Blessed with national parks, and a wide variety of wildlife, Costa Rica boasts a plethora of hiking trails for adventure lovers. Here is a list to plan your Costa Rica vacation.
1. Arenal Volcano Park Hike
Arenal Volcano National Park opens daily for hikers from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The area has guided hikes that take one over old lava flows and through the rainforest. The park offers many hiking trails for exploration. One can also hike to the natural hot springs for a relaxing soak. It is better to collect a map of the national park Along with recommendations from the park ranger to hike without any guide.
2. Manuel Antonio National Park Hike
Although small in Area, it boasts multiple hiking trails that range from easy to steep hikes. One can access the main trail from the entrance of the park. It is almost flat and sandy. Hikers of all ages can do this. You will see plenty of wildlife doing this hike. The hike also branches off to the major beaches around the park. One can also take the Cathedral Point Trail.
3. Corcovado National Park Hike
Located on the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park offers many hiking trails to explore. It is a bio-diverse place and boasts a wide variety of plants and wildlife. One can do Quebrada San Pedro hike. This easy hike is approx 1.3 kilometers long and takes about 24 minutes. San Pedrillo hike has a length of about 3.1 kilometers. This moderate hike takes approx 51 minutes to complete. One can also follow the La Leona Madrigal trail. It is an easy hike spanning 10.1 kilometers and requires about 2 hours and 33 minutes. One can also hike from Leona to Sirena. This easy hike is about 17.7 kilometers long and takes around 5 hours.
4. Arenal hanging bridge hike
It offers one of the most spectacular hiking routes in Costa Rica. The hike is about 2 miles long and includes several hanging bridges. It takes hikers through the rainforest around Arenal Volcano. One can watch a large variety of wildlife.
5. Bajo del Toro Waterfall Hike
If you are looking for big rewards through a short hike, Bajos del Toro Waterfall Hike is the best for you. One can access it from El Silencio Lodge in a private cloud forest. So, there is an entrance fee. It is a short hike of just over a mile that goes through a moderate trail. One has to drop approx 400 steps to go to the base of the waterfall. While a bit challenging it is worth visiting.
6. Climb Home Cerro Chirripo
Standing at 3,820 meters it happens to be the tallest mountain in Costa Rica. It involves a tough hike of above 12 miles in one way. As such, hikers generally do it in two days. The hike starts at San Gerardo de Rivas and passes through cloud forests via rugged trails. The summit gives a wonderful view of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
7. Hiking in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Several trails are there in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. They cover about 8 miles and one can see the wide variety of flora and fauna of the park. Passing through the cloud forests one can also see many birds & animals and also enjoy the astounding green views of the park. Never forget to take your rain jacket.
8. Tenorio Volcano National Park Hike
Tenorio boasts an outstanding beauty with a waterfall, blue waters, and a lush green forest. There is a 30-meter waterfall. One can take the Rio Celeste Trail which starts at the entrance of the park. It has a length of about five and a half kilometers and takes a little less than 2 hours to complete.
9. Hiking in the Rincon de la Viejo National Park
One can take a hike on the active crater trail here. It has a length of approx 8 kilometers. Although a demanding hike, it is achievable. It is the best place for hikers who want to explore geothermal activities. One can hike the Las Pailas Trail and others.
10. La Amistad International park
La Amistad International park shares its boundary with Costa Rica and Panama. Blessed with a vast virgin forest it is the largest protected area in Costa Rica. Hikers can have glimpses of a wide variety of wildlife in the region. The park boasts many mountain trails with rugged terrains that take hikers deep into forests. Hiking in La Amistad International Park gives one an unforgettable experience. Experienced hikers can hike to the Valle de Silencio and Cerro Kamuk. It is better to take guides.