From the black-sand canals of the Caribbean to the oak highlands of the Talamanca range: a genuine point-to-point trek across Costa Rica, walked with a small group, personally escorted, and built around the country's wild and Indigenous heart.
This is not a resort holiday. Over eight days we walk a continuous line across Costa Rica, from the remote Caribbean village of Barra de Parismina, through Cabecar Indigenous territory and the coffee highlands, up into the cloud forest of the Talamanca mountains.
It follows the Camino de Costa Rica, a coast-to-coast route conceived to bring travellers off the tourist trail and into the rural communities that rarely see them. Distances are real, the terrain is humid and steep, and the rewards are the kind you only earn with your own two feet.
For experienced hikers only. Expect long days on uneven, often muddy ground, river crossings, heat and humidity, and sustained climbs. A good level of trail fitness is essential.
The journey follows the Camino de Costa Rica, the celebrated coast-to-coast trekking route that links the Caribbean at Barra de Pacuare to the Pacific at Quepos, crossing the entire country on foot.
Our eight days trace its wild eastern half: the Caribbean lowlands and Cabecar territory, climbing through Tres Equis and the coffee country of the Orosi valley into the Talamanca highlands.
The traverse begins at the remote Caribbean village of Barra de Parismina. A boat threads the Tortuguero canals and the Rio Madre de Dios to Muelle de Goshen, where the mainland trail begins: black volcanic sand, turtle-nesting beaches and a first home-cooked rice-and-beans lunch before we reach Cimarrones.
The first real climb, leaving the hot coastal plains behind for tropical forest. The Caribbean opens up at our backs and blue-jeans poison-dart frogs flash underfoot as we reach the edge of the Indigenous reserve at Las Brisas de Pacuarito.
No call centres. No coaches. Just the trail, a small group, and the two people who built the route walking it beside you.
A demanding day traversing the Cabecar Nairi-Awari reserve high in the Talamanca foothills: remote, roadless terrain rich in nature and Indigenous heritage. We pass through the community of Tsinikicha, thatched palm homes and forest trails, before descending toward Tres Equis de Turrialba. This is the heart of why the route exists.
Gentler rural walking from Tres Equis de Turrialba through Pacayitas: cacao groves, orchards, sugar-cane and farmyards, with the Talamanca range filling the horizon. A day of village life and long mountain views toward Sitio de Mata.
Through sugar-cane fields with the cone of Turrialba Volcano on the skyline, fording the Pejibaye River and climbing into coffee country. We follow the edges of the Orosi valley toward Rio Macho, where the coffee harvest and a historic hydro-electric scheme meet the forest.
At the Rio Macho lodge: laundry and natural hot-spring pools to ease the legs. Massage available for a small extra.
Skirting the bird-rich slopes of Tapanti National Park, we walk beside the historic Orosi aqueduct and climb steadily through dripping cloud forest. Hummingbirds, coatis and tanagers accompany the ascent to Palo Verde del Guarco, and a horizon that, on a clear afternoon, reaches back to the Caribbean.
A long climb from Palo Verde del Guarco to the highest point of the whole Camino: El Empalme, at 2,181 m. Montane oak forest, paramo pasture and panoramic vistas across the cordillera, the Pacific glinting to the west on a clear afternoon, then woodsmoke and hot Tarrazu coffee at the mountain town.
The final stage drops from La Esperanza into the Los Santos coffee highlands of Tarrazu: toucans and hummingbirds in the shade trees, the Pacific watershed opening ahead. A celebratory descent into Esquipulas closes the traverse.
Eight days, on foot, from the Caribbean to the threshold of the Pacific. A country crossed the old way.
Green-and-black poison dart frogs, howler monkeys, toucans and morpho butterflies along forested, rarely-walked trails.
Time in Indigenous territory rarely open to travellers, welcomed by the communities the route was built to support.
Walking the blooming coffee hillsides of the Orosi valley, from picked cherry to the cup at the end of the day.
Kris designs and arranges this expedition. The trek is operated by an established licensed Costa Rican operator, whom you contract and pay directly.
Request your group trekGroups of 8-12 · limited departures · reviewed personally by Kris.
All ground transfers between trail sections and trailheads.
Transfers from San Jose to the starting point of the trek.
A Costa Rican mountain guide from our partner operator, on every step.
Breakfast, trail lunch and dinner each day, including local home-hosted tables.
Seven nights across remote camping, rural cabins and highland hotels.
Your bags moved between stages, so you hike with only a daypack.
Entrance fees to the private reserves and areas along the route.
Accident insurance and a full evacuation protocol.
Your official Camino de Costa Rica passport, stamped along the way.
Can be personally escorted by Kris Hehl, walking alongside a trusted Costa Rican supplier and mountain guide he partners with directly. The person who designed the journey is on the trail with you.