A Hiker’s Guide to Costa Rica: Trails, Tips & Toucans

Welcome to Costa Rica, where hiking means sweating buckets, imitating howler monkeys, and witnessing landscapes so stunning you’ll wonder if you’ve stepped into a National Geographic documentary. This guide covers the best hikes in the country, complete with logistics, costs, and must-know tips—so you don’t end up lost in the jungle with only a soggy granola bar for company. If you’re looking for the ultimate coast-to-coast thru-hike, and have ~16 days, check out El Camino de Costa Rica!

1. Cerro Chirripó – The Roof of Costa Rica

Location: Chirripó National Park, San Gerardo de Rivas

Distance: ~22 km (13.5 miles) one way

Elevation Gain: 2,500m (8,200 ft)

Time: 2 days (unless you’re superhuman)

Difficulty: Brutal but rewarding

Cost:

• $18 per day for the national park entrance fee

• $44 per night for a bed at Base Crestones Lodge

• $25–$30 per meal at the lodge (or pack your own food)

• Optional guide: $150–$300 (recommended but not required)

Why You Should Do It:

At 3,820 meters (12,533 feet), this is Costa Rica’s highest peak, and on a clear morning, you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean. But getting there is a serious leg workout. Think of it as Costa Rica’s way of testing your resolve before rewarding you with surreal sunrises.

Logistics & Tips:

• Permits are required and must be booked in advance through SINAC.

• Most hikers stay at Base Crestones Lodge, 14.5 km up the trail. Bring warm layers—temperatures drop below freezing.

• You can hire a porter to carry your pack for $7 per kg (if you’re willing to spend to save your legs).

• Book your spot early—permits sell out months in advance.

2. Rio Celeste – The Enchanted Blue River

Location: Tenorio Volcano National Park

Distance: ~6 km (3.7 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: ~250m (820 ft)

Time: 2–3 hours

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Cost:

• $12 per person for non-residents (locals pay $2)

• Parking: ~$3

• Guide (optional): $30–$50

Why You Should Do It:

A river so blue it looks fake? That’s Rio Celeste, thanks to a unique chemical reaction between volcanic minerals. Add in a spectacular waterfall, jungle views, and the distant roar of howler monkeys, and you’ve got yourself a top-tier hike.

Logistics & Tips:

• The trail is often muddy, especially in the rainy season—wear waterproof boots.

• No swimming allowed, even if the turquoise water tempts you. Rangers enforce this strictly.

• Arrive early—the park has a daily visitor cap, and weekends get crowded.

• Combine this hike with a visit to a nearby hot spring or chocolate tour in Bijagua.

3. Rincón de la Vieja – Lava, Mud, and Monkeys

Location: Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste

Distance: Varies (3–16 km options)

Elevation Gain: ~400–900m

Time: 2–6 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Cost:

• $17 per person (non-residents)

• Parking: Free

• Guided tours (optional): $50–$100

Why You Should Do It:

This is Costa Rica’s Yellowstone, complete with bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and mini geysers. Plus, you might see howler monkeys, coatis, and even a puma (hopefully at a safe distance).

Logistics & Tips:

• The Las Pailas Loop (3 km) is the easiest and most scenic option.

• Swimming is allowed at La Cangreja Waterfall (10 km round trip), so pack a swimsuit.

• No summit hikes allowed—the volcano is too active.

• Bring extra water—Guanacaste is hot, and the trails are exposed to the sun.

4. Monteverde Cloud Forest – Hiking in a Dream

Location: Monteverde

Distance: 2–13 km options

Elevation Gain: Minimal to moderate

Time: 1–5 hours

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Cost:

• Monteverde Reserve entrance: $25

• Santa Elena Reserve entrance: $16

• Guides: $30–$60 per group (highly recommended)

Why You Should Do It:

You’ll be walking in the clouds, surrounded by hanging moss, misty ferns, and rare birds like the resplendent quetzal. It’s an otherworldly experience.

Logistics & Tips:

• Arrive early in the morning for wildlife spotting and fewer crowds.

• It rains often—bring a rain jacket, even in the dry season.

• The Hummingbird Café outside the Monteverde entrance has hundreds of hummingbirds buzzing around.

5. Nauyaca Waterfalls – A Jungle Adventure

Location: Near Dominical, South Pacific Coast

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: ~300m (1,000 ft)

Time: 3–4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Cost:

• $10 per person for the entrance fee

• Horseback tour (optional): $80

• 4WD shuttle option: $32

Why You Should Do It:

This double-tiered waterfall is straight out of a dream, and you can actually swim in the pools beneath the cascades.

Logistics & Tips:

• Start early—afternoon heat is intense.

• Bring water shoes—the rocks are slippery.

• Combine this hike with a visit to Dominical Beach for a perfect day.

6. Corcovado National Park – The Wildest Hike in Costa Rica

Location: Osa Peninsula

Distance: 20+ km routes

Elevation Gain: Varies

Time: 1–3 days

Difficulty: Tough but legendary

Cost:

• Park entrance: $15 per day

• Mandatory guide: $100–$150 per day

• Accommodation at Sirena Station: $30 per night (dorm bed)

Why You Should Do It:

Corcovado is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Think jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and anteaters, all in their natural habitat.

Logistics & Tips:

• A certified guide is required—no solo hikes.

• Sirena Station offers meals ($25 per meal), but they must be booked in advance.

• Prepare for river crossings, mud, and extreme humidity.

Final Tips for Hiking in Costa Rica

• Start early. By 10 AM, the jungle heat will make you question your life choices.

• Prepare for rain. Even in the dry season, downpours happen.

• Bug spray is non-negotiable. Unless you enjoy being mosquito buffet #1.

• Stay on the trail. Costa Rica’s forests are beautiful, but also home to venomous snakes and aggressive ants.

Conclusion: Pick Your Adventure

From summiting volcanoes to swimming under waterfalls, Costa Rica has hikes for every adventurer. Pack your boots, your sense of humor, and a few colones—because every step is worth it.

Now, which hike is calling your name?