Hike, E-Bike and Paddle 250km Across Costa Rica

Each day, you'll begin the activity in the morning, with your guide setting a pace the whole group can manage. Regular breaks are planned for water and photos, and you’ll pause for lunch before finishing in the afternoon, leaving time to rest before dinner and the daily briefing. At the end of each section – whether e-biking, rafting, hiking or kayaking – a support vehicle will be ready with your next set of equipment. Everything is arranged so all you need to do is power yourself coast to coast, without worrying about logistics. While the guides encourage everyone to complete the expedition without vehicles, alternative transport can be arranged if you’re unable to finish a section.

Your e-bike will assist with about 25% of the effort on an average ride, meaning you'll provide about 75% of the effort. There will be moments when you'll need to switch to Boost mode for short bursts of power, especially on challenging terrain or steep sections. However, most of your ride will be in Eco and Trail modes, with Eco mode often being your go-to on climbs to conserve battery life throughout the day. This balance ensures a smooth, enjoyable ride while still giving you the thrill of exploration on two wheels.

In terms of speed, the power assistance on e-bikes is typically capped at around 25kph (15mph). If you want to go faster, you'll need to pedal harder! You can adjust the power levels to match your pace and terrain. Your cycling guide will brief you on how to use the different modes to optimise your ride and make the battery last:

Eco Mode: Low power for energy efficiency, giving you longer battery life on flat terrain.
Auto Mode: Automatically adjusts the power based on terrain and your pedalling effort for a more balanced ride.
Sport Mode: Provides mid-range power, ideal for moderate hills and faster cruising.
Turbo Mode: Delivers maximum power, perfect for steep hills or when you want to ride fast.

When it comes to battery power, the e-bike batteries are typically charged overnight, usually at your accommodation. There will be a couple of spare batteries in the support vehicle just in case. However, if you manage your battery usage throughout the day (for example, by avoiding using turbo mode all the time), you’ll find that the battery lasts long enough for most rides without any issues.

You’ll be riding a Cannondale Trail Neo 4 or Specialized Tero 3, both high-performance aluminum framed e-bikes designed for a variety of terrains, from smooth roads to trails. These bikes are equipped with a Turbo Full Power 2.0E Motor for excellent power on climbs and descents, and 500W/h batteries for long-lasting rides. Each bike comes with a mounted LCD digital display for easy tracking of speed, distance, and battery status.

You will be paddling in double sit-on-top kayaks of the brand 'Ocean Kayak'. If you are an experienced kayaker and wish to use a single, please discuss with your host, as they have a limited number available.

The expedition has a support vehicle that transfers all luggage and equipment from stage to stage. You just need to carry a day pack with water, snacks, camera, waterproof jacket etc.

The water in Costa Rica is generally safe to drink, except for that found in remote and rural areas where there's little to no infrastructure. The support vehicle carries large containers of water from which you can fill your bottle at the start of each stage. There will also be drinking water available at each night’s accommodation.

This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme levels, with limited shade and, at times, high humidity adding to the challenge. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but staying well hydrated, wearing suitable clothing, and using sun protection is essential.

Before travelling, consider your ability to remain active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have any concerns, especially if you have cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two before the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.

This trip takes place in environments where wild animals are present in their natural environment, where protections and controls on their movement may be limited or non-existent. Some species may be dangerous, venomous, or unpredictable. Sightings are a privilege, but safety is key. Always follow your guide’s instructions and any posted signage.

We recommend considering your comfort around wildlife and discussing any concerns with your host before travel, particularly if you have allergies, phobias, or related health conditions.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.