Costa Rica: San Jose > Jaco > Quepos > Drake Bay > Paso Canoas
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Jan 2026 |
This was the 2nd part of my Costa Rica ride, 3 stops heading south to Panama. Part of my Pan-America tour 2025-2026.
Ride 1: San Jose to Jaco
After spending the morning on Jan 2 getting my T7 out of storage after 3 weeks at Alamcen Fiscal de Coco at San Jose airport, I headed to Jaco, the nearest beach destination. I don't recall anything special about the ride. Arriving just before sunset, I headed down to the beach, looked online for a place to stay, prices were shocking. An American guy stuck up a conversation about my bike (he was on a KTM 790 rental), and recommended his hostal. I rode up there and was quoted $80 a night for a private room, immediately lowered to $60. Scandalously over-priced, but it was late, and I was tired, so I booked it. After checking in, I could immediately see that this was a $20 room in reality (ok, it was Friday of a NYE long weekend - but $80!!!). I ended up staying 2 nights, which was 1 night too many. From what I saw of Jaco, it's a pretty run-down beach town. It's the only place I visited in Costa Rica where "massage" services are offered up and down the main street. Dinners averaged $25, and coffee was $5. Hate to be a bitch, but Jaco only furthered my perception of Costa Rica and overpriced and under-delivered.
Ride: 100 km / 2.5 hours
Stay: Hostal de Haan / $60 / *
R2: Jaco to Quepos
From Jaco, the next logical stop is Quepos, home to San Antonio Park, 1 hour away. I booked a hut at Miguel Surf Camp, a rustic place 10 minutes out of Quepos. Miguel is a great host and surf instructor. I didn't get in the water, but it looked like a great learner beach break. Quepos is a hole-in-the-wall town, with an impressive rec fishing port full of expensive-looking boats, many owned by Americans, it appeared. At the port, I saw Oceans Unlimited dive center, signed up to dive the next day (read more about that). I rode over to the entrance of nearby San Antonio Park, but didn't go in. Stayed 2 nights, a decent chill-out.
Ride: km 65 / 1 hour
Stay: Miguel Surf Camp / $23 / **
R3: Quepos to Drake Bay
Drake Bay - named after a pirate - was my last stop in Costa Rica. From Quepos, it's about 2.5 hours of decent highway, then 1 hour on a fun, unpaved road in the jungle. I stayed at Cabanas El Mirador, an incredible place up a steep hill, with excellent views, lots of nature, and a fair price - I highly recommend it to anyone going to Drake. I went diving to Cano Island with Costa Adventure Divers, it was exceptional. After being disillusioned with Costa Rica up to this point, Drake Bay helped change my opinion.
Ride: 210 km / 5.5 hours
Stay: Cabinas El Mirador / $25 / *****
R4: Drake Bay to Paso Canoas (Panama border)
This was my final ride in Costa Rica, to the Panama border at Paso Canoas. I ended the day in David, Panama.
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