Best hikes in Costa Rica: our top picks

Over a quarter of Costa Rica’s landscape is protected by national parks, wildlife refuges and biological reserves, many of which are served by wonderful hiking trails that variously take you deep into the verdant rainforest and surf-lashed beaches. To help you plan your trek-based trip, here are some of the best hikes in Costa Rica

1. Volcán Poás, Parque Nacional Volcán Poás

Standing proud in the centre of its namesake national park, Poás is one of the world’s more easily accessible active volcanoes. You can reach it by public transport from San José and Alajuela.

With an eleven-million-year history of eruptions here you can take your pick from the very well-maintained, short and unchallenging trails which weave through the park’s unusual dwarf cloud forest. 

The Crater Overlook Trail, which winds around the main crater along a paved road, is only 750m long and is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs — ideal if you're visiting Costa Rica with kids

How to get to Parque Nacional Volcán Poás

Drive from San José via Route 1 (Interamericana), then take Route 130 toward Poasito and the park entrance. It should around 1.5 hours.

Using public transport? While there’s no direct public bus to the park, you can take a bus from San José to Alajuela, then a taxi or organized shuttle/tour to the park.

Alternatively, agencies offer half-day tours from San José or Alajuela that include entrance, transportation, and a guide — a great option if you don’t want to drive.

When to visit

The dry season (December to April) is best for clear views of the crater and acid lake.

For wider weather context, read up on the best time to visit Costa Rica.

2. Sendero Los Patos-Sirena, Parque Nacional Corcovado

Corcovado — one of the best national parks in Costa Rica — is located on the remote Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. 

This tough 20km trek through the dense rainforest of (allow 9 hours) gives experienced hikers the chance to spot some of Costa Rica’s more elusive large mammals, such as the tapir and collared peccary. 

The Los Patos-Sirena route starts near the village of Rincón de Osa, which runs a programme to train locals as naturalist guides.

Everyone trekking in Corcovado must be accompanied by a guide, and they tend to enrich your experience — the guides at Rincón are taught to identify some of the approximately 370 species of bird recorded in the area, not to mention the amphibians, reptiles, insects, mammals and plants. 

How to get to Parque Nacional Corcovado

Access to Corcovado depends on which entrance or ranger station you’re heading to — the most common are Sirena, San Pedrillo, La Leona, and Los Patos.

From San José, fly to Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez (30–50 minutes from San José).

Drake Bay is best for accessing San Pedrillo and Sirena sectors by boat, while Puerto Jiménez is best for the La Leona or Los Patos trailheads (this requires land transport to Carate or La Palma).

For more transport context, read up on getting around Costa Rica.

When to visit

The best time to visit Corcovado National Park is during the dry season for easier river crossings, and better hiking conditions.

Short on time, but big on ambition? Explore our rewarding 7 days in Costa Rica  itineraries, and 5 days in Costa Rica itinerary ideas.

3. Cerro Chirripó, Parque Nacional Chirripó

South of San Jose, Cerro Chirripó is Costa Rica's highest mountain, and the multi-day trek up to its peak – 3820m (12,533ft) – is for sure one of the best hikes in Costa Rica. 

It is a long but varied ascent through cloud forest and paramo to rocky mountaintop. On a clear morning, you can see right across to the Pacific.

The services of a guide can be both useful and illuminating, as they’ll be able to help you identify local species and interpret the landscapes you pass through. Ask at the ranger station for personal recommendations.

On the subject of personal recommendations, our content manager has written an experience-based guide to how to plan a trip to Costa Rica..

How to get to Parque Nacional Chirripó

The hike to Chirripó starts in San Gerardo de Rivas, a small village near the city of San Isidro de El General.

To get here from San José, drive 3.5–4.5 hours via Route 2 towards San Isidro de El General.

From San Isidro, take a local road up to San Gerardo de Rivas.

Alternatively, catch a bus from San José to San Isidro de El General (3.5 hours) followed by a local taxi or bus to San Gerardo de Rivas.

When to visit

Trails are most accessible in the December to April dry season

4. Reserva Rara Avis - one of the best hikes in Costa Rica for wildlife

Costa Rica’s premier ecotourism destination flourishes with primitive ferns and has more kinds of plants, birds and butterflies than the whole of Europe. For example, 367 species of bird alone have been identified here. 

Not only is the wonderfully remote Reserva Rara Avis packed with Costa Rica wildlife wonders  — it also has a 30km network of excellent trails, which are well marked and offer walks of thirty minutes to several hours.

