You'll stay at the Hotel Paseo Las Damas, a 3 star hotel in an excellent location opposite España Park and the Modern Art Museum.

San Jose

You'll stay at Kamuk Hotel and Spa in Quepos, just minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park and steps from the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Coast

You'll stay at campsites and rustic cabinas. Highlights include El Nido Del Tigre, an authentic Costa Rican camp that’s passionate about sustainability in the Bajo Tigre rainforest.

The Expedition

You'll celebrate the end of your journney with a night at the boutique Hotel de las Flores in Cahuita National Park. The hotel is close to the beach and surrounded by an area renowned for its invaluable biodiversity where you're likely to see White Face Capuchin and Howler monkeys, Iguanas, Toucans, Sloths and a variety of birds and butterflies.

The Caribbean

You'll stay at the Hotel Paseo Las Damas, a 3 star hotel in an excellent location opposite España Park and the Modern Art Museum.


You'll stay at Kamuk Hotel and Spa in Quepos, just minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park and steps from the Pacific Ocean.


You'll stay at campsites and rustic cabinas. Highlights include El Nido Del Tigre, an authentic Costa Rican camp that’s passionate about sustainability in the Bajo Tigre rainforest. 

You'll celebrate the end of your journney with a night at the boutique Hotel de las Flores in Cahuita National Park. The hotel is close to the beach and surrounded by an area renowned for its invaluable biodiversity where you're likely to see White Face Capuchin and Howler monkeys, Iguanas, Toucans, Sloths and a variety of birds and butterflies.


Cancel up to 60 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.

Transferrable Deposits

Free date changes up to 60 days before departure.

Free Date Changes

Crossing 250km coast-to-coast is a challenge, so strong fitness and a sense of adventure are vital.

A classic plate of Costa Rican food traditionally includes rice and beans, salad, fried sweet plantains and either fish, chicken, pork or beef. Some will also have cheese, French fries or grilled vegetables. Gallo Pinto is another classic Costa Rican staple: slow cooked rice and bean with onions, peppers and coriander (cilantro). This is often part of the Costa Rican breakfast, Gallo Pinto - eggs, fried cheese, sweet plantains and homemade corn tortillas. There'll be plenty of other Latin American and tropical foods available and on both coasts you’ll find Pipa Fria: a whole, cold fresh coconut.

Gallo Pinto rice dish, Costa Rica

250km Self-Powered Coast to Coast Expedition through Costa Rica

250km Coast to coast Costa Rica

Swimmer in a waterfall, Costa Rica 

Airport transfers are included on arrival and departure days. Just let your host know your flight details. If you arrive and depart outside of the set days, your host can arrange an airport transfer for you for an extra cost. See Optional Extras for the price.

Expert, English-speaking local guides

Guides

5 nights camping, 5 nights in a hotel and 1 night in a cabin

Accommodation

Most meals with the exception of a few dinners and a couple of lunches

Meals

To and from the airport and everything in-between

Transfers

All your biking, rafting, kayaking and camping equipment

Equipment

Permits

5 nights camping, 5 nights in a hotel and 1 night in a cabin

Most meals with the exception of a few dinners and a couple of lunches

To and from the airport and everything in-between

All your biking, rafting, kayaking and camping equipment

Fly into beautiful Costa Rica and head to your hotel in San José. Depending on what time you land, explore, or just relax and get ready for the start of your adventure.

San Jose, Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica 

Day 1

Hop on a bus bound for the Pacific Coast - the starting point for your coast-to-coast adventure. This will be your last motorised vehicle for the next 10 days! Spend the night in the quiet fishing village of Quepos, next door to Manuel Antonio National Park. Relax on the beach, visit the park, famous for its abundant wildlife and then have dinner and a group briefing with the rest of your team.

Sloth in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Day 2

Fuel up with some fresh fruit and coffee and set off on your bike. There are some steep sections straight away, although you'll be instantly rewarded with some sweeping views of the Pacific coastline. Reach the small town of Esquipulas and have a bigger, second breakfast before swapping your bike for hiking boots and heading deep into the cool mountains of central Costa Rica. Camp for the night in the valley of Naranjillo and listen to the sound of nature uninterrupted.

