The Coast to Coast Trip

Trip highlights

• Beaches of Manuel Antonio

• Mountain Bike/Trek off and on-road, Los Santos to Continental Divide

• Coffee Valley of Orosi

• Hike Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge

• Whitewater Rafting Pejibaye and Pacuare Rivers

• Tortuguero’s intricate canals

• Mix of hotels, cabins and camping

• Overnight rainforest tent camp – El Nido del Tigre

Day 1 San José (arrival)

After welcoming you at the San José Airport, our guides bring you to a comfortable hotel in the city and will take time to discuss your adventure. Meet the group and prepare for your mountain biking, trekking and whitewater rafting expedition ahead.

Day 2 Manuel Antonio Beach

The day starts with a 25-minute flight to Quepos, a fishing village on the Pacific coast. You have time to relax, chill out on the beach or visit Manuel Antonio National Park, which is famous for its abundant wildlife, as well as do some prep-work checking out your bike. (B, D)

Day 3 Pacific Side

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS... We wake early and enjoy a light buffet of fresh fruit and coffee. We leave Manuel Antonio on our bikes and climb into the steep mountains and beautiful valleys of the sparsely populated Pacific Coast. In the small town of Esquipulas we have a hearty breakfast, rest up and prepare our packs for the next leg of the day’s journey. Trading our wheels for hiking boots, we continue by trekking into the cool mountains of Central Costa Rica. We camp overnight in the valley of Naranjillo. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Los Santos

We begin our day by trekking towards the Continental Divide and challenging the infamous “Cemetery Hill” - a strenuous 3-kilometer climb. We then head for the pueblo of San Lorenzo switching to mountain bikes along the way. We finish the day in the quaint village of Santa Maria where we refortify with some typical Costa Rican fare and rest up in comfortable local cabins. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Continental Divide

Today we tackle the hardest, steepest climb of our adventure. The challenge before breakfast is mountain biking a 14-kilometer up-hill stretch to the Continental Divide, bringing us to an altitude of 2,330 meters; the highest peak of our journey. Following the rule that everything that goes up must come down, the remainder of the day is mountain biking at its best - mostly downhill on dirt roads and single-track trails. We finish the afternoon in the beautiful Orosi Valley where rich pastures and dark green forests of coffee carpet the land. We rest for the night in mountain top cabins. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Orosi Valley

Spent in the beautiful valley of Orosi, this day is a free day in which we relax after the first week's adventure. You are free to explore the area or just use the day to relax. Your guide will have some options of what to do and see in the area. (B)

Day 7 Tapanti

After some coffee, snacks and fruit we mountain bike along a river to the Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge where we stop for breakfast. This is an area of vast rugged terrain covered with dense primary rainforest. Leaving our bikes, we take to the mountains trekking amongst thousands of trees covered with ferns, bromeliads, mosses and other epiphytes. The end of the day finds us on flatter ground, camping near the small settlement of Taus. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Pejibaye River

Our day starts on water as we begin rafting on the Pejibaye River. The Pejibaye is a jungle river with fun rapids, clear water and spectacular scenery. It is a great introduction to rafting in Costa Rica and good preparation for the 'real deal' on the Pacuare River. From the take-out we have a short biking section finishing with a steep climb up a mountain road to reach our night retreat, nestled high above the river valley. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Pacuare River

After breakfast we mountain bike directly from the hotel towards the whitewater rafting “put-in” at Tres Equis, which is the gateway to the raging Pacuare River. From here we embark on a whitewater rafting journey through pristine rainforest spotted with waterfalls. The rapids section of the river is approximately 30 kilometers of Class II-IV rapids. This afternoon we arrive at our comfortable riverside camp, “El Nido del Tigre”. Nestled between the sounds of the rainforest and the hum of the river, take time to explore the lush environment first hand looking out for toucans overhead, or simply relaxing in a hammock to the sounds of the river. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Pacuare River

Today we spend some quality time at this unique location on the banks of the Pacuare River. This rainforest is maintained as much in its natural state as possible. The camp takes its name from the giant patches of ginger plants that carpet the floor of the main area. From the center of the camp trails radiate out to secreted areas of rainforest, waterfalls and swimming holes. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Pacuare River

Today the Pacuare takes us through virgin rainforest, cascading waterfalls and river carved canyons. We maneuver through the exhilarating rapids and point out the intricacies of the rainforest at the river’s edge. Along the way we take time out to do some hiking to spectacular waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. We take-out in the heart of banana plantation country at Finca Pacuarito, where we rest for the night before an early start in the morning. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Pacuare River

THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS... For the final leg of the crossing we continue rafting down the Pacuare leaving the rapids behind as the river eases into the Caribbean lowlands where banana plantations gradually swallow the receding rainforest. The river slows to a tranquil pace as we are rafting the last mile of the river, completing the mosaic of the landscapes we have experienced. At the end of the adventure, we reach the mouth of the Pacuare as it meets the Caribbean Sea, celebrating our passage with bubbly in the surf, while enjoying a well-deserved rest. In Cahuita we stay at the comfortable hotel as we congratulate ourselves on completing the journey from Coast to Coast of Costa Rica! (B, L, D)

Day 13 Caribbean

The day is free to relax and enjoy the beach. If you have some energy left walk into the town and visit the Cahuita National Park. Enjoy the surroundings while learning about the flora and fauna and animal life found in the area. This couple of days in the Caribbean area is a great way to unwind and relax after your adventure. (B, L, D)

Day 14 Caribbean/return to San José

Today we journey back to to San José, taking time to appreciate the breathtaking views as we pass through Braulio Carillo National Park  . (B)

Day 15 San José (departure)

You will be picked up at your hotel in time for your departure from the airport. (B)

Do you fit the client profile for this trip?

You need to be reasonably fit and have a good stamina as the Coast to Coast Trip is a real challenge. Good understanding and experience of mountain biking will make the trip more enjoyable and keep the pace even. Experience of whitewater rafting is not necessary but you will be paddling all the time you are on the raft, so fitness and stamina are a must.