Given the effort it takes to reach the reserve, it’s worth staying for a couple of nights and exploring. 

The informative guided walks are a great opportunity for spotting some of the reserve’s abundant wildlife. 

How to get to Reserva Rara Avis 

Located in the Sarapiquí region of the Caribbean foothills, northeast of San José, Reserva Rara Avis is remote, and getting here takes some effort.

To get to Horquetas de Sarapiquí drom San José, drive ~2.5–3 hours via Route 32 through Braulio Carrillo National Park, then turn toward Horquetas.

You can also take a bus to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, then a taxi or bus to Horquetas.

From Las Horquetas, it’s about 13 km to the reserve, but this final stretch is not accessible by normal car. 

4x4 transport can be arranged by the reserve, or you could hike. It takes around 3.5–4 hours to reach the reserve.

When to visit

Again, the December to April dry season is the best time for visit. During the May to November rainy season, trails can become very muddy or impassable.

5. Estación Biológica Pocosol, Monteverde

This two-day trek from Monteverde to the research station on the eastern edge of the Bosque Eterno de los Niños, Costa Rica’s largest private reserve, is one of the best Costa Rica adventure tours, and one of the country’s best hikes for thrill-seekers.

It’s real bushwhacking stuff, on unmarked trails (pumas have been spotted around the refuge where you spend the night). You must be escorted by two fully equipped, armed rangers trained in first aid.

The reserve also features a series of easier trails that are a highlight of any Costa Rica rainforest tour, taking you across hanging bridges suspended from platforms in the rainforest canopy. 

How to get to Monteverde

To get from San José to Monteverde, there are a few options:

• take a public bus (5–6 hours, budget-friendly)
• shared shuttle (4–4.5 hours, more comfortable)
• private transfer (3.5–4 hours, flexible but pricier)
• rental cars (3-4 hours, but more expensive)

Best time to visit

The best overall time to visit is during the December to April dry season, when conditions are better for hiking, canopy tours, and wildlife viewing.

That said, the quieter wet-season months of June and July often have a "mini-summer" with drier periods.

Also note that Monteverde sits at a high elevation, so cool temperatures and mist are common year-round.

Just starting to plan your trip? Discover how many days you need in Costa Rica.

6. Sendero Laguna Meándrica, Parque Nacional Carara

This 4.3km round trip (allow 2–4 hours) is perhaps the finest birding trail of any national park in the country – and that’s saying something. It winds through the western half of the park to a croc-filled oxbow lake, home to myriad bird species.

In particular, Carara is one of Costa Rica’s best spots to see the scarlet macaw in its natural habitat – they migrate at dawn and dusk between the lowland forest areas and swampy mangroves, soaring overhead in a burst of red and blue.

 It’s worth hiring a guide from the visitor centre, 2km south of the trail entrance, as there are some areas visitors can’t access when unaccompanied.

How to get to Parque Nacional Carara

Carara National Park is located in Puntarenas Province, near the central Pacific coast, and is one of the most accessible parks from San José.

From San José, drive west on Route 27, then south along Route 34 (Costanera Sur) toward Jacó. The main park entrance is on the left just before the Tárcoles River Bridge, and the drive takes around 1.5–2 hours

You could also take a bus from San José to Jacó or Quepos and ask to get off near Tárcoles. From the main road, it’s a short walk to the park entrance.

This is less convenient than driving, but handy if you’re visiting Costa Rica on a budget.

When to visit

December to April is best in terms of trail access and better chances of seeing more birds.

7. Sendero Las Pailas, Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja

This terrific 6km circuit takes in the best of this memorable national park in the shadow of a smoking volcano. 

The trail is not too demanding and has recently been updated with smooth concrete pathways and a wheelchair-accessible section.

It heads past many of the unusual natural features with which the park abounds, including mud pots and geothermal hornillas (literally, “stoves”). 

These mystical-looking holes in the ground exhale elegant puffs of steam. Make sure not to go nearer than a metre or so, though, or you’ll be steamed in no time.

Editor's tip: consider booking at least a couple of the best Guanacaste tours to fully experience the region.

How to get to Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja

From Liberia, drive northeast on Route 1, then take the turnoff toward Curubandé and the Las Pailas sector — the main park entrance. This takes around 45 minutes.

