The Coast To Coast Adventure

Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu village wedding invite and any such experiences that can become among the most memorable experiences of your BikeHike adventure.

We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.

The Coast to Coast Adventure is a "challenging" trip.

"Challenging" trips are physically demanding and best suited for strong people with a high endurance level. Days can be long with a total of about 7-9 hours of activity, in remote regions and occasionally without a support vehicle nearby.

We strongly recommend that you begin a regular fitness program that includes regular cycling - that is if you are not already doing so. Working out four times a week (including some riding whenever possible), 60 minutes per session should be a minimum to prepare you for this adventure. In addition, try to get in some longer distance rides beforehand to prepare for your adventure.

BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994. We began in Costa Rica so this is one of our longest running trips.

The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.

Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. This trip attracts one of our most diverse groups. A typical trip is comprised of men and women of varied ages and nationalities. We've had as many as six nationalities represented on the same trip before. Although there are a few die-hard triathletes and marathon runners, most of our clients on this trip are regular mortals in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a personal challenge.

As well, the age range on this trip is typically from 30-60, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well.

San Jose, Costa Rica. You can arrive anytime on day 1 of the trip and depart anytime on day 12. 

Costa Rica is suitable year round. Located just ten degrees north of the Equator, Costa Rica enjoys the advantages of the "perfect" tropical climate. The average temperature is 22°C (72°F) in the highlands and temperatures vary from mid 20’s to low 30’s °C (77°F to 95°F) in the lowlands. All year long the conditions are pleasantly moderate, with a rainy season from June to early November, and a dry season from December through May.

Many of our travellers (both men and women) join as singles. On average, BikeHike groups are 75% single travellers and 25% couples. However, this trip is usually even more singles. This trip is likely closer to 90% singles. 

Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge. A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike. 

We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.

While most of our trips are created with adults in mind, many of our itineraries are suitable for strong and active teenagers. This trip is definitely not a family focused trip. However, we do offer many Family Focused trips, some of which are able to accommodate children as young as six.

We use Trek 4500 and Scott Aspect 49er mountain bikes because of the rugged roads. All bikes have front suspension and disc brakes. The riding is not suitable for road bikes.

This trip is not suitable for E-bikes.

We will cycle on varied terrain from country paved and dirt roads to uphill switchbacks and downhill single track. On average we will cycle for four to five hours per day at a steady pace. Costa Rica is mountainous, so expect a good deal of uphill climbs. There is no singletrack riding during the trip, but some of the roads require you to pick your line, due to ruts and holes in the road, but none of the riding is considered technical.

If we are a full group of 12 participants, there will be a minimum of two guides. This means that you can cycle at the speed you are most comfortable at without feeling pressure from other people. There will be one guide in the lead and the other sweeping the last person.

If the group size is below six, there will be one guide, and s/he will stay behind with the slowest person, while giving directions to the faster cyclists. Our guides are extremely skilled at working with individuals who are keen to gain the techniques on how to ride a mountain effortlessly.

Yes. The support vehicle will carry all the necessary equipment like bikes, drinking water and all our personal equipment. You will have access to the support vehicle throughout the trip, except for the three nights at the riverside camp. The vehicle will be available in the mornings before your departure, at lunch and also at the end of each day upon arrival to your destination.

During the rafting, there are up to 6 people plus one guide in a raft. Before the start of the rafting, you will be given a full safety briefing. When rafting, you must wear a lifejacket and a helmet. If the water levels are too high and the river is dangerous, the guides will come up with a plan B for the day.

It is not a problem if you can’t swim for the rafting. Everyone will be wearing a life jacket. Firstly, sitting in the back of the boat is the easiest place for the rafting, with less chances of falling out of the boat. If you are nervous about even the possibility of falling out of the boat, you can go down in our oar boat (equipment boat). It is also a raft, but with an internal frame. It is much more stable than a regular raft and the possibilities of it tipping are very remote.

There are five nights of camping on this trip. The first two nights are more rustic camping. There are flush toilets but no showers available for these nights. The other three nights camping are more "glamping" style than rustic camping. For the two nights on the Pacuare River, you will be surrounded by the beauty of the rainforest and beautiful manicured gardens, the tents there are mounted on wooden platforms and you'll have access to an open-air dining room and kitchen, a washroom with flush toilets, cold showers and sinks and lots of hammocks in a gazebo to relax in. This is an incredible experience, as you'll be tenting in Costa Rican paradise!

The hikes on this adventure are easy to moderate walks with no gear required apart from a light daypack.

The kayaking on this adventure takes place on a mellow section of the Pacuare River using sit-on-top kayaks.