250km Coast to Coast Expedition through Costa Rica

Struggling to put this one into words. A first for me setting out solo on a group tour with muchbetteradventures and the trip exceeded all my expectations.

Crossing the length of Costa Rica, hiking, cycling, rafting and kayaking through some stunning landscape is something I’ll never be able to replicate. To say this has been one of the most challenging physical experiences I’ve faced is an understatement. There were moments where I wondered what on earth I’d signed up to and what I was doing after such a relentless and exhausting period at work. Yet it was all worth it. Our guides Fez, Josue and Geoffrey were simply incredible showing us their beautiful country and the real Costa Rica… not to mention the food!!! Of course I couldn’t have done this all solo… I’m lucky to have been part of such a diverse, inspiring group of travellers of all different backgrounds, ages and life experiences. Feel truly blessed to have done this with them- a big, happy family for the past two weeks, supporting each other every single day even in the really tough moments. Memories and moments that will stay with me for a long time. This trip came just at the right time and it’s taught me what I’m capabale of and how much resilience I have both mentally and physically 🙏 I’m not quite sure any future trip will quite compare . .

Travelling home from this amazing adventure. We were a group of 16, all fit, ages ranging from 30s to 60s, and 10 were solo travellers. By day 2 we were like old friends and helping each other over the bits we each found hardest - and it’s fair to say that everyone had strengths and weaknesses. It was an eventful trip with some genuinely challenging moments (heat exhaustion, cycling somersaults, animal attacks and extreme river crossings trying to sweep us away).

We were lucky enough to have Fez, Josue and Jefry as guides. The whole crew was flawless and adapted well to the unexpected.

We all obsessed over the advice given by previous travellers so here’s some additional from me:

It rains, you will get wet often…. and drying anything is almost impossible with the humidity. Bring 2 sets swim gear, quick dry everything including shoes, and a washing line. The laundry option midway and at the end is popular!

I brought a pillow case and made my own pillow.

We all laughed at, then envied one in our party with an umbrella (for the night-time loo trips!)

Bring a way to carry small stuff on a bike - you don’t want to cycle with a backpack up those hills in that heat. I used a saddle bag, others used bum bags. The bikes have 2 bottle holders.

If you care about gadgets you’ll want a power bank / solar charger for the 2 days by the river.

Consider extending your trip - I stayed in Puerto Viejo for a few days exploring the caribbean side and recovering.

Book it!

Tough, demanding, challenging, but what an experience! Through baking hot sunshine and torrential rain we battled across CR. It was great to meet so many like minded people across the age spectrum and we helped each other through our highs and lows. Our guides and support team were exceptional, nothing was too much trouble and there knowledge of the terrain was excellent. Each night they managed to produce a fantastic meal with fresh ingredients. You do need a decent level of fitness to complete this challenge, but this beautiful country will make it all worthwhile. Thank you MBA.

If you have an appetite for adventure, enjoy wildlife and the outdoors and have a decent level of fitness then don’t hesitate and book this trip, it’s fantastic! The trip was so well organised from start to finish. There were a lot of logistics involved with multiple activities on the same day and moving equipment and luggage around for transitions, camping etc but this was all done completely seamlessly and made our lives very easy so that we could just focus on having fun and enjoying the holiday. Thank you so much to Memo and Vito who made that happen for us. Our guides Danny and Carlos were both absolutely brilliant, engaging, knowledgable and made sure we were well looked after throughout. They really did a great job of balancing the different ability levels at different points and making sure that everyone was able to complete the trip without setting foot in a vehicle. They were clearly so passionate about the environment and wildlife and that really came across. The itinerary was action packed so do not underestimate the level of fitness required to complete this with several hours of hiking/ cycling/ rafting/ kayaking each day, quite a few early starts and some camping! That aside, what a way to experience the scenery and the wildlife and everything this beautiful country has to offer. We had a brilliant group so lots of laughs from start to finish. The food was generally very good. My highlight was probably rafting on the Pacuare river and seeing a sloth!

16 strangers become 1 team thanks to this adventure, challenging, interesting, the Guides were amazing and nothing too much trouble (Fez, Josue and Geffory in particular).

