Costa Rica – Panama
Road Tour
Jan 3 – Jan 13, 2009
Road Tour
Jan 3 – Jan 13, 2009
Looking for willing souls to attend services in Costa Rica and Panama in early January. Mass will be given by Rev Paulo Valle and assisted by Deacon Bicycle Bob Gregorio. The past four years have been nothing but amazing and we expect no less this time.
a
Jan 3 Arrive at San Jose airport. Stay in San Jose.
a
Jan 4 AM transfer to Perez Zeledon.
Today, we’ll ride 35 kms to Dominical on the Pacific Coast. After lunch, we’ll roll out of Perez Zeledon, and climb a gradual 1,500 ft above the valley. Once on the other side, we’ll be treated to a curvy descent with several outstanding views out over the Pacific coastline. We’ll stay in Dominical Stay at Villas "Rio Mar". http://www.villasriomar.com/
Jan 4 AM transfer to Perez Zeledon.
Today, we’ll ride 35 kms to Dominical on the Pacific Coast. After lunch, we’ll roll out of Perez Zeledon, and climb a gradual 1,500 ft above the valley. Once on the other side, we’ll be treated to a curvy descent with several outstanding views out over the Pacific coastline. We’ll stay in Dominical Stay at Villas "Rio Mar". http://www.villasriomar.com/
a
Jan 5 From Dominical, we head south on the Costanera, a beautiful route that skirts the southern Pacific coastline. We’ll stop along the way to enjoy one of Costa Rica’s remote beaches. The ride is fairly flat, by Costa Rican standards and totals 64 kms. We’ll spend the night in Palmar Norte. Stay at "Brunka Lodge". http://www.brunkalodge.com/
a
Jan 6 Now, we begin climbing for real as we leave the coast and head towards the border with Panama. Our route takes us in a southerly direction on a lightly traveled road between the bridge over the Rio Terraba at Paso Real all the way to our destination in San Vito. The road follows a scenic ridgeline as it ascends into a rich, coffee growing region. 50 kms with over 2000 ft of elevation gain. Stay at "Las Cruces Biological Station". http://www.threepaths.co.cr/lascruces_general_info.shtml
a
a
Jan 7 After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the border crossing at Rio Sereno. Once into Panama, we’ll begin a curvy, undulating climb that is a highlight for any cyclist looking for an adventure. Traffic is light, and the countryside spectacular as we gain 5,000 ft of elevation, making our way toward Volcan Baru, Panama’s highest peak. This challenging 40 kms will put us in the village of Volcan, where we’ll spend the night. Stay at "Hotel Dos Rios". http://www.dosrios.com.pa/
a
Jan 8 Leaving Volcan, we’ll descend 32 kms toward the Pacific once again, ‘til we reach the town of Concepcion. There, we’ll have lunch and load the bikes to avoid riding on the busy Pan-Am highway. We’ll transfer south to the intersection with one of the few roads that connect the Pacific coast to the Carribean. Here, we’ll mount up and make a spectacular 4,500 ft climb towards the continental divide, where we’ll enjoy fabulous views overlooking Panama’s Pacific coast. It’s 45 kms from the Pan-Am intersection to the top, where we’ll take in the sunset at our night’s lodging. Stay at "Finca La Suiza".
http://www.panama.net.tc/
a
Jan 8 Leaving Volcan, we’ll descend 32 kms toward the Pacific once again, ‘til we reach the town of Concepcion. There, we’ll have lunch and load the bikes to avoid riding on the busy Pan-Am highway. We’ll transfer south to the intersection with one of the few roads that connect the Pacific coast to the Carribean. Here, we’ll mount up and make a spectacular 4,500 ft climb towards the continental divide, where we’ll enjoy fabulous views overlooking Panama’s Pacific coast. It’s 45 kms from the Pan-Am intersection to the top, where we’ll take in the sunset at our night’s lodging. Stay at "Finca La Suiza".
http://www.panama.net.tc/
a
Jan 9 We leave civilization behind, as we cross over and into the Parque de la Amistad, or Friendship Park, which extends well into Costa Rica. Our route takes us into one of the largest remaining tropical forests in Central America. As we descend toward the Carribean coast, the first settlements we encounter are indigenous. Nearing the coast, the cultures blend into a mix with Spanish, Carribean and Indigenous influences. We’ll continue in a northerly direction toward Almirante on a rolling section of road that makes today’s 120 kms one of the trip’s hardest days in the saddle. At Almirante, we’ll board boats that will take us to Bocas del Toro, our home for the next 2 nights. Stay at "Hotel Tierra Verde" . http://www.hoteltierraverde.com/
a
a
Jan 10 Today is a well-deserved rest day. An optional tour of the islands is available to investigate some of Bocas del Toro’s reefs, beaches, surfing and marine life. Crystal clear water, typical Carribean architecture, nice restaurants, and a vibrant night life scene await us here. Stay at "Hotel Tierra Verde". http://www.hoteltierraverde.com/
a
a
Jan 11 We return to the mainland and drive to the border crossing, where we’ll re-enter Costa Rica at Sixaola. After clearing the border, we’ll mount up and ride the mostly flat 40 kms to Puerto Viejo, where we’ll spend the night. Stay at "La Costa de Papito" http://www.lacostadepapito.com/
a
a
Jan 12 Today, we return to the San Jose area to pack up and prepare for tomorrow’s departure.
a
a
Jan 13 Departure from the airport in San Jose.
a
a
Price is $1750 that Includes Lodging, Sag, Breakfast, Dinners, snacks, day drinks and bike maintainance. You pay for booze and lunch and airline ticket. Lunch is generally $3.00/ day. Roads are paved with light traffic. Scenery and people are spectacular!!
a
US Airways flies out of Durango through Phoenix. Continental and American leave from Albuquerque. Continental isn't very bike friendly. Frontier leaves from Durango through Denver. Trip is limited to 8 people and there are 5 spots left.
a