Costa Rica🇨🇷 | hikesEl Camino de Costa RicaCoast-to-coast route, canoe crossings, Guayabo ruins, Turrialba farmland | things to do and best time to go

El Camino de Costa Rica draws backpackers because it strings together jungle, farmland and cloud forest in one continuous line, so you see the whole country at walking pace instead of through a bus window. The scenery changes every day, from banana plantations and canals to river crossings by dugout canoe and ridgelines with views toward volcano country. Flexibility is the other big pull. You can walk the full route or pick a single stage of a day or two, and towns along the way have small guesthouses, family kitchens and a few homestays, so you are never forced into an expensive lodge. Locals run many of the boats and meals, which keeps your money in small communities and gives you real conversations. Pair it with the Caribbean coast before or the central highlands after, and the walk becomes … read more 👉

El Camino de Costa Rica draws backpackers because it strings together jungle, farmland and cloud forest in one continuous line, so you see the whole country at walking pace instead of through a bus window. The scenery changes every day, from banana plantations and canals to river crossings by dugout canoe and ridgelines with views toward volcano country. Flexibility is the other big pull. You can walk the full route or pick a single stage of a day or two, and towns along the way have small guesthouses, family kitchens and a few homestays, so you are never forced into an expensive lodge. Locals run many of the boats and meals, which keeps your money in small communities and gives you real conversations. Pair it with the Caribbean coast before or the central highlands after, and the walk becomes the connecting thread of a longer trip. Expect to carry a light pack, plan for rain, and enjoy being slightly off the standard tourist circuit.