Pacific Coastline, Costa Rica 

The adventure begins

Day 3

Start with a hike towards the Continental Divide before tackling 'Cemetery Hill' - a challenging 3km climb. From the pueblo of San Lorenzo, grab your mountain bike and set off for the quaint village of Santa Maria. Load up on some typical Costa Rican food and then rest up in a comfortable cabin for the night.

250km Self powered coast to coast Costa Rica

Santa Maria Village

Day 4

Time to tackle the toughest and steepest climb - a 14 km uphill stretch to the Continental Divide. This section is on a tarmac road which makes the going easier during the climb. At 2330 meters it's also the highest point of your journey. Of course, what goes up must come down, so the rest of the day is off-road cycling at its best – downhill along dirt roads and smooth trails. Finish the day in the beautiful Orosi Valley, where rich pastures and dark green forests of coffee carpet the land.

Over the divide

Day 5

Cycle beside the river and then into the vast Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge. Take a break from the bike and head deeper into the mountains on foot – far from where wheels could ever take you. Trek through the cloud forest and feel tiny beneath thousands of trees covered with ferns, bromeliads and mosses. After reaching flatter ground, camp near the small settlement of Taus and have a big dinner under the stars.

Tapantí cloud forest, Costa Rica

Tapantí cloud forest

Day 6

Continue cycling towards La Cruz - gateway to the raging Pacuare River. Eat lunch on the shore and then load up your raft and paddle through pristine rainforest, canyon cliffs and past deafening waterfalls. Set up camp at El Nido del Tigre, named after the giant indigenous ginger plants that carpet the area, nestled between the sounds of the rainforest and the river There will be some free time to explore this lush environment - be sure to look out for toucans, boa constrictors and sloths - or just relax in a hammock.

The Pacuare River

Day 7

Enjoy some well-earned downtime at this gorgeous location. Explore the primary forest, swim in the river, visit some nearby waterfalls and swimming holes where the water is so pure you can drink from them, or just put in some more hammock time. The area of rainforest around your camp is in a pristine state and rarely visited – perfect for a peaceful day.

Rest day

Day 8

Continue along the Pacuare, passing through river carved canyons. There are also some exhilarating rapids to manoeuvre as well as gentler sections where you can peer into the rainforest and spot wildlife. Take a break from rafting and hike to some cascading waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. Stop for the night as the forest gives way to the banana plantations at Finca Pacuarito and enjoy the rapidly changing scenery.

White water

Day 9

Jump back on your bike and ride through the plantations to the town of Freeman and board your kayak for the final leg of the journey. Leave the rapids of the highlands behind and paddle into the tropical lowlands, before finally drifting into the Caribbean Sea. Celebrate with a drink in the surf and some beach time - you've earned it!

The Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica 

The Caribbean Sea

Day 10

Enjoy some final downtime on the sand and then drive back to San José through the cloud forest and misty mountains of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Toast your epic coast-to-coast achievement. Not everyone can say they've crossed an entire country!

Costa Rica Cloud Forest

Final beach time and back to San José

Day 11

After breakfast, head back to the airport in time for your flight home, or explore a little more of this incredible country.

Sloth in Costa Rica

Goodbye Costa Rica

Day 12

Fly into beautiful Costa Rica and head to your hotel in San José. Depending on what time you land, explore, or just relax and get ready for the start of your adventure.

Hop on a bus bound for the Pacific Coast - the starting point for your coast-to-coast adventure. This will be your last motorised vehicle for the next 10 days! Spend the night in the quiet fishing village of Quepos, next door to Manuel Antonio National Park. Relax on the beach, visit the park, famous for its abundant wildlife and then have dinner and a group briefing with the rest of your team.

Fuel up with some fresh fruit and coffee and set off on your bike. There are some steep sections straight away, although you'll be instantly rewarded with some sweeping views of the Pacific coastline. Reach the small town of Esquipulas and have a bigger, second breakfast before swapping your bike for hiking boots and heading deep into the cool mountains of central Costa Rica. Camp for the night in the valley of Naranjillo and listen to the sound of nature uninterrupted.

