250km Coast to Coast Expedition through Costa Rica

I had so much fun and the entire trip was so well organised and run from start to finish. Great food! Great mixture and quality of accommodation! Fez and the Coast to Coast team are just fab, I always felt safe and looked after. It's such a great way to see Costa Rica and challenge yourself physically along the way. Highly highly recommend

A truly amazing experience that was made infinitely better by Fez!!

What an incredible trip across Costa Rica. Every day was an adventure. Fez (Christopher) was the most fantastic leader. Each day he described in great detail what to expect in terms of physical exertion, what to pack for our transition bags, time expectations and what food/drinks we should carry. I found it very helpful knowing what climbs to expect when cycling. I possessed moderate fitness for the trip and found some parts difficult - particulalry the 14km 800m climb up to the Continental Divide. I felt very much supported by Fez - he exudes great positive energy. On more than one occasion I had to get off my bike and walk - but with Fez's support I completed the trip and it was amazing and somewhat emotional to arrive at the Caribbean Sea!

A nice trip, well organised across a beautiful country

Just returned from completing the last Coast to Coast trip of 2025! An amazing trip with awesome guides and like-minded group of adventurers. Christopher (Fez) and Memo were great throughout the trek ensuring everyone was prepared for the challenges of the day and keeping the group together - while allowing us to go at our own pace and, keeping us well fed! All of the provided equipment (mountain bikes, tents, rafts, etc. ) were high quality and we never had any issues.

One only gets to experience the full beauty and culture of the people and country by doing this type of adventure. Cannot say enough about the people we encountered and their commitment to ensuring our experience fulfilled the promise of pura vida.

I highly recommend this adventure. Ensure your legs are in shape as there is a lot of elevation on the bikes!

Kevin (Dec 2025)

An incredible adventure of a lifetime! There's time of extreme workouts and extreme relaxation. The food is amazing. Fez and Memo are awesome together. The accommodations are humbling, charming, and relaxing. Such a nice mix of everything, and packed with so many small surprises! I want to do it again!

This is really good trip that will test you at some point, both physically and mentally!

The combination of hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking makes it tough, especially when you do two different activities in one day. The "Day 5" cycle over the Continental Divide is a real challenge, so if you're not a regular cyclist then I'd recommend doing some training beforehand to help you enjoy it more.

The highlight was definitely the two nights spent by the river at El Nido del Tigre where you can relax in the hammocks or catch up on rest on the comfortable memory foam mattresses. Plus the wildlife - we saw a puma!

Activity wise, I really enjoyed the downhill biking and the early hiking sections. Confidence on loose gravel tracks will help you enjoy the biking more - drop your saddle down to gain more control.

Our lead guide was Josué, supported by Sebastian. Memo and Mau were on logistics. The whole team were fantastic! Everything is very well organised and efficient. The meals prepared by the guide team were all delicious, far better than what you eat out in a restaurant.

My tips & advice:

• Take a small packable poncho that goes over you and your rucksack.
• Definitely take a camping pillow!
• Take electrolyte & vitamin tablets, e. g. Phizz.
• For the cycling, a small saddle/crossbar/handlebar bag is useful for sun cream, snacks, phone etc.
• The bikes have space for two cycling water bottles.
• If you use them at home, take your own SPD/clipless pedals and shoes. Waaaay more efficient on the uphills and secure on the downhills.
• The bike saddles are OK, but a gel cover will help, or take your own.
• Ear plugs and an eye mask are essential!
• I took lightweight hiking boots and these kept my feet dry and meant I could walk across streams/rivers fine.
• Take playing cards / card games for the evenings and rest day.
• I enjoyed having flapjack/cereal bars from home.

Overall, this is another great MBA trip which I highly recommend! Just don't underestimate the challenge.

Definitely read other people's reviews - there's some great advice in then regarding kit and conditions you might encounter. Hiking is mostly on gravelly hardpack, but the hills are plentiful and incredibly steep. Cycling wise, I was lucky as I do a decent amount of mountain biking and had a fair idea of what I was likely in for when I saw the distances and elevations in the itinerary, but I think it's worth re-iterating that this part of the trip is tough. You either need a good level of bike fitness, or good general fitness level and a willingness to really slog and suffer through the biking sections.

We got pretty lucky with the weather, it was rainy for a fair portion of it with the group looking more like a summer hiking expedition in the Brecon Beacons than the shorts and vest tropical hiking experience I'd pictured when booking, but this actually really worked in our favour as there are some sections that would be pretty punishing in full sunlight, particularly kayaking where there isn't much in the way of tree cover at the end. I think the best advice is to be prepared for anything.

