<h2>Best Hiking Locations in Costa Rica</h2>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.<h3><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/arenal-volcano/">Arenal Volcano Area, La Fortuna</a></h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646779720/hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_trail_hike_volcano_view_arenal_88581e4839.jpg" alt="hanging-bridges-and-rainforest-trail-hike-volcano-view-arenal.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646779721/thumbnail_hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_trail_hike_volcano_view_arenal_88581e4839.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646779723/small_hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_trail_hike_volcano_view_arenal_88581e4839.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646779722/medium_hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_trail_hike_volcano_view_arenal_88581e4839.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646779722/large_hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_trail_hike_volcano_view_arenal_88581e4839.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;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.<h3><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/manuel-antonio/">Manuel Antonio National Park</a></h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648051760/manuel_antonio_beach_e5eec8017a.jpg" alt="manuel-antonio-beach.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648051760/thumbnail_manuel_antonio_beach_e5eec8017a.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648051761/small_manuel_antonio_beach_e5eec8017a.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648051761/medium_manuel_antonio_beach_e5eec8017a.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648051761/large_manuel_antonio_beach_e5eec8017a.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;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.<h3><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/monteverde/">Monteverde’s Cloud Forest</a></h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652906873/monteverde_cloud_forest_guided_hike_river_general_view_a1ff869435.jpg" alt="monteverde-cloud-forest-guided-hike-river-general-view.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652906874/thumbnail_monteverde_cloud_forest_guided_hike_river_general_view_a1ff869435.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652906875/small_monteverde_cloud_forest_guided_hike_river_general_view_a1ff869435.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652906875/medium_monteverde_cloud_forest_guided_hike_river_general_view_a1ff869435.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652906874/large_monteverde_cloud_forest_guided_hike_river_general_view_a1ff869435.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;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.<h3><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/corcovado-national-park/">Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula</a></h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1660168388/puerto_jimenez_crocodile_bay_botanika_jaguar_osa_peninsula_corcovado_f2339e81b8.jpg" alt="puerto-jimenez-crocodile-bay-botanika-jaguar-osa-peninsula-corcovado.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1660168388/thumbnail_puerto_jimenez_crocodile_bay_botanika_jaguar_osa_peninsula_corcovado_f2339e81b8.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1660168389/small_puerto_jimenez_crocodile_bay_botanika_jaguar_osa_peninsula_corcovado_f2339e81b8.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1660168389/medium_puerto_jimenez_crocodile_bay_botanika_jaguar_osa_peninsula_corcovado_f2339e81b8.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1660168389/large_puerto_jimenez_crocodile_bay_botanika_jaguar_osa_peninsula_corcovado_f2339e81b8.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;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.<h3><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/tenorio-celeste/">Río Celeste: The Turquoise River</a></h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1661293184/waterfall_rio_celeste_river_9f7f68a3bb.jpg" alt="waterfall-rio-celeste-river.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1661293185/thumbnail_waterfall_rio_celeste_river_9f7f68a3bb.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1661293186/small_waterfall_rio_celeste_river_9f7f68a3bb.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1661293186/medium_waterfall_rio_celeste_river_9f7f68a3bb.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1661293185/large_waterfall_rio_celeste_river_9f7f68a3bb.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;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.<h3><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/rincon-de-la-vieja-volcano/">Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Guanacaste</a></h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648847785/rincon_de_la_vieja_volcano_crater_close_up_de69ab134f.jpg" alt="rincon-de-la-vieja-volcano-crater-close-up.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648847786/thumbnail_rincon_de_la_vieja_volcano_crater_close_up_de69ab134f.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648847787/small_rincon_de_la_vieja_volcano_crater_close_up_de69ab134f.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648847787/medium_rincon_de_la_vieja_volcano_crater_close_up_de69ab134f.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648847786/large_rincon_de_la_vieja_volcano_crater_close_up_de69ab134f.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;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 <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/places-to-visit/waterfalls/">national parks and waterfalls</a> you can hike to.<h2>More Than Just Hiking: Combining Activities</h2>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:<ul><li><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/things-to-do/hanging-bridges-rainforest-hike/">Hanging bridges&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/arenal-volcano/things-to-do/sightseeing-gondola-ride/">Aerial tram ride through the forest&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/things-to-do/canopy-zipline/">Zip-lining&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/arenal-volcano/things-to-do/la-fortuna-waterfall/">Waterfall visits&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/things-to-do/horseback-riding/">Horseback riding</a></li></ul><h2>Maximizing Your Hiking Experience</h2>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.<h2>FAQ about Hiking in Costa Rica</h2><h3>What’s the best time of the day for a hike?</h3>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.<h3>How difficult is a hike in Costa Rica?</h3>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.<h3>Who can hike in Costa Rica?</h3>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.<h3>Where can I hike in Costa Rica?</h3>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.

