 A waterfall hike within Rincon de la Vieja National Park Costa Rica has some of the best hiking in the world. Although, I may be biased. But with a country offering volcanic peaks, cascading waterfalls, and rainforests bursting with life, I think you’re bound to agree with me. What’s more, our knowledgeable, and ICT-certified, guides will be with you every step of the way. Sure, there are many trails in Costa Rica that can be explored independently. However, our guides easily transform an ordinary walk into an unforgettable wildlife experience. Our guides will be on hand to share natural history facts and stories, as well as offering expert help in spotting camouflaged wildlife. Here are some of our favourite guided hikes in Costa Rica. 1. La Leona Waterfall Hike Hiking through the canyons to La Leona Waterfall The La Leona Waterfall is one of the most adventurous hikes you can experience in Guanacaste. Located near Rincón de la Vieja National Park, the hike is much more than a simple walk to a waterfall. The trail follows a river canyon - meaning you'll spend plenty of time scrambling over volcanic rocks, crossing streams, and navigating uneven terrain. After an initial walk through farmland and Pacific Dry Forest - home to an incredible diversity of life - the route quickly becomes more challenging. Don’t be alarmed if you find yourself climbing over large boulders or traversing narrow sections of the canyon. In several places, it’s necessary to wade through the river, and deeper sections require swimming - but after building up a bit of a sweat, there’s nothing wrong with a refreshing dip. The highlight of the hike is the canyon itself. Steep volcanic walls rise on either side, creating a dramatic setting that feels very different from many other waterfall hikes in Costa Rica. The river's striking blue colour adds to the scenery. The final approach involves swimming through a narrow section of the canyon before reaching La Leona Waterfall. Hidden within the rock walls, the waterfall plunges into a clear pool and provides a rewarding finish to the adventure. There is a rope here to help hikers, and you’ll be provided with hardhats. 2. Corcovado Overnight Hike An aerial view of Corcovado National Park Spending a night inside Corcovado National Park is one of the most memorable hikes you can do in Costa Rica. The hike starts with an early morning boat ride along the rugged coastline of the Osa Peninsula - a prime place to spot sloths in Costa Rica. You’ll be taken to the Sirena Ranger Station - accommodation deep within one of the most biodiverse rainforests on Earth. The sense of remoteness is impressive. There are no roads, no hotels, no towns. Just rainforest stretching in every direction. From Sirena, you’ll spend the afternoon with your guide following a network of trails. Unlike many rainforest hikes, where wildlife can be difficult to spot, animals in Corcovado are almost hard to avoid. In the space of 5 minutes, all 4 monkey species of Costa Rica passed through the same tree I was looking at. At the same time, scarlet macaws flew overhead and coatis forage in the muddy banks. If you’re lucky, you may catch a tapir or puma prowling the beach. However, the magic really happens when the day visitors depart. Sirena Ranger Station is the only accommodation within Corcovado National Park. And there’s space for only 80 people. 80 people in a place spanning more than 45,000 hectares. This is the real wild Costa Rica. A side to Costa Rica that few get to experience. After a night of listening to pure nature, you start with an early morning hike. And I mean early. Pre-sunrise early. But this is a time when cooler temperatures bring out more foraging wildlife - including tapirs returning for their nocturnal foraging adventures. Spend a few more hours of guided hiking, before returning for breakfast at the Sirena Ranger Station. After breakfast, you can squeeze a final hike in before the boat will pick you up and take you back to civilization. 3. Arenal 1968 Trails  One of the many viewpoints along the 1968 Trail Hike There are plenty of things to do in La Fortuna. However, hiking the Arenal 1968 Trails is one of the best ways to experience the landscapes that have been shaped by Costa Rica's most famous volcano. Located at the base of Arenal Volcano, the trail network winds through rainforest, regenerating forest, and vast lava fields left behind by the volcano's historic eruptions. The hike itself is relatively accessible, with well-maintained paths and several viewpoints offering spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. There are few places in the world where you can walk on the old lava flows of an active volcano. Arenal 1968 Trails allow you to do just that. As you navigate the uneven terrain of the old lava flows, it’s easy to appreciate the immense power of the eruptions that transformed this landscape. For me, I love seeing how nature has started to recolonise the region. While this is a hike you can do without a guide, Cecropia Travel includes a naturalist guide as part of the experience. This adds a completely different dimension to the hike. Along the way, you learn about the dramatic eruptions that claimed the lives of over 80 people, and how the surrounding ecosystems have recovered over time. Our expert guide also helps spot wildlife that is easy to overlook, including tropical birds, monkeys, insects, and a variety of plant species adapted to the volcanic terrain. I personally like that the 1968 Trail Hike is a circular loop, passing through a series of different ecosystems - including a human-made orchard containing a variety of tropical fruit species. 