This was truly one of the most incredible experiences of my life. If you’re fit, adventurous, and looking for a challenge, don’t hesitate—just book it!

Exceptional Guides & Seamless Organization

The guides and support team were outstanding. Not only were they incredibly fit and knowledgeable, but they were also fantastic chefs and genuinely kind, supportive people. Every aspect of the trip was seamless—this team has everything down to a fine art!

Challenging Yet Rewarding

The uphill climbs were tough, and on particularly demanding days, the team was incredibly supportive, taking my bike onto the support vehicle when needed while I ran or walked. They ensured safety by spreading out from front to back and regularly providing water and food. The “challenging” rating is spot on, so I’d strongly recommend having solid bike fitness, especially for hills.

Packing & Preparation Tips

The provided kit list was very accurate, but here are a few extras I found invaluable: • A CamelBak backpack for easy hydration while hiking. • Electrolytes to stay hydrated, especially in the heat. • A travel pillow—a must for the camping nights. • A small bike bag for essentials like a phone, tissues, and snacks. • Blister plasters—a lifesaver!

The People Make the Trip

Our group of 12 was a mix of solo travelers and friends, and they truly made the experience unforgettable. They were there to support each other through the tough moments and to share the incredible highs of the adventure.

Final Thoughts

The sense of achievement, breathtaking views, and amazing memories made this adventure worth every penny. If you’re up for a challenge and ready to embrace the unexpected, I highly recommend this trip!

This was easily the best trip of my life, and I’ve been to a quite a number of countries before.

Costa Rica is amazing with its views, wildlife, climate, beautiful beaches and forests, mountains etc. It was all amazing! If you are thinking about booking this trip, please do so, you will thank me later!

I’ll try to make this review more factual and useful as much as I can:

1. Difficulty - when MBA says its “challenging” it is somewhat difficult to understand what that means. I am a 34 old male, and I considered myself fit before this trip :) but let me tell you the trip is more difficult than it looks. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the biking bits, especially the uphills, and as our lovely guides told us - all Costa Rica is uphill! :) To be fair it was quite challenging for me especially because of difficulties with the arrival flights so I did not have time to rest before the start. Days 1-2-3 are difficult due to extreme heat (we went in dry season so rain was not an issue) but it was around 30-32 degrees on most days with around 60-80% humidity, which takes its toll on you when you need to hike/bike 14-15 kilometres straight uphill.

The downhill sections are no joke either, as you will be riding some technical slopes, offroad, covered in gravel and uneven ground which makes breaking on a bike almost impossible (you skid as soon as you try to break) so the only option is to go with the flow. We all managed to do it (with couple minor falls here and there but nothing dramatic), but this is something that I would like to have known in advance. ALWAYS wear your biking gloves, they may save your palms one day.

2. Gear - the kit-list is pretty much good enough. Couple comments from my side are that a) a camping pillow is a must; b) trekking poles were super useful! Some people who did not bring theirs ended up needing some anyway so we had to improvise; c) consider bringing a camping hammock. Its not necessary but if the weather is good you may prefer to sleep in a hammock vs a tent where the ground isn’t always soft if I put it mildly. Otherwise everything else is on spot. And DO BRING WATERSHOES, I bought mine off amazon for like 20£ and they came in super useful during the water parts. Do bring 2 or better 3 water bottles. Mostly you will not need them, but there are certain sections where the support vehicle will not be available and you will need to carry 4-5 hours’ worth of water with you. Good tracking boots and super useful too as there are many rocky areas.

3. Food and accommodation - I put these two together as both were totally fine. The food was quite good. I would not say it was super amazing as many other reviewers have said, but overall it was quite good. 7-8 out of 10.

4. Itinerary is excellent. You get to see the country like nobody else and no other tour or touristic experience comes even close to this one (trust me, we met a lot of other groups and all of them were envious of us :) ). You get to see the whole country, starting from Pacific, ending with Caribbean. You get to experience how the nature changes as you keep going from one climatic zone to another, from lowlands to rainforests, then to cloud forests, jungles, waterways, canyons and so much more. The camp in the middle of the trip where you have a rest day - El Nido del Tigre - is just a gem in the forrest. I would have stayed there for another week if I could, beautiful place, simply wonderful. The accommodation gets better and better as you go through your trip.