The rest day felt really well earned even if we did swap our waterfall hike for watching the rain hammer down while we played cards and lounged in hammocks, but it's a truly wonderful spot.

Josue and his team were exemplary - the logistics and the organisation of the trip was flawless throughout, all the meals they cooked at the campsites were top notch as well. There were a couple of changes to the published itinerary due to conditions and safety and fully warranted and well communicated on both occasions. I really can't say enough good things about the guiding on this trip.

The rafting at the end of the trip was amazing fun and really felt like a reward for all our hard work up those hills and to finish the trip we seemed

I was also lucky enough to share this trip with a great group of investing, fun people (and one puma, spotted on the first day) - which made it even better

Overall, a brilliantly organised and challenging adventure.

I wanted to do a challenge to mark my upcoming 50th birthday. Josue and Sebastian (and Memo and Mau) were absolutely outstanding and we couldn’t have been in better hands.

Costa Rica was breathtakingly beautiful. This trip was everything I wanted it to be and so much more than I could have imagined. We were lucky with the weather and saw incredible wildlife including a puma(!), sloths, toucans and capuchin monkeys.

I read the reviews over and over before booking this trip as I wasn’t sure if I was fit enough, so this review will help you if in a similar spot.

You need to be fit physically AND mentally. Everyone in our group said it was the toughest cycling they’ve ever done. One day a section was 3 hours hiking uphill, another day a section was cycling 2-3 hours uphill. So if you have the grit and decent fitness, you'll get there. I was slow, got off the bike a lot and walked, but kept going without breaks and it was great. If in doubt, book the e-bike version. It was worth training hard and being off the booze for a couple of months beforehand.

Off-roading gravel cycling experience is useful. Most of the cycling is asphalt, but there are some sections that you should know how to navigate downhill on loose gravel.

The rafting is SUPER FUN. I was worried about that and didn't need to be. Kayaking, sure, watch some YouTube videos on technique and make sure you have some upper body strength.

The MBA packing list is really excellent. My advice would be to pack lighter than you think. You have cheap laundry (priced by kg not by items) on about Day 4 and also at the end. Every day you're staying in a new place and moving on so don’t overpack.

Useful items:

• Take a magazine or newspaper. You can walk through creeks and scrunching up a few pages at the end of the day and stuffing them in your shoes will dry them out by morning.
• Good quality ear plugs are essential. Village dogs/ motorbikes/ snoring neighbouring campers/ loud rain/ noisy air con. I needed them every night.
• Didn’t need a fan (December trip)
• I feel the cold, so needed warmer clothes than just ‘a sweater’. A lightweight gilet/ warm socks was needed
• Got a spare rain poncho? Take it. Nothing dries, so rain jackets can still be wet the next day
• Sarong isn’t optional. Take one
• Water bottles (2 max needed), make them as lightweight as possible for the bike. Had metal, wish I took plastic.
• I bought a small handlebar bag (waterproof) for phone/ snack/ sunscreen which was brilliant
• Walking poles were essential for me
• A pack of playing cards is great for evenings/ rest day (which is in paradise, you’ll love it!)
• Finally, if you’re blister prone, a combo of Compeed Anti Blister Stick and (USA brand) Wright socks Coolmesh II Tab Anti Blister System socks was a winning combo for zero blisters.

All in all, highly recommend. A truly EPIC trip. One for the memory bank. Thank you MBA.

Well organized. Very challenging.

This trip is No Joke! But if you can put one foot in front of the other, you can do it. The first three days were by far the hardest. These climbs are tough. I mean real tough.

We had great esprit de corps, due to good luck, Carlos' leadership, and Mimo's cooking. You really get a feel for the land and its people, especially the coffee workers. The bikes were in great shape. I mostly got by carrying 1L of water, as there were freqent opportunities to refill. I would pack a clothes line next time. I was glad I packed my own inflatable mattress and pillow. There were lots of opportunities for laundry. You only need a 4 day supply. I packed hiking shoes, not boots, as well as hiking sandals, which came in handy. It was good to have long pants to go on the water all day. I overate like crazy. Toilets were readily available throughout. Sunglasses straps were a plus.

The poisonous frogs, venomous skakes, tarantulas, spiders, crocodiles, ants, pumas, sharks? Ah, don't worry about it. Pura Vida!

A fantastic experience, which was physically and mentally challenging (and wet!). More biking than I had registered- probably should have done a bit of training. The Coast to Coast team were superlative. Fez was our lead guide: experienced, flexible and fortunately had a great sense of humour, which he needed as we were a mixed ability group. The group was a mixture of solo travellers, couples and one small friend group, and gelled quickly. Lots of laughs and some tears! Supportive, friendly, just a great group of people who I'm really pleased to have experienced Costa Rica with. Costa Rica itself is breathtaking beautiful.

