The Camino de Costa Rica is a coast to coast 174 mile trail that aims to bring economic prosperity to the rural inland villages and highlight the natural beauty that few visitors ever see. It’s divided into 16 sections and can take anywhere from 12-16 days to walk from Parismina on the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean town of Quepos. This trail is still being developed so it requires a guide but over 500 people have already hiked the route. It goes through five micro-climates and passes through villages where palm oil, coffee, plantains, grenadines, sugar cane and hearts of palm are grown. Exotic birds and plenty of wildlife are guaranteed, as is the warm hospitality for which Costa Rica is well known. Did we mention that you might cross a river in a basket? There is simply no other trail like it.
Review of Camino de Costa Rica Website
The website for Camino de Costa Rica is easy to navigate and provides all the necessary information, including lodging, maps, tour operators and elevation charts. They also include sample itineraries, a detailed explanation of Costa Rican cuisine and short descriptions of each village. We suggest reading about the villages so you have a clear understanding of how remote some of these locations are. Though they include direct links to tour operators, this site is designed to act as your resource guide. The people who answer emails and forum questions are knowledgeable of the trail itself and the operators and businesses. They serve as a clearinghouse to help you select the best guide and answer questions throughout the planning stage. We recommend familiarizing yourself with some basic knowledge of the trail and then send an email to elcaminodecostarica@gmail.com.
Of the tour operators currently covering this route, Ticos a Pata has the best website and offers the most selection for hiking beyond the camino. Urri Trek is frequently recommended in the Camino de Costa Rica forum. While Urri Trek’s website offers little info their Instagram account offers tons of photos. ViaLig Journeys is a family-run business operating from Pacayitas, where they focus on educational experiences. ViaLig has a clunky website but if you click on their trips you’ll see they have some well-designed itineraries. We especially like their 7-day Luxury Trip which includes more comfortable lodging. We recommend following all three operators’ social media accounts to get a better sense of what they have to offer.
Things to like about Camino de Costa Rica
- It’s still in development so you have the opportunity to be a part of building something new
- Offers an immersive experience that’s rare for a walking holiday
- Directly supports local and indigenous communities and promotes responsible development
- Provides an agritourism experience with a wide variety of food crops
- Services include luggage transport each day so you only need to carry a daypack
Important to know
- This is a physically challenging trail. It reaches over 7,000 feet at one point and covers rough terrain that is often very remote. Having good wilderness skills and using a local guide is very important.
- For details and inspiration, listen to Conchita Espino talk about hiking the camino when she was 70-years old on the Active Travels Adventure podcast. Conchita is one of the trail founders and her love for this region may entice you to forget the challenges and focus on the rich experience this camino has to offer.
- Lodging can vary drastically, from rudimentary camping to eco lodges, so be clear on your expectations and ask questions if that concerns you.
- While it’s possible to hire a guide for just one or two people, it’s best if you do this with a small group to help lower the cost. A group of 6-8 people is recommended and you can either make your own group or join one that’s already planned.
Trip Types
- Trekking
Destinations include
- Costa Rica
Great choice for
- Moderate to advanced hikers who want a tropical walking holiday
- Adventurous souls who crave something new and under-developed
Established in 2018
