Costa Rica with MotoBirds – Swapping Autumn for Adventure
When Agata came up with the idea to trade the rainy Polish autumn for some tropical sunshine in Costa Rica with MotoBirds, it sounded like a genius plan. Well… she did find rain – just the warmer, wetter kind (not like the one you fine on Faroe Islands or in Scotland). But hey, when you’re in full adventure mode, you take it all in stride.
Heading to Costa Rica
I teamed up with Ilona for the long journey from Kraków to Costa Rica. The flights were smooth, and the layovers gave us the perfect chance to catch up after a long time apart (last trip we did together was in Argentina/Bolivia/Chile in 2019). We tried to get into the lounge at Amsterdam airport, but the waiting list was a joke – no luck there! Still, spirits were high.
Day 0: Exploring San José
The weather forecast wasn’t looking great, but we didn’t let that stop us. We hit the streets of Costa Rica’s capital, San José. To be honest, the city didn’t really impress us. But our next stop – a wildlife sanctuary – definitely made up for it. Crocodiles, big cats, birds, and more… Totally worth the visit! 
Day 1: San José to Tarrazú
Time to ride! This was our warm-up day: nothing too technical, though the mountain roads were crazy steep and full of sharp turns. The bikes handled it like champs. Our destination? A charming, 120-year-old coffee farm nestled in the hills.
Surprise of the day? Two people from our group got engaged! Now that’s how you start an adventure.
Day 2: Tarrazú to Manuel Antonio
We started the day in the rain, climbing through muddy, twisty mountain tracks. By afternoon, we were sweating under the Pacific sun.
I wasn’t feeling super inspired behind the camera that day – nothing seemed to come out right. On top of that, I doubted my riding skills for a while… But maybe it’ll all click in the next few days?
We wrapped up with a visit to Costa Rica’s most famous national park. I was hoping to see more wildlife, but we still spotted sloths, bats, monkeys, and some cheeky crabs. Then – of course – my “big” camera battery died.
Day 3: Manuel Antonio to Montezuma
What We Expected: Wake up at 6. Breakfast at 7. Depart at 8. Scenic ocean road. Crocodiles under the bridge. Ferry at noon. Chill off-road ride. Beach and dinner.
What Actually Happened: Wake-up call at 5:30. Breakfast before 7. On the road by 7:45. Scenic ocean road and yes, crocs under the bridge! Made the ferry on time. River crossings that were way tougher than we thought. Got to see baby sea turtles being released – magical! Walk on the beach, refreshing swim, and a killer dinner.
Pura Vida, as they say here!
Day 4: Montezuma – Rest Day? Not Really.
You’d think a “day off” meant resting, right? Not for us. Most of the group went riding again – this time deeper into the wild. River crossings, mud, more mud, and plenty of laughs.
Let’s just say we handled it better than the KTM group we bumped into. Teamwork for the win!
Day 5: Montezuma to Puerto Carrillo
We left early to beat the high tide – and it was so worth it. Riding along the beach with the ocean crashing nearby was one for the books.
Then back to business: more rivers, more mud, more fun. The day ended with good food, a lovely beach, and a picture-perfect sunset.
Day 6: Puerto Carrillo to Monteverde
Not a super tough riding day, but it was slippery, especially after the rain. Still, the wildlife sanctuary we visited made the ride totally worth it. Sloths, jaguars, even a tapir – it felt like a mini safari.
Day 7: Monteverde to Arenal
“Go to Costa Rica,” they said. “It’ll be warm and sunny,” they said.
Yeah… not quite. It poured all day. But at least it was warm rain. We almost got a glimpse of the famous Arenal Volcano – close, but no volcano selfie today.
Day 8: Arenal to Turrialba
Another day, another downpour (with a small break during the breakfast, when the Arenal Volcano showed up from the clouds!). But the trails were still fun, even if we got lost once or twice. Toward the end of the ride, we reached a river that locals said wasn’t passable. Luckily, we were already on the right side. We poked around the riverbank just for fun – because why not?
Day 9: Turrialba to San José (The Final Ride)
The last day kicked off with something totally different – rafting! We finally caught a bit of sunshine as we paddled down the river, then had a delicious lunch before hopping back on the bikes.
The final stretch was intense: thick fog, pouring rain, and crazy traffic in San José. At one point, we could barely see the trucks in front of us! But we made it back safe and sound.
Bikes returned. Beers opened. Dinner shared. And then… time to say goodbye. Some of the crew had early flights, so the farewell was bittersweet.
Flying Back Home
Back in Kraków – on time, no delays. Even my luggage made it, though it was 2 kg heavier (wet clothes, of course). Miraculously, everything fit, and I saved my fellow passengers from any suspicious smells. You’re welcome.
Wanna Ride with MotoBirds?
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, check out MotoBirds’ website for upcoming trips. Agata’s already signed up for a women-only ride in 2025!
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Big thanks to:
