To hike in Costa Rica is to experience nature in all its burgeoning glory, and with over 28 national parks, 6% of the world’s biodiversity and a quarter of its land dedicated to conservation, the Central American nation boasts nature in abundance. From unhurried meanderings and multi-day treks to volcano trails and thundering waterfalls, there are all manner of wonderful walks weaving their way across the country. Unsurprisingly, exploring on foot is one of the best ways to get to grips with this ecological Eden, and there are routes suited to both intrepid trekkers and more leisurely ramblers. Unravel the tangle of trails with our list of the best hikes in Costa Rica…
- Easiest Hike: Arenal Volcano Trail
- Best Multi-Day Hike: Cerro Chirripó National Park
- Best Hike for Views: Poás Volcano Hike
- Most Challenging Hike: Rio Negro Hot Springs
- Best Under-the-Rader Hike: Cerro Cabeza de Vaca
Easiest Hike: Arenal Volcano Trail
The piece de resistance of this hike is undoubtedly Arenal Volcano, an almost perfectly conical stratovolcano sitting pretty in the province of Alajuela. Begin at the ranger station beside the entrance to Arenal National Park and opt for Las Coladas Trail (meaning the Flows Trail), which marks the location of old lava flow from the volcanic eruptions which occurred here between 1968 and 1992. As a national park, the region plays host to plenty of accompanying creatures, so keep your eyes peeled for tropical birds and howler monkeys as you amble over the old lava flows and through thick undergrowth. Another popular and leisurely option (unless you have a fear of heights!) is to traverse the series of suspension bridges which are dotted throughout the park.
Best Multi-Day Hike: Cerro Chirripó National Park
If you’re after an adventure longer than a couple of hours, Cerro Chirripó National Park offers some challenging trails that are best broken up with an overnight stay. Located within the Talamanca Mountain region in the south of the country, Mount Chirripó is a standout of the park, which is famed for its ecological abundance. The climb is strenuous given that it’s the tallest peak in Central America at 12,533ft, so the best way to tackle the trek is to take your time and stay overnight in one of the park’s camps. The varied ascent takes you through cloud forests and rocky mountain scenery, with postcard-perfect panoramas across the Pacific from the summit. Making the hike beside an expert guide can elevate the experience even further, as they’ll identify the resident wildlife along the way.
Best Hike for Views: Poás Volcano Hike
Poás Volcano is an active volcano situated in the centre of Costa Rica and makes for another great volcanic adventure. Given its prolific activity, the surrounding national park is sometimes closed for safety reasons but if you are able to access the region, the breath-taking views are definitely worth a wait and make it one of the best hikes in Costa Rica. The trails here aren’t too challenging and take you through unique dwarf cloud forest, so-called for its miniature flora and small species of fauna. The Crater Overlook Trail, which rings the rim of the volcano crater, offers views of its electric blue lake and smoking vents, while the park’s crater lake – Lake Botos – is also worth visiting and can add a slightly more arduous section to your hike if you fancy a challenge.
Most Challenging Hike: Rio Negro Hot Springs
If hiking for you is all about pushing boundaries and chasing a challenge, the Rio Negro Hot Springs hike is just the thing. Kick off at the Rincon de la Vieja National Park Visitor Centre where the first section of the trail is well maintained, before transitioning onto less well-marked terrain that winds up a fairly steep incline. Best attempted alongside a friend, the most appealing part of this trail are the steaming hot springs at the end, which offer the ideal antidote to aching muscles and weary limbs.
Best Under-the-Rader Hike: Cerro Cabeza de Vaca
One of the best hikes in Costa Rica for getting off the well-trodden track and ducking beneath the radar is the Cerro Cabeza de Vaca loop which involves ascending an extinct volcano in the central Cartago Province. Choose the quieter of the two trails here for a hike that will take you along a river, through lush greenery and past alpine-like vistas, with every chance that you’ll have the route to yourself. The entire loop is about 11 miles and takes around seven hours to complete, so ensure you leave enough time to complete the circle.
Written by Luisa Watts