Costa Rica Hiking Tours: 7 Worth Booking

1.Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $79Our pick

Hike through the shaded canyons of Rincon de la Vieja to La Leona Waterfall, crossing pools, caves, rocks, and a short swimming section. Your private party gets pickup, a local guide, safety equipment, lunch, drinks, park admission, and air-conditioned transport. Guides such as Jason, Dylan, Steven, and Noel are often available by request.

“Hike and waterfall was very good. Guides were very helpful, knowledgeable and fun. The meal provided was decent. Our only complaint was the ride from the tour office to the start of hike. They had to shuttle us in a small vehicle, which took awhile.”

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2.Manuel Antonio National Park Hiking Tour from Jacó

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $135

Leave Jacó at 6:30 a.m. for Manuel Antonio National Park, where a bilingual guide leads an easy rainforest walk using a spotting scope to find sloths, monkeys, birds, reptiles, and insects. You also get beach time, lunch, drinks, and hotel transport. Guides such as Jeremy, Ronald, and Tyrone are often praised for sharp animal-spotting skills.

“Ask for guide Jeromy with Toucans Tours he was very knowledgeable and without his telescope we would missed 90% of what we saw. 9 sloths, 8 monkeys, multiple lizards, iguanna, exotic butterflies, land crabs, hermit crabs, giant rodent, birds including white King Vulture.”

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3.La Leona Waterfall Hike and River Tubing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $90

You’ll hike through forest and shallow streams to La Leona Waterfall, using ladders and a rope to reach its cave and swimming pool. Then you’ll tube through the Rincon de la Vieja region with guides such as Ronnie, Victor, Diego, or Brandy. Expect about 4 to 5 hours, moderate exertion, and no included food.

“It is awesome, unique, beautiful, and the tour guided we’re amazing!! We highly recommend this activity if you visit this province”

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4.Full Day Tour with Safari Float, Waterfall and Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $210

Spend about nine and a half hours exploring La Fortuna with Rainforest Explorers. You will float the Peñas Blancas River, spot monkeys and sloths, swim at La Fortuna Waterfall, eat a home-cooked Costa Rican lunch, and hike old lava trails near Arenal Volcano. Guides such as Tony, Pepe, and Francisco are known for wildlife spotting and local insight.

“Edgar and Tony were great! The family restaurants food was amazing and all staff was just so nice. Finished super tired and weather wasn’t ideal but overall great time. :)”

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5.Arenal Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $73

From Callidryas Tours in La Fortuna, you’ll ride to Arenal’s old lava fields for a roughly three-hour guided walk. Guides such as Byron, Aaron, Diego, and Ricardo explain the 1968 eruption, plants, and wildlife. Expect uneven lava rock, short steep sections, volcano and lake views, and fresh fruit with drinks afterward.

“A moderately difficult hike up through the old lava flow from the 1968 eruption. Great scenery and a very knowledgeable guide. The fruit at the end of the hike was a welcome bonus.”

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6.Arenal Hanging Bridges Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $66Best value

Walk a 3.1-kilometer rainforest circuit in Místico Park with a guide such as Andres, Harvin, or Daniella. Cross 15 stationary and suspended bridges, watch for monkeys, sloths, snakes, frogs, and birds, and use the guide’s scope to spot animals hidden in the canopy. Hotel pickup, snacks, water, and air-conditioned transport are included.

“We had a wonderful time on this tour! Our guide was Andres and he was fantastic!! We signed up for the group tour but unexpectedly got our own private tour. Andres was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He helped us take several great pictures. I would most definitely recommend this tour!!!”

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7.2-Day Extreme Nature Hike from La Fortuna to Monteverde

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $160

This two-day Red Lava TSC hike links La Fortuna and Monteverde by remote forest trails, with a basic cabin overnight in a hidden valley. Guides such as Hugo, Errol, Santiago, and Carlos lead small groups of up to eight. Expect steep, muddy sections, river crossings, simple meals, and a much easier second day into Santa Elena.

“You’ll remember what it is to be human again. This is as close as you’ll get to true presence in paradise. Our guide, Christian, is a great human being and very knowledgeable. You will learn a lot about the jungle and the history of Costa Rica. I also met some great people. Pura Vida”

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