The Camino de Costa Rica is a fairly straightforward trek across the entire country connecting the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. You travel on the less traveled paths of the country avoiding all tourists and instead connecting with locals in the places they work and live. You'll see the heart of the country: its dense jungle brush, mountaintops peaking through clouds, and the various plantations that are critical to many everyday Costa Ricans. Not to mention the never ending cavalcade of birds to discover and if you're lucky a few cute mammals such as tapirs, monkeys and sloths.
This trip was a perfect fit for me as I am currently working full-time. Easily slotted into a two-week time frame, it is a reasonable pace to hit each day(~20km average). Logistically you are staying at basic accommodations each night so you can expect at a minimum bed+wifi+shower and, if organized, dinner and breakfast the following morning to fuel your hike.
When to go
Most people and tour groups go during the winter months of December to March. This is the nicest weather(lower temps/less rain). I hiked in May/June, which I would recommend. It was quite hot and the rainy season begins here but you'll have the whole trail to your self.
Which direction
Caribbean Sea to Pacific Ocean, is the classic way.
Navigation
Download and use
FarOut
app. Useful way points for hosts and resupply along the entire route.
Make sure you have all maps downloaded for OFFLINE use!
Trail Surface
Mostly gravel/broken asphalt road. A few muddy sections near the beginning if rainy.
You shouldn't need to bring much at all. A few changes of clothes, hygiene items, rain gear, a good pair of trail runners and a pack to carry snacks/water. Bring good sunscreen and a travel sized bug spray, you'll thank me later.
Here is my gear list as a reference. I brought an entire hiking setup that I never used once. You should be able to get around half this weight I think if you pack smart.
Table of all items and weights
- Fly to SJO (Juan Santamaría International Airport). Spend a night or two in San Jose.
- Take 07:30 bus from Gran Terminal del Caribe to Siquirres. You can buy tickets in advance via https://mibus.cr.
- Buy tickets for Cano Blanco from this terminal Estacion de Intercantonal de Buses de Siquirres. Bus leaves roughly at 1400.
- At the end of the line get off and speak to staff at nearby restaurant and tell them you want a boat to Parismina. They'll tell you when the next one is coming
- Get on the boat and soon you'll arrive at the start of the trail! You have ~5-8km hike to get to your first accommodation.
This was the highlight of my trip. Spending each evening and morning interacting with kind locals over lovingly made food.
Here is the itinerary I used for a group of 6 for an 11-day hike. I recommend each stop here!Full hiking itinerary
If you want to deviate from this plan I highly recommend using this great online tool to scout out and discover hosts along the route: https://www.caminodecostaricalodging.com/
Resupply note
I highly recommend at the minimum organizing with each host to have dinner and breakfast with them. Not only is the food always delicious, it removes the burden of having to carry food yourself and instead you can rely on just a few snacks per day in-between lodgings. Everyday you'll pass at least one shop that you can buy snacks from. Most of the days you can buy full meals as you pass restaurants. There are one or two days with less resupply that I'd recommend to have extra water and snacks.