Heading to Costa Rica on vacation in a few days…
Has anyone done any sort of training down there?
Any advice/suggestions for running, bike routes, pool options?
I’ve been there 4 times. Take some old running shoes. Get up at 5 or 6 and run, it’s incredible. Watch out for traffic, their rules of the road are a bit different. When you are ready to return leave your shoes, more room in your bag for cool gifts.
You can rent bikes, mostly MTBs. I’ve gone a few rides with Norm at the RRL. http://www.rockriverlodge.com/
Considering the condition of most roads in CR don’t consider anything other than a mountain bike. Great open water swimming!! Have fun.\Frank
Agreed, I don’t think I would want to bike on most roads in Costa Rica. Very rough and there are literally no traffic rules (that anybody follows anyways). Plenty of mtn biking options though. Running is not a problem and I second what Brady says about bringing an old pair or two of shoes and leaving them.
Where will you be traveling to? Mountains are cold and rainy and beaches are hot and dry. San Jose and most inland towns are hot and humid.
It really depends on where you are going(?) in CR. I stayed there in october and november… I did a lot of MTB riding and road riding as well. I stayed in the pacific-central coast(playa hermosa area).
The road riding was suprisingly great on the highway there. I saw many locals(pro riders) training in that area. In the mountains of the continental divide, I bumped into many roadies climbing there also. The mountain-road climbs are a lot like the climbs in europe.
Mountain biking was great… I manged to train on the course that is used in “La Ruta de Conquistadores”…(stage 1)
where are you staying???
We’re flying into San Jose and staying on a coffee plantation in Heredia the first day. Then we’re driving to the Pacific Coast, Tamarindo Beach or Guanacaste (sp?) and staying for four days. From there we’re driving to Lake Arenal for the final two days of our trip.
You are going to have a great time! I wish I had brought my running shoes when I went - even trail running shoes would be good. Just prepared to have them get muddy. As a person posted above, bring some old shoes and leave 'em there when you are done.
At least on the Pacific side, be prepared to see Koati’s (see below) on your jog. They think you have food for them… When I was there Dec/Jan I was on a boat on Lake Arenal to horses on the way to Monteverde…I was told that Lake Arenal hosts a triathlon each year…I saw several mountain bikers around Lake Arenal…very few with helmets.
Be careful as the drivers there drive whereever it is convenient to avoid the potholes all over the road. They really won’t pay attention to you as a jogger or cyclist.
Swim in the ocean at Manuel Antonio, in Quepos! To the first set of rocks and back is a mile. Water as warm as it get!
Thanks for all the advice/info guys! I’m definitely going to bring an OLD pair of DS Trainers with me to leave behind afterwards - sound advice! I’m very excited to get some MTB in as well. Thanks again.
Can’t remember the name of the big volcano there but last I heard the road up it was in good condition, perhaps the only road in the country that was. A very tough climb but on a good day you can supposedly see both oceans from the top.
Tha’s a Mammoth Cat!
remember to yell “Pura Vida” to all of the locals!!! 
give us a trip-report when you get back… have fun!!!
Dont forget to hit the Blue Marlin Bar at the hotel del rey, hehehehehheehehheehhehehhee
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what about the Beetle Bar in Jaco’??? lol
aint nuthin like watching a bunch of drunk guys picking up hookers… (that are men under those miniskirts) yuckkkkkkkkkk!!!