Discover The Heart of Costa Rica on Two Wheels
Whenever you visit a big city in any international destination, I feel you can discover so much more on foot rather than a bus. That of course can limit the amount of distance you can cover in one day. So if you can ride a bike, we suggest you join a bike tour instead. This way you can cover more ground, but still have the opportunity to smell the city air (the good parts and bad), feel the energy of the streets, immerse yourself in the sounds, and enjoy the scenery in general without a pane of glass distorting your perception.
Why You Should Explore San Jose, Costa Rica on a Bicycle Tour
First of all, a big disclaimer here. My husband and I have taken a bike tour or rented bikes in nearly every county we have ever visited. We love exploring on bikes in general. Even at home, we ride our bikes everywhere to avoid driving whenever we can. So I guess you could say we are bicycle enthusiasts. Ultimately, we always seek to rent bikes or take bike tours because we just have not found a better way to explore any city.
In Japan, the rules of the road are followed by all, so cruising through the chaos of Tokyo is actually a breeze. While in Paris and Spain, you can rent bikes using your credit card. Better yet, if you drop them off at the next station in under 30 minutes, it is free! Italy was definitely an adventure, but well worth it. In Cartegena Colombia, a night ride is accompanied by live music. The Malecon in Mazatlan has a fantastic bike lane so you never have to worry about pedestrians stumbling into your path. In Vietnam, I felt safer on a bike or scooter than in a car. The number of bikes on the road far outnumber the cars, and the ebb and flow of the scene is almost poetic. I could go on here about my love of bike tours, but you get the point.
So, it is only natural that we sought out a bike tour in San Jose, Costa Rica too. I had lived in San Jose, but this was the first time I brought my husband to the city with me. I showed him around on foot of course. But I am no historian, and really cannot confidently state the facts about even some of the most famous icons of the city. So best left to the professional guides. We opted to take the San Jose bike tour with Chepecletas.
San Jose Bike Tour – A Real Deal Team Experience in Costa Rica
The meeting location for the bike tour is right in front of the Teatro Nacional.
We met our guide and followed him to the tour office which is just a few steps away. We got our helmets and had an opportunity to go to the restroom before going for our bikes. The bikes were parked in the parking lot below their office, so very convenient. He asked us when was the last time we rode a bike and how often we ride. Then he matched us up with bikes according to our height and let us practice riding in the parking garage. He did not say so, but I think he was assessing our riding skills prior to leaving. Smart! As we quickly learned, riding a bike in San Jose is not for the faint of heart.
A Bit of a Bike Riding Adventure in San Jose
We headed out of the parking garage and right from the start we pretty much entered a high-density traffic area. So, a little nerve-wracking at first, but we quickly took a left on the next block to a quieter street. Something you need to know about riding a bike in San Jose. Costa Rica’s stormwater system is not exactly bike-friendly. There is no smooth transition between the sidewalk and the street. And when turning a corner, you do not want to get too close to the curb. You may fall into a ditch large enough to swallow a small child. Once you get the hang of it though, bike riding in San Jose is a lot of fun and a great way to explore Costa Rica’s cultural center.
San Jose Bike Tour Route
Our bike tour took us through the historical district of Barrio Amon, to the newly reclaimed green belt, past many different sculptures, and markets…basically all over town.
We made our way through a couple of the amazing parks where our guide stopped and shared the history of the parks and the importance of the surrounding buildings.
I was truly impressed with the amount of historical facts our guide retained and shared. Honestly, I am not sure if I have ever encountered a more knowledgeable guide. He told us he was a passionate historian who loved his country so much he just loved to share it with everyone who visited. What else could you ask for in a tour guide, right?!
Our favorite stop by far and away was the coffee shop inside this incredibly cool historical building in the heart of town. The building is called The Steinvorth.
The coffee barista was obviously passionate about what he does. And the coffee!!! OMG was the best I think I have ever tried. On top of that, it was my husband’s birthday. So they brought out a chocolate lava cake that perfectly complimented the coffee and a little bottle of Cazique, Costa Rica’s national liquor. Oh, and we purchased 2 bags of coffee before we left, and came back the next day to buy another…so yes, the coffee is that good.
Bonus Find – A Craft Brewery in San Jose, Costa Rica
All in all, our bike tour in San Jose was the highlight of our time in the city. I would highly recommend it to anyone that loves to ride bikes. If it has been a while since you have been on a bike, I would recommend dusting off your bike and taking a ride around the block a few times before taking on riding a bike in San Jose. Oh, and did we mention they only do private bike tours in San Jose? So you can ride at your own pace anyhow! But honestly, even if it has been a while since you rode a bike, you will be riding like true “Chepe” in no time.
Prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on solid ground? Not to worry. There are plenty of other ways to explore the hidden gems of San Jose, Costa Rica. You can find more on our San Jose Sightseeing & Cultural Tours page.