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Cascade-Affiliated International Tours
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Costa Rica: Butterflies, Bicycles & Beaches
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| Dates: |
Feb. 6 - 14, 2010
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| Pace & Distance: |
Suitable for all fit riders. Approximately 30 miles per day, 200 total miles. |
| Group size: |
10 minimum, 22 maximum |
| Cost: |
$2,375 (double occupancy) for 10 - 14 riders; $2,250 (double occupancy) for 15 riders. See pricing information. |
| Itinerary: |
Highlights: Tropical birds and animals, rainforest lodges, Arenal Volcano, Pacific Coast beaches, hot springs at Arenal, river float trip. Expect varied terrain, with some steep climbs.
Begin/End: Alajuela (a suburb of San José)
Arrive/Depart: San José
9 Days / 8 nights
View detailed itinerary.
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| Tour company:
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ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours
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Pluming volcanoes, lush tropical forests, and spectacular beaches are just some of the attractions Costa Rica offers for active travelers. Join us this winter and discover the true meaning of paradise. You will lodge in small inns and hidden tropical resorts, enjoy a scenic float trip on the Bebedero River, see Arenal Volcano at night, and explore Costa Rica's beautiful and diverse wildlife and plants with our team of local naturalist guides. We suggest a few days in San José at the beginning of this tour or a few days extra at the beach at the end, but beware - you may never want to go home!
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Costa Rica Tour
Detailed Itinerary
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MEETING DAY / DAY ONE
Feb. 6, 2010: Arrive in Alajuela, Costa Rica
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Highlights: Hotel with swimming pool and nature trails, welcome dinner
We meet today outside of Alajuela, a suburb of San José and birthplace of Costa Rican hero Juan Santamaria. Relax at the hotel pool or walk in the tropical gardens before introductions with our tour leaders and the groy a special dinner together in the veranda restaurant of our hotel.
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Meals: Welcome cocktail, dinner
Hotel: Hotel Orquideas Inn
Alajuela Ph: 011-506-2433-9346
Fax: 011-506-2433-9740
info@orquideasinn.com
www.orquideasinn.com
Features: This peaceful hotel nestled on over 10 acres of lush natural tropical gardens with exotic tropical fruits, flowers, birds and butterflies. Surrounded by coffee and sugar cane plantations
Facilities: swimming pool, walking trails, restaurant and bar, only 15 minutes from international airport
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DAY TWO
Feb. 7, 2010: Bicycling in Cloud and Rain Forests
CYCLING
Distance: 53 km (33 miles)
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Highlights: Ride through coffee plantations, ornamental plant farms, and the rainforest
After our shuttle to Naranjo this morning, we will ride past sugar cane fields and coffee plantations as we climb out of the Central Valley and across the Continental Divide. Whether you choose to cycle to the top of the divide or shuttle in the van, you'll enjoy spectacular vistas. We will arrive mid-afternoon at our hotel, tucked away from the road in a beautiful valley on the edge of a private rainforest reserve. Ample walking trails and a beautiful pool give us plenty of options for exploring and relaxing this afternoon. We have a special dinner planned tonight.
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Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hotel: Hotel Tierras Enamoradas
Ph: 011-506-2475-1081
Fax: 011-506-2475-1084
reservations@landsinlove.com
www.landsinlove.com
Features: Environmental and animal friendly hotel, located in a hidden valley in front of a protected cloud forest
Facilities: Live music and open jam sessions. Vegetarian restaurant, swimming pool and Jacuzzi, conference room, a camping area and a pet hotel. Ample walking trails and Canopy Tour.
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DAY THREE
February 8, 2010: Nature Walk, Hot Springs & Night Views of Arenal Volcano
CYCLING:
40 km (25 miles)
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Highlights: Guided walk through a nature reserve, hot springs
Learn about Costa Rica's natural history this morning on a guided walk through a local nature reserve. Then it's back to the bikes to enjoy a scenic ride toward Arenal Volcano, the most spectacular of Costa Rica's active volcanoes. Our destination is La Fortuna, nestled in the eastern foothills of Arenal. This evening, we'll visit the local hot springs where you can enjoy a relaxing soak and a classic Costa Rican dinner. After dinner we'll shuttle closer to the Arenal Volcano to get a night-time view of the mountain, and if we are lucky we'll see "fire rocks" cascading down its side.
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Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hotel: Hotel Monte Real
Fortuna Ph: 011-506-2479-9357
Fax: 011-506-2479-9357
info@monterealhotel.com
www.monterealhotel.com
Features: Family run hotel in the center of the town. Very close to banks, restaurants, post office and pharmacy.
Facilities: 15 air conditioned rooms, swimming pool and internet point.
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DAY FOUR
Feb. 9, 2010: La Fortuna and East Arenal Foothills Loop Ride
CYCLING:
52 km (32 miles)
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Highlights: Scenic ride, tropical farms and gardens.
