Self-Launched 250km Coast to Coast E-Bike & Paddle Expedition in Costa Rica

Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and take the Airbus shuttle or an Uber (~£5–8) into the city centre. Check into your hostel in the Barrio Amón or El Pueblo area — both are safe, central, and walkable. Stroll the Parque España, grab a casado at a local soda (cheap local diner, ~£4), and pick up any last supplies at the nearby Walmart or farmacia.

🚌Airbus express shuttle from SJO to city centre (~£5) or Uber (~£8)

🛏Selina San José or Costa Rica Backpackers (~£18–22pp in a dorm, ~£35–45 for a private twin)

• →Arrive at SJO and take shuttle/Uber to city centre (~£6)
• →Check into hostel in central San José
• →Evening stroll around Parque España and Barrio Amón
• →Dinner at a local soda restaurant (~£5–7)

Take an early direct bus from San José's Tracopa terminal to Quepos (~3.5hrs, ~£8). Settle into your guesthouse in the lively fishing town of Quepos, just a short tuk-tuk ride from Manuel Antonio National Park. Spend the afternoon on Playa Biesanz or inside Manuel Antonio NP (entry ~£16) to spot sloths, white-faced capuchins, and scarlet macaws. In the evening, find a waterfront restaurant for a group-style pre-expedition dinner with other travellers.

🚌Tracopa bus San José → Quepos (~£8pp)

🛏Hostel Buena Nota or Wide Mouth Frog Quepos (~£15–20pp dorm, ~£35–50 private twin)

• →Bus from San José Tracopa terminal to Quepos (~3.5hrs, ~£8)
• →Check into guesthouse in Quepos
• →Afternoon visit to Manuel Antonio National Park (entry ~£16, book online at sinac.go.cr)
• →Wildlife spotting: sloths, capuchins, scarlet macaws
• →Dinner on the Quepos waterfront (~£8–10)

Pick up your pre-booked e-bike rental from a local outfitter in Quepos (see notes below on self-organising gear). Ride the first ~12 miles with Pacific views before rolling into the village of Esquipulas for a second breakfast at a local soda. Swap wheels for boots and hike ~9 miles into the cooler central mountains, gaining around 3,200ft. Camp tonight in the Naranjillo valley — wild camping is possible or ask locally about finca camping. Carry a lightweight tent (or hire one from your outfitter).

🚌E-bike (self-ridden); arrange e-bike rental in Quepos in advance — try Biking Quepos or Midworld Adventures (~£30–40pp/day)

🛏Wild camping or finca campsite, Naranjillo valley (~£5–8pp)

• →E-bike ride ~12 miles from Quepos toward Esquipulas with Pacific views
• →Second breakfast at a village soda in Esquipulas (~£3–4)
• →Hike ~9 miles into the central mountains (~3,200ft elevation gain)
• →Wild camping / finca camping in Naranjillo valley
• →Self-catered camp dinner

Strike out on foot for the steep 2-mile 'Cemetery Hill' climb toward the Continental Divide ridgeline. From San Lorenzo, remount your e-bike and ride ~9 miles down winding roads into the lush valley of Santa María de Dota — a charming coffee-growing village in the Tarrazú region. Check into a rustic cabin or agro-tourism guesthouse surrounded by coffee plantations. Try traditional gallo pinto and a locally grown cup of coffee for dinner.

🚌E-bike (self-ridden, continuation of multi-day rental)

🛏Cabinas or agro-tourism guesthouse near Santa María de Dota (~£20–30pp private room)

• →Morning hike ~7 miles with steep 'Cemetery Hill' ascent (~3,300ft up)
• →E-bike ride ~9 miles from San Lorenzo into Santa María valley
• →Check into rustic cabin or agro-tourism guesthouse
• →Coffee plantation walk and tasting (~£5–8)
• →Traditional Costa Rican dinner at local soda (~£5–7)

The biggest riding day: ~30 miles with 4,200ft of climbing to the summit of Costa Rica's Continental Divide at 7,644ft (near Cerro de la Muerte on Route 2). The e-bike's pedal assist earns its keep today. Enjoy sweeping views over Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula, and distant volcanoes at the summit, then enjoy a long thrilling descent on dirt roads into the lush Orosi Valley. Camp at Orosi or find a budget guesthouse in the valley.

🚌E-bike (self-ridden)

🛏Camping at Orosi Valley campsite or budget guesthouse (~£10–20pp)

• →E-bike ~30 miles over the Continental Divide (7,644ft summit)
• →Summit viewpoint over Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula
• →Long descent on dirt roads into the Orosi Valley
• →Swim in the Orosi hot springs (~£3) if energy allows
• →Camp dinner or local soda

Ride your e-bike ~6 miles along the river toward Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge (entry ~£10, bookable at the SINAC park gate). Lock up the bike at the refuge entrance and hike ~11 miles deep into the cloud forest — ferns, bromeliads, moss-draped trees, and dramatic waterfalls await. This is one of Costa Rica's wettest and most biodiverse areas. Camp near the settlement of Taus or wild camp responsibly in the refuge buffer zone. Cook a communal dinner under the stars.

