Upon arrival to Costa Rica, gather your luggage, make your way through customs and exit the Liberia Airport. Ride the Earth guides and drivers will be waiting for you as you exit the airport. A scheduled shuttle will be at the Liberia International Airport at 8:00am and 3:00pm to provide transport to the hotel. For those arriving early, the shuttle will also stop by the Hilton Garden Inn across from the airport for an additional pick up option. Please notify us in advance if you need this pick-up option. Note, additional shuttle times can be arranged for an added cost. See the Extras tab for details.

Once aboard our private van, we’ll head into the mountains of Guanacaste to a local eco-lodge. We encourage you to unwind, settle in and get ready for the week's mountain bike adventure. Meet the group in the hotel lobby at 5:00pm, to build bikes, have a cold beverage and get to know the fab crew you’ll be riding with in Costa Rica.Bike rentals will be issued at this time as well for those who have made rental arrangements.

After we build bikes and get to know each other, we’ll head to the hotel restaurant for a delicious dinner and to review what the week has in store.

Kick off day one with an epic buffet breakfast filled with locally grown organic fruits and veggies and made-to-order omelets. Don’t forget to try the “gallo pinto”, a traditional breakfast dish of rice and beans. It goes great with eggs!

After breakfast, we’ll hop on our bikes and ride straight from the hotel. Day one is a mellow ride (estimated 1-hour climb) to provide everyone with the chance to acclimate to the tropical climate. Bring lots of water and electrolyte replacements as you’ll definitely break a sweat in the rainforest! This first ride is a great start to an incredible adventure as it provides some technical features and the climb ends at a waterfall. Yes, we can jump in!

After swimming at the base of a gorgeous waterfall, enjoy a fun flowy downhill back to the hotel then head to the restaurant for a healthy and fresh lunch. The afternoon will be spent on an exciting zipline adventure through the canopy of the rainforest and through a deep canyon. Challenge yourself as you fly through the air on this unique Costa Rican adventure.

The group will have a designated dinner reservation tonight, however, you are always welcome to peel off and spend the evening as you like.

We’ll start today with an early breakfast and then gear up for a big point-to-point ride. There will be an optional add on from yesterday’s ride and then a long tour through rainforest sections and wide-open countryside trails. This ride is full of flowy singletrack with a couple technical climbs and descents. But don’t worry, our guides will take the time to stop and give you tips along the way.

Today’s ride is topped off with a picnic lunch, a quick dip in the river, and then we’ll load up and travel to the next hotel. And just an FYI, this next hotel is one of our favorites! A natural hot springs lodge with a full-service spa, locally sourced restaurant and surrounded by Costa Rican forest and excellent mountain bike trails.

Upon arrival, enjoy a happy hour cocktail (or mocktail) at the swim up bar in the hotel’s natural hot springs pool.

Tonight, enjoy a delicious group dinner at the hotel. Remember: Group dinners are always optional.

Today's morning adventure is a half-day ride out the back door of the hotel. This region is a rainforest eco-system with volcanic rock features, which provide interesting trail sections to session and play on. We’ll practice climbing and descending technical volcanic rock and even stop off at a spring that trickles with healing waters.

After returning to the hotel, join the group for a Costa Rican-style lunch and then spend the remainder of the afternoon as you like. Go tubing down the nearby river canyon, soak in the natural pools of a mineral springs river or relax and unwind with an organic spa treatment.

Top off this incredible day with a sunset yoga session on outdoor platforms amidst the rainforest.

Tonight, enjoy a delicious group dinner at the hotel. Remember: Group dinners are always optional.

Awake to the sounds of the jungle today. Birds singing in the trees and Howler Monkeys calling is a classic start to the morning at this eco resort. There will be an optional yoga class offered before breakfast and then you can spend the rest of your morning as you wish. Relax by the pool, get a massage or just relax in the hammock of your rainforest bungalow.

In the late morning, we’ll pack up our shuttle van and start our travels towards the beach. We’ll stop en route for a traditional Costa Rican lunch and then head into the forest for our drop off point. The afternoon ride will be a point-to-point ride that starts with a long gravel road downhill. It’s fast and fun and takes us to the back entrance to a private mountain bike trail system where we’ll get a good long climb in and then enjoy some fun flowy singletrack all the way to the ocean.

After our ride, we'll have cold beers on the beach and dive into the refreshing waters of the Pacific to cool off.

As the sun sets over the coastline, we’ll take some pictures, let it all sink in and then head to our hotel to get settled.

