Costa Rica

Nestled between Caribbean and Pacific waters, Costa Rica harbors astonishing natural beauty. Rainforests emerge from the seas and rise into lush highlands where monkeys and macaws share the canopy. Misty cloud forests reach higher still, topped off by the ancient volcanoes that have shaped this breathtaking land. Within, a wide range of ecosystems has created one of the most bio-diverse places on earth. And the VBT Costa Rica bike tour lets you cycle into its heart.

Hulking mountain slopes host a menagerie of creatures … verdant forests hug sweeping valleys … mangroves and a maze of watery inlets hide an aquatic wonderland … and cities and villages offer an irresistible rustic charm. On a VBT Costa Rica bike trip, all roads showcase one of the world’s most authentic destinations. Along the way, yucca and papaya farmers invite you to sample. Working coffee plantations urge you to sip. And breathtaking vistas send your spirit soaring, from the heights of Poás Volcano to the pristine shores of Lake Arenal.

Off the bike, experience this entrancing natural world in the most intimate ways. A naturalist guide leads you into the cloud forest where 840 bird species live on the wing. Get your own bird’s-eye view when you zip-line through the canopy. Trade your bicycle for a raft as you float down the Peñas Blancas River, drifting into the realm of lizards, sloths, toucans, herons, and butterflies.

At every invigorating turn, your VBT Trip Leaders reveal a side of their culture that other travelers miss, giving you firsthand insight into life as a tico. This is where every day is a celebration of pura vida, or pure life, a call for eternal optimism and love of life. It’s in that spirit that Costa Ricans make fast friends and that a local couple invites you to join them in their home to toast your travels over a festive meal.

Indeed, pura vida is a contagious state of mind in Costa Rica. And VBT has selected deluxe accommodations that help you embrace it all the more. Unwind at an elite “green resort” crowning a 3,000-acre spread, where you’ll revel in the charm of an award-winning collection of casitas. Indulge in a 5-star resort, named a Leading Hotel of the World and a Leading Spa of the world, a luxurious treat after a day of adventure.