Hiking in Costa Rica
Including Arenal Volcano National Park, Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, and Barranca River Canyon Trails. On the map.
The vibe
Walking here feels like stepping into a living, breathing greenhouse where the canopy hums with constant movement. The dry months from December to April offer the clearest paths, though the lush greenery of the wetter months makes the humidity feel like part of the experience. You will find a mix of well-trodden, ranger-led circuits and quieter, muddier trails that require a bit of self-reliance.
You often need to book a park entry permit online in advance.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Alajuela Province
Christophe Meneboeuf / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hike through ancient lava fields and regenerating tropical rainforest at the base of Costa Rica's most iconic active volcano. Trails wind past old basalt flows and offer panoramic views of Lake Arenal and smoking summit craters.
Access. Easily reachable by car or shuttle from La Fortuna, located about 20 minutes outside town.
Notes. Climbing to the active summit is strictly prohibited for safety reasons; trails remain restricted to lower slopes and base forests.
Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge
Limón Province
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Remote wilderness trekking through dense swamp forests, black-water rivers, and untouched Caribbean jungle networks. The terrain is flat, muddy, and wildly untamed, suited for adventurous multi-day expedition trekking.
Access. Accessible primarily by small aircraft or boat from Tortuguero or Puerto Limón; local river guides are mandatory for interior routes.
Notes. Extreme rainfall, heavy humidity, and high mosquito density require proper gear and preparation.
Barranca River Canyon Trails
Puntarenas Province
Andrés Berrocal Soto / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Rugged canyon-floor and rim hiking following the winding Barranca River as it cuts deep gorges through Costa Rica's central highlands. Expect river crossings, rocky outcrops, and rich riverine wildlife.
Access. Accessed via towns along the Inter-American Highway near Esparza or San Ramón; local guides recommended for proper canyon descent routes.
Notes. Flash floods during the rainy season make canyon floors dangerous; avoid during heavy storms.
Braulio Carrillo National Park (Volcán Barva)
Heredia Province
Hans Hillewaert / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Trek through remote, misty mountain rainforests up to the caldera lakes of dormant Barva Volcano. The trails are rugged, steep, and deeply atmospheric, offering true wilderness hiking close to the capital.
Access. Drive to Sacramento ranger station via Heredia and San José de la Montaña (4x4 vehicle recommended).
Notes. Weather is frequently wet and misty; proper footwear and navigation prep are essential.
Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve
Puntarenas Province
_Explanders / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Hike the demanding Sendero Suecia through transitional dry-to-moist tropical forest out to a remote, scenic ocean beach at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Rich birdlife and howling monkeys accompany the trek.
Access. Drive from Montezuma or Cobano to the reserve entrance near Cabuya.
Notes. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Visitors must complete the main trail before the afternoon park closing time.
Cahuita National Park (Punta Cahuita Extension)
Limón Province
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
A flat, idyllic coastal trail weaving between golden sand beaches, coconut palms, and tropical lowland rainforest. Walkers regularly spot white-faced capuchins, sloths, and colorful land crabs along the sea cliffs.
Access. Starts right from Cahuita village entrance; donation-based entry with well-maintained boardwalks across swampy creeks.
Notes. High tide can occasionally narrow sections of the beach path; check tide tables before attempting the full coastal loop.
Chirripó National Park (Cerro Chirripó)
Cartago
Cephas / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Trek to the highest peak in Costa Rica on a challenging multi-day alpine and high-altitude mountain expedition. The route ascends through dense cloud forests up to barren, sweeping paramo grasslands above treeline with views of both oceans on clear days.
Access. Trailhead begins in San Gerardo de Rivas. Advance permit and overnight booking at Crestones Basecamp required.
Notes. Significant elevation gain and cold nighttime temperatures above 3,000 meters require proper mountain gear and physical conditioning.
Corcovado National Park (Sirena Station)
Puntarenas Province
Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Immerse yourself in one of the most intense rainforest ecosystems on the planet on multi-day jungle tracks. Dense canopies, muddy trails, and incredible biodiversity—including tapirs, monkeys, and pumas—make this a premier trekking destination.
Access. Accessible via boat from Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez to Sirena Station. Certified guide mandatory.
Notes. Permits and guided tours must be booked well in advance. Heavy tropical rainfall and high humidity year-round.
Manuel Antonio National Park Trails
Puntarenas Province
Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Combine lush coastal rainforest hiking with pristine white-sand beaches on well-maintained park trails. Gentle boardwalks and elevated paths offer effortless wildlife viewing, including sloths and iguanas, with stunning ocean viewpoints.
Access. Short drive or bus from Quepos; easy walk from Manuel Antonio town to the park entrance.
Notes. Park closed on Tuesdays. Tickets must be purchased online in advance through the official SINAC system.
Miravalles Volcano National Park Sector
Guanacaste
Steve Garvie from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Explore lesser-traveled geothermal volcanic trails featuring boiling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and rugged crater approaches. The route cuts through dense transitional dry-to-cloud forests with minimal tourist crowds.
Access. Reached via Bijagua or Guayabo; best explored with a local guide due to unmarked branching park tracks.
Notes. Geothermal hazards mean visitors must stay on marked paths near active vents.
Prusia Sector (Irazú Volcano National Park)
Cartago Province
DirkvdM irazu 1.jpg — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Wander through tranquil pine plantations and dense cloud forest paths within the lesser-visited Prusia sector of Irazú Volcano. The trail network offers cool mountain air and peaceful shaded day hikes.
Access. Drive from Cartago toward Tierra Blanca to the Prusia sector entrance.
Notes. Tickets must be booked online in advance. Trails can be brisk and chilly due to high elevation.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park (Las Pailas)
Guanacaste
Panegyrics of Granovetter / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Explore an active volcanic wonderland featuring bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and forest waterfalls. The Las Pailas loop trail provides dry tropical forest scenery and diverse geothermal activity.
Access. Drive from Liberia to the park's Sector Las Pailas entrance.
Notes. Park closed on Mondays. Trails can be hot and dusty in the dry season or muddy in the rainy season.
Turrialba Volcano National Park
Cartago Province
Luis Manuel Madrigal Mena / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Trek up to the massive summit craters of one of Costa Rica's most active and dramatic volcanoes. High-altitude moorland and volcanic ash slopes provide stark, lunar-like landscapes contrasting with lush valleys below.
Access. Accessible via 4x4 vehicles from Santa Cruz de Turrialba; mandatory guided tours and safety gear required.
Notes. Access status changes frequently depending on volcanic activity and seismic alerts. Mandatory helmets and gas masks are often issued by guides.