Tonight, enjoy a delicious group dinner at the hotel. Remember: Group dinners are always optional.

Today we’ll awake early for breakfast at our hotel and then pack up and head to the Las Catalinas trail system. We’ll spend the morning riding super flowy singletrack with incredible views of the coastline below. Our ride will end with a refreshing dip in the ocean and then we’ll head to lunch.

After a healthy and delicious lunch overlooking the ocean, the group will be free to spend the afternoon as they wish. There are stand up paddle boards and kayaks available for rent, for those interested, and this small bay is the perfect spot for it. It is also a great spot for swimming or just relaxing by the sea with a cold beverage.

In the late afternoon, our guides will provide an optional evening ride for anyone looking for more pedal time. Top off this fabulous day with sunset yoga and a spectacular dinner overlooking the beach.

We’ll wake up early again today to get on the trails and maximize our time in this excellent beach location. We’ll go on a big ride that combines big climbs and fun descents and all fun singletrack. There will be long flowy forested sections and epic views of the ocean. Our guides will even offer the chance to add on a segment to a secluded beach for a midride cool off session in the ocean.

We’ll take a lot of snacks with us today as we’ll be out riding for 4-5 hours. We’ll return in the afternoon for lunch and some downtime on the beach.

Once we’re relaxed and refreshed, we’ll head back to the hotel to pack up bikes and enjoy one last sunset yoga session. Then we’ll freshen up and head into town for a final dinner, beachside.

Tonight, we’ll celebrate the week’s adventure, new friends, and lifetime memories.

We have reached the last day of our amazing trip in Costa Rica and it's time to say goodbye. There will be an optional morning yoga class offered today for those who would like to get in one last stretching session before travel. After yoga, there will be time for a quick breakfast and then we’ll pack up for our group shuttle to return to the Liberia International Airport.

Our guides and drivers will have the group at the airport for a 12:00pm check in. Most departures return to the US and Canada in the afternoon, so this shuttle time generally accommodates most groups. If you need a different shuttle time, just let our team know and we can make the appropriate arrangements. Note: Shuttles outside of the scheduled time are available at an extra charge.

Looking to stay longer in Costa Rica? Let us be your source for off the bike adventures! Our team will gladly help you set up additional hotels, activities and even provide transportation and guides if needed. Our partner company, Earth Visions Travel, specializes in custom vacation packages and would love to make any and all arrangements for you. Click here to set up a call and start planning a custom add on.

Thanks for riding Costa Rica with us! We to ride with you again…

• Scheduled airport shuttle to/from Liberia International Airport
• 7 nights of boutique accommodations
• 4 rainforest and beachfront yoga sessions
• 6 days of incredible mountain biking with optional tips & coaching
• ½ day Zipline tour through the canopy of the rainforest
• Post ride hot springs (Days 2-4)
• Daily fresh breakfast & healthy lunches (Days 2-7)
• Post ride beverages
• Purified water available at all times

• Gratuities for guides and activities: Although tipping is completely up to your discretion, it is customary to provide gratuity for guides and drivers. A typical gratuity for your expert mountain bike guides is 5-10% of your trip cost per person and 2-5% for drivers. This may be given to the lead guide on your trip or to each person individually.


• Non-scheduled airport shuttles: We provide one or more scheduled pick up and drop off times for each itinerary. These times are based on the standard arrival and departure times for most flights to/from that location. If you arrive outside of those times, just let our staff know and we will arrange a private shuttle for you for a special rate. Specific rates are subject to arrival and departure times and the number of people. Contact us for a quote and to reserve your ride.


• Equipment rentals (bike, SUP, surf boards, etc.)


• Food & beverages not included in the itinerary: In general, riders are responsible for their own dinners and any beverages. Some lunches will include non-alcoholic drinks, but specialty drinks and extras should be placed on your own tab. We provide post ride celebratory beverages (usually that means a locally made cold beer!) but anything outside of that is not included. Although our guides will have some snacks and drinks available, it is highly recommended that each rider bring a full supply of ride snacks and electrolyte replacements.


• International Airfare


• Trip Insurance: Note that trip insurance is required for all riders on any Ride the Earth tour. You must provide proof of policy prior to departure. We have partnered with World Nomads to provide you with affordable trip insurance. Click HERE to view our trip insurance page to choose and purchase your policy.

