Wild Terrain · Guest Guide
You're going to Costa Rica!
Wild Terrain · February 2 to 9, 2027 · Buen Camino Bike Park, San Mateo. Everything you need before your ride week, all in one place.
days until Wild Terrain
DatesTue Feb 2 to Tue Feb 9, 2027
Fly in & outLiberia (LIR)
Land byAbout noon on February 2
Balance dueJanuary 3, 2027
Last updated November 13, 2026. We'll keep this page current, so check back here before you fly.
01
Before you go. Start here.
Work through this list over the next few weeks. Tick things off as you go and this page will remember your progress on this device.
Your pre-retreat checklist
Most of this takes ten minutes or less. The sooner it's done, the sooner you can just look forward to it.
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Key dates
1
NowAgreement, waiver and rider form
2
As soon as you canBook flights, insurance and your bike plan
3
DecemberGroup video call (date TBC)
4
Jan 3, 2027Balance due
5
Feb 2, 2027Land in Liberia by noon
02
Flights, airport and shuttle
Everyone travels together on the group shuttle, bikes included. Here's exactly how your travel days work.
Tuesday, February 2
Arrival day
- Book a flight that lands in Liberia (LIR) by about noon. Liberia has winter nonstops from several Canadian cities.
- Clear customs and collect your bags and your bike.
- Meet the group just outside the arrivals doors.
- The group shuttle leaves the airport by 1:00pm.
- About three hours to Buen Camino.
- Settle in, then welcome dinner together.
Monday, February 8 & Tuesday, February 9
Heading home
- Final ride at Buen Camino and a closing lunch.
- Pack up bikes, with our team helping.
- Drive to a hotel near Liberia airport for a casual last dinner together.
- Fly home any time on February 9. We arrange your ride from the hotel to the airport, so early flights are easy.
Arriving February 1?
If the only flights that work land after 1pm, or you'd rather not rush, come in the day before. The extra night is at your own cost, but we'll help you find a place and make sure our shuttle picks you up there.
Getting through customs
Have your passport (6+ months left), your return flight details, and the address of where you're staying. Costa Rica asks for all three. We'll send you Buen Camino's address with your final details. Canadian passport holders don't need a visa for this trip.
If your flight is delayed
Message us in the group chat or email Andrea as soon as you know. We'll work out a plan to get you and your bike to Buen Camino. Send us your flight details once you've booked so we can plan the shuttle around everyone.
Flying with your bike
Check your airline's bike fee when you book, since it varies a lot. Most local bike shops have spare bike boxes, or borrow a hard case from your riding crew. Our team helps build your bike when you land and pack it up at the end.
Carry on your helmet
Don't pack your helmet in your bike box or checked bag. Carry it on so it arrives with you, undamaged. Riding kit and shoes in your carry-on is smart too, just in case a bag shows up late.
Money and tips
Costa Rica uses colones, and US dollars and cards are widely accepted. Meals are prepaid and we tip the guides on behalf of the group. If you had an awesome day and want to add a little extra, $5 to $10 is plenty. No tipping is needed at meals.
03
Your packing list
February is dry season and it gets hot, so we ride in the morning and wrap up around 1pm. Senderos Colón sits higher up in cooler cloud forest. We ride rain or shine, so come prepared for both. Tick things off as they go in your bag.
Bike & riding gear
Spares & tools
Documents & money
Off-bike clothes
Footwear
Toiletries & health
04
Your ride week and where you'll stay
Home for six nights is Buen Camino, on 128 hectares of mountain forest in Costa Rica's central valley. You ride straight from where you sleep.
BasecampTrails right from the door, plus a pool for the afternoons
Your roomDouble occupancy, paired thoughtfully. Private rooms if you added one
MealsBreakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with dietary needs taken care of
Wi-Fi & laundryWi-Fi all around Buen Camino, and laundry for muddy days
What a ride day looks like
We follow the safe riding standard: pre-ride, re-ride, free-ride. Each day we warm up on new trails, then go back to the ones we loved. Every lap is shuttle-assisted, so you get a break on the way back up. There's fresh fruit and snacks between laps, and we finish around 1pm before the heat sets in.
Who's riding with you
Stacey leads the on-trail coaching and helps riders through technical features. Local guides who know every root and berm show us the best lines. Andrea handles everything else: transport, meals, timing and keeping the group in the loop. All you need to think about is riding.
Your week, day by day
ArriveTue, Feb 2
Welcome to Buen Camino
Land in Liberia by about noon. The shuttle leaves by 1pm for the three-hour drive. Settle in, then welcome dinner.
ShakeoutWed, Feb 3
Bike build and shakeout ride
Build your bike, dial in the skills area, then a lower-trails shakeout ride before lunch. Afternoon free, with botanical pressing for anyone who wants it.