Hiking in Costa Rica

Hiking

Samara

Nature & Wildlife

National Parks

Beach

Punta Islita

Adrenaline

Culture

Beach Fun

Las Catalinas

Waterfalls

Relaxing

Pacuare River

Pacuare

Rainforest

Anastasia made our honeymoon so special in so many ways! I can’t appreciate enough how stress-free she has made this process and fun along the way. She was always available even during our trip when I was feeling unwell the first few days and had multiple recommendations which had me feeling better in no time.&nbsp;

Cheyenne P - Anastasia

Evening Megan!&nbsp;Thanks so much for all that you did for us. Everything was so amazing. Everyone was so nice and we really couldn’t have imagined a better trip! Costa Rica is an an amazing place and we’ll be sure to be back!&nbsp;

Savannah & Hayden Gibson - Megan Hagarty

Tortuguero

National Park

We traveled to three locations over 9 days. Our trip exceeded expectations and was so simple with the help of Costa Rican Vacations. We highly recommend Luke Angus to coordinate your travel.

Sharon - Luke Angus

What a seamless experience! I've never used a travel agency to plan my whole vacation, so this was a joy. It was so nice not to worry about any of the arrangements. All of the tours that Daniel chose for us were perfect.&nbsp;

Audrey C - Daniel Fonseca

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano

Rincón de la Vieja

Volcano

Liberia

All tours were booked by Valentina with drivers and guides! Everything we did was well planned out and perfect! Even our driver back to Liberia was perfect! He stopped along the way to point out fronts and amazing views!!! &nbsp;The trip was a perfect 10 thanks to Valentina

Kendra Welch - Valentina Negri

We just came back from a trip to Costa Rica. Shelly suggested the activities she thought we would enjoy and made all arrangements before we left for our trip. She was always available to answer our questions and was very accommodating when we revised our itinerary!

Rita A - Shelly Huff

Esterillos Beach

Esterillos

Santa Teresa

My sons and I wanted to plan a surf trip to Costa Rica! Vanessa Nichols, my travel agent from CRV, completely set us up! We definitely want to do this every year, Vanessa will be the first person I contact. I feel like I made a friend. Thanks so much!

Amanda Rucker - Vanessa Nichols

As soon as we landed we were in great hands! Very pleased with our excursions and accommodations. Our driver “Marlon Brando” was awesome. Planning and checking in on us throughout our vacation was appreciated. Thanks, Rachel, our trip was SO enjoyable!

Cindy - Rachel

San José

The in country support was outstanding! My husband left his passport in our hotel in San Jose and Costa Rican Vacations arranged transport so the passport was at our next destination! AMAZING service! They made our honeymoon perfect!

Julie C - Kayla Mae

Matthew put together a great itinerary and was very quick to respond to our emails. We developed a relationship with him and were comfortable reaching out to him. Thanks Matthew for your help!

George and Ellen Lipka - Matthew Briscoe

Savegre Valley

Countryside

Puerto Jiménez

Poas Volcano

Poás Volcano

Uvita

Flamingo Beach

We spent the second half of the trip in Playa Flamingo with an all-inclusive package and it was fantastic. Sunsets on the beach were amazing and we really enjoyed the relaxation! I will never visit Costa Rica without Costa Rican Vacations!

Brent G - Vanessa Nichols

This was the favorite place for the rest of my family. They all enjoyed the beach and boogie boarding here. The beach location was wonderful! It was very family oriented and much quieter and isolated. While here we did a snorkel boating trip... We even saw a howler monkey as we were leaving. The planned excursions and included transportation throughout our trip in Costa Rica made our trip so much easier to relax as we didn’t have to think about the planning for that.