• Single Room Add On: Women’s Rainforest Retreat – $900 per person


• Airport Shuttle Add On: Women’s Rainforest Retreat – $95 per person


• Full Suspension MTB Rental: Women’s Rainforest Retreat – $550 per person


• Front Suspension MTB Rental: Women’s Rainforest Retreat – $450 per person


• Custom Add On: Arriving early or staying longer after your ride? Contact our team to design your additional travel days. Our team specializes in custom tour packages both on and off the bike. We’d love to show you more great places to explore in our selected destinations. Cost varies per package.


• Couples Getaway Add On: This customized add on is a great addition to any of our bike tours. Sign up your partner as a couples add on and we’ll provide a private guide to show them the other great stuff to do at your destination of choice. Whether they want to practice their skills on a bike or spend their time exploring other non-biking activities, we’ll make sure they have an excellent experience paralleling your mountain biking vacation. Cost varies per package.

The following outlines the fitness and skill required for this specific itinerary. If you have questions about your ability level, email us or schedule a call back and we’ll answer all your questions and help get you booked on the tour that matches your skill and fitness levels.

Skill Level - Intermediate (Blue Trails): You have a strong understanding of shifting up and down through the gears. You have the skills to brake appropriately on descents and you maintain a comfortable and sturdy stance on controlled climbs and descents. You are confident to ride through a variety of technical features (roots, rocks, tight turns) although you are most comfortable at a slow and controlled pace.

Fitness Level - 4/7: You have moderately strong mountain bike fitness. You bike or exercise 3-4 times per week all year long for at least 2-3 hours per session. You are comfortable biking for 2-3 hours at a strong pace and 4-6 hours with some stopping or at a slower pace. You can comfortably ride 5 days back-to-back with climbing of up to 1500ft per day.

The Women’s Rainforest Retreat starts and ends at the Liberia International Airport. Two scheduled shuttles will be provided to the hotel on day 1 and one shuttle on the last day for your return to the airport. On day one, there are no scheduled activities until late afternoon to allow time for all the riders to arrive via their international flights. On the final day, there is a scheduled shuttle to the airport in the morning allowing proper time for departing flights. Shuttles on the last day to other locations in Costa Rica can be arranged at an additional cost.

Arrival Day Shuttle Times: 8:00am and 3:00pm at Liberia International Airport

Departure Day Shuttle Time: 10:00am for arrival at the Liberia International Airport by 11:30am.

• The accommodations for the Women’s Rainforest Retreat vary from rustic 3-star to boutique 4-star. They are carefully selected by our travel designers and are perfectly situated close to the ride trailheads.


• Breakfast and lunches are typically provided each day and are listed on the trips detailed itinerary as (B, L, and/or D) at the end of each day’s description.

• Packing for international travel can be overwhelming and when you add a bike it can quickly become a lot of stuff. Trust us, we know. Each of our rides has a packing list specific to the destination. Below are the links to the packing list for each destination as well as a link to a fun video we made to show you proper techniques for packing your bike for travel. Still have questions? Schedule a call back and our team will gladly walk you through the process and answer any questions.
• Click HERE for Costa Rica packing list
• Click HERE for bike packing video

The Women’s Rainforest Retreat starts and ends in Liberia, Costa Rica.

Airport: Liberia Airport
Airport Code: LIR

Vaccinated Visitors:
Adult tourists and minors under 18 years of age that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be allowed to enter Costa Rica. In the case of visitors from the United States, the “COVID-19 vaccination record card” will be accepted.

Foreigners will be able to enter the country if they carry a vaccination certificate or card that contains at least the following information:
- Name of the person who received the vaccine
- Date of each dose
- Pharmaceutical company

Non-Vaccinated Visitors:
Unvaccinated adult visitors traveling to Costa Rica will need to provide proof of a medical insurance policy to cover any COVID-19 related medical treatment or quarantine lodging while in Costa Rica. In the case of international insurance, tourists must request from their insurer a certification issued in English or Spanish, noting:
1) the validity of the policy during the dates of visit to Costa Rica,
2) guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in cases of COVID-19 related medical treatment in the amount of $50,000 USD and,
3) minimum coverage of 2,000 USD for extended lodging expenses due to COVID-19 related illness.

All visitors must also complete an online Health Pass (pasa de Salud) 48 hours prior to travel to Costa Rica.
Click Here to access the travel Health Pass.

All travelers require a current passport that is valid 6 months after your return date in order to enter the country. Citizens of most countries (ex: USA, Canada, UK) will receive a tourist visa upon entry and don’t need to apply for any approvals in advance. For more information, or if you’re from a country not listed above, check with your local embassy or passport office for detailed travel requirements.

