A transfer (1hr 10min) from San José takes us to the town of Cartago, our start point for today’s cycling in the scenic Orosí Valley, one of the most fertile and historically rich regions in Costa Rica. After bike fitting and adjustments, we set off. Our first ride is relatively relaxed, a chance to get comfortable in the saddle while our tour leader introduces the riding style, road conditions and rhythm of the days ahead. Leaving Cartago behind, we cycle through rural communities and green hillsides, passing farmland and forested slopes as we make our way towards the Orosí Valley. The route takes us through the highlands before descending towards the valley, with views of the surrounding mountains. We continue through Orosí, home to one of Costa Rica's few surviving colonial churches, before finishing our ride at the historic church ruins of Ujarrás. From here, we transfer to our hotel for the night. Terrain: 60% paved, 40% gravel (mixed)

Transfer (one hour) into the Central Highlands, climbing through farmland where potatoes, onions and carrots grow in mineral-rich volcanic soil. At Irazú Volcano National Park, we visit Irazú itself, Costa Rica’s highest volcano at 11,260ft (3,432m). When cloud conditions cooperate, the elevated viewpoints can reveal part of the Caribbean coast and neighbouring Turrialba Volcano. After exploring the national park, we transfer a short distance and begin the Route Between Volcanoes, a long, largely downhill ride linking Irazú and Turrialba. Our tour leader sets a controlled pace as we lose more than 9,800ft (3,000m) in elevation, moving from exposed volcanic terrain into farmland and greener mountain country. We finish the ride in Aquiares and take a 30-minute transfer to the hotel in Turri, an agricultural town in a fertile valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Terrain: 49% paved, 51% gravel (mixed)

Leaving Turrialba by vehicle (1hr 30min), we descend from the mountains towards the warmer Caribbean plains, watching the vegetation change as we lose altitude. Begin cycling from the lively agricultural town of Siquirres, following flat roads through banana-growing country, cattle farms and small settlements. The easier terrain leaves us free to watch for lowland birdlife, with our tour leader helping us identify the species commonly seen along the route. At Caño Blanco, swap bikes for a boat and continue along rivers and narrow forest waterways to Tortuguero. The community has no connecting road, so arriving by water is part of understanding how geography shapes daily life here. After reaching our destination, we visit Tortuguero village, where sandy paths, wooden homes and Caribbean influences distinguish the settlement from those encountered earlier in the trip. Terrain: 80% paved, 20% gravel (mixed)

Enter Tortuguero National Park by boat before breakfast, when cooler conditions often bring greater animal activity along the waterways. Our tour leader is joined by a keen-eyed boat captain who reads the forest margins for movement that is easily missed. Together, they help us look for monkeys, caimans, iguanas, butterflies and some of the many bird species associated with this wetland ecosystem. Tortuguero also protects one of the Western Hemisphere’s most important green turtle nesting beaches, though sightings depend on the season and cannot be guaranteed. Returning to our accommodation, we walk the lodge trails, where our guide can interpret the plants and smaller wildlife around us. The rest of the day is free for you to stroll through the gardens and relax by the pool, while meals are served at the lodge.

Bid farewell to our remote retreat and leave Tortuguero, making one final journey through the forest waterways before reaching the mainland. When water levels permit, we disembark at La Pavona and cycle towards Guápiles. The mostly flat route passes settlements, banana plantations and lowland farms, providing a gentle return to the bikes after our time in Tortuguero. If water conditions prevent us from using La Pavona, the local team adapts the cycling route and provides an alternative ride through the plains. From Guápiles, we transfer (2hr 20min) through the agricultural plains of Sarapiquí towards our accommodation in La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano. In the afternoon, we visit Ecotermales, where naturally heated water of volcanic origin feeds a series of pools. It is a welcome chance to loosen cycling legs, followed by dinner at the hot springs. Terrain: 77% paved, 23% gravel (mixed)

Cycle from La Fortuna onto quieter rural roads, passing grazing land, small farms, rivers and patches of forest. Arenal Volcano appears at intervals as we tackle the gently rising and falling terrain. Our tour leader manages the pace and selects suitable stops, leaving us enough energy for the afternoon’s walk at Arenal 1968. Here, trails cross regenerating forest and lava deposits from the volcano’s major eruption in 1968. Later, we join a local cook for a hands-on cooking experience. After learning about the produce grown in the garden, we help prepare Costa Rican dishes, which may include handmade tortillas and food cooked over a wood fire. We then sit down together to eat what we have made, enjoying volcano views as we dine. Terrain: 100% paved