Misty B - Flamingo Beach

Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste

Rio Celeste

Conchal Beach

San Ramón

Cloud Forest

Bajos del Toro and Catarata del Toro

Bajos del Toro

San Gerardo de Dota

La Paz - Vara Blanca Cloud Forest

La Paz

Tamarindo

Perfectly executed 10 days of fun! Emilie helped us coordinate the trip and the execution was flawless. The activities were perfect for our family. Our experience in Costa Rica was made amazing because of Costa Rican Vacations and Emilie!

Eloise Moodie - Emilie Witham

I would like to thank Costa Rican Vacations and Felipe Martinez, my consultant. For advising, assisting and planning my dream vacation to Costa Rica. He was patient, experienced, pleasant, warm, friendly, professional and always responded to my messages.

Savi Persad - Felipe Martinez

Cahuita

Guanacaste 

We visited Arenal and Guanacaste with my family. Emma Lasiuk created the best itinerary based on what we were interested in. Everything she recommended was exactly what we wanted and went so smoothly. All transfers from airport to different hotels were on time and very professional. The travel experience team answered our questions right away during our stay. I highly recommend Costa Rican Vacations.

May A - Emma Lasiuk

Pinilla & Playa Avellanas

Playa Avellanas

Nosara

Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula

Drake Bay

Isla Chiquita

Island

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna

Arenal Volcano

I worked with Caitlin Summer to plan and book our Costa Rican vacation. She asked what we liked, wanted to see &amp; do and then sent us a proposal. We made a few changes and then booked our trip. Caitlin did a fantastic job meeting our expectations-booking a great hotel with a beautiful view in La Fortuna and an awesome bungalow in Puerto Viejo that made us feel like we were in the jungle.

Sharon Sagastume - Caitlin Summer

We had such an incredible honeymoon! Thanks for customizing our package to cater to our requests and for always being so available whenever we had questions. We truly came back with memories to last a lifetime.

Moira & Dan - Marjeri Smith

I reached out to Costa Rican Vacations because they have an amazing reputation online and exceptional reviews. It was the best trip we've ever had! Anastasia was amazing and coordinated everything perfectly. I'd definitely book another trip &amp; she'll be my first call!

Amanda Farris Shook - Anastasia

My family and I spent 7 glorious days in Costa Rica. Rachel Peck put together a perfect itinerary. She was absolutely amazing! Very attentive to details and arranged unforgettable experiences for us. Many wonderful memories were made!

Marleen Chiaravalloti - Rachel Peck

Wow!!! All I can say is that this trip was amazing. It was an incredible experience from beginning to end. The scenery in this country is beautiful and breathtaking. So much to learn about the continental divide and diversity of the plant and tree life in this beautiful lush rainforest. The volcano in Arenal was amazing. The scenery changed every minute literally. Emma Lasiuk was the reason we decided to take this vacation. I told her what I was looking for and she gave me and my wife everything I wanted and more.

Indiana Jones returns to Paradise

Our 35th anniversary and bucket list completed and met all of our expectations. Jake and his team help set up the perfect trip with a seamless transition from location to location. Highly recommend these guys!

John Childers - Jake

Bagaces and Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde

In Monteverde, we got to see Resplendent Quetzals building a nest in the Santa Elena cloud forest, and we had an amazing night tour of the Monteverde cloud forest... We saw SO much wildlife. Truly an unforgettable trip.

Lili C - Vanessa Nichols

Monteverde - This is the best ziplining, really high and really long! Extremely safe and professional staff. This area is also the premier coffee spot due to altitude... We loved Monteverde most, as it was less tourist oriented, had smaller town vibes, a sort of lovely familiarity about it.

Roxanne Birx Vandermeulen - Monteverde

Puerto Viejo

Megan Hagarty was so great to work with! She helped my husband and myself with ground transportation which went off without a hitch! We needed ground transportation to the Caribbean coast as well as the return. She was able to allow us to rent a car right in Puerto Viejo which was very convenient. Everything went smoothly! She was very responsive and we were so appreciative of that. I would definitely recommend going through Costa Rican Vacations!

