Hiking in Costa Rica

Depending on which area of the country you’re visiting, there are different possibilities during your stay. Around 25% of the country has been declared protected areas, preserving some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful destinations. Hiking is also something you can do year-long across the country. Regardless of where and when you’re here, there is plenty to see and do.

There are various hiking options in the Arenal area. The Arenal Volcano is the star of the show. It’s a colossal cone that’s internationally famous as one of Costa Rica’s most iconic sights. Hike around the rainforest at its base to get as close as possible to the volcano.

The volcano itself is dormant now, but a hike will get you great pics of the solid lava trails. On a clear day, hikes also provide impressive lookout points to spot the nearby Arenal Lake and the 3,500-year-old extinct volcano Cerro Chato.

Wildlife is abundant in this national park, so be camera-ready for encounters with monkeys, sloths, snakes, and a variety of birds. If you want to expand your day of adventure, there are options too. Mix hiking with other activities like hanging bridges, aerial trams, and waterfalls.

Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica’s smallest national park but one of the most visited, and for good reason. It protects tropical rainforests, mangroves, pristine beaches, and over 100 species of mammals and 184 species of birds.

A hike here allows a glimpse of these species in their natural habitat. Toucans, squirrel monkeys, colorful crabs, mangrove hummingbirds, scurrying lizards, and the beloved sloths are all here. Thanks to its popularity, a part of the trail is now accessible to people with mobility issues, making it an ideal spot for family hiking.

Monteverde’s Cloud Forest provides a more tranquil hiking experience with a vast number of trails to choose from. The forest stretches over 10,500 hectares and is home to multiple parks and biological reserves.

This location is particularly loved by birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts due to its rich wildlife. The elusive quetzal—a major prize for visitors—makes its seasonal home in this area. It’s a tough spot, but the other 500 bird species that nest here are more than worth the visit.

Corcovado National Park, situated in the secluded Osa Peninsula, offers a unique hiking experience with its abundant biodiversity. Access to this park often requires a boat ride, adding a chance to spot marine life such as dolphins and turtles.

Corcovado holds around 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it provides plenty of opportunities to spot the local wildlife. The rarest and most famous finds include tapirs, jaguars, and peccaries. There are also various types of monkeys, colorful butterflies, and plenty of birds.

A hike that goes deep into Tenorio National Park offers a unique off-the-beaten-path adventure. The river’s stunning turquoise color, a result of minerals from the nearby Tenorio Volcano, is a sight to behold. The river’s famous waterfall is also a particularly beautiful photo op.

This off-the-beaten-track park offers plenty for hikers in search of a challenge. It's located in the northwestern part of the country and it spans over 34,000 acres of a mixture of tropical dry forest and cloud forest. It also has two volcanoes, dried lava rocks, and bubbling mud pools.

Birdwatchers will have plenty of animals to find here, like toucanets and wood quails. Nature lovers find here an exciting combo of tropical flora and unique geography. Ready your camera for the sulfurous fumaroles, steam holes, and a 195-foot-high waterfall.

These are the more frequented hiking locations in Costa Rica, and there are even more. Check out the national parks and waterfalls you can hike to.

Mix it up a little and get even more out of your hiking by getting a combo activity. Sometimes hiking is just the start of a great day. Combine it with:

For birdwatchers, it’s best to hike in the morning when the wildlife is most active. This time of day also helps avoid afternoon showers during the rainy season and the hottest parts of the day.

Hiking in national parks with experienced guides can enhance your experience, too. Trained guides can point out various species of flora and fauna, provide insight into local ecosystems, and streamline your visit.

Morning hikes are recommended because most animals are active early for the first feed of the day, and the chances to spot them increase. However, night hikes are also popular, especially if you’re enthusiastic about the animals fewer people see when visiting Costa Rica.

Easy to moderate, and occasionally extreme! But it depends on the location. Most hiking tours and trails are designed to have a low level of difficulty, making them family-friendly activities. With so many things to see, both beginner and experienced hikers can enjoy these paths. However, there are more challenging options. The same location often has different trails to choose from with varying lengths and levels of difficulty. You can often view a map beforehand and plan which trail is best for you.

Almost anyone. It depends more on what your interests are and if you have mobility issues. Sometimes children as young as 5 years old enjoy a good stroll around the forest, just like their energetic 75-year-old grandparents.

We recommend hiking in locations such as national parks and biological reserves.

They are protected areas and allow a level of immersion few others provide in Costa Rica. Most hotels also offer hiking trails where you can admire some truly interesting landscapes.