For tourists visiting Costa Rica, the capital of San Jose often serves as an ideal base of operations. With so many of the country's national parks within reach, San Jose is the perfect place to stay if you're planning a hiking vacation in southern inland Costa Rica. Come with me to learn more about the best hikes in this beautiful region!
Resplendent Quetzal in Los Quetzales National Park
Los Quetzales National Park
Offering trails of varying difficulty and some of the most exotic wildlife found anywhere in Costa Rica, Los Quetzales National Park is a hiker's paradise. This reserve contains three distinct types of rainforest, and 14 ecosystems, making it the perfect place for birdwatchers to see the incredible creatures of the park firsthand.
Inexperienced hikers will probably want to tackle the Camino a Providencia or Ojo de Agua trails first. These routes wind through stunning oakwood forests, enabling tourists to spot remarkable birds like the resplendent quetzal and several species of parrot during their travels.
The other two major routes in the park, Aventura and Rio Frio, are much tougher. Inclines and general terrain conditions are challenging, so if you're an experienced hiker, these two trails could be just what you're looking for.
Chirripo National Park
Home to the tallest mountain in Costa Rica, Chirripo National Park offers tourists some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. For hiking enthusiasts, the path to the summit is a real challenge, but the views make it worthwhile. From the top, hikers can see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea!
The route to the top of Cerro Chirripo Grande is very strenuous, stretching around 11 miles from the base of the mountain and rising 3,000 feet above sea level, so this trail is definitely not for the faint of heart.
There are two ranger stations along the route where hikers can stay the night if they need to take a rest, but you'll need a permit to do so. If you're adventurous enough to tackle the trail, don't forget that, due to its location, Cerro Chirripo Grande is very close to the Equator, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as it can get very hot during the peak season.
The southern inland region of Costa Rica is ideal for tourists planning a hiking vacation. With stunning views and a variety of trails, hiking around the area could be the trip of a lifetime.