There's no need to pack this morning. Our loop ride out of La Fortuna takes us into the countryside past small rural villages, beautiful rivers, and rich agricultural land with yucca and papaya plantations. Dinner is on your own tonight but we'll help with suggestions.
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Meals: None
Hotel: Hotel Monte Real
Fortuna Ph: 011-506-2479-9357
Fax: 011-506-2479-9357
info@monterealhotel.com
www.monterealhotel.com
Features: Family run hotel in the center of the town. Very close to banks, restaurants, post office and pharmacy.
Facilities: 15 air conditioned rooms, swimming pool and internet point.
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DAY FIVE
Feb. 10, 2010: Arenal Volcano
CYCLING:
55 km (34 miles)
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Highlights: Bike around Arenal Volcano and scenic Lake Arenal
Arenal Volcano dominates our ride this morning - and what a sight! You may even see and hear it erupt as you ride around its base, from a safe distance of course. As you approach Lake Arenal, keep your eyes and ears open for the distinct sounds of howler monkeys and the comic antics of coatimundi, as well as other wildlife that call the lake home. At our hotel this afternoon, you will enjoy views back to the lake with the volcano in the distance. Dinner together.
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Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Tilawa
Tilarán Ph: 011-506-2695-5050
Fax: 011-506-2695-5766
info@tilawa.com
www.tilawa.com
Features: Lake view property, windsurfing.
Facilities: Bar and restaurant, swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Windsurfing equipment rental and lessons.
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DAY SIX
Feb. 11, 2010: Bicycle Downhill to Sunny Guanacaste Province
CYCLING:
40 km (25 miles)
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Highlights: Fertile plains of western Costa Rica, hotel swimming pool
Ready for a change of pace? You will get your chance today as we pedal for the Pacific plains, Costa Rica's version of the Wild West. Birds, monkeys, and sabaneros ("cowboys") on horseback are some of the things you are likely to see. This is the Guanacaste province, one of the few areas in the world where you can still find primary tropical dry forest. We'll enjoy a Guanacasteco-style grill tonight for dinner.
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Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Hacienda La Pacifica
Ph: 011-506-2669-6050
Fax: 011-506-2669-6055
lherra@pacificacr.com
Features: Colonial style accommodations in the middle of the Costa Rican Dry Forest.
Facilities: Traditional Costa Rican restaurant, swimming pool, walking trails full of wildlife
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DAY SEVEN
Feb. 13, 2010: Boat Ride and Viewing Wildlife on Bebedero & Tempisque
CYCLING:
51 km (31 miles)
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Highlights: Boat tour on the Bebedero and Tempisque rivers, Traditional Dance show with marimba music.
Early this morning we'll bike 15 very flat kilometers (9 miles) to Bebedero where we'll board the boat that will take us across to the Nicoya Peninsula. River banks are prime feeding areas for a wide variety of animals, so this is a great opportunity to see monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles and other wildlife. After getting off the boat we'll pick up our bikes and ride to our hotel located just outside the old town of Nicoya. Take a dip in the pool before going to our special dinner featuring the traditional dances of the Guanacaste region.
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Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Rio Tempisque
Ph: 011-506-2686-6650
Fax: 011-506-2685-4414
hotelriotempisque@hotmail.com
Features: Modern hotel outside the colonial city of Nicoya.
Facilities: New rooms with air conditioning, cable TV and two double beds. Swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
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DAY EIGHT
Feb. 14, 2010: Bicycle to the Pacific Coast
CYCLING:
37 km (23 miles)
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Highlights: Beach hotel with swimming pool, seafood dinner together
The beach awaits today, and what a beach it is -- nestled in a quiet cove along the Pacific Ocean. We'll bike the rolling hills from Nicoya to Samara. If you arrive at our hotel early, you can choose to enjoy the beach or the pool for the afternoon. Or you can just relax with a cool drink and enjoy the ocean breeze. We'll celebrate the end of our journey this evening with a final dinner of local fresh seafood.
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Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Guanamar
Guanacaste Ph: 011-506-2656-0054
Fax: 011-506-2656-0001
hotelguanamar@gmail.com
www.guanamar.net
Features: Deluxe hotel with ocean views of Playa Carrillo one the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Facilities: Charming, typical palm thatched roof tops and hardwood decks around the pool, restaurant and bar. Ample air conditioned rooms with ocean view
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DAY NINE
Feb. 14, 2010: Shuttle back to San José
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Highlights: Tour ends with a complimentary shuttle back to San José
After breakfast this morning, we offer a free shuttle back to Alajuela or San José. We'll arrive between 2:00 and 3:00 pm, so if you are departing today, be sure to book your flight for no sooner than 6:00. There are daily flights from a local airport to San José as well, if you would like to spend some extra time on the beach or explore more of Costa Rica. Pura vida!