4. Barra Honda National Park Within the terciopelo cavern of Barra Honda National Park Barra Honda National Park is a two-for-one experience. Located in Gunacaste’s Nicoya Peninsula, Barra Honda is best known for its extensive limestone cave system, hidden beneath a rare tropical dry forest. This hike contains two elements: hiking to incredible viewpoints, and the chance to explore a fascinating underground world. The hike first starts at the ranger station, where you begin the strenuous uphill climb. In Costa Rica’s dry season - December through April - temperatures in Guanacaste can exceed 40℃, so plenty of water is recommended. You then reach smaller trails leading off into the dry forest. This rare ecosystem now covers less than 1% of its former range. Here, a range of specialist species - such as monkeys, motmots, and iguanas - can be spotted. After learning all about the species here, the forest opens up to reveal spectacular views across the Tempisque Valley, the Nicoya Peninsula, and the Gulf of Nicoya on a clear day. From here, you hike to the famous caves and descend down into the Terciopelo Cavern using specalised climbing equipment. Named after the venomous fer-de-lance snake that was reportedly found when the cave was first explored, Terciopelo is one of the largest and most impressive caves in the park. Within the cave, stalactites, stalagmites, and mineral formations have been slowly sculpted by water over millions of years, creating a landscape that feels completely different from anything above ground. As above ground, the government-approved guide here is exceptionally knowledgeable about the history and formations of the cave. Barra honda is an impressive and must-do guided hike if you’re in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province. 5. Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike Jack in front of Rio Celeste Waterfall The Rio Celeste hike is one of Costa Rica's most iconic hikes. Found in the Tenorio Volcano National Park, the trail winds through lush forest filled with an incredible diversity of both plants and animals. Highlights in the region include tapir, eyelash vipers, and three-toed sloths. Beyond the fauna, guests do this hike to reach the spectacular Rio Celeste Waterfall, where brilliant blue water plunges into a pool below. This is dependent on the time of year, with heavy rains affecting the water colour. . Many people opt to do a day trip from La Fortuna, but the team at Cecropia Travel recommend staying in the town of Bijagua for at least one night. This means you can do the hike early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. Once at the waterfall, you have a choice - turn back or continue. This entirely depends on how you’re feeling. However, we recommend continuing deeper into Tenorio National Park. The crowds become less dense, the terrain becomes more challenging, and the views become increasingly more magnificent. Witness bubbling hot springs and Los Teñideros - the point where two rivers (Rio Buena Vista and Quebrada Agria) mix. The sudden mix of different acidities and sediment size creates a stunning optical reaction, revealing an incredible turquoise-blue colour that makes Rio Celeste so famous. While the park can be explored independently, Cecropia Travel includes a naturalist guide as part of the experience. Like Arenal, having a guide transforms the hike from a simple walk into an opportunity to better understand the unique environment of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Along the trail, guests can learn about the volcanic activity beneath the landscape, the chemistry behind Rio Celeste's famous colour, and the rainforest ecosystems that surround the river. Guides also help spot wildlife that is often overlooked, from colourful birds and insects to monkeys and other forest inhabitants. Should I book a Guided Hike in Costa Rica? Guided Tour of Tapir Valley, Alajuela Yes, you should book a guided hike in Costa Rica. With Cecropia Travel, we organise all in-country logistics, including guided hikes. Without a guide, it is easy to overlook so many different plants or animals. Many of the guides we use have grown up in the region of the guided hike. This means they know exactly where to look, and what signs to look for, when searching for animals. At Cecropia Travel, we are proud to support the local economy and provide livelihoods to Tico’s. We also think it’s nice to have someone there for you along the hike - either to ask questions or for moral support. Can I hike without a guide in Costa Rica?Yes, in some places it is possible to hike without a guide. This includes some National Parks and Reserves, such as Manuel Antonio and Manzanillo-Gandoca. Many hotels and ecolodges also offer onsite trails for you to leisurely explore in your own time. If you do embark on a solo hike, and we suggest you do if you have some spare time, there are some recommendations we strongly suggest:
We also recommend doing some research prior to travelling as some hikes require a guide at all times. This includes some hikes on this list, such as La Leona and Corcovado. It also includes hikes that we have not included on this list, such as Volcán Turrialba. Due to the volatile volcanic activity of the regions, a specialized guide is required for any hiking activity. Final Thoughts Hiking is a must-do activity when in Costa Rica.
There are so many hiking opportunities across the county - from dense jungle adventures to stunning waterfall views. Whilst there are opportunities to go for solo hikes, guided hikes allow you to become fully immersed in the scenery. Guides are able to increase wildlife spotting success, as well as tell various stories and facts about the region. On a Costa Rica trip with Cecropia Travel, we organise all in-country logistics. Excursions, including guided hikes, are included within the price. Let us know in the comments below if there are any other guided hikes you think should be on this list.
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Author: Jack EA zoologist, Jack has spent the last 6 years living in Costa Rica. He has worked with a range of species - such as primates, sloths, and sea turtles - and travelled extensively throughout the country. Categories
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