About: This ecological refuge offers a day pass that includes access to their hiking trails, lake, and ranchos with grills. The lake has small row boats, there is horseback riding on the weekends, and there are camping areas. There is also a cafe, bathrooms, and showers. They are pet friendly. Province: Cartago Starting from: Downtown…
Author: Ultimate Guide
Palo Verde Cloud Forest
About: This cloud forest offers extensive hiking trails and birdwatching. There is also a hummingbird garden as well as an orchid garden. There are guides or you can do it self-guided. There is a restaurant and cabins for overnight stays. Province: Cartago Starting from: Downtown Cartago Time to reach from starting location: 44 minutes Time…
Oikoumene
About: Oikoumene offers a day pass that permits access to their hiking and mountain bike trails as well as open green areas for picnics and sports. There is also a small river. They also have a restaurant, an event hall, camping areas, and cabins for overnight stays. They are pet friendly. Province: Cartago Starting from:…
Monte Sky
About: This private reserve offers several hiking trails and waterfalls, as well as spectacular views. The trails range in difficulty and length, with some inclination and can be muddy and slippery when wet. The beginner trails don’t require a reservation, the immediate and advanced trails require reservation and a minimum number of visitors as it…
Millar de Aves
About: This private property offers guided hikes through their property, exploring the forest, rivers and waterfalls. They also have a tour specifically dedicated to blackberries, which are characteristic of the area. They have a restaurant, a camping area, and cabins for overnight stays. Province: Cartago Starting from: Downtown Cartago Time to reach from starting location:…
Los Quetzales National Park
About: This is a national park with only 2 short trails. One of them is a short circular trail of 500 meters, and the other is an out-and-back trail that is 2 kilometers (one way). The short trail is paved but has stairs and the other is gravel. You can do them self-guided or coordinate…
Lago Don Manuel
About: This is a great place to go hiking and spend the day around a lake. They have 5 kilometers of trails, viewpoints, and tables and ranchos for having a picnic around the lake. Unfortunately there is no swimming in the lake, but you may see wildlife on the trails. They are pet friendly. They…
La Marta Wildlife Refuge
About: This nature reserve offers hiking trails of varying difficulty and length, 2 rivers with natural pools you can swim in, a viewpoint, camping areas, and a lodge for overnight stays. They even have a short wheelchair accessible trail. Province: Cartago Starting from: Downtown Cartago Time to reach from starting location: 1 hour 21 minutes…
La Angelina Mountain Bike Park
About: This private park is popular among mountain bikers, but also has trails specifically for hiking and trail running. It has over 19 kilometers of trails and excellent views of the central valley. They are pet friendly. They occasionally offer beginning mountain bike classes to learn techniques for downhill. Province: Cartago Starting from: Downtown Cartago…
Irazu Volcano National Park, Prusia Sector
About: This is one of two sectors of Irazu Volcano National Park, the other being the crater viewing sector. This sector has extensive trails of varying lengths, however, they are all located on the side of a mountain and therefore are quite inclined. There are viewpoints, picnic areas, restrooms, and running water. There is also…