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Meals: Breakfast |
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THE FINE PRINT
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Pricing
ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours reserves the right to increase prices up to 5% if extenuating circumstances cause ground costs to increase more than 40% (i.e. fuel, currency exchange). The following are estimated tour costs per rider, in US dollars:
- $2,375 (double occupancy) for 10 - 14 riders
$2250 (double occupancy) for 15 riders
- $500 deposit is required at time of registration (see cancellation policy below).
- Optional expenses:
- Quality Mountain bike with skinny tires available for rent: $20 a day (includes rack pack, water bottle, patch kit, spare tire and tire irons and pump)
- Single Supplement: $400
Trip Inclusions
- 9 days, 8 nights accommodation
- 7 dinners, 7 breakfasts
- Van support
- Luggage transfers
- Bilingual tour leader
- Professional bike mechanic
- Bike set-up assistance
- Group shuttle to Alajuela at tour end
Trip Exclusions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Airport taxes
- Laundry
- Sightseeing other than specified
- Domestic or international flights
Optional Beach Extension:
Spend a few extra days at beautiful Playa Hermosa, a nearby beach on the Pacific coast. If you sign up for the extension when you sign up for the tour receive a $50 discount on the extension price!
 Includes:
- Transportation from the bike tour end
- 2 nights in Deluxe Room – Hotel Playa Hermosa Bosque del Mar (or similar)
- 2 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner
- Transportation back to San Jose/Liberia Airport
- One tour leader stays with the group
Additional cost for trip extension:
Group departing from Juan Santamaria Airport SJO (airport in San Jose)
- 10 to 14 people: $450
- 15 to 22 people: $375
Group departing from Liberia Airport LIR (airport near the extension hotel)
- 10 to 14 people: $400
- 15 to 22 people: $335
Additional night in San Jose (if necessary)
- Hotel Country Inn & Suites – 10 minutes from airport: $116 for a double room
Optional Activities in the area: Day tours range from $75 for a Canopy Tour to $150 for a 13 hour day trip to Granada.
- Canopy Tours
- Birdwatching in the Dry Forest
- Horseback Riding
- Sailing and Snorkeling
- Diving Lessons and Tours
- Golf
- ATVs and Jet Skis
- One Day visit to Granada and Masaya in Nicaragua
Cancellations
If for any reason it is necessary to cancel a reservation, the following will apply: Cancellations more than 120 days before trip departure, loss of 50% of deposit. Cancellations between 42 and 120 days before trip departure, loss of full deposit. Cancellations within six weeks of departure will result in forfeiture of full payment.
There will be no refunds once a tour has commenced. We strongly recommend you take out travel, accident, medical, baggage and cancellation insurance. We advise against discounted airfares that carry restrictions.
Sign Up
Our deposit is $500 per person for the tour. Full payment for the tour extension due upon registration. The final payment for the tour is due 90 days prior to departure. Full price and refund discounts are based on the number of participants once the trip begins.
Contact us by phone within the US: (800) 685-4565 - 8am-4pm MST or by email at tours@experienceplus.com
Sign up here!
Weather notes
Although small, Costa Rica has different eco-systems and thus a variety of weather patterns throughout the country. Averages for February near beach
Near the beach: High: 93F, Mean: 83F, Low: 70
Near San Jose: High 81, Mean 76: Low: 64
Precipitation is minimal this time of year throughout the country although as a tropical destination rainfall is not out of the question!
Flight Plan
Cascade Bicycle Club recommends Elizabeth Holmes Travel for booking airfare. Contact Sarah Ferris Scott at 206-647-8361 or visit www.elizabthholmes.com. If you plan to redeem frequent flier mileage make sure to book your flight early, as seats are limited. It is also a good idea to try and arrive one day early, in case of missed flights and to help to any Jet Lag.
Travel Insurance
Any policy you purchase should, at the very least, cover trip cancellation, loss of baggage, accident/life coverage, travel delays, and non-refundable airline tickets. Carriers for travel insurance include Travel Guard and Travelex. You may also consider insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Search the web to find the best deal that suits your needs- read the fine print.
Rider Testimonials from Exerience Plus! Costa Rica tours:
I have been on 6 bike tours and they have all been great. Nothing however can top the cycling day which started by seeing Arenal erupt, passing coatis on the roadside, and then having nine monkeys cross the road in front of us - all while cycling through incredibly beautiful country. This is a spectacular bike tour. I highly recommend it.
- Eileen L.
This was my first bike trip and it was perfect. The pre-tour information was really helpful. The packing tips and "Spanish primer" were great. The tour itself was handled really well. The tour leaders were wonderful. The country is beautiful and friendly. You may have set the bar too high on this trip - I can't imagine it could get much better.
- Beth R.
What did I like best? Too many to name just one - first, the tour leaders made every day a joy to be on the ride, and secondly, the Costa Rican countryside and sights were awesome.
- Grace H.
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Worried you might not be in good enough shape to tackle the hills? Join Cascade Ride Leaders this spring in the Cascade Training series. We'll be leading rides every weekend geared to getting YOU ready for this summer's big CBC rides. Visit the Activities Calendar for more information and ride listings.
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