Experience Costa Rica up close! Explore Costa Rica’s northern volcanic range and enchanting blue waters
of Tenorio Volcano. This trip combines riding near Poás, Arenal, Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes with
stays in comfortable smaller hotels and visits to quiet rural towns. Over the nine days of the trip you will
enjoy epic climbs and fun descents. At the end of most days you will also take advantage of four different
hot springs. Best of all, our guides will take good care of you with our seasoned hospitality and cold local
brews after each ride.

This trip is rated expert-level. Riding each day is a guaranteed solid 5 hours at a good pace. Although we
will have van support, this is not to be expected as the van will not be with the group during the day, only
at the beginning and end of the ride. Since riding is self-supported, riders need to be self-sufficient with
hydration and snacks. Use of a hydration bladder is expected and required if you want to finish the ride. If
you are concerned about fitness and stamina this ride is not for you.

Day 1 - Arrival
We will be meeting at the Bekuo Hostel in the Los Yoses Neighborhood of San José. Depending on your
arrival time, you may explore downtown San José or chill out before the group gets together for BBQ that
night. We will be getting to know each other and discussing the week’s activities. Dinner is included.
Lodging is at the Hostal Bekuo (www.hostelbekuo.com) or similar.
No riding today.

Day 2 – Poás Volcano
On your first day of adventure we shuttle to Doka Estate coffee farm where we have a delicious breakfast
to fuel up for the ride on pavement up to Poás Volcano National Park. After visiting this active volcano,
we ride on dirt and singletrack to Grecia, a small town on the foothills of the volcano. In Grecia we have a
late lunch and then shuttle to our quaint nearby lodging at Mimosa B&B (www.mimosa.co.cr).
Ride distance: 33 miles approx.

Day 3 – Fortuna
Today we shuttle to Las Juntas de Abangares near the Continental Divide and from there we ride down to
Lake Arenal and then west to Fortuna. This ride has great climbs, awesome views…all through authentic
Costa Rican countryside. Once we get to the lake there are awesome scenic views of active and smokin’
Arenal Volcano in the distance. Lodging is at Hotel San Bosco (http://www.hotelsanbosco.com) or
similar. If we make it in time (we better!), we can visit the Ecotermales, a family-run by-appointment-only
hot springs.
Ride distance: 45 miles approx.

Day 4 – Lake Arenal
On this yet another epic day we ride from the hostel to Nuevo Arenal on the shores of its namesake lake.
On the paved road it is a short 30 miler, but we take the back way…the fun way up and down the
mountains north of the lake. We always bring plenty of water, munchies and a buck or two for beers
along the way. Lodging is at El Establo, home of GREAT food (http://www.thestablearenal.com/).
Ride distance: 55 miles approx.

Day 5 – Tierras Morenas
After an early breakfast we leave the shores of Arenal Lake and head in-land toward Tenorio Volcano. We
will ride past world famous Tierras Morenas Wind Farm (a wind energy project that supplies electricity to
thousands of Costa Rican homes). Following the volcanic mountain range along doubletrack and dirt
roads, we will arrive at our destination near Bagaces and next to Miravalles Volcano. Our hotel has
thermal pools and probably the hottest springs that you can have without losing some skin. Did we
mention the coldest beer too? Lodging is at Aguas Termales Yoko (www.yokotermales.com) or similar.
Ride distance: 30 miles appox.

Day 6 – Up and around Miravalles V. to Tenorio V.
OK, so today is the best ride that we know in Costa Rica: we leave the hotel and ride around Miravalles
Volcano all the way to La Carolina Lodge, our favorite spot inland Costa Rica. First the ride, great climbs,
small towns where everyone says hello, waterfalls, flowers, tucans, monkeys…pizza and cold beer for
lunch! The best part is the destination, a working ranch that we consider our home away from home.
Lodging is at La Carolina (www.lacarolinalodge.com).
Ride distance: 40 miles approx.

Day 7 – La Carolina Lodge at Volcán Tenorio
Today we spend enjoying La Carolina Lodge’s rustic luxury and visiting Tenorio Volcano National Park, a
short and sweet but tough one-hour ride away. Inside Tenorio you will marvel at Río Celeste with its
cobalt blue water, natural hot springs (skinny-dipping optional) and pristine forests. Then we will get
pampered with a second night at La Carolina and it wood-fired hot tub.
Ride distance: two 9 miles round trip with plenty of elevation gain. Inside the park a three hour hike.

Day 8 – Cabanga!
Cabanga is actually the name of the town that we ride to in order to get back to Nuevo Arenal for our last
day of riding. We leave La Carolina and ride past papaya and pineapple farms to Guatuso and from there
it is a tough climb up to the pass that brings us back into Nuevo Arenal. Lodging is at El Establo again.
Ride distance: 36 miles approx.

Day 9 – Shuttle back to Airport
Fun’s over. Today we leave early in order to catch mid-day flight back home.

Cost
Cost is $1499 per person double occupancy.

www.lava-tours.com

source: Carlos J. Cardona