Frequently Asked Questions

How Long has BikeHike Adventures Inc. Been in Business?

BikeHike Adventures Inc. has been operating since 1994. We started 14 years ago with Costa Rica, when many had never heard of Costa Rica. We then expanded our operation into most of South and Central America and we are annually expanding to other continents. Today we are operating in 25 destinations worldwide.

Why should I travel with BikeHike Adventures Inc.?

shoes We are passionate adventure travellers ourselves. We've spent our lives roaming the globe in search of the ultimate outdoor wilderness experiences. Now we'd like to show you the adventure of a lifetime. You'll gain wilderness skills in outdoor activities, challenge your mind, body and spirit and meet like-minded individuals eager to share in life's wonderful adventures.

How big are the groups?

BikeHike Adventures Inc. are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each trip. Each group is diverse, equally comprised men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By traveling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause little disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu visit to a village wedding or a visit to a rural school can be among the most memorable experiences of your journey.

How fit do I have to be?

We understand that people come in all fitness levels so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four levels, easy - moderate – challenging - strenuous, something to suit the needs of all adventurers.

What does a Typical Adventure Look Like?

Each of our holidays are carefully designed to capture the very best of that particular destination. We travel at a comfortable pace, stay in charming, well-located family-run hotels or spectacular camping sites that include, remote tropical islands and high altitude plateaus surrounded by snow-peaked mountains.

Who are Our Intrepid Travellers?

They are active people who love the outdoors and live for challenging adventurous experiences. Many are professionals, who have interesting stories to share and love to meet fellow travellers with common interests. Each group is diverse, equally comprised of men and women of different nationalities and ages. The average age ranges from 20-60, athough we do get younger and older as well. And while there are a few die-hard triathletes and marathon runners, most of our clients are regular mortals in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a challenge. Some of the activities may be entirely new to you, but a keen spirit of adventure and an open mind will ensure you gain the skills you need.

Can We Travel with our Children?

Although most of our trips have adults in mind, many of our itineraries are suitable for strong and active teenagers. We also have a whole slew of fixed family adventures designed for families with children as young as six. If you are interested in a family adventure please see our family adventures link for more information or call us for specific details.

What if I'm Traveling Alone?

Many of our intrepid travellers - both men and women - join as singles. On average, BikeHike adventures are comprised of 75% single travellers versus 25% couples. We won't penalize you for traveling solo, but will rather pair you with another traveller of the same sex. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge.

Have these trips been run before?

The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are run without clients before they go into our brochure. Nothing is untested. This ensures our travellers' safety and maximum enjoyment.

What would a typical day look like?

Imagine this... you wake at the crack of dawn and fuel up with a wholesome hearty breakfast. Overhead in the canopy you hear an unfamiliar sound, a group of howler monkeys traversing through the trees in search of their morning fare. The adventure begins by biking on dirt roads which take us through lush jungle and small villages. For our lunch stop, we meet up with our support vehicle for a delicious spread of nourishing food. We leave our bikes behind, lace up our boots and set off on foot through the mountains. The views are spectacular and there is not a soul in sight. The walk is a short one, just to the river's edge, where we put our rafts in and cast off for a run down the river. We take out on the shores of the river and sleep soundly, camped beneath a sky filled with stars.
This is just one scenario. It's impossible to express in words the wonders that await you on one of our adventures. But whatever the setting, whether we're biking, hiking, rafting, or climbing, you can expect to be exhilarated, challenged, inspired, warmly hosted and knowledgeably guided.

What kinds of accommodations are used?

hotel Our days of adventure are exciting and exhilarating, and we believe our nights are equally memorable. To ensure your restful slumber we've chosen comfortable locations that range from small family-run guesthouses, mountain top lodges, and hosterias known for their characteristic warmth and hospitality.
Because of our remote backcountry itineraries, we often find ourselves camping on deserted cayes, on abandoned farms, or in fields of coffee and macadamia trees. With the stars overhead and a soft mattress below, you'll sleep on earth, but dream of heaven. Getting to the campsites may be by foot, horse, canoe, kayak, raft, bike or ropes and harnesses.

Is there any support on the trips?

