Mountain Bike

Just over an hour from San Jose, with over 60 km of bike routes, the trails at La Lucha Farm are specifically designed for mountain biking events. They offer a wide variety of terrains and difficulty levels, catering to all types of cyclists, from beginners to experts. Entrance fees are cheap, at $12 for the day for full access (including the downhill track).

The “El Cabuyal” trail is an iconic downhill track recognized worldwide. It hosts major international events and features long trails specially designed for this sport. Hacienda La Lucha provides a natural and safe environment for those seeking the thrill of mountain biking in a one-of-a-kind setting.

After you are done pumping down the mountain, enjoy a meal at the restaurant on site, or stay in the cabins overnight for a fully immersive experience. You can also add this stop on your Peaks, Palms and Paradise Itinerary.

Just outside the city of Liberia, at the skirts of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, is the Rincón Trails MTB and Adventure complex which offers 12KM of trails and is perfect for beginner level mountain bikers. This innovative complex focuses on practicing MTB safely, since drivers in Costa Rica aren’t always the friendliest with bikers. The basic entrance fee is $6 for the day, but you can pay $4 dollars extra to include the breakfast of the day.

Here, you can splash through puddles during the rainy season or experience the unique dry forest of the Guanacaste Province from December-April. Due to the heat during the day, we recommend going either early morning or late evening. An evening ride will allow you to catch the incredible sunsets this region is known for.

After you’ve finished, head on over to Rio Negro Hot Springs and Mud Baths to relax your tired muscles with a soak in the natural mineral water.

For a less physically demanding, more laid back Pura Vida style mountain bike ride, try this E- Moutnain Bike Tour from Samara to Nosara on the rural route, which takes you through quiet back roads with little to no traffic. The back roads in the Nicoya Peninsula are not easy, but they represent the true essence of the region.

This option presents a healthy challenge, both to your senses and your fitness level, but the eBike ensures the ride remains enjoyable and manageable. As you pedal through the countryside, you’ll get a true taste of Costa Rica’s rustic charm, passing through serene landscapes untouched by crowds.

After completing your ride, take a well-deserved break and enjoy lunch at Al Chile Mexican Food, a local favorite known for its fresh and flavorful dishes, providing the perfect setting to relax and recharge after the ride.

Colón Trails has an extensive network of trails in the hills just outside of Ciudad Colón. The trails are well-marked, pet friendly and only cost $9 USD (4,500 Colones) to enter.

This area is easy to access from San Jose and offers over 20 miles of trails that wind through the hills above the Central Valley. This place has some serious vertical feet, 8,493 ft to be exact and challenging trails like “Bee Mountain” (Abejas Montaña) and Peruvian (Peruano) you can easily spend the day here. We recommend bringing lots of water and sunscreen, as that hot Costa Rican sun can beat down on you.

On occasion, they offer demo bike days, but you can also pick up a bike rental at BiciRent Costa Rica, in Santa Ana, before making your way over to the trails for the day.