.

Travel Insurance

If you have not already, now would be a great time to consider adding travel insurance to your tour. You are welcome to use any travel insurance company you would like. We recommend Generali/Trip Mate.

American Guests - use this link: http://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/get-a-quote.html?partner=LIZA0855

• The Premium Plan is the only plan which offers Pre-Existing coverage so long as the plan is purchased prior to Final Payment.
• The Premium Plan is the only plan that offers an optional Cancel For Any Reason - the policy must be purchased within 24 hours of initial trip deposit, the full trip cost must be insured, and if they cancel for Any Reason, it must be 48 hours prior to departure, and the reimbursement for an Any Reason claim is 60% of pre-paid, insured, non-refundable trip cost.
• Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-874-2442 for coverage questions and policy modifications or to purchase by phone. Agency Code: LIZA0855

Canadian Guests - use this link: https://tripmate.catravelins.ca/?utm_source=lizardhead