Alternatively, while there are no direct buses to the park entrance, you can take a bus to Liberia, then a taxi or arranged shuttle to the Las Pailas or Santa María entrance sectors.

When to visit

While the waterfalls here are most dramatic during the rainy season, sections of the trails will be very muddy.

For easier access, with still-impressive falls, visit later on in the dry season (March–April).

8. Rio Celeste Waterfall hike, Tenorio Volcano National Park

The Rio Celeste waterfall is located in Tenorio Volcano National Park in the Guanacaste region, near the town of Bijagua de Upala.

The waterfall is about an hour's hike from the park entrance, named after the river that it flows into, and known for its incredibly bright turquoise-blue colour.

Hikes to the waterfall take you through lush tropical rainforest teeming with wildlife — from blue morpho butterflies and dart frogs, to all kinds of chattering monkeys.

How to get Tenorio Volcano National Park

To get here by car from San José, drive via Route 1 north, then take the turn toward Bijagua. 

This will take around 3.5 to 4.5 hours, and a 4x4 vehicle is recommended, especially during the rainy season, due to rough access roads near the park entrance.

From Liberia, drive east toward Bagaces and then northeast to Bijagua — this takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

You could also take a bus from San José to Upala or Liberia, then transfer to Bijagua.

When to visit

As with other hikes, the dry season is best for trail conditions, and September and October, the wettest months, are to be avoided as some areas may be inaccessible.

9. Nauyaca Waterfall hike

Located in the South Pacific, only 20 minutes from Dominical, Nauyaca waterfall may not have the impressive drop-offs of La Fortuna or Catarata de Toro., but its layout of upper and lower cascades makes it one of the best hikes in Costa Rica. 

Hidden deep in the jungle, it's not frequently visited and takes a bit of work to get there (a 4km hike each way).

The hike is a sweaty one, but it's worth the effort – especially as you can refresh yourself with a dip in the water. 

There's a cost of about $8 to access the trail, but if you fancy an alternate way to explore the falls, the owners of the property offer horseback-riding tours and truck tours.

How to get to Nauyaca waterfall

The falls are located in Puntarenas Province, about 10 km (6 miles) inland from Dominical. Access is through the Nauyaca Waterfalls Nature Park.

To get here from San José, drive south via Route 27, then Route 34 (Costanera Sur), through Quepos and Dominical. This will take 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

From Dominical, drive inland toward San Isidro on Route 243 for about 15–20 minutes. The entrance is well-marked, and has secure parking.

When to visit

While the falls are more dramatic in the rainy season, the trail can be very muddy and slippery, and river crossings are more challenging, so (again!), the dry season is best.

10. La Fortuna Waterfall hike, Arenal Volcano National Park

Located in Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna is one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica.

Overlooked by Arenal volcano, the park is an adventurer's paradise and a perfect place to tick off many classic Costa Rican experiences.

There are multiple activities you can combine with a visit to La Fortuna waterfall, such as the natural hot springs or hiking the famous hanging bridges. This is certainly one of the best hikes in Costa Rica, and one of the best Arenal volcano hikes.

Make the most of your time here by checking out the best Arenal volcano tours, which include zip-lining, and hitting the best hot springs around Arenal

11. Hanging Bridges hike, Arenal Volcano National Park

The Hanging Bridges hike is a unique and fascinating experience that gives visitors a chance to explore the rainforest from a different perspective. 

The hike leads through the lush vegetation of the national park, which is home to many species of plants and animals.

Hanging bridges on this hike vary in length from 8 to 98 metres. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding rainforest and see a variety of wildlife, including howler monkeys, sloths, toucans and hummingbirds.

How to get to Arenal Volcano National Park

From San José, drive to La Fortuna via Route 1 and Route 702 (3-4 hours). 

Alternatively, buses run from San José to La Fortuna, usually with a transfer in Ciudad Quesada, and take 5–6 hours.

IN addition, pplenty of shared and private shuttles run daily from San José, Liberia, and other tourist hubs like Monteverde or Manuel Antonio.

When to visit

While the dry season is best for clear views of the volcano, hiking and exploring waterfalls and trails, it can be busy. 

So, it’s worth noting that the shoulder seasons (May–June, and November) are also great, though you should bring a light rain jacket.

Looking for more pre-trip support and inspiration? Browse our customisable Costa Rica itineraries, and make use of our Costa Rica travel tips.

Not keen on planning? Contact our local Costa Rica travel experts, who can take care of planning — and booking — every detail of your perfect trip.