Start with a hike towards the Continental Divide before tackling 'Cemetery Hill' - a challenging 3km climb. From the pueblo of San Lorenzo, grab your mountain bike and set off for the quaint village of Santa Maria. Load up on some typical Costa Rican food and then rest up in a comfortable cabin for the night.

Time to tackle the toughest and steepest climb  - a 14 km uphill stretch to the Continental Divide.  This section is on a tarmac road which makes the going easier during the climb.  At 2330 meters it's also the highest point of your journey. Of course, what goes up must come down, so the rest of the day is off-road cycling at its best – downhill along dirt roads and smooth trails. Finish the day in the beautiful Orosi Valley, where rich pastures and dark green forests of coffee carpet the land. 

Cycle beside the river and then into the vast Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge. Take a break from the bike and head deeper into the mountains on foot – far from where wheels could ever take you. Trek through the cloud forest and feel tiny beneath thousands of trees covered with ferns, bromeliads and mosses. After reaching flatter ground, camp near the small settlement of Taus and have a big dinner under the stars.


Continue cycling towards La Cruz - gateway to the raging Pacuare River. Eat lunch on the shore and then load up your raft and paddle through pristine rainforest, canyon cliffs and past deafening waterfalls. Set up camp at El Nido del Tigre, named after the giant indigenous ginger plants that carpet the area, nestled between the sounds of the rainforest and the river There will be some free time to  explore this lush environment - be sure to look out for toucans, boa constrictors and sloths - or just relax in a hammock. 

Enjoy some well-earned downtime at this gorgeous location. Explore the primary forest, swim in the river, visit some nearby waterfalls and swimming holes where the water is so pure you can drink from them, or just put in some more hammock time. The area of rainforest around your camp is in a pristine state and rarely visited – perfect for a peaceful day.

Continue along the Pacuare, passing through river carved canyons. There are also some exhilarating rapids to manoeuvre as well as gentler sections where you can peer into the rainforest and spot wildlife. Take a break from rafting and hike to some cascading waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. Stop for the night as the forest gives way to the banana plantations at Finca Pacuarito and enjoy the rapidly changing scenery.

Jump back on your bike and ride through the plantations to the town of Freeman and board your kayak for the final leg of the journey. Leave the rapids of the highlands behind and paddle into the tropical lowlands, before finally drifting into the Caribbean Sea. Celebrate with a drink in the surf and some beach time - you've earned it! 

Enjoy some final downtime on the sand and then drive back to San José through the cloud forest and misty mountains of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Toast your epic coast-to-coast achievement. Not everyone can say they've crossed an entire country!

After breakfast, head back to the airport in time for your flight home, or explore a little more of this incredible country.


United States Dollar

Pre/Post trip accommodation in San (per room, per night) 

Airport Transfer One Way

Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade

Spread the cost with as many payments as you need. 

25% deposit to secure your spot

Change your trip date up to 60 days before departure.

Flexible Date Changes

Hike, bike and paddle yourself from the Pacific Ocean all the way to the Caribbean Sea

Trailblazer Price - 4 spots left at 5% off

Cross the width of one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth under your own steam, from one lush coastline to another

Journey through cloudforest, mountain villages and virgin rainforest teeming with wildlife before heading up and over the Continental Divide

Rest up at beautiful eco-lodges on the banks of the pristine Pacuare River and cool down with swims and dips at secret swimming spots in the rainforest

Cross the width of one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth under your own steam, from one lush coastline to another 


Journey through cloudforest, mountain villages and virgin rainforest teeming with wildlife before heading up and over the Continental Divide

Rest up at beautiful eco-lodges on the banks of the pristine Pacuare River and cool down with swims and dips at secret swimming spots in the rainforest 

250km Self-Powered Coast to Coast Expedition through Costa Rica

250km Self-Powered Coast to Coast Expedition through Costa Rica

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

PROPER
ADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

HASSLE
FREE

SMALL GROUPS
OF GOOD PEOPLE

250km Self-Powered Coast to Coast Expedition through Costa Rica

250km Self-Powered Coast to Coast Expedition through Costa Rica

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

PROPERADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCALGUIDES

HASSLEFREE

SMALL GROUPSOF GOOD PEOPLE

PROPER
ADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

HASSLE
FREE

SMALL GROUPS
OF GOOD PEOPLE