Most of our adventures are supported by a back-up vehicle, which shadows the group, carrying the nuts and bolts to ensure a hassle-free vacation. Weary cyclists and hikers are also encouraged to catch a ride, even if it's just up to the top of the steep hill ahead. Note that trips designated as challenging and strenuous may have sections that are not supported by a vehicle. Please see the specific trip notes for details.

What kinds of meals are served?

comida We understand that muscle-powered journeys require enormous amounts of food. We consider our meals to be an essential ingredient to the success of our trips. We guarantee that you will have plenty of fuel to stoke the fire. Our guides are excellent cooks, eager to have you sample their specialty dishes. Many meals will be enjoyed in restaurants as well, so you'll have the opportunity to savour a wide variety of local cuisine.

What if I have special dietary requirements?

We will try to accomondate your special diet request (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us while signing up for a trip.

What can we expect from BikeHike Adventure Inc. guides?

Our trip leaders are the key to making each trip a unique adventure. Seasoned, mature, responsible, experts in their fields, our leaders are without equal. They live in the areas that we visit and know the country intimately. We choose our guides for their expertise in outdoor activities, their friendly attitudes, and above all, their ability to provide the personal attention that will make your journey an unforgettable experience. Your safety and enjoyment are their primary concerns.

Will I Require Inoculations to Travel?

As we are not medical doctors, we are not qualified to give medical advise regarding immunizations necessary for specific destinations. We suggest that you visit the website of The Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov Their site is current highlighting all required inoculations worldwide.

How do I choose the right trip?

To give you an indication of the difficulty of our trips, we've graded our adventures into four catagories: easy, moderate, challenging and strenuous. We take many factors into consideration in these gradings, including distances covered, terrain, altitude, weather conditions and vehicle support.

Easy: Suitable for most people in good health. These trips generally include short days on good paths and at low altitudes.
Moderate: A reasonable level of fitness is required, as these trips can require sustained endurance levels, hills, longer days and altitude. All of our moderate trips have a support vehicle following closely, so weary travellers can hitch a ride and take a rest for a while.
Challenging: These trips are physically demanding and best suited for strong people with a high endurance level. Days can be long, often at altitude, in remote regions and sometimes without a support vehicle nearby. Travellers may be required to carry a backpack.
Strenuous: 9+ Hours most days. Travellers booking strenuous trips should expect long days of physical activity, remote mountainous regions, steep ascents and descents, high altitudes above 12,000 feet and cold temperatures. Good physical condition and endurance level is necessary. A doctor's release is required for travellers 55 and older.

What About Supplies and Equipment?

Each trip is unique, and for an exact breakdown of what is and isn't included you should consult the specific trip itineraries. However, generally included on all trips are the following: all accommodation on a twin shared basis, most meals, all equipment, mountain bikes, camping gear, kayaks, rafts, internal transportation, veteran guides and airport transfers.

Do trip costs include international airfare?

The cost of our trips does not include international airfare. However, we will be happy to assist you in booking flights to join with each tour. The prices vary depending on the season and the point of departure.

Can I extend the trip?

If you want to arrive early or extend your stay, it's easy to do and we can help. If you are looking for suggestions, we are just a phone call away with a world of exciting ideas.

Can trips be customized to suit our needs?

If you have a special request for your honeymoon, anniversary, family, group of friends, school group or employees, we will be happy to tailor an itinerary to match your specifications. We require a minimum of two people to customize an itinerary. We will help you build it from the ground up at a price that's a lot more affordable than you might think. To help stimulate your creative juices, give us a call and one of our travel experts will be happy to assist you in piecing together your personalized adventure.

What types of insurance should I have?

Out-of-country medical insurance is mandatory on all of our adventures, and we recommend trip cancellation insurance. If you are not covered through your own plan, just contact our office and one of our operations staff will help you choose the plan right for your trip.

Want a Second Opinion?

Time and time again, our travellers arrive home enthralled with their adventures and they let us know through their phone calls, pictures and letters. Most flattering of all, they travel with us again and tell their friends about us. Many of them would love to share their experiences with you. If you would like to chat with someone who has participated on one of our adventures, please give us a call and we'll provide you with a list of references.