Have ready: your tools and sparesRideThu, Feb 4
Senderos Colón
Up into cooler cloud-forest elevation for hand-built enduro lines and flow. Packed lunch after, then a coffee tour and wine tasting in Atenas on the way back.
RideFri, Feb 5
Senderos Colón, round two
An early stop at the Atenas farmers market, then back up for more techy singletrack. Lunch at Senderos Colón, afternoon free.
Bring: small bills for the marketRestSat, Feb 6
Chocolate tour and farm lunch
A slower day. Choco Tour Costa Rica, a pool to cool off in while the chef preps your farm lunch, then a wander through town.
Bring: swimsuitRideSun, Feb 7
Buen Camino Bike Park
A full riding day on home trails, flow lines like El Patrón into Jaguar. Afternoon free.
RideMon, Feb 8
Final ride day
Push into Boss and Machete if you're feeling it, then a closing lunch, pack up bikes and drive to a hotel near Liberia airport for a casual dinner together.
DepartTue, Feb 9
Fly home
We get you from the hotel to Liberia airport for your flight, whatever time it leaves.
Trail choices on each ride day are set by the guides based on conditions and the group. You'll get exact times in your final schedule email closer to the trip.
05
Meet your adventure crew
Two people who've got you covered on and off the bike, plus local guides who know these trails inside out.
S
Stacey Gagnon
Director of Programs & Operations · Your coachStacey leads the on-trail coaching all week, helping riders work through technical features and find their flow on new terrain.
A
Andrea Hamer
Founder · Logistics & supportAndrea is a certified mountain bike coach who has been coming to Costa Rica since 2013. On this trip she runs the logistics, so the plan, the meals, the shuttles and the timing are all taken care of.
Welcome video from Andrea and Stacey goes here. Send me the YouTube or Vimeo link and I'll embed it.
December group call
Before the trip, we'll get the whole crew together on a video call. You'll meet the other riders, hear how the riding days work, and ask anything about bikes, flights or terrain. We'll email the date and link in early December.
Group chat (optional)
We'll send an invite to a WhatsApp group for your retreat. It's the easiest way to say hi before you go, sort out airport plans, and reach us during the week. Joining is up to you, and all the important details will still come by email.
Bring a friend
Know someone who needs this week too?
Some of the best parts of these trips are the friendships, and sometimes that starts with someone you already know. Send her the link. If she books, you both get a little something.
How it works: your friend books Wild Terrain or Wild & Slow and mentions your name when she registers. Once her deposit is in, she gets $150 off and you get a $250 thank-you. Applies to new guests only.
$250thank-you for you
$150off for your friend
06
Questions and important info
The things guests ask us most. If yours isn't here, just ask.
What's included?
Six nights at Buen Camino, one night at a hotel near Liberia airport, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, four guided ride days plus a shakeout ride, trail passes at Buen Camino and Senderos Colón, ride-day shuttles, airport shuttles, the Atenas coffee tour and wine tasting, Choco Tour and farm lunch, and help building and packing your bike. Not included: flights, travel insurance (required), bike rental or airline bike fees, alcohol beyond the wine tasting, and personal spending.
What protective gear do I need?
A helmet is required. We highly encourage knee pads and gloves. Anything beyond that is up to you. A full face helmet is a great way to stay safe and feel safe, though we know it can be a lot in the heat.
What if it rains?
We ride rain or shine, so pack for it. There's laundry at Buen Camino, so if we get poured on and muddy, you can get cleaned up and fresh for the next day.
Can I rent a bike instead of bringing mine?
Yes. Bike rental is an add-on, so email us early with your height and riding style and we'll reserve one. We'll confirm rates and the bike model with you.
How do I contact home, and how can my family reach me?
There's Wi-Fi all around Buen Camino, so messaging and calls over Wi-Fi are easy. Before you go, we'll send a contact sheet with where we're staying each night, so your people at home know how to reach the group in an emergency.
I have dietary needs. Will that be okay?
Yes. Tell us everything on your rider form. We'll know everyone's needs before arrival and have it all sorted with the kitchen.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
Tap water is safe to drink in most of Costa Rica. Bring a hydration pack and a bottle, and we'll make sure there's always water on ride days.
Will my chargers work?
Yes. Costa Rica uses the same plugs and voltage as Canada, so no adapter is needed.
What's the cancellation policy?
It's in your retreat agreement. In short: your $500 deposit is non-refundable but transferable to another guest. Cancel 90 or more days before departure and your balance is refunded or held as full credit. 60 to 89 days out, you get a 25% refund or 50% credit. Under 60 days, no refund, with a 25% credit. This is why travel insurance is required.
Can I stay longer in Costa Rica?
Absolutely. Just let us know your plans on your rider form so we know where you'll be after the last night.
Still have a question?
We'd much rather you ask than wonder. Send us a note and we'll get back to you.
Email Andrea Back to the retreat page