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Mountain Biking in Costa Rica
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Mountain biking is one of the most popular ways to explore the picturesque terrain in Costa Rica. Costa Rica offers its fair share of mountain biking trails for beginners and experienced riders through jungles, up mountains and volcanoes, and past stunning beaches and villages.
If you’re planning to spend some time exploring the beaches, rainforests, and volcanoes of Costa Rica on a mountain bike, you can read through our recommendations about planning a mountain biking adventure below for a seamless experience.
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Best Places for Mountain Biking in Costa Rica
There are dozens of places to explore on a mountain bike in Costa Rica. However, the dirt roads and winding paths in the following destinations offer some of the most popular places for riders to go mountain biking in our gorgeous country.
Las Catalinas
Las Catalinas is a recently-developed beach town in Costa Rica with an impressive trail system that snakes through the mountains and offers stunning views of the Pacific Coast. There are over ten miles of trails to explore — with over 90% of the trails being single-track trails — filled with beautiful scenery and exotic wildlife, from birds and monkeys to coatis and wild pigs.
While these trails are popular among bikers, they are also popular walking and hiking trails, so be sure to “share the road” with others during your mountain bike adventure.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park, located in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, is filled with mountains, volcanoes, and hiking trails that provide the perfect terrain for a biking adventure. You can follow a route around Lake Arenal, bike on the steep trails around Arenal Volcano or the La Fortuna Waterfall, or bike through the lush jungles and quaint villages in the Central Valley.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park might be known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, surfing, and views of the Pacific Coast, but it’s also home to some of the best hiking and biking trails in Costa Rica. While in this famous national park, you can bike on rugged paths through the lush jungles to see tons of exotic wildlife, including monkeys, birds, and sloths.
Nicoya Peninsula
The Nicoya Peninsula is a popular tourist destination that offers exceptional trails for bikers through the jungle, beaches, and popular towns. You’ll find several coastal mountain biking trails starting in Tamarindo, Nosara, and Samara that wind through the jungle and countryside and offer stunning views of some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful scenery!
What Do I Need for Mountain Biking?
You’ll need basic mountain biking equipment, like helmets and gloves, and a high-quality mountain bike before going on a ride in Costa Rica. Most mountain biking shops, outfitters, or tour providers should be able to provide bikers with everything they need. You’ll also want to bring a water bottle and some snacks to stay hydrated and “fueled” while exploring Costa Rica on a mountain bike.
Best Mountain Biking Tour in Costa Rica
Though there are plenty of bike tours in Costa Rica to choose from, this is the tour we recommend at Special Places of Costa Rica!
Mountain Bike Tour on Single-Track Trails
Wind through the mountain biking trails in Las Catalinas while enjoying stunning ocean views on this 2.5-hour Mountain Biking Tour on Single-Track Trails for $110 per person. Mountain bikes and helmets are included in the cost for all participants on this small-group mountain biking tour in Las Catalinas.
Between challenging uphill terrain, fast downhills, and long stretches of flat, single track, this mountain biking tour will surely delight bikers of all experience levels. Children five years and up can participate, but kids uncomfortable on a bike should not attempt this tour.
Plan a Fun Vacation to Costa Rica with Special Places of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an excellent destination for mountain biking for both beginners and experts. Whether you’re planning on mountain biking through the beaches and jungles for the first time or are looking for more of a challenge, Costa Rica offers all that (and more!) on the country’s diverse array of trails.
If you’re planning a vacation to Costa Rica and are still looking for somewhere to stay, we hope you’ll consider booking one of our beautiful vacation rentals in Guanacaste. Our beachfront homes, quaint condos, and luxurious villas are just a short distance from many popular biking destinations in Costa Rica. They are also in superb locations for riding bikes around town!
Please take a look at our available rentals to find the perfect place to stay on your upcoming trip. We can’t wait to host you in Costa Rica — and we hope you can squeeze in a bike ride while you’re here, too!
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About
Mountain Biking in Costa Rica
You should wear loose, comfortable clothing — like activewear — and tennis shoes on a mountain biking adventure. Of course, always wear sunscreen and bug spray, bring plenty of water, and wear the helmet provided by the tour provider or bike rental company.
Yes, Costa Rica is home to exceptional mountain biking trails! Between the volcanoes in popular parks like Arenal Volcano National Park and Rincon de la Vieja National Park and the rugged terrain in other regions of Costa Rica, like the Nicoya Peninsula, you’ll find no shortage of winding dirt roads and paths for mountain biking around our beautiful country.
Cycling, in addition to mountain biking, is a popular sport and a way to get around in Costa Rica. Many Costa Ricans (especially in coastal towns) use bikes as their primary method of transportation. Tourists who stay in a beach town in Guanacaste, like Playa Flamingo or Playas del Coco, might want to consider renting a bike to ride to and from the restaurants, shops, and other attractions in these small towns.
You can usually rent a street bike or mountain bike in Costa Rica for about $20–$30 per day or $130–$150 per week. However, if you plan to join a guided tour, expect to pay more since you’re paying for the bike and equipment and the guidance of an expert mountain biker.
