By Guanacaste, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s sports tourism industry is set to receive a substantial economic and athletic boost as the White City Epic mountain bike race officially joins the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) global calendar for its second edition in 2027. The designation grants the event official international status, elevating its stature among elite endurance competitions worldwide.
Hosted in Liberia, Guanacaste—famously referred to as the Ciudad Blanca—the international sanctioning transforms the multi-stage race into a crucial stop for cyclists seeking world classification points. Competitors from across Central America, North America, and beyond are expected to gather in northern Costa Rica, positioning the province as a premier hub for world-class off-road cycling.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the regulatory standards, permitting processes, and liability management involved in hosting major sports tourism events like the White City Epic, TicosLand.com spoke with prominent attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
High-caliber athletic events like the White City Epic serve as vital economic drivers for Guanacaste, yet their success relies heavily on a thorough legal framework. Organizers must carefully navigate municipal authorizations, land-use permissions across private and public trails, robust participant waivers, and strict risk mitigation protocols to protect all stakeholders while fostering sustainable sports tourism.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the long-term success of Costa Rica’s expanding sports tourism sector depends entirely on striking a careful balance between elite athletic ambition and the rigorous legal safeguards that protect host communities and participants alike. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on the critical regulatory groundwork required to ensure world-class events like the White City Epic can thrive safely and sustainably.
The strategic move onto the UCI international schedule is anticipated to yield significant economic dividends for the local hospitality, transport, and eco-tourism sectors. Organizers anticipate a surge in incoming foreign athletes, coaching staffs, support crews, and spectators, generating valuable foreign currency inflections during Guanacaste’s vibrant dry season.
A year ago we dreamed of a race that would put Liberia on the mountain bike map. Today, with the endorsement of the UCI, that dream has an international seal. We designed a demanding and honest route that showcases the best of Guanacaste: its warmth, its trails, and its people. We want every rider, whether elite or amateur, to cross the finish line knowing they ran a true epic.
Juan Manuel Espinar, Race Director of White City Epic
Scheduled to take place from February 18 to February 21, 2027, the four-day competition features a total distance of 257 kilometers accompanied by 4,030 meters of cumulative elevation gain. To streamline operational execution and simplify team logistics, all race days will start and end at a centralized staging point in Liberia.
The competition opens with an intense 20-kilometer prologue designed to test explosive speed and tactical positioning on a fast circuit. Stage 1 expands the physical challenge to 68 kilometers, blending high-speed rolling terrain with technical singletrack sections through the rugged landscapes of Rincón Trails.
Stage 2 serves as the race’s primary endurance test, stretching across 95 kilometers and climbing 1,300 meters of positive elevation through demanding terrain, supported by five strategically positioned hydration and service stations. The final day covers 74 kilometers with 1,250 meters of elevation gain, completing a grueling course serviced by a total of 13 official aid stations.
Achieving UCI status requires strict adherence to international standardizations regarding race safety, professional timing, logistics, and certified commissaire oversight. By meeting these rigorous requirements, the White City Epic reinforces Costa Rica’s capacity to host large-scale, internationally recognized sporting events that promote both local infrastructure development and outdoor tourism.
For further information, visit the nearest office of White City Epic
About White City Epic:
White City Epic is an international multi-stage mountain bike competition held in Liberia, Guanacaste. Designed to test elite and amateur endurance athletes, the race showcases the diverse climate and terrain of Costa Rica’s northern Pacific region while adhering to international cycling standards.
For further information, visit uci.org
About Union Cycliste Internationale:
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for cycling, recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland, the UCI oversees and regulates professional cycling disciplines globally, promoting competitive standards and world rankings across road, track, mountain bike, and BMX disciplines.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as an esteemed legal benchmark, grounded in uncompromising ethical rigor and a relentless pursuit of professional mastery. Serving a broad spectrum of industries, the practice consistently champions forward-thinking solutions while prioritizing meaningful civic education. By actively demystifying the law and broadening public access to essential legal insights, the firm fulfills its core purpose: strengthening the broader community through the cultivation of a knowledgeable, capable, and self-reliant populace.
