Hiking in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has enough trails to keep hikers going for a long time.  There are beautiful trails in all of the national parks, as well as in most natural areas throughout the country.  The routes themselves are as diverse as the scenery, ranging from lowland rainforests to mountain valleys.

Even though hiking in Costa Rica isn’t as developed as other activities and sports such as bird watching and surfing, it’s starting to evolve through local and foreign tour operators.  Many hotels located in rural and natural areas, and especially those situated around volcanoes like Arenal, Poás and Turrialba, offer guided hiking trips, so that visitors can explore the natural wonders in the area at its fullest.

Most of Costa Rica’s national parks offer short trails that can be hiked in an hour or so; while others have longer routes that may take several hours to complete, including the trails in Barva and Rincón de la Vieja national parks.  Chirripó, Corcovado and Santa Rosa have even longer routes, which require overnights in tents or cabins.

Whether you’re hiking near a volcano, along the coast or in the rainforest, Costa Rica has countless stunning natural sights for your delight.  Hiking is definitely one of the best options to getting to know this beautiful country with a sense of conquest to reward you.

Tips when hiking in Costa Rica

Essential objects to take on any hiking trip in Costa Rica include canteens, hiking shoes/boots, a hat, rain gear, insect repellent and sunscreen.  The weather is a very important factor to take into consideration, as it rains heavily in many areas of Costa Rica. 

There are several stores in San José that specialize in hiking and camping equipment, however, they tend to be more expensive than those in the United States and other countries.