Malteselover_9 - Megan Hagarty

Costa Rican Vacations has been such a great lead in planning our vacation. From beginning to end, including best deals, we enjoyed every minute and wished we could have stayed longer in Puerto Viejo. Service was so courteous and helpful, and didn't miss a beat even during &nbsp;Covid times. Thanks Tara!

Travis M - Tara

Manuel Antonio

Perfect first time visit to Costa Rica! Planning with Felipe Martinez at Costa Rican Vacation was a breeze! He was prompt and super informative. When the time arrived, the travel was easy and very organized. All of the excursions that were recommended were top notch. Using Costa Rican Vacations and Felipe made all of the trip planning easy. Highly recommend.

Kerri - Felipe Martinez

Manuel Antonio was the best. We booked through Vanessa. Everything was on time and perfect. Whole experience with CRV was mind blowing. I would recommend everybody to go through this travel company and Vanessa, she was so helpful. Thank you, girl! You are a rockstar.

Ana M - Vanessa Nichols

Emma! We absolutely loved our vacation. I can't say enough good things about working with you and the trip planned! You listened carefully, offered advice, understood what we were looking for and set us up in great locations we will remember for a lifetime.&nbsp;

Livingston Lewis - Emma Lasiuk

San Isidro

Los Sueños, Playa Herradura

Los Sueños

Marina

Turrialba

Papagayo

Quepos

Playa Langosta

No Ordinary Costa Rica: Monteverde and Punta Islita

No Ordinary Costa Rica

Beach Hopping Costa Rica: Punta Islita and Tamarindo

Beach Hopping Costa Rica

Remote Costa Rica: Bajos del Toro and Punta Islita

Remote Costa Rica

Classic Green Getaway: Arenal Volcano and Punta Islita

Classic Green Getaway

Costa Rica Family Classic: Arenal Volcano & Las Catalinas

Costa Rica Family Classic

Secluded Costa Rica: Upala and Las Catalinas

Secluded Costa Rica

Guanacaste Getaway: Rio Perdido and Las Catalinas

Guanacaste Adventure & Beach Combo

Waterfalls and Sandy Beaches: Bajos del Toro and Las Catalinas

Waterfalls and Sandy Beaches

Flamingo Beach and Las Catalinas

All-Guanacaste Volcano Beach Combo: Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Las Catalinas

All-Guanacaste Volcano Beach Combo

Infinity Pools... And Beyond! San Isidro and Las Catalinas

Infinity Pools... And Beyond!

Royal Slothcation: Conchal Beach and Las Catalinas

Royal Slothcation

Las Catalinas and Manuel Antonio

Dare to Dream: Pacuare River and Las Catalinas

Dare to Dream

Monteverde and Las Catalinas

Las Catalinas and Los Sueños

Diving Highlights: Drake Bay and Las Catalinas 

Diving Highlights

Eco-Adventure Classic: La Paz - Vara Blanca Cloud Forest and Las Catalinas

Eco-Adventure Classic

Pacuare and Manuel Antonio

'A' for Adventure: Puerto Viejo and Pacuare

'A' for Adventure

Opulence and Heritage: Pacuare River and Upala

Opulence and Heritage

Pacuare and Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula

Pacuare and Drake Bay

Jungle Nights & City Lights: Pacuare and San José

Jungle Nights & City Lights

Costa Rica Eco Adventure: Arenal Volcano and Pacuare River

Costa Rica Eco Adventure

Pacuare and Santa Teresa

Adventure Honeymoon: Pacuare and Uvita

Adventure Honeymoon

 Welcome to the Jungle: Monteverde and Pacuare

 Welcome to the Jungle

Exotic Luxury: Pacuare and Papagayo

Exotic Luxury

Wild and Tame Rivers of Costa Rica: Tortuguero and Pacuare

Wild and Tame Rivers of Costa Rica

Unique Costa Rica Adventure: Pacuare River and San Isidro

Unique Costa Rica Adventure

Jungle Rafting Extravaganza: Bajos del Toro and Pacuare River

Jungle Rafting Extravaganza

Wellness Journey: Pacuare and Nosara

Wellness Journey

Unique Lodges of Costa Rica: Pacuare and Matapalo, Puerto Jiménez

Unique Lodges of Costa Rica

Jungle Adventure on the Caribbean: La Paz - Vara Blanca Cloud Forest and Pacuare