mountain bike costa rica
PURA VIDA
DEtails:
2025 DATES: December 6-13, 2025
2026 DATES: February 7-14, 2026 | March 14-21, 2026
Duration: 7 Nights, 8 Days
Joining In: San Jose, Costa Rica
Land Cost: $2695 USD/person | Currency Conversion
Single room supplement: $425 USD
Activity Level: Advanced | more info »
Escape to a tropical paradise and enjoy six days of shuttle-assisted riding, featuring a mix of hand-built singletrack and machine-built bike park trails. Explore some of Costa Rica’s best trails and hidden gems, while boosting your confidence and refining your technique. Our journey starts in Senderos Colón Bike Park, a premier destination for mountain biking enthusiasts, offering a well-curated network of trails. Set against a picturesque backdrop of dense forests and rolling hills, the park features a mix of machine-built and hand-crafted trails, providing a balance of smooth berms, fun jump lines, and challenging rock gardens. Our next stop is Santa Maria de Dota, nestled in the Talamanca Mountains, and famous for its world-class coffee farms and stunning cloud forests. Riders can expect a mix of flowing singletrack, technical descents, and short, challenging climbs, often weaving through coffee plantations, lush rainforest, and remote mountain ridges. The high-altitude terrain, ranging from 1,500m to over 2,500m, provides cooler temperatures and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. Enjoy a coffee co-op tour and tasting experience. Our last stop is Providencia, a serene mountain village tucked into the lush, green landscapes of Costa Rica's Los Santos region, south of San José. Known for its pristine beauty, Providencia is surrounded by cloud forests, vibrant biodiversity, and dramatic river valleys. Riders can expect sweeping views of the surrounding peaks, and thrilling descents through vibrant greenery and misty mountain landscapes. This trip is a challenging jungle adventure that will have your adrenaline pumping as you explore remote areas that few riders will ever access.
Groups of two riders min. & four riders max. Private trip dates available. This trip also available at a less-difficult riding level (intermediate) with days spent on the Pacific coast & beaches. Get in touch with us for more information.
Looking for another trip in this region? Check out our Peru mountain bike skills camp.
Trip Highlights:
- Spending time with and getting to know local guide Paulo & his team, an accomplished rider, consummate professional and all-around great person.
- Walking out of your hotel on the first morning of the trip to a warm tropical breeze, knowing that friends back home are shoveling their driveways of snow.
- Rolling into the beautiful town of Santa Maria at the end of the day, nestled in the mountains and far away from tourists.
- Feeling your descending skills improve daily as you get out of your comfort zone on Costa Rica’s challenging trails.
- Enjoying some deserved beach time on the country’s spectacular Pacific coastline after a week of rugged singletrack riding.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Expert leadership & the country’s best riding on private singletrack trails.
- Two nights three-star hotel, four nights two-star cabins, one night rustic lodge accommodation.
- Seven breakfasts.
- Guided tour of Coopedota coffee coop in Santa Maria.
- Airport pick-up on scheduled days.
- Shuttles & on-trip transportation.
- Detailed pre-departure information & trip extension assistance.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- All lunches & all dinners.
- Entry fee to National Parks (if applicable).
- International airfare.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
- Optional tipping to leaders.
- Airport taxes, excess baggage charges.
- Your bike and related equipment needed to ride; drinks and snacks.
- We suggest approximately $40 USD/day for extras.
Bike and equipment
Very limited high-performance rental bikes are available on this trip. As it is on most of our trips it is recommended that riders bring their own bikes. A current full-suspension enduro bike with 150-160mm travel that’s capable up & down with a penchant for descending through rough terrain is suggested on this trip. Tires should be tubeless, 2.30” or above, aggressive tread designed for rocky terrain, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. Eye protection and knee pads that you can comfortably pedal in are highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory when on your bike. A 16L backpack is recommended.
Suggested Bike
Trek Slash
Suggested pack
EVOC Trail Pro 16
ACTIVITY LEVEL
The minimum technical ability required for Costa Rica is Advanced. This trip is suitable if you have been riding consistently for a decade or more and can ride technical trails with steep sections and all types of singletrack and conditions. Expect some sections to challenge seasoned riders. This trip is a Level 3/6 for fitness. The accumulation of multiple long days of riding will add up, as it is on all of our trips the fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have.
THE RIDING
The singletrack trails are through jungle, hand-built and barely ridden. Ex- pect naturally technical sections on compact dirt like leaf-strewn eroded river beds, steep and loose sections, some roots and fixed rocks and lots of flowy sections too. Rides can be overgrown at times and are accessed by shuttle and sometimes short hike-a-bike.
LODGING AND CUISINE
We’ll be staying in very comfortable resorts and lodges. We feature lodging that will expose you to the famous Costa Rican lifestyle. Local foods and culture will be celebrated as part of your experience. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to practice your Spanish.
CLIMATE
The dry season (summer) is from late-November to April when it’s hot on the coast but perfect riding weather in the mountains. Costa Rica has one of the most diverse climates in the world and being on the tropics means that sometimes a storm can show up for a few hours. We rec- ommend bringing a variety of clothing – for cool high mountain weather and hot sunny days too.
YOUR SAFETY
Our trips take place in remote regions with limited evacuation options available. Our guides have basic first aid training, if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory for all riders. If you choose to participate in our trips it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively, to walk sections if needed and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. There are always risks and hazards on all trails that we ride. It is your responsibility to inspect your bike or rental bike daily and keep it in excellent condition. Helmets are mandatory and alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding your bike.
THE NEXT STEPS
Please read and understand our Terms and Conditions and our Waiver. Then, email or call us to make sure that your desired departure is confirmed and there’s still space available. We’ll then send you a short Rider Questionnaire to learn about your riding experience and ensure that you are suitable for the trip. The last step is to complete our secure online Registration Form and pay your 25% deposit, and we’ll send you detailed Trip Preparation Guide that includes steps on preparing for your adventure.
A Travel Protection Plan protects your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. We strongly advise travelers to enroll in a Travel Protection Plan in case an unexpected event causes you to cancel or leave your trip. Please review Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ Cancellation Policy:
A Travel Protection Plan should be purchased once a deposit or any payment is made for a trip. Insurance must provide coverage for personal accident, death, emergency remote evacuation including helicopter evacuation, medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We advise travellers to confirm that it covers trip cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You will be asked for proof of insurance in lead up to your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, Big Mountain will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect to insurance coverage that would have otherwise have been available.
“The guides, the trails, the people, the country – it was one of the best weeks of my life! Don’t change anything.”
