Hiking Adventures: From Arenal Lava Trails to the Monteverde Canopy
Hiking in Costa Rica is its own kind of meditation. The forest is so loud — birds, monkeys, the rustle of leaves under your boots — that your mind goes completely quiet. These are my favorite trails for different levels, with honest notes on what to expect.
Easy: Arenal 1968 Trail
A flat, well-marked walk across the lava field from the 1968 eruption that buried the village of Pueblo Nuevo. Volcano views the whole way, and the cinder underfoot makes a wonderful crunch.
Perfect for travelers who want a real hike without serious elevation, and for older guests easing into the trip. Two hours round trip, $15 entrance, go in the morning before clouds settle on the volcano peak.
Easy–Moderate: Bogarín Trail (La Fortuna)
Locally owned, almost always has sloth sightings, and the trail is wide and gentle. Two and a half hours with a guide. I send every group here on day one of any La Fortuna trip.
Moderate: Monteverde Cloud Forest
Suspension bridges through the canopy, mossy trees draped in epiphytes, the occasional resplendent quetzal if you're lucky and patient. Cool, misty, and otherworldly. Bring a light rain jacket — it really is a cloud forest, and 'cloud forest' is not a poetic name.
Three to four hours depending on which trails you string together. Sturdy shoes with grip are essential; the wooden walkways get slick.
Moderate–Challenging: Rio Celeste in Tenorio
Six kilometers round trip through real rainforest to the blue waterfall, a hot spring tributary, and the spot where the two clear rivers turn turquoise. The trail is muddy almost year-round. Embrace it. Rent rubber boots at the entrance for $3.
Challenging: Cerro Chato
A steep, muddy 4–5 hour round trip up a dormant volcano to a crater lake you can swim in. Slippery roots, real elevation, and a final scramble that uses ropes in a few spots. Worth every step.
Not for first-time hikers. Go with a guide and start early — afternoon storms make the descent miserable.
What to actually bring
Lightweight hiking shoes (not heavy boots — your feet will roast). A poncho, not an umbrella. Reef-safe sunscreen. At least 2 liters of water per person. A small dry bag for your phone. Bug spray with picaridin (works better than DEET in this humidity).
What to leave behind: jeans (they never dry), heavy cameras (you'll regret the weight by hour two), and any expectation that you'll stay clean. Costa Rica humidity will surprise you and the mud is part of the experience.
Book a guided hike
Every one of these trails is better with a local guide who can spot the wildlife you'd walk right past. If you want to do two or three of these on one trip, I can build a full hiking week that moves you between Arenal, Monteverde and Tenorio with private transport. Just message me.
