Envision this: a stunning landscape, endangered wildlife encounters, and a life-changing hike through lush rainforests all in one trip. If you long for such an unforgettable experience, you’ll love journeying into the heart of Costa Rica to challenge its rugged terrains and revel in its natural beauty. So lace up your walking boots and enjoy reading about these 10 Costa Rica hikes.
The Central American nation is home to diverse national parks teeming with volcanoes, white beaches, and age-old rainforests. Luckily for you, exploring all these wonders in a single trip is possible with the right itinerary. Check out some of the most picturesque Costa Rica hiking destinations and let your adventurous spirit decide. But be warned, you might end up going on the trip of your life!
Arenal Volcano hike
In the centre of Arenal Volcano National Park lies a true natural gem — a fiery experience that has been attracting hikers from around the world for decades. Ascending the dormant volcano comes with rewards ranging from jaw-dropping views to first-hand experience with lava fields.
Arenal is home to dozens of noteworthy trails. For starters, you could try the Arenal Volcano Trail which starts near San Carlos, Alajuela, and runs for 5.3 km (3.3 mi). The there-and-back hike is perfect for beginners and takes under 90 minutes. For a more difficult challenge, you can attempt the Arenal 1968 Trail and traverse lava fields caused by the 1968 eruption. The 4.7km (2.9 mi) loop trail doesn’t take more than two hours but may require some hiking skills.
Last but not least, don’t forget to visit the Hanging Bridges. Though considered more of a stroll than a real hike, the Hanging Bridges offer unique encounters with thousands of fauna and flora species. With bridges hanging as high as 98 metres from the ground, be ready to channel your inner Tarzan as you soak up the jungle vibes.
Hike with a view of Arenal Volcano on: Journeys: Explore Costa Rica
Hiking Cerro Chirripó
Lace up your walking boots and get ready for a (relatively) healthy dose of adrenaline! You’re about to find yourselves on the slopes of Cerro Chirripó, a 3,821-metre giant that marks the highest mountain in Costa Rica. To reach its peak, you may not need a tour guide but you should secure a permit before your trip.
Your journey starts in the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas. Here you hop on a 20 km (12.4 mi) trail that rises over 2,000m (6,500 ft) in elevation as it leads you through the cloud forests. This destination is best for experienced hikers who want to feel like they’re in a live-action nature documentary. Imagine 360-degree scenic views, a unique biome known as páramo (a natural region of montane grassland and shrubland), and perhaps even views of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific on a sunny day.
Hiking Camino de Costa Rica
Fancy a 16-day hike through one of Costa Rica’s most iconic national parks? This challenging trail starts on the east and runs 280km (17 mi) from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast. On your way, you’ll be surrounded by pristine examples of biodiversity with plenty of opportunities to connect with the indigenous communities and their culture.
An all-encompassing destination, Camino de Costa Rica takes you through lush rainforests on visits to coffee and sugar cane plantations. You’ll also have plenty of opportunity to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat — think sloths, howler monkeys, and colourful frogs.
Monteverde Costa Rica hiking
No doubt about it, Costa Rica’s cloud forests are some of the most amazing sights you'll find on the planet. Taking the cake as the most popular cloud forest in the country, Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve features nine scenic trails spanning over 13km (8 mi). If your boots hold up, you can expect to finish the Monteverde loop and its many shorter trails in about five hours.
Exploring this preserve is best suited for those with a passion for birdwatching and wildlife encounters. The forest itself is home to over 400 bird species, 130 mammal species, and thousands of plants. If you’re lucky enough, you might see jaguars, ocelots, and even the ever-elusive quetzal.
Hiking Rio Celeste Costa Rica
Tenorio Volcano National Park is landlocked between Alajuela Province and Guanacaste Province and is located north of Lake Arenal. The park itself is famous not only for its four volcanoes but also one magnificent product of nature — the Rio Celeste River.
Expect the in-and-out hike to take you on a four-hour journey across 7km (4.3 mi) worth of terrain shaped by the wheels of time. Though the trail requires some experience, it’s worth all the effort — Rio Celeste’s blue lagoon is so blue people often assume its pictures are photoshopped. On this trip, you'll also come across the Rio Celeste waterfall, a 30m (98 ft) water marvel that gives hiking in Costa Rica a whole new meaning.
Hiking near Tamarindo Costa Rica
If your itchy feet take you to the booming town of Tamarindo, you'll be happy to know that the region offers so much more than world-class beaches and resorts. From beginner trails to hikes for veterans, this place has it all for hikers in Costa Rica. What they all have in common are gorgeous views and plenty of opportunities to get close to the local flora and fauna.
Looking for an easy hike before you throw yourself in the sea? You might appreciate a 0.5km (0.3 mi) walk to the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall or a 3.1km (1.9 mi) hike on the Las Pailas Trail in Rincón de la Vieja National Park. The best choice for a moderate hike includes the 4.5km (2.8 mi) El Llano Loop Trail with views of the forest, sea, and meadows. Lastly, if you’re not afraid of a real challenge and want panoramic views while traversing coastal hills and beaches, take the Playa Danta to Playa Penca Coastal Trail.
Hiking in Guanacaste Costa Rica
There’s more to the gorgeous Guanacaste Province than Tenorio Volcano National Park and Rio Celeste. If you find yourself in this picturesque part of the world, you would do well to visit Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Famous for its hot springs, tropical dry forest, and the largest volcano in the area, this park is home to many moderate and challenging trails like the 16km (9.9 mi) hike to the Rio Negro Hot Springs.
Another worthy destination in the region is Santa Rosa National Park, home to olive ridley sea turtles, white sand beaches, and 20km (12.4 mi) worth of trails for every kind of hiker. One popular in-and-out hike is the Sendero Los Patos Trail which boasts epic views of the valley and the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
Hiking La Fortuna Costa Rica
If your feet take you to the small town of La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano, be sure to add the La Fortuna Waterfall to your bucket list. This hike takes you through the rainforest and up a 500-step staircase. The rockstar waterfall plunges 60m (196 ft) off a cliff into a stunning blue pool decorated by mossy hillsides and tropical vegetation on all sides. It’s like Mother Nature showing off her best work! By the time you’re done with this trip, you’ll have more than one story to tell.
It’s also worth mentioning that La Fortuna is home to many natural hot springs that could come in handy after putting in all the leg work.
Put your boots to La Fortuna on: Costa Rica: Tortuguero, La Fortuna & Rio Celeste
Hiking in Cahuita National Park
There’s really no better way to enjoy diverse wildlife and pristine beaches in one go than by heading into the national park outside Cahuita. A single 10km (6.2 mi) hiking trail runs through the park and can be completed in under four hours.
While on the Cahuita Rainforest Trail, expect to see animals like sloths, birds, and monkeys. But that’s not all. You’ll pass through coastal rainforests and mangrove swamps all while being serenaded by chatty howler monkeys. You can also explore the underwater world by and see the coral reefs first-hand at one of the two swimming beaches along the way.
Barbilla National Park hiking
Want to see more than monkeys and turtles? Visit Barbilla National Park and you might get too close for comfort with a puma or a jaguar. This extraordinary park is home to indigenous Cabécar people and is part of the famed Camino de Costa Rica we mentioned earlier.
Hiking in Barbilla is not for the faint-hearted and its 5.5 km (3.4 mi) hike through humid rainforest along Rio Danta presents a real challenge. On the way, you’ll see magnificent waterfalls and have a chance to soak up the Cabécar culture throughout your visits to small villages and settlements along the way. It’s all one might hope for when embarking on a Costa Rica hiking journey.
