Costa Rica Bicycle Trips

Carlos was incredible right from the very first day of the trip. None of us knew him yet, and I didn’t know what to expect, but he immediately stood out to me as someone who was extremely professional, organized, and thorough. Every evening, he gave me and the rest of the group all the details we needed — the route, the roads, the timing, the breakfasts and dinners, the weather, the excursions, the challenges, the highlights. He told us what to wear, when to use sunscreen, what to expect from the climbs, when the rain might come, when to prepare for heat — every little detail was covered. Because of that, I felt comfortable, confident, and fully aware of what was coming the next day. There were no surprises, and that was because of Carlos. And once he finished going through all the serious information, he would sometimes throw in a little joke. Just a quick comment or a funny line to lighten the mood. I didn’t expect that from him at the beginning, but those moments always made me smile, and they helped me relax. It showed me that underneath the professional guide was a warm, funny, genuinely special person. As the days went on, I got to see how much Carlos truly loves to ride. He lives for cycling. He rides long distances, he races all the time, and he never seems to get tired. His passion for biking isn’t something he hides — you can feel it in everything he does. And that passion made the trip even better for me. It made me trust him, and it made me enjoy the rides more. I’ve been on a few guided trips before, and I can say honestly: Carlos is the best guide I have ever had. Professional, caring, sharp, humble, funny, and unbelievably dedicated — he made this entire trip better for me in every way. Carlos is truly one of a kind

The 3 Central America countries cycling trip could be a logistic nightmare, but Mike managed with aplomb, and the changing of bikes, crossing of borders etc. become part of the fun. Mike was truly excellent and we would thoroughly recommend the trip, despite some wet weather. The contrast between the countries was interesting and Mike was a mine of information. This was our 6th Explore cycling trip, and though they have all been great, this was near the top.

Great varied trip. Tour leader Mike, was fantastic. Some challenging cycle rides and long bus journeys, but made up for by the variety of the trip and amount we saw

I thoroughly enjoyed the ExploreWorldWide cycling trip from Nicaragua to Panama. The itinerary length and route were excellent, and our group dynamic was exceptionally positive—welcoming, diverse, and without cliques. Our group leader, Mike, set the tone from the start with a smooth airport pickup and consistently strong leadership. He was knowledgeable, communicative, and great at preparing us for the varied conditions across the three countries. The support team was outstanding: skilled drivers who navigated challenging traffic with confidence, and a hands-on bike mechanic who kept everything running smoothly. Accommodations ranged from good to excellent, with consistently friendly staff. I also appreciated the food options and the straightforward system of everyone settling their own bills. Most excursions were engaging and well organized; the only exception was the afternoon nature walk, which could be improved. Overall, I would highly recommend this trip to friends and family.

An excellent way to explore Central America on two wheels—what a ride! I loved every segment of the tour. Just a heads-up: you’ll need more than basic cycling skills… and a truckload of grit. Some of the dirt roads, especially the downhills, are the kind that make you suddenly remember every loved one you’ve ever had. Definitely not for the faint-hearted. About the hotels: a few of the one-night stays were… let’s say “character-building.” The stop in Turrialba in particular did not meet even basic standards. Explore, you can do better—please save future cyclists from that experience. Now, about our tour leader, Mike. After ~15 tours across ~20 countries, I’ve finally had a tour led by a real pro athlete. And wow—what a difference. Mike’s professionalism, enthusiasm, ocean-level patience, and that trademark toothy smile made even the toughest (undualating😄）climbs feel manageable. He set the bar so high that my future tours may need oxygen just to reach it. Absolutely recommended. And if you’re lucky enough to get Mike, prepare to have your expectations ruined—in the best possible way.

Great all around trip. The guide (Jeff) was organized, attentive and fun to be around. Briefings each day were informative and useful. The food was excellent, camp sites were good. The rafting was very exhilarating. The equipment was in good condition and they were prepared for mishaps. We had bike chain break but they had spare bike readily available. You could push yourself as hard or as easy as you felt comfortable.