🚌E-bike to refuge entrance; hiking within refuge

🛏Wild camping or basic campsite near Taus (~£5–8pp)

• →E-bike ~6 miles along the Orosi River to Tapantí refuge
• →Enter Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge (entry ~£10)
• →Cloud forest hike ~11 miles with waterfall detours
• →Wildlife spotting: resplendent quetzal, tapir, jaguarundi
• →Camp near Taus settlement

A long e-bike ride (~27 miles, ~4hrs) brings you to La Cruz, the put-in gateway for the legendary Pacuare River. Book a guided rafting day tour on the Pacuare in advance — operators like Rios Tropicales or Exploradores Outdoors run guided raft sections including transport and lunch (~£55–70pp). Raft ~6 miles through untouched rainforest and canyon walls. Tonight, stay at a riverside jungle camp (Rios Tropicales operate a lodge camp at El Nido del Tigre with tent/hammock options at reduced rates if booked independently).

🚌E-bike to La Cruz; rafting company provides river transport

🛏Rios Tropicales riverside jungle camp or similar eco-camp (~£25–35pp)

• →E-bike ~27 miles to La Cruz gateway (~4hrs)
• →Guided Pacuare River rafting day trip ~6 miles (book via Rios Tropicales or Exploradores Outdoors, ~£55–70pp including lunch)
• →Watch for toucans, sloths, and boa constrictors from the raft
• →Evening in riverside jungle camp — hammocks and forest walks

A genuine rest day deep in the Pacuare rainforest — one of the most pristine river corridors in Central America. Follow jungle trails to hidden waterfalls and crystal-clear pools. Swim in the river (guides will advise on safe spots). Lie in a hammock, watch wildlife, and let the forest sounds wash over you. The river water here is clean enough to drink. This is the rare kind of off-grid day that money can't really buy — you've earned it.

🚌None — full rest day at camp

🛏Rios Tropicales riverside jungle camp (continuation, included in prior day booking or ~£25–35pp)

• →Jungle trail hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes
• →River swimming
• →Wildlife watching: toucans, sloths, poison dart frogs
• →Hammock rest and nature journaling
• →Self-catered or camp-prepared meals

A full day rafting the best section of the Pacuare — ~12 miles through narrow canyons, Class II–IV rapids, and spectacular waterfall-laced jungle scenery. Your guided rafting operator manages safety and navigation; no experience is needed but expect an adrenaline-filled day. Pull ashore for a riverside lunch and a hike to cascading falls. As the forest gives way to banana plantations, arrive at Finca Pacuarito for your final night on the river.

🚌Raft — river current and paddle power

🛏Finca Pacuarito guesthouse or similar (~£20–30pp)

• →Full-day Pacuare River rafting ~12 miles, Class II–IV rapids
• →Guided by certified river guides (included in rafting package)
• →Waterfall hike and riverside lunch
• →Arrive at Finca Pacuarito — banana plantation guesthouse

Take one final e-bike ride (~16 miles, ~2hrs) through lush banana plantations to the town of Freeman. Here, switch to a sea kayak or sit-on-top kayak (hire locally or pre-book with a Cahuita outfitter) for the final ~7-mile paddle as the river current carries you gently out to the Caribbean coast. Celebrate arriving at the Caribbean Sea with a swim on the palm-fringed beach! Transfer or bus (~£4) up the coast to Cahuita, a laid-back Afro-Caribbean town beside Cahuita National Park.

🚌E-bike to Freeman; kayak to sea; local bus to Cahuita (~£4)

🛏Alby Lodge or El Encanto B&B, Cahuita (~£25–40pp private room)

• →E-bike ~16 miles from Finca Pacuarito to Freeman through banana plantations
• →Kayak ~7 miles down the lowland river to the Caribbean Sea (hire from local outfitter, ~£15–25pp)
• →Celebratory swim in the Caribbean Sea
• →Bus or shuttle to Cahuita (~£4)
• →Beachside dinner with Caribbean vibes

Spend a final morning on Cahuita's Caribbean beaches or walk the coastal trail through Cahuita National Park (donation entry ~£3) to snorkel over coral reefs. After lunch, catch a shared shuttle or public bus back to San José (~4hrs, ~£10–15) via the cloud forest and misty peaks of Braulio Carrillo National Park — a dramatic, scenic finale. Celebrate your coast-to-coast crossing with dinner and drinks in San José's Barrio Escalante, Costa Rica's best dining neighbourhood.

🚌Shared shuttle or public bus Cahuita → San José (~£10–15pp)

🛏Selina San José or Costa Rica Backpackers (~£18–35pp)

• →Morning beach time or snorkel at Cahuita National Park reef (entry by donation ~£3)
• →Coastal trail walk through Cahuita NP
• →Shared shuttle or public bus back to San José via Braulio Carrillo NP (~4hrs, ~£10–15)
• →Celebration dinner in Barrio Escalante, San José (~£12–15)

After a final breakfast at a local soda or bakery, take an Uber or the Airbus shuttle to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in time for your flight home. Alternatively, if you have more time, explore the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (£4) or the Mercado Central for last-minute souvenirs and a farewell coffee.

🚌Uber or Airbus shuttle to SJO (~£6–10pp)

🛏None (departure day)

• →Final breakfast at local soda or café (~£4–5)
• →Optional: Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (£4) or Mercado Central
• →Uber or Airbus shuttle to SJO Airport (~£6–10)