COSTA RICA
Apply Now!- Difficulty
- Very challenging
- Duration
- 11 hiking days
- Dates
- 9 to 20 March 2027
- Participants
- Max. 10
- Start & Finish
- Caribbean coast → Quepos
The Adventure
You set your backpack down and look out at the sea. In front of you lies the Pacific. For eleven days you have been on the move, from the Caribbean coast straight across Costa Rica all the way here to Quepos. Your legs are burning, your shoes are full of mud, and your clothes haven't seen a washing machine in days. And yet right now there is nowhere else you would rather be.
It all began in the rainforest of the Cabécar. Humid air, dense green, roots and mud underfoot. A native guide led you along old paths through the territory. Through the river landscape of the Pacuare you kept climbing higher, until the air grew cooler and the rainforest on the edge of Tapantí National Park gave way to cloud forest. Moss on the trunks, clouds between the trees, and all around you nothing but the dripping of the forest.
Then it was down into the Orosi Valley and straight back up, steeply, into the mountains of Los Santos, to over 2,000 metres. Long climbs, mountain forest, coffee fields on the slopes and nights when you were glad of your sleeping bag. Along the way you passed through small villages, walked across farms and spent the nights with families and in communities, in a tent or in a hammock. In the evenings you cooked together and talked about the day.
Then the last big descent, out of the mountains through the rainforest down to the coast, until the sea suddenly appears between the trees.
Hard, dirty, real. And worth every step.
THE COUNTRY
Costa Rica is roughly the size of the German state of Lower Saxony, and yet it is home to around five percent of all known animal and plant species in the world. A mountain range runs through the whole country and divides it into a Caribbean and a Pacific side. Within a short distance everything changes: hot, humid rainforest on the Caribbean, cool cloud forest and mountains in the highlands, then tropical warmth again on the Pacific. More than half of the country is forested, and around a quarter is protected. There are also Indigenous territories such as that of the Cabécar, who have lived there for generations. The people of Costa Rica are known for their hospitality, and many make their living from farming, above all growing coffee and tropical fruit.
THE ROUTE
We cross Costa Rica from one side to the other, from the Caribbean to the Pacific, on old trails through rainforest, cloud forest and mountains.
We set off on the Caribbean coast north of Limón. From there the way leads us into the rainforest in the Indigenous territory of the Cabécar, where a native guide joins us as well. Through the river landscape of the Pacuare we work our way upward, until the rainforest on the edge of Tapantí National Park turns into cloud forest. After descending into the Orosi Valley, we climb again into the mountains of Los Santos, to over 2,000 metres, through mountain forest and past coffee fields on steep slopes. From there we descend out of the mountains through the rainforest to the Pacific coast, all the way to Quepos.
All along the way we pass through small villages and across farms, away from the tourist spots. We stay at approved camps with families, on farms and in communities, and get to see how people along the route live.
We are currently agreeing the exact line of the route and the daily stages with our local partners.
Itinerary
9 March·Meeting point in San José
We meet in San José on 9 March 2027 at 10 am and travel together to the Caribbean coast north of Limón. Our first hiking day starts there on the same day.
9 to 19 March·Eleven hiking days from coast to coast
From 9 to 19 March we are on the move for eleven days straight, on old trails through rainforest, cloud forest and mountains, through small villages and across farms. Roughly, the route divides into four sections:
1·Caribbean coast and Cabécar territory
We start on the Caribbean coast north of Limón and head into the rainforest in Cabécar territory. A native guide leads us along old paths through the territory. Sticky heat, dense green, roots and mud under your boots.
2·Mountains, cloud forest and the Orosi Valley
Through the river landscape of the Pacuare we climb up into the mountains. The higher we get, the cooler it becomes, until the rainforest on the edge of Tapantí National Park turns into cloud forest. Then we descend into the Orosi Valley.
3·The mountains of Los Santos
From the Orosi Valley it is steeply uphill again, into the mountains of Los Santos at over 2,000 metres. We hike through mountain forest, across farms and through small villages, past coffee fields on the slopes. Up here the nights get cool.
4·Descent to the Pacific and arrival in Quepos
Finally it is downhill, out of the mountains through the rainforest to the Pacific coast. On 19 March we reach Quepos, having crossed Costa Rica from coast to coast.
20 March·Return transfer and departure
On 20 March we take you from Quepos back to San José. You can fly home that evening.
What's Included
Included in the price
- Places to stay throughout the expedition
- Equipment (tents, tarps and cooking gear)
- First-aid equipment
- Safety equipment (satellite communication and GPS)
- Transport (from San José to the Caribbean coast and from Quepos back to San José)
- Meals (during the hiking days)
- Expedition leaders (from Global Pioneers and from Costa Rica)
Not included
- International flights to San José
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Accommodation in San José before the tour starts
- Restaurant meals before and after the tour
- Personal equipment (trekking backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat)
Dates & Prices
- Mar 9 – 20, 2027Spots availablePioneer Tour€2,400
We meet on 9 March 2027 at 10 am in San José. Your application is non-binding. We'll get in touch with you personally and figure out together whether the expedition is right for you. There are at most 10 of us.
Want to be part of it?
Apply Now!Questions & Answers
What are the physical requirements?
You need a good level of fitness and should have some trekking experience. We are on foot for eleven days in a row, with steep climbs and plenty of mud in the rainforest. You carry your own pack.
How do I get there?
You organize your trip to San José and your accommodation there before the tour starts yourself. On 9 March we meet at 10 am in San José and travel together to the Caribbean coast. On 20 March we take you from Quepos back to San José. Plan your return flight for the evening or later. If you need help booking, feel free to get in touch with us at any time.
Who is coming along?
We travel with a maximum of 10 participants. An expedition leader from Global Pioneers is always with us, along with a local guide from Costa Rica. In Cabécar territory, a native guide joins us as well.
What about safety?
Weather & terrainIt can rain heavily in the rainforest, even in March. Trails then get slippery and rivers can rise. Our guides decide on site whether and how we continue.
Illness & injuryOur guides are trained in first aid and carry first-aid equipment. For emergencies we have satellite communication and GPS to get outside help. On some sections the nearest road is far away, and a rescue there can take some time.
Venomous animalsVenomous animals such as snakes also live in the rainforest. They usually avoid people. Our guides know what to look out for.
What equipment do I need?
You need a trekking backpack, a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, good trekking shoes and rain gear. We bring tents, tarps and cooking equipment. After you book, you'll receive a detailed packing list from us with a few tips!
How warm does it get?
On the Caribbean coast and in the rainforest it is usually around 30 degrees and humid during the day. In the mountains of Los Santos it gets much cooler at night, so expect around 10 degrees there. On the Caribbean side you should expect showers even in March.
Where do we sleep?
We camp at simple sites with families, on farms and in communities along the route. There is usually a basic bathroom.
Do I need a visa?
No, with a German passport you don't need a visa for tourist stays of up to 180 days. Please check the current entry requirements with the German Federal Foreign Office before you travel.