Thick tropical forests. Deserted beaches. The exotic around every turn. This is as far away from the typical land-locked biking terrain as you can get. And that’s precisely the attraction. Join us as pro mountain bike rider and trail designer Gabriel Chacón takes us deep into the wilds of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, along the coastal trails of Peninsula Papagayo.
Chacón, who began riding at age six, won his first race at 10, and has successfully competed in both downhill and Enduro races locally, gets his adrenaline rush these days developing Peninsula Papagayo’s new coastal trails.
What was your vision for the mountain bike trails at Peninsula Papagayo?
Chacón: We wanted to create an oasis for riders of all skill levels to bring their passion and experience another world. It feels like an alternate universe, surrounded by all of this crazy biodiversity. In a couple of hours you can ride through tropical dry forest, coastal mangroves and sandy beaches, see an amazing amount of wildlife, and be back at your villa in time for breakfast. You still have the rest of your day for lots of other fun stuff.