Remarkable hikes
Beyond its dream beaches and breathtaking biodiversity, Costa Rica is also a veritable green paradise for hiking enthusiasts. In the heart of dense tropical forests, along celestial-blue rivers or on peaks offering spectacular panoramic views, thousands of kilometers of marked trails delight hikers of all levels.
CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK
Connecting the entrances to Playa Blanca (in the heart of the village of Cahuita) and Puerto Vargas, this easy 8.4km hike along the Caribbean coast reveals the sumptuous biodiversity that thrives in a tropical rainforest that plunges straight into the sea.
Sloths, coatis, snakes and dozens of birds can easily be spotted on this hike.
CERRO CHIRRIPÓ
About twenty kilometers separate the village of San Gerardo de Rivas from Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica's highest peak at 3820m (and the second highest in Central America).
With a positive altitude difference of 2,500m, this is a difficult trek for well-prepared adventurers: planning several months in advance is necessary, in particular to be able to spend at least one night in the “Base Crestones” refuge.
This hike is a great opportunity to discover the ecosystems of the páramo, high-altitude areas where unique plants grow in a rare and fascinating environment.
BOSQUE NUBOSO MONTEVERDE
Over 13km of trails in the heart of a dense tropical cloud forest is the perfect opportunity to escape on a visit to the Monteverde region.
The exuberant flora makes wildlife observation difficult, but hiking enthusiasts will fall under the spell of this unique atmosphere.
RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK
Close to the town of Liberia in Guanacaste, the Las Pailas sector of Rincón de la Vieja National Park offers a number of trails, including an easy loop of around 4km, which takes less than 2 hours to complete, and enables you to observe astonishing volcanic manifestations: fumaroles, mud pools and mini-volcanoes.
The trails are very well signposted, so there's no need for a guide, except for those wishing to learn more about the country's natural history.
CURÚ WILDLIFE REFUGE
There are several trails worth exploring in this national wildlife refuge. While an easy loop of less than 3km offers a close-up view of the mangrove fauna and flora, an intermediate-level hike of 7km takes you to Playa Quesera, with its white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. A return trip by boat to the entrance to the protected area is also recommended.
CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK
Corcovado National Park beckons adventure-seeking hikers to Costa Rica. Several trails are open to the public, but exceptionally a guide is required to walk them.
You can enjoy easy half-day hikes around the Sirena sector, more moderate hikes in the primary forests of the La Leona or San Pedrillo sectors, or challenging multi-day treks linking these different sectors.
CERRO PELADO
This 5.5km round trip hike takes place in the Guanacaste province. With an elevation gain of around 400m, an unshaded trail and a very windy area, it can be classified as an intermediate hike.
We recommend doing it at the end of the day to be rewarded by a splendid sunset, but you'll need a flashlight and warm clothes for the return journey.
RIÓ CELESTE
Costa Rica has no shortage of natural wonders, but the Rio Celeste waterfall is by far one of the most beautiful.
An easy 3km round-trip hike within the Volcan Tenorio National Park is the ideal opportunity to observe numerous plant and animal species, but also to learn more about the origin of the astonishing color of the Rio Celeste for those who plunge into the jungle to the end of the unmarked trail.
ARENAL 1968
This easy 5km loop can be completed without a guide and offers unbeatable views of the Arenal volcano and its destructive lava flows dating back to 1968.
One of the trails also runs alongside Lake Los Patos, providing an opportunity to observe the local wildlife.
DRAKE PUBLIC PROMENADE
It's not always easy to find a free hike in Costa Rica, but the public trail along Drake Bay is well worth the detour!
An intermediate-level hike of around twenty kilometers round trip, with a positive difference in altitude of around 400m, takes you from the village of Drake to the sublime Playa San Josecito.
The very humid micro-climate of the Osa Peninsula means that you need to be very careful about the weather, as the hike can take all day.
TESORO ESCONDIDO
Nestled between Volcan Poás and Juan Castro Blanco national parks, the village of Bajos del Toro is the starting point for numerous hikes leading to spectacular waterfalls.
Tesoro Escondido is one of them, and an easy 3.2km round trip is the perfect opportunity to cool off in the sulphurous waters of the Desagüe river.