Same route, same hotels, same bike: two ways to experience the trip. What really changes, and at what price.
Key points
- In Costa Rica, every tour comes guided or self-guided; in Nicaragua and Panamá, a guide is mandatory.
- Either way: hotels booked, bike, insurance, full gear, SIM card and 24/7 roadside support.
- Self-guided, you set off with a detailed roadbook and our local tips.
- Guided, you also get a guide-mechanic, all meals, activities and ferries, fuel and tolls.
- A guided tour costs more, but part of the difference is already covered by what it includes.
A motorcycle tour in Costa Rica, guided or self-guided? It's the question we get asked most often, after the one about the license. The same route, the same hotels, the same bike: only the way you experience the trip changes. Here's what's included in each option, what it changes on the road, what it costs, and who each one is for.
What's included either way
- The first hotel night, for a gentle arrival, then the hotels along the whole route, in the category you choose: Authentic, Comfort or Luxury.
- Rental of the bike of your choice, and its insurance.
- Full riding gear: helmet, gloves, jacket and rain gear.
- A local SIM card and 24/7 roadside support.
- A 100% private tour: just you and your crew.
Self-guided: your pace, our preparation
You set off with a detailed roadbook and our local tips: the legs, the stops worth the detour, the dirt tracks to avoid after rain. You ride at your own pace, stop wherever you like, and choose where to eat in the evening. 24/7 roadside support is just a call away: if you break down, we arrange the repair or a replacement bike.
This option suits independent riders who are comfortable following a route and getting by with a few words of Spanish. Meals, fuel, tolls and ferries are then at your own expense.
Guided: all you think about is riding
Your guide is a mechanic, certified in first aid, who knows every dirt track in the country. He leads the way, picks the right line when the track gets rough, fixes most problems on the spot and takes care of everything that isn't riding. Meals, activities and ferries, fuel and tolls are included.
In Nicaragua and Panamá, a guide is mandatory: the guide crosses the borders with you, and the bike's papers are prepared in advance.
The details of the crossing to the south are in our guide. Crossing the Panamá border by bike
What does it really cost?
The table compares the starting prices of our tours in Costa Rica, in the Authentic category, per rider. The gap looks big, but the “guided” column includes meals, fuel, tolls, ferries and activities, which you pay for yourself on a self-guided tour.
| Tour | Duration | Self-guided | Guided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pura Vida Tour | 7 days | $1,490 | $2,290 |
| South Tour | 5 days | $1,090 | $1,590 |
| Offroad Tour 5 days | 5 days | $1,090 | $1,590 |
| Offroad Tour 7 days | 7 days | $1,490 | $2,290 |
| Free Ride | 3 days minimum | $590 | $1,090 |
Who is each option for?
Go guided if it's your first trip to Central America, if the route includes a lot of dirt, or if you want to enjoy the scenery without thinking about the road. Go self-guided if you like to improvise, if you've already ridden abroad, or if your budget is tight.
Traveling solo? Our tours are private, but we can add you to an existing group departure: just say so when you send your request.
The riding level each tour calls for is detailed in the FAQ. Read the FAQ
