Why – And Where – You Should Bike in Costa Rica

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One of the best ways to experience a country is on the road, with a map in one hand and the throttle in the other.
This is even more true if you’re travelling in a popular tourist destination. In most cases, there’s a danger of everything feeling a little controlled. By that, we mean there are so many ways to plan your journey and to travel between checkpoints that the whole adventure can become almost too organised.

The Adventure Awaits In Costa Rica

If you’re travelling to Costa Rica, however, you cannot let that happen. Known as one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world, Costa Rica was made for an adventure.
With 28% of its land recognised as national park reserves and over 50% covered in rainforest – plus 800 miles of coastline and a total of 300 beaches – this is a country that demands adventure and freedom.
But that’s not to say you shouldn’t have routes mapped out, of course! Yes, biking in a new place is an adventure, but in order to stay safe and take in all of the best sights, you need to work out the best roads to do it. With this in mind, here are our favourite rides and how you can enjoy them:

Arenal To San Jose

We’ll start off with Arenal National Park because it’s honestly one of the most beautiful places in the whole country. Here, you can experience volcano hikes, rainforest ziplining or even boat rental Costa Rica to explore the wonders of the stunning, blue Lake Arenal.
Once all this is done, you can then turn your bike south and travel through the town of La Fortuna and down towards the capital, San Jose. This is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds, starting off in the most natural spot possible before finishing in the largest city of Costa Rica.

San Jose To Jaco

Once you’ve experienced the wonders of the city – including trying out the local delicacies, visiting the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and strolling around the gorgeous rose gardens – it’s time to get back on the bike and travel west to Jaco. By and large, this is recognized as one of the best beach towns in Costa Rica, with a number of surf beaches and a bouncing nightlife to go along with them!
The ride is also stunning, especially when you get to places like Lagunillas and Quebrada Ganado, each of which have their own stunning scenery and coastlines to gaze at while you ride.

Jaco To Cerro Chirripo

The last ride we have to mention is the ride from Jaco to Cerro National Park. This is a route that takes you right into the heart of the country, passing along some of the most popular spots, including Quepos, Los Quetzales and, if you take a little detour, the incredible Jardin Secretos -- which literally translates to “Secret World”!
Once you’re at your destination, you will be left staring at one of Costa Rica’s most epic mountains, known as Cerro Chirripo. Just be warned, you won’t be able to bike up this one. If you want to complete the journey, the rest must be done on foot!