If you like a challenge, and LOTS of elevation, with amazing views and wildlife to distract you from another uphill, this is the trip for you.

Read the kitlist

it was unforgettable !

Our guide Fez was simply fantastic. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, hard working and extremely considerate. Our group was a bunch of fiercely independent individuals and his patience with us was admirable to say the least. The route is demanding as advertised, with only the younger fittest of us able to coast through it. The rest of us were in reasonable shape and found some parts easier than others depending on our individual aptitude. Fez threw in a couple of challenges along the way which kept everyone amused - competitive or not, we all enjoyed them. I would recommend the trip for sure, but prepare well, bring the right gear, and pack a very positive mental attitude. We will be checking out more MBA trips for sure

Travelling with 10 friends is amazing by it self. Doing it in Costa Rica with Fez, Abel and Darwin, our amazing guides made the adventure even better.

Well organised, great food, beautiful nature and lots of fun.

Pura Vida

One of the best trips in my life. Recommended ebikes if you not are well trained.

What an amazing experience from start to finish. This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The scenery in both the cloud forest and the rainforest was absolutely amazing, with lush landscapes around every corner. We saw an incredible range of wildlife—the highlight for me was spotting a sloth, my absolute favourite! Some of the rides and walks were definitely challenging, but every effort was well worth it for the views and experiences we gained. The activities were unforgettable too, from rafting the Pacuare River to kayaking in the Caribbean—each one a perfect blend of excitement and natural beauty. A special shout-out to our guide, Danny, who was nothing short of amazing. His knowledge, energy and encouragement made every moment even better. I can’t recommend this trip highly enough!

A great challenging cost to cost of Costa Rica. The trip notes and kit list is excellent. The first few days are the hardest, and it gets a bit easier towards the end.

So many elements of this very special and very unique tour. It was challenging no doubt about it but every minute and drop of sweat was worth it. Its an amazing country and people and you will have an appreciate the costa rican PURA VIDA motto . Our group of 4 irish , 10 English, a mighty Glasgow girl and a single Yank had a great time but were particularly blessed to have the truly amazing Danny minding us , capably aided by Santy . PURA VIDA . Put in the training and do this event. . . you wouldn't regret it

I didn’t exactly start this trip in top shape. Day three, I was already sick, and somewhere along the way I managed to take a little fall too. This was all my own doing and by no means anything the staff could've prevented. But instead of those being low points, they turned into the parts of the trip that showed me just how good this team is. The guides and support crew looked after me so well, checking in, making me laugh, making sure I was still part of everything. Fez, Memo and David are just incredibly kind, attentive and funny.

Another example: we were grinding up a long uphill on the bike, legs screaming, heat pressing down. And there, by the roadside, were Memo and David, clapping and cheering. When I rode past, they even sang 'Despacito' for me. I couldn’t stop laughing, and somehow, that gave me the push to keep pedaling. Those are the moments that make this adventure so special.

The days are challenging. There’s a lot of biking, most of it uphill or off-road. Hiking days break things up, one of them really tests you, the rest are more forgiving. The heat and humidity take some time to get used to. Depending where you are from of course. Rafting was a total blast. The river is internationally famous for it, and lives up to it's name and reputation. Kayaking honestly, that was the toughest bit. But with the team alongside us, even the hard stuff turned into something you look back on and smile about (once it’s over!).

Food? Fantastic. Sometimes we ate in little towns, but honestly the best meals were the ones cooked by the guides. And the group? Strangers who ended up cheering, sweating, and laughing our way across a whole country together.

Costa Rica is stunning, the challenges are real, and the rewards are huge. Even with the setbacks, I came away feeling stronger and so grateful. If you want something that’s more than a holiday, this is your kind of trip.

Please read Brett K. 's careful review on what to pack! Your clothes will be soaked everyday, either because of sweat or rain. Nothing dries but you have two options to do laundry for a good price. And please for the sake of the group use both those options ;). Leave the thermals at home.

First of all, thank I want to say thank you soso much to the on site team.