5. Value for money - originally when I was booking the trip, I had an impression that this was a slightly on the costlier side, but overall I was still happy with the price. Now having gone through the whole thing, I can honestly say that this trip has a great value for money. The amount of equipment and experiences that is included is simply staggering. I would probably need to spend at least another couple thousand just to be able to do the same. Just the renting price of bikes, rafts, kayaks, tents, plus all the accommodation, personal guides, food, entry permits, transfers etc. The value is really good, cannot complain about this.

6. Group dynamics - was excellent. I don’t know whether it was us who got lucky (but many other reviewers are saying the same) our group was simply excellent. All different people from various age groups, different genders, different interests, but we all got together as a team. Going through the challenges and difficulties together really is a bonding experience and we all became friends by the end of our journey. There were some tears during the goodbyes.

This trip will stay with me forever - a core memory formed. Although we spent only 2 weeks, if feels like it was a 1. 5 month long journey just based on the amount of experiences and excitements that we got. It feels like I had a wide smile on my face during the whole 2 weeks!

You get to see wonders on this trip, challenge yourself physically as well as mentally, and I am not going to lie on some days it will feel like it was a wrong decision to go there, but once you overcome the difficulties you will be the proudest person on earth. Every evening we thought that we could not go another day, but waking up in the mornings in the middle of the jungle, listening to various birds sing while sipping freshly roasted Costa Rican coffee feels you with a sense of adventure like nothing else!

Just give yourself a break and book this amazing and life-changing adventure, you deserve this!

For the amount of logistics involved in this trip Dani and the boys at coast to coast have it down to a fine art. Well organized and Dani is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things environment related. Highly recommended

Wow! I had the most amazing time. Cycling up mountains, descents on gravel, hiking up hills and through the rainforest and rafting from campsite to campsite. The food, campsites and activities were all first class. The guides were outstanding and the group were fantastic! I loved every minute of it, even the very tough kayaking at the end. I saw sloths, frogs, raccoons, tarantulas, toucans, turtles and howler monkeys. Would definitely recommend this trip!!

This trip is superb! It really does have it all. The guides are top draw (Daniel and Carlos especially), the sights were breathtaking, the logistics were seamless, the food is excellent and the help provided when needed from the whole support team was perfect. It wasn’t just a holiday, it was an adventure, an achievement and a way to make some great new friends. The description of ‘challenging’ is accurate. Some long cycling climbs, steep hiking and tough kayaking so it is tough but well worth it. Don’t hesitate - get it booked.

This coast to coast Costa Rican adventure exceeded all expectations. It is physically (and mentally at times) challenging but so worth the effort, whether cycling up those “undulations” or walking uphill first thing in the morning. It gave us such a sense of achievement and it was a real confidence boost for me (as a 65 year old granny!) to know that I could do it. The heat and humidity is something to factor in (and it’s impossible to train in this kind of heat in the UK in winter) but there are plenty of opportunities to stop, take in the view and refuel with snacks and water. And there’s no doubt we all felt fitter as the days went by.

The landscapes are beautiful, from coffee & banana plantations to lush rainforest, with sugar cane and pineapple plantations as we headed towards the Caribbean coast. Cooling off in the numerous waterfalls was a particular highlight for me, just so unexpected and exhilarating!

The accommodation is perfectly pitched, with a few nights in hotels, some indoor camp sites with showers (or better still a swim in the river) and then the very comfortable glamping site at El Nido del Tigre for 2 nights which is just fabulous.

As has been mentioned in all the reviews, the food is delicious and plentiful, cooked from scratch by the incredible team (in our case Memo, Erik and Josue)…honestly they are all so talented and creative - the freshest fruit & pancakes for breakfast, crispy plantain chips for pre-dinner snacks and everything in between.

Josue, Memo and Erik ensured our trip went smoothly and any bike issues were dealt with promptly. Josue, our lead guide, was just fantastic, very empathetic, kind and with a great sense of humour. He ensured we were safe at all times (some of the downhill off road sections do require extra concentration).

