Costa Rica on Electric Bike Tour
When we found out that our local partner offered an electric Bike Tour of Costa Rica, we knew if would be just what our travellers would love! This tour is ideal for recreational cyclists and you will get to know rural Costa Rica as we travel along a variety of different cycling stages.
We visit the beautiful Orosi Valley and the Tapantí National Park. Here we get a great look at the coffee and sugar cane plantations on the way to La Suiza de Turrialba. In Sarapiquí, you will interact with the locals, who will introduce you to the secrets of the Costa Rican cookery. Enjoy the stunning nature of the northern lowlands in Boca Tapada and relax your limbs in the warm waters of a thermal spa in La Fortuna until you finish your bike experience in the seaside resort of Sámara on the Pacific.
Tour level:
Terrain with sometimes longer ascents and descents. Differences in altitude may be up to 1000 metres, sometimes more. The daily stages average 40 to 70 km, ideal for recreational cyclists.
Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica
Arrival in San José in the afternoon and standard transfer to the hotel. From your centrally located hotel, you can reach sights and restaurants within walking distance.
Included meals today: None
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Day 2: San José - Orosi - Tapantí
By bus, we leave early this morning and head over the former state capital Cartago, where we can visit the basilica, continuing into the small village of Orosi. In the hotel, we will familiarize ourselves with the bicycles. Afterwards, we drive for about 13 km to the park entrance of the Tapantí National Park, on the way we stop for lunch. We will visit the national park by bike and on foot. On the way back, our guide can tell you a lot of interesting things about the history and cultivation of coffee.
Bike stage: approx. 28 km
Elevation difference: up 410 m, down 410 m
Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch
Included entrance fees/activities: Tapantí National Park
Day 3: Tapantí - Tucurrique - Atirro - La Suiza de Turrialba
Today you drive along Lake Cachí via Tucurrique and Atirro to the La Suiza (Switzerland) sector of Turrialba. Coffee and sugar cane plantations accompany you along the way.
Bike stage: approx. 47 km
Elevation difference: up 910 m, down 1'216 m
Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Day 4: Turrialba - Siquirres - Sarapiquí - El Roble
Bus drive until we swing on the bike. Today's stage is partly with a view of the river Reventazón. In 2016, the largest hydroelectric power station in Latin America was put into operation here. The generated energy will cover the needs of more than half a million households - an important step for Costa Rica on its way to climate neutrality. We continue the rest of the route to Sarapiquí on the bus.
Today we will get to know the cordiality of the Ticos during a visit to the village of El Roble, where we prepare dinner with typical Costarrican delicacies and learn more about their main source of income, the cultivation of pepper.
Overnight at the sustainable biological station Tirimbina.
Bike stage: approx. 36 km
Elevation difference: up 1'260 m, down 1'580 m
Included meals today: Breakfast, joint dinner
Included entrance fees/activities: Cooking lesson in the village
Day 5: Sarapiquí - Boca Tapada
Early in the morning, you can discover the private Tirimbina Reserve on your own, a paradise for bird and nature lovers. With all your senses, you can immerse yourself in the pulsing flora and fauna of the jungle. Then departure to the north. The first kilometres lead on an asphalted road, then you follow mostly dirt roads, passing pineapple plantations and the last stretch to Boca Tapada through the rainforest. The small village is located on the San Carlos River in the very north of the country, near the border river San Juan, into which the San Carlos River flows. Here, life runs smoothly and in harmony with nature. The tourist infrastructure is limited to three small, family-run hotels that rent basic accommodation to nature lovers.
Info: In case of rain, an alternative route may be taken.
Bike stage: approx. 37 km over partly paved, but mostly natural road
Elevation difference: up 350 m, down 438 m
Included meals today: Breakfast, dinner
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Day 6: Boca Tapada
First of all, we are going to do a cosy boat trip right from the hotel. Just before the border with Nicaragua, we get on the bicycles and drive a few kilometres parallel to the border crossing before we head over the hills and forest back to the lodge. In the afternoon, we continue the discovery of the rainforest on foot. The rest of the day is free to relax in the quiet environment or to go on a search of the tropical birds and lizards that like to visit the garden of the lodge.
Bike stage: approx. 25 km
Height difference: up 418 m, down 418 m
Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrance fees/activities: Boat tour
Day 7: Boca Tapada - La Fortuna
We swing back on the bike and take the route over San Marcos and Tabla Grande to Boca Arenal. The northern lowland is characterized by different landscapes: pastureland, primary forests, swamps, jungle, rainforests, cloud forests, active volcanoes and a network of river arms. Shortly before Boca Arenal, we will take the bus to La Fortuna, close to the Arenal volcano. In the evening, we are going to relax in one of the beautiful hot springs, where you also enjoy dinner.