I cannot thank Danny enough - he is the perfect guide for this adventure!! He was so great and motivational - not only is he (evidently!) an accomplished athlete, he is also an expert in ecology and conservation, and as such really knowledgeable to tell us all about the vegetation and wildlife of the country, which was a fantastic addition for a trip like this. Memo and Adolfo from the support team were absolutely fabulous and are also incredible cooks!! Nothing was ever too much to ask, they were all so accommodating and always went the extra mile to ensure everything was perfect and we were all happy and comfortable. The logistics behind an adventure trip like this, which combines so many different activities every day, are evidently very complex and extensive - and yet everything was delivered seamlessly and the itinerary worked perfectly.

Our group of 9 was a fun mix of some solo travellers, some friends, some family, some couples, and we all got along very well! The whole trip is a great bonding experience in itself and there are plenty of chances to hang out and get to know everyone throughout the day and also in the evenings/ at campsites etc.

As far as the fitness level required for the trip, I would definitely say you need to be in good shape to enjoy it (work on your cardio before joining!) as there are some pretty intense long periods of uphill cycling - nevertheless, the team are always happy to adapt to different paces and assist where/when needed, and everyone was able to complete the expedition.

As many other reviews say, the food and snacks are very tasty and plenty - you will never go hungry! We somehow managed to put on weight despite how exercise-intensive this trip is haha.

The kitlist provided on the website is quite comprehensive, we didn't feel we were missing anything. Just to emphasise what other reviews say, clothes will not really dry once wet, so make sure to have dry bags and use the laundry opportunity mid-trip (very reasonably priced). We completed this trip during the rainy season, so sometimes if it was raining we would just re-wear some washed but still damp clothes, and it worked well as the temperatures are warm anyway (don't let the rain put you off the trip, it was actually quite fun!).

Costa Rica is such a beautiful country, all the landscapes are stunning, get ready for many magical waterfall/ river swims (a highlight in my opinion!) and to see so many different animals throughout. The hiking, biking and rafting/kayaking were all incredibly fun, and it is all the better when you are surrounded by such natural beauty. The Nido del Tigre campsite (rest day) is just something else - it felt like our own little oasis in the middle of the jungle. What a privilege to have experienced it all.

Book it, you won't regret it :)

An adventure you shouldn't miss. absolutely unforgettable!

An absolutely fantastic trip of a lifetime! Our guide Danny was especially brilliant - enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and clearly worked very hard to ensure we all had the best time. Food was much better than expected. Activities were spot on in terms of difficulty/challenge. And Costa Rica was beautiful and full of nature. Strongly recommend!

What an adventure!!! Danny and crew was absolutely amazing, I don’t think they could possibly do a better job . Plenty of knowledge, food and fun !!!

Not quite sure I have the words to sum up just how incredible this trip was! In essence a privileged opportunity to traverse across a beautiful country with a fantastic group of people enjoying an array of adventures! Everything was meticulously planned and delivered and every day was so different and special in its own way.

It is a pretty strenuous adventure and you do need a reasonable level of fitness to complete it all but with the support of a great group and positive attitude it is very achievable.

Hotels are all very comfortable and while there are 2 nights of pretty basic camping, the locations really give you a chance to immerse yourself in ‘real’ Costa Rica. The 2 nights camping by the river are in a spectacular location and our time there will always be a favourite memory for me.

Few things I would reinforce for the packing list…cycling gloves, lots of electrolytes, small pillow if you can’t cope for 2 nights without one and ‘water’ shoes. No snacks needed! The food throughout was excellent and always plentiful.

Finally if you are lucky enough to have Josue as your guide and Memo as your support driver then you will have hit the ultimate jackpot with this trip. Genuinely could not have asked for any more from them throughout the whole trip. Such incredible people who put so much time, energy and care into making sure everything was organised and that everyone had a great time.

This trip has everything. Incredible scenery, challenging climbs, fantastic guides and support and amazing locations and experiences.

Carlos and Memo looked after our group of 8 from beginning to end - they were incredibly well organised, kind, knowledgeable and above all good fun to spend time with. Every part of the trip was managed to the highest standards, and when adaptions were needed due to injury or other problems they were always up to the task.

There are some challenging cycle climbs on the trip, some hikes in the heat and plenty of opportunities to cool off in waterfalls, rivers and pools along the way. If you're unsure about booking this trip - so long as you have a modicum of fitness you will have the time of your life - stop reading reviews and start booking!

What an adventure of a life time, 250km powered only by your own lungs, shear will power and some rice and beans obviously!!

The level of detail that has been put in by MBA and the Coast to Coast team creating this one off kind of trip really shows. Before we were transported to the Pacific coast to start the challenge, the support we received to arrange additional high quality activities (Volcano climbing, zip lining and cultural sight seeing) was amazing.