All in all it was an incredible experience and one I’ll never forget. And a massive shout out to our brilliant group, who absolutely made the trip so enjoyable & such an unforgettable experience.

Pura Vida!

1st class and awesome and within a day of finishing your last bike or hike you'll have thought you dreamed the whole thing.

We were all strangers bar 2. Mostly in 30s. I am 56 and definitely the least fit of the group. . . and I made it. A really fabulous experience. Don't dither, just do it. Everyone got on so well. Group holidays are not my normal go-to thing and this trip converted me.

The food is fabulous. Josue is wonderful. He's kind caring intelligent and unbelievably hard working. If you thought you were tired at the end of the day, he did it too and then he makes sure everyone is happy and cooks you dinner and is the last to bed. Memo and Eric are equally caring and lovely. When doubtful of the distances I often cross referenced with Memo and preferred his version !

A small glossary of terms. . . Undulating doesn't mean what it says in a dictionary. It means it is either uphill or very uphill. There is little down hill about it.

There are some fabulous downhill off road biking sections for thrill seekers.

Drink lots of water each day starting with 1 lt during the night before bfast. I amazed myself drinking about 7lts a day.

Don't underestimate what you're doing, nor the effect of the heat. It's damn hot, especially the small sections hiking on tarmac .

Any idiot can be uncomfortable and people do this trip at all ages and stages but it's not a cop-out to ask Memo to drop you at the top of the 3km steep hill climb. Any idiot can take a bike for a hike. And Josue and Memo are really kind and supporting. They can see what you are capable of and, they will encourage you to see the whole thing through but they will also be v supportive if you need a few bits of help.

The end arrival in the Caribbean is in a v underwhelming place but is fabulous. The motor boat ride immediately after is awesome and the town of Cahuita chilled, with a lovely long beach and national park.

I was strongly tempted to stay in Canuita a day or 2 longer. The beach is lovely and the vibe is kind. However, I flew straight back to the UK. If u stay, make sure to book your bus to return to San Jose. . . . they get full. Others went to the Pacific coast for a few days. Whale watching, turtle releasing, quad biking. It's a fab country .

The start is in Quepos and it's suggested you go to the National park for the day. As a group of strangers we immediately bonded by taking a sunset boat trip with cocktails instead. . . oh how we laughed ! Great start.

And I could go on and on. . . . just brilliant.

Further to MBA suggestions. Things to bring 1 padded bike seat cover 2 x padded shorts A peak visor to go under your bike helmet if your helmet doesn't have a visor Re-hydrant tablets Blister Compede plasters Water shoes Shared hotel rooms are fine but ask for your own tent. . . you'll be glad of it.

Things not to bring. . . Pedals - pointless given how much off-road there is. Bike seat - just bring a squidgy seat cover. Snacks . . . you will never go hungry

From start to finish this was a seamless and professional trip - fantastic guide (thanks Fez), superb itinerary and definitely challenging in all the right places 😁.

Although the elevation and bike climbs were a killer to me, I would consider an ebike and do this all over again! Our guide Fez was a Beast and super attentive to me even though i was so slow. I am already recruiting a group to go back. The food was awesome, waaay better than what i thought you could get while camping.

I had the best time in Costa Rica with MBA. Everything was flawless : our host Rosa, Fez and the support team and the group of lovely and inspiring people that I traveled with. This trip was the perfect amount of challenging and rewarding. Be prepared for a few steep uphills, both hiking and cycling but the views are worth the effort and the group is always supportive. Water shoes are a must and a trek pillow for the camping is strongly advised. No need to pack ton of snacks because the food is really good and nutritious (homemade empanadas at the campsite were delicious! 😋) This trip deserves 5 stars and more!

Honestly a trip of a lifetime. So well organised. Made even more incredible as our guide Dani, his daughter Zoe and Mau were amazing. Can’t recommend enough. One of my all time favourite countries and a group of great people to share the memories and experiences with.

Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing country - and such friendly locals! Absolutely loved this trip. A challenging one, with some pretty tough climbs on foot and cycle, but there was no better way to really bond the group, and the guides were so fantastic, we always knew we were in safe hands and they went the extra mile to make it a great experience for everyone. Thoroughly recommend this trip, but don’t underestimate the fitness levels required if you want to really enjoy it!

The word for this latest adventure might have to be wow…. Wow for the incredible beauty of Costa Rica. Wow for the amazing food - plantains, rice and beans galore. Wow for the incredible guides - every detail of biking, hiking, rafting and kayaking was executed flawlessly. And a final WOW for the difficulty. Every day was a challenge, but day three was particularly difficult when biking over the continental divide. Sound fun? It was!!! I’d turn around and do it all again tomorrow! This was an A+ trip - made A+++ by the absolutely amazing guides. a HUGE shoutout to Christopher (aka Fez) for the great food, abundant laughs, and continuous encouragement. Pura Vita!!!

Was my first trip travelling in a tour and didn't know anyone going so was a bit nervous - but no need to be!! Everyone was so easy to get on with, and you can take the tough days at your own pace (e. g. faster people have longer breaks but not rushing others, or on the big bike day they start later). The elevation at the start of the trip is no joke but it's a great accomplishment and you're with lots of fun like minded people from a wide range of ages. Would highly recommend, you get to see Costa Rica very differently to most tourists! If you want to do this to lose weight though, the food is very yummy and lots of it, so you won't get that outcome! Fez was an amazing guide, if you get him you're in for a treat!! :)

This was the 5th Much Better Adventures trip that I organised for a private group of friends. It is a physically challenging trip, which is good value but does include some very basic camping. The young guide, Josue was the best guide we have ever experienced. If you like mountain biking (much on road), hiking and a challenge, book this trip.

I’m a mid fifties reasonably fit female - the trip is definitely a challenge unless you are an experienced cyclist. (That said it’s been years since I covered much distance or elevation on a bike and I managed. ) The hiking is more doable but also features some spicy hills and the watery parts are just fun fun fun. Enormous encouragement from the group and the guides. Enormous sense of achievement. The planning and implementation of the whole trip is impeccable. Equipment, supplies, food (you will never be hungry. It’s not allowed ☺️), logistics…all just work - even when the weather throws a curve ball. Costa Rica is stunning - an amazing backdrop for an adventure but the trip is made by the guides. Fez and Jeffrey supported by Darwin, Vito and Erik quickly shaped us into a cohesive, supportive, inclusive group of magnificent humans - despite being different ages, nationalities andfitness levels. Fez has a big loud voice, a warm sense of humour and an affectionate manner that rubbed off on everyone and set the tone for a great holiday. At no time do you feel like a herd of tourists…Fez went to some lengths to accommodate individual needs and make sure everyone had a good time. All in all - if you are fit enough- do it! And if not - then get fit enough. This one shouldn’t be missed.

Brilliantly organised trip full of incredible sights, I'd recommend this trip to anyone!

This was a trip of many first for me! First trip outside Europe, first time solo travelling, first time rafting! I was looking to get out of my comfort zone, to push myself physically and mentally, and this trip delivered exactly that! It was the perfect way to discover this beautiful country, away from the crowded spots. It was certainly challenging at times! But our amazing guide Manuel was always there with positive and encouraging words. The organisation was great, the food was always tasty and plentiful. Our group naturally bonded very quickly and everyone was always super supportive of each other.

I would highly recommend this trip and wish I could do it all over again!

Without a doubt one of the best trips I have done. Not easy at times but hugely rewarding when you kayak around the bend and see the Caribbean in front of you.

Our guide Josue made this trip a brilliant experience, with his knowledge of the area and support for everyone, plus he's a great chef, keeping us well fuelled in the jungle.

The sights, sounds and interactions with all that Costa Rica had to offer, alongside an amazing group made this a top memory maker for me.

Would highly recommend for anyone looking to explore Costa Rica. If you are looking for a trip to challenge you and deliver a sense of satisfaction when you make it to the end, this is for you!

Wow, what a trip! I've been lucky enough to do have a number of adventures in my life, but this was by far the best experience I've had. Just an incredible trip in a beautiful country. Our guide Dani was incredible and really helped to bond the team through some challenging parts, whilst always making it a lot of fun. I can't recommend this trip enough!