Bike stage: approx. 49 km
Height difference: up 916 m, down 879 m
Included meals today: Breakfast, dinner
Included entrance fees/activities: Hot springs with dinner
Day 8: La Fortuna - El Castillo at Lake Arenal - Sámara
Along a gravel road, we will drive to El Castillo on the southern side of Lake Arenal today. With the assistance of our support vehicle, we cross a river and then enjoy the quiet ride along the lake shore to Río Chiquito. Here, we take a boat to the other side of the lake, where the bikes are loaded and lunch is already waiting for us. Then drive to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Our charming hotel is located near the beach of Sámara between beautiful jungle plants, trees and flowers, which are always visited by howler monkeys and shy iguanas. The beach and the village are easily reached by foot/bike.
Info: Due to operational conditions, the boat is only available up from 4 people. For a smaller group, the trip continues by bike or pick-up to Tilarán and from there on to the Pacific coast.
Bike stage: approx. 32 km
Height difference: up 530 m, down 550 m
Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch
Included entrance fees/activities: Boat crossing Lake Arenal (up from 4 participants)
Day 9: Sámara
Cycling tour from Samara or day at leisure at the beach. This evening, we finish the trip with a festive farewell dinner.
Included meals today: Breakfast, Farewell dinner, including one drink
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Day 10: Sámara - San José or extension
Transfer with the guide directly to the airport in San José (4h travel time) or to a hotel in San José city for an overnight stay. If you would like to extend your stay in Costa Rica you can book this at the beach hotel in Samara or you can also transfer by private transfer to another beautiful beach on the Pacific coast.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Hotels used
Colonial**(*), Standard (or similar) - San José, 1 night
Tapanti Media Lodge**(*), Standard (or similar) - Orosi surroundings, 1 night
Turrialtico Lodge**(*), Caribe (or similar) - Turrialba surroundings, 1 night
Tirimbina Lodge**(*), Standard (or similar) - Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, 1 night
Pedacito de Cielo**(*), Standard (or similar) - Boca Tapada, 2 nights
Faro Arenal**(*), Standard (or similar) - La Fortuna, 1 night
Belvedere**, Standard, or Sol Samara**, Garden View Standard (or similar) - Sámara, 2 nights
Departure Dates
6th June to 15th June 2023 (Guaranteed Departure)
4th July to 13th July 2023
1st August to 10th Auguest 2023
3rd October to 12th October 2023
Price - £2395 per person (based on two people sharing)
Single Supplement - £299
Available as a private tour from £3995 per person (based on two people sharing)
Included in the Costa Rica on Electric Bike Tour
Not Included in the Escorted Tour of Costa Rica
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Visa and Passport Information
Costa Rica: Citizens from the UK, US, Canada and most EU countries do not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days. Citizen of Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
USA: (including those in transit) Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - where you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which applies if you enter the country by sea or by air. This must be done on line - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding.
You must have an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover.
If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel.
Please note for your ESTA application you will be required to supply Point of Contact information. This will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3 weeks before departure. If you are leaving for the USA before this, please call our team to get this information. (Not necessary if in transit)
For further information please check out the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html
Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Vaccinations
There is nothing compulsory for the escorted tour of Costa Rica. However, we do recommend protection against typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary.
Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Our Local tour that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities.
Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy.
What to bring on your escorted tour of Costa Rica.
Clothing
Lightweight clothing is essential in midsummer however a warmer jumper is advisable for cooler evenings in the highlands (especially in Monteverde). A good waterproof is essential, and you should consider waterproof trousers. The jungle lowlands are hot and muggy, and it can rain at any time of year. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are recommended on jungle walks. There is a laundry available in most hotels..
Footwear
Lightweight trail/walking boots for jungle walks, comfortable shoes/trainers and sandals. Waterproof footware is recommended.
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a waterbottle. Binoculars are essencial for bird and animal spotting. A solar charger for your phone and other electronics is a good idea.
Tipping
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our local guides all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise if your guide has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline.
Tour Kitty
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your guide may organise a group tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour. Accordingly, you should allow US$ 30 , approx. 18'000 Colones for this. For all non-included services and meals on your trip please tip independently at your discretion.
Local currency in Costa Rica
Costa Rican Colon (CRC) - for an idea of exchange rates, please see www.xe.com
You can choose to either change your money in advance or on arrival at the airport, where there are both ATMs and Bureau de Change. USD are accepted in some shops and restaurants. We recommend you take some emergency cash in USD as the GBP exchange isn’t very good. Notes should be in good condition otherwise they may not be accepted.
ATMs can be found in the major towns and cities for cash withdrawals in Colones. Always have some cash back up as they are not always reliable.
Credit card are widely accepted in many shops and restaurants but some may be subject to a service charge.
Food and drink
The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.
Lunch price - £13 / Dinner price - £13 / Beer price - £3 / Water price - £1.3