A 30-minute transfer takes us towards Lake Arenal, where we begin our ride near Arenal 1968, with the impressive landscapes surrounding Arenal Volcano setting the scene for the day ahead. We follow the road towards Tilarán, cycling through the beautiful countryside that surrounds Costa Rica’s largest reservoir. The route rises and falls through a landscape of lush farmland and small rural communities, with sweeping views across the lake and towards the surrounding mountains. Weather permitting, we can also enjoy views of Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic natural landmarks. Today’s terrain brings a series of climbs and rewarding descents, and our tour leader helps us find a comfortable rhythm as we make our way around the lake. As we approach the Tilarán side, the landscape becomes broader and more open, offering a striking contrast to the tropical forests around La Fortuna. We finish our ride near Café Macadamia, bringing a scenic and rewarding day in the saddle to a close, before a short transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax. Terrain: 100% paved (mixed)

We leave the Lake Arenal area this morning, cycling directly from our hotel through rolling countryside towards Tierras Morenas and the Tenorio Volcano area. As we ride, the lush scenery around Lake Arenal gradually gives way to the warmer, more open landscapes of Guanacaste. Entering the tropical dry-forest zone, we pass cattle country, agricultural land and scattered woodland, with less shade than on previous rides. After the rolling terrain of the first section, we enjoy a long descent towards the plains below, with expansive views of the surrounding countryside. Our ride finishes at the Upala-Cañas junction, where we transfer by vehicle to Guayabo de Bagaces (approximately 40 minutes). Terrain: 68% paved, 32% gravel (mixed)

We ride directly from our accommodation in Guayabo de Bagaces, setting off through the open landscapes of Guanacaste towards Liberia. The scenery impresses from the moment we start. This is ranching country, and the route passes grazing fields, farms and dry-forest vegetation, with views of three volcanoes in a single day: Miravalles, Tenorio and Rincón de la Vieja. Few rides in Costa Rica offer such a striking combination of volcanic scenery. Our route combines paved roads with gravel and white-stone sections as we climb through the foothills before enjoying a rewarding descent towards a natural canyon near Rincón de la Vieja. We finish our ride at Liberia Central Park and from Liberia transfer (45 minutes) to the Gulf of Papagayo on the Pacific coast. The evening is free to relax and enjoy the quieter pace of our beachside accommodation. Terrain: 45% paved, 55% gravel (mixed)

Starting directly from our hotel in Playa Hermosa, we set off on a ride through Costa Rica’s northwest Pacific coast. Following the paved roads of the Congo Trail, we cycle through countryside, tropical dry forest and small rural communities. A succession of gradual climbs and flowing descents takes us through the coastal hills, with the changing scenery providing a backdrop to our final miles on the bike. As we make our way towards Brasilito, the landscape becomes increasingly coastal, bringing us closer to the beaches and laid-back atmosphere that characterise this corner of Guanacaste. We finish our ride in Brasilito and continue to our accommodation in the Potrero or Brasilito area, where the remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy the Pacific coast. Terrain: 100% paved

After a 45-minute transfer, hop on your bike in Las Delicias and set off through the rural landscapes of Guanacaste. Today’s ride follows a mix of quiet paved roads and dirt tracks, taking us through the Costa Rican countryside towards San Juanillo. Today's route offers plenty of variety, with rolling terrain and a few rewarding climbs along the way. With most of the ride on unpaved roads, there’s a real sense of adventure as we discover a quieter, more rural side of Guanacaste away from the busier tourist areas. Our ride finishes in San Juanillo. In the afternoon, head to Sámara beach for a sunset catamaran excursion along the Pacific coast. This relaxing experience provides a perfect contrast to the morning’s ride, with open ocean views, warm sea breezes and the chance to unwind as the sun sets over the horizon. Terrain: 32% asphalt, 67% dirt

After a one-hour transfer, our scenic cycling route takes us towards Playa Naranjo through the rural landscapes of the Nicoya Peninsula, combining quiet roads with countryside views. This final ride gives us one last opportunity to enjoy Guanacaste from the saddle. The route finishes at the ferry, where we cross the Nicoya Peninsula by boat, enjoying views across the gulf before reaching Puntarenas on the mainland From Puntarenas, we continue by road to San José, leaving the Pacific coast behind for our final night in Costa Rica. Terrain: 100% paved

You’ve cycled past volcanoes, explored Tortuguero’s waterways for wildlife and ridden from Costa Rica’s lush highlands to the Pacific coast, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home. Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.