The crossing starts and it means to go on. . . every section has its own challenges; from the monstrous bike climbs up on to the continental divide twice! to the grade 4 rapids, dense jungle footpaths and river crossing. It has something for everyone to excel at and dig deep into your resilience reserves. All whilst enjoying stunning wildlife, scenery, the amazing home cooked food and quirky range of accommodation.

Don't underestimate the challenge part of this trip it's real but achievable with will power and the amazing support of the Coast to Coast staff. Anni managed to have a MTB crash on the first day on a tough loose downhill section resulting in some arm, chest and leg injuries. The staff where outstanding at adapting and supporting her new needs; So she could still make it to the Caribbean coast. Be it the challenges of the heat in high season or the epic rain in the low season, this is a must do trip for the more adventurous active traveller. Its almost impossible not to be impressed with the Jungle Eco lodge on the rest day, the sounds, smells and tranquility recharge the deepest parts of your soul.

An Epic trip with and amazing Coast to Coast team, Jeff, Memo (5* chef) and all the local support people which made this a trip that takes your breathe away whist making amazing memories.

Thank you for being amazing people truly passionate about service deliver not just profit.

An amazing trip from the Pacific to the Caribbean, up and over the Continental Divide. An adventure biking and hiking through some of Costa Rica’s remote and quiet trails, with an awesome raft ride to add to the adrenaline thrill. The wildlife and birds are spectacular, the scenery and views are beautiful (once you’ve wiped the sweat out of your eyes), and everyone made us feel so welcome. Our guide and crew were brilliant, informative, supportive - creating fabulous meals and looking after us in every way. Highly recommended to all who like a journey- and a challenge! Pura Vida! 😁🇨🇷

I had a fantastic time on the trip. It was tough, but the guides and support staff were excellent. The whole trip was well organized and executed. Costa Rica and it's people are wonderful.

Prepare for heat, humidity, and mosquitos. The itinerary is challenging, just like the description says. I would recommend bringing a clothesline. Nothing really dries once it's wet, but ventilation helps. Bring a set of gloves for biking, rafting and kayaking. I brought my own comfortable bike seat. Otherwise, the bikes were great and well maintained.

I highly recommend this trip for adventure seekers or anyone who wants to be pushed beyond conventional hiking tours!

Activities Review: The trip is biking heavy, most of which is up hills or off road biking. There are some more advanced/technical biking sections but can be done by people without prior mountain biking or off road experience. There are 3-4 days which include hiking with only one being a challenge for people who have advanced hiking experiences. The rafting and kayaking is very fun and doable without prior experience. Each day is a fun yet doable challenge for physically fit people.

Guides: Fez and the team are amazing! They will address every concern/question and we’re 100% dedicated to us all trip. They really went out of their way to accommodate everyone during the trip. They are great cooks, helpful during the activities, fun to spend time with, and emphasize safety at all times.

Food: Dining options vary between restaurants in small towns, guides cooking, and camp site specific cooking. The best food was provided by the guides as they really tailored their meals to the travelers. There are ample moments to stop for snacks and the guides ensure no one is hungry or dehydrated. If you have food allergies or preferences, they will accommodate you.

Accommodations: This may be the “hardest” part of the trip as some of the camp sites are a bit rough. There are many nights without hot water or air conditioning. There will be a few nights when you are sleeping in a tent on the ground. After 2 days, the hot water won’t matter as much since it’s hot and humid during the day, but the temperature and humidity may make sleeping harder at night. There will also be bugs and wildlife at these camp sites. Some travelers may be less comfortable with this.

Tips:

1. Bring a fan if you can. This will help in the tents.
2. Bring a lot of sun block and deet. You will sweat it off often and will need to re-apply.
3. Physically prepare in advance. If you train accordingly, you won’t be sore after any of the activities.
4. Everything will be wet/damp once worn. This is due to sweat, humidity, and rain. This includes shoes.
5. There are 2 chances to do laundry. One is about half way and the other at the end. Plan to do laundry. This will help with packing.
6. Hand washed items won’t usually dry. Prepare to wear damp yet clean clothing or re-wear dirtier items as needed. If you don’t want to do either, bring a few extra items to carry you to laundry day.
7. You will have a few days without phone signal or WiFi. Enjoy these days but plan ahead. Bring a book or games for the rest day as there is no signal.
8. It is very hot, no need to bring heavy coats or cool weather clothing. However, long sleeved items will be good sun protection.
9. Bring at least 1 pair of biking pants. Your own helmet is recommended but not needed as they can provide one. However, it is nice to have your own.

TLDR: This is a fantastic trip for adventure/challenge seekers! The guides are fabulous and really go out of their way to ensure a fun yet safe trip.