What a journey through the center of Costa Rica. Im 60 years old I wouldn't say I was extremely fit probably just a little over average. I found this trip truly amazing. We had 9 in our group which was a great size. The guide Manuel amazing. The trip does exactly what it say Bike Hike and Raft across Costa Rica. Some days are hard, Day 2 and 3 I found the hardest but defiantly doable. I would highly recommend this trip and will do others with MBA in the future

Would highly recommend this adventure. A fantastic trip with a great group and world class guides. Perfect blend of challenging exercise, downtime and spectacular landscape. Our guide Josue was an absolute superstar!

This 250km coast-to-coast adventure through Costa Rica with Much Better Adventures was hands down one of the most incredible trips I’ve ever been on. From the Pacific to the Caribbean, we hiked, biked, rafted, and kayaked through some of the most stunning landscapes imaginable—cloud forests, mountain villages, and wild rainforests bursting with wildlife. Every day brought a new challenge, but also a fresh sense of accomplishment and awe at the beauty of Costa Rica.

The mix of activities kept things exciting and constantly pushed us in the best way possible. Cycling through lush valleys, trekking up into misty forests, battling the rapids of the Pacuare River, and finally paddling our way to the Caribbean—it was a true test of endurance but also an unforgettable way to experience the country. The food was another highlight. Every meal was full of fresh, local flavors, giving us all the energy we needed for the next day’s adventure.

A huge shoutout has to go to our guide, Josué, who made the trip even more special. His knowledge of the area, infectious enthusiasm, and ability to keep us moving and motivated made all the difference.

The mix of accommodations, from hotels to eco-camps by the river, added to the adventure. Falling asleep to the sounds of the rainforest was an experience in itself. This wasn’t just a trip; it was an epic journey that tested our limits, brought us closer to nature, and left us with memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re looking for an adventure that’s as rewarding as it is challenging, this is it!

It was a privilege to be shown Costa Rica by Manuel, Mau, Abel and the rest of the team. Their organisation, humour, cooking & warmth was wonderful. We had a fun group with lots of giggles. Thanks fam. The wildlife, the people, the landscape, the adventure was unforgettable.

The day before I left for this trip I was feeling all the nerves. What would it be like? Would I like the other people in my group, would they like me?! Was I fit enough? What would Costa Rica be like? I repacked my bag for the 15th time and reread every review of this trip, I took a deep breath and got on a plane. Thank goodness I did! This trip was simply INCREDIBLE. Every single day was a joy to take part in and it always started with phenomenal coffee (well you are in Costa Rica). The people in our group were fantastic from day one and it was such a pleasure to undertake this adventure with them, big love to them all. Our trip lead Fez was brilliant. I still miss being told what to pack in my transition bag everyday or that breakfast is ready! He made the trip that extra bit special with his warmth and generosity of his time and all his many stories about his country. Every day was an adventure whether hiking up into the cloud forest or biking through villages or down steep dirt tracks. Always moving forward from one coast to the other and taking everything in at a slow pace (apart from on some of those downhills!). Camping in the jungle was an awesome experience falling asleep to the sound of the river and everything else getting getting busy in the world behind your tent. Rafting was some of the most fun I’ve ever had on the water, it felt like being 14 again and having proper fun in a boat with your mates! We hiked to a waterfall one day and we were all sitting around on rocks chatting, laughing and swimming, we were all that happy tired when you’ve worked hard at something and you’re relaxing afterwards, I looked around at the group in this most beautiful little setting by a waterfall and thought - do days actually get any better than this?! The food was perfect and kept us fuelled everyday for whatever activity we had coming up, loved our floating picnic on the river too. You do need to be fit to take this on. You are hiking and biking everyday for several hours and to really enjoy it and get the most out of the adventure being able to walk and ride is important, but you don’t need to have won an Ironman (unless that’s your bag)! Be prepared to rediscover your sense of adventure, be prepared to come back and not shut up about where you’ve been and all the things you’ve done and be prepared to fall in love with a country and its people. You’ll have the time of your life, I did! Pura Vida!