Must-trek Costa Rican hiking trails | Traveler by Unique
You can hire a guide for nature walks, they are designed to enhance the experience and decrease the efforts of finding a path, figuring out safe ways, etc. The guides are well learned about the natural surroundings and history of the places around any of their familiar trails. Some of the trails where you must go trekking in Costa Rica are listed down below with major attractions and environmental information.
1. The Rio Celeste Waterfall & Lagoon Hike
The breathtaking view of the turquoise hues of Celeste Waterfall and lagoon in the Tenorio Volcano National Park puts a spell on its visitors. A meeting of two rivers right before the starting point of the waterfall creates a mix of minerals that gives the bright, cool color to the water. Trekking to the viewing platform of the waterfall is only a 30-minute walk from the ranger station, you don't even need a guide for that. If you decide to go beyond the waterfall, you will reach tenideros, the point where both the rivers meet and the water turns into a turquoise color. Tenideros means ‘dyeing of the rivers' in Spanish.
2. Manuel Antonio National Park’s Beach Hikes
Bordered by virgin beaches, situated by the length of the Central Pacific coast, and highlighting a lowland rainforest, Manuel Antonio is the most famous National Park according to both native Costa Ricans and tourists alike. You can visit the white sand beach called Playa Manuel Antonio surrounded by a rich rainforest or you can follow the path that leads to Puerto Escondido. Or a third option, you can hike up to the Punta Catedral for a mesmerizing view where you are likely to be accompanied by white-faced friendly monkeys.
3. Corcovado National Park
This remote environmental reserve is located on the Osa Peninsula in the southwestern part of Costa Rica. The National Park offers an assortment of deserted beaches, rainforests, and waterfalls to hikers and trekkers. What's more amazing is that there is no roadway to the Park! You have to either hike your way there or go by a bush plane or bus. But if you are willing to make the effort and hike your way there, the enchanting views of the Park are sure to reward you for it. Do take note of not going on that venture alone though, you are going to want the company of a hiking guide.
4. Volcán Poás, Parque Nacional Volcán Poás
Poás stands tall in the center of the National Park, it is one of the active volcanoes that are easily accessible by the general public and visitors. It has a history of 11 million years of eruptions and has erupted forty times since 1828, counting the one time in April 2017. The paths leading to the crater are paved, unchallenging and very well-maintained for the utmost protection of the people and visitors.
5. Sendero Laguna Meándrica, Parque Nacional Carara
The trail winds through the western side of the Park to an oxbow lake which is home to crocodiles and countless bird species. You need to keep enough time, around 2-4 hours to take a round trip around the finest birding trail of the country. Carara is, in particular, one of Costa Rica’s famous spots to witness the scarlet macaw in its natural habitat. It is advisable to hire a guide as there are some areas that visitors aren’t allowed to access if unaccompanied.
Although Costa Rica is a beautiful place to go on a hiking venture in, never do it alone. It is advised to hire a guide as it is very easy to get lost in the dense rainforests of the country.