It is best to travel with local currency when you’re traveling abroad. We recommend exchanging a small amount of money in the airport upon arrival and then using ATMs for more cash. Most businesses accept credit cards, so you don’t have to carry too much on any given day.

Our team at Ride the Earth is currently monitoring the COVID-19 situation in all destinations where we operate. Each departure will be carefully considered prior to moving ahead. We encourage everyone considering travel to Costa Rica to visit the CDC Website for the most up-to-date information regarding travel restrictions, health and safety.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements:
There are no vaccinations currently required for entry into Costa Rica though it is highly recommended to complete the full COVID-19 vaccine regimen prior to travel. Vaccinated tourists may enter Costa Rica with a vaccine passport or official vaccination card. Non-vaccinated indivuduals must be prepared to carry proper insurance coverage. See the insurance section below for details.

Additional Vaccine Requirements:
Travelers arriving from yellow fever risk areas may be asked to provide proof of a current Yellow Fever vaccination.

Food & Water Safety:
In general, the food and water are safe to drink in Costa Rica however, we recommend you consider drinking purified and bottled water at all times. Our guides will have water available each day and all hotels and restaurants will provide purified and bottled water.

It is safe to eat all fruits and vegetables in Costa Rica.It is important that all riders contact their personal physician and/or public health office prior to traveling abroad. These resources can provide you with the proper recommendations for your personal health needs regarding vaccinations, medications and general travel health information.

Know before your go! For detailed information on travel to Costa Rica to visit the Visit Costa Rica Website.

Note that trip insurance is required for all riders on any Ride the Earth tour. You must provide proof of policy prior to departure. We have partnered with World Nomads to provide you with affordable trip insurance. Click HERE to view our trip insurance page to choose and purchase your policy.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All adult tourists fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines must privide proof of vaccination upon entry by presenting their COVID-19 vaccination record card.

Foreigners will be able to enter the country if they carry a vaccination certificate or card that contains at least the following information:
- Name of the person who received the vaccine
- Date of each dose
- Pharmaceutical company

Unvaccinated adult visitors traveling to Costa Rica will need to provide proof of a medical insurance policy to cover any COVID-19 related medical treatment or quarantine lodging while in Costa Rica. In the case of international insurance, tourists must request from their insurer a certification issued in English or Spanish, noting:
1) the validity of the policy during the dates of visit to Costa Rica,
2) guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in cases of COVID-19 related medical treatment in the amount of $50,000 USD and,
3) minimum coverage of 2,000 USD for extended lodging expenses due to COVID-19 related illness.

All visitors must also complete an online Health Pass (pasa de Salud) 48 hours prior to travel to Costa Rica.
Click Here to access the travel Health Pass.

For details on these requirements, visit the Visit Costa Rica Website.

In general, you can expect hot sunny days in Costa Rica. Typical year round temperatures range from 80-90F (26-32C) during the day and only dropping a few degrees in the evenings. You will need very light, quick drying biking clothes for each day. Refer to the suggested packing list for detailed information on what to bring. You will also be able to leave items in our van each day so you can have back up supplies if needed throughout the day.

Yes, it is very hot and humid in Costa Rica. We recommend all riders should be prepared to carry 2-3L of water on them each day.

Our crew will have some snacks available, however, it is up to each participant to provide their own personal snacks and electrolyte replacement tabs and/or chews while riding. There are stores in Costa Rica where these can be purchased, however, it is recommended that you bring a supply of your favorite items from home as the selection in Costa Rica can be limited.

There will be a ride offered each day on the trip (days 2-7). The rides will mostly be half day rides with additional activities available in the afternoon. This itinerary takes place in Guanacaste, which is a very hot region of the country. For the most part, we will ride every morning and do an activity around water in the afternoon (SUPing, relaxing by the beach, river floating, etc.).

All of our trips can cater to most dietary needs, however, make sure you tell us in advance so our team can be properly prepared. We will provide you with forms to fill out prior to travel that will allow you the opportunity to notify us of any dietary needs or allergies.

Once you’re in Costa Rica, there are a variety of food options available at all restaurants to cater to most diets. The typical plate in Costa Rica is called a Casado and is a plate with rice, beans, salad and a protein (beef, chicken, fish, or fresh cheese for vegetarians). Whole foods, fresh meats, fruits and vegetables are easy to come by everywhere you go. When eating at restaurants, our group will always choose venues that are happy to cater to a variety of dietary needs.

Our guides will be there to help you build your bike at the start of the trip and pack it up at the end. We will have tools available and we’re very experienced in assembling and packing bikes. We’ll gladly give you tips and help you out during the process.