A group of thirteen people poses outdoors around a stone marker with a plaque and a butterfly emblem, surrounded by greenery.

280 KM COAST TO COAST TREK COSTA RICA

HIKE FROM THE CARIBBEAN SEA ALL THE WAY TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN
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Trip Dates & Booking

Women’s vegan hiking trips are designed to allow you to explore off-the-beat-track places you couldn’t yourself in a supportive space where you can connect, challenge yourself, and experience the thrill of solo travel in a group setting with lovely like-minded ladies who share your love for the outdoors, nature, adventure, and vegan-friendly travel, let’s hike!

What’s Included?

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ACCOMMODATION

9 nights hotels/lodges & 2 nights camping/glamping

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ACTIVITIES

Fully supported 280 km hike including luggage transfer, park entrance fees + safety vehicle

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VEGAN MEALS

Full board, breakfast, lunch & dinner, vegan meals plus snacks

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EXPERT GUIDES

Vegan Adventure Holidays trip leader & expert bilingual local guides

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PRIVATE TRANSPORT

Safety vehicle, luggage transfer & airport transfer Quepos to San Jose

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SMALL GROUPS

Small, solo-friendly groups of up to 12 like minded vegan adventurers

DATES + PRICES

GET MY SPOT BOOKED
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Check Out the Trip Photos

A group of ten people in hiking gear stand outdoors around a small concrete marker, with palm trees and the ocean in the background.
A group of seven hikers pose in front of an informational sign and a small thatched hut surrounded by dense greenery.
A group of hikers with backpacks and walking sticks walk along a dirt trail surrounded by trees and grassy hills under a clear blue sky.
A group of ten hikers pose together outdoors in front of a lush, leafy background under sunny skies.
Two women in hiking gear stand on a grassy hilltop, smiling and raising trekking poles, with trees and a distant landscape in the background.
A group of seven people with backpacks stand on a narrow, muddy trail in a lush, green forest surrounded by dense vegetation.
A group of eleven people sit and pose for a photo on a white bench in front of colorful "QUEPOS" letters near a waterfront.
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Hike 280 km across one of the most scenic and biodiverse countries on the planet

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Enjoy flavour-packed Costa Rican vegan meals freshly prepared by local cooks and shared together each day on the trail

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Visit off-the-beaten-track small villages and help to support and develop rural tourism in Costa Rica

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Chat with Emma

Have questions about this trip? You’re very welcome to ask me anything at all, big or small. Whether you’re wondering about the hiking difficulty, the food, the accommodation, travelling solo, what to pack, or whether this adventure is right for you, I’m here to help. I have planned all my trips myself, have walked every mile and know the routes and logistics inside out, so you’ll get honest, practical answers. Just send me a message with your questions, and we can chat about whether this trip feels like a good fit for you.

Send A Message Now

Key Trip Information

If you and your friends and family want all the magic of this trip without the planning stress? Book it as a private group and I’ll handle all the logistics for you: routes, transport, accommodation, vegan food, and local guides so you can simply show up and enjoy the adventure. Private groups also benefit from lower per-person costs, so click here, let’s chat!

Walk from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean across Costa Rica on a 280 km route that threads through small communities, mountain trails, rivers, jungles and remote backroads.

Experience rainforests and jungles, high cloud forests and mountain trails teeming with wildlife while helping to support and develop rural tourism in Costa Rica.

This is a spicy challenge of a hike! If you’re looking for more than sun and sand-style tourism and are ready for a big challenge, the Camino De Costa Rica is for you.

Day 1: Arrive San Jose International Airport & Transfer To Barra de Pacure

This afternoon we’ll have a private transfer to our rustic lodge in the jungles of the Caribbean! A 4.5-hour drive from San Jose will take us to Goshen Pier followed by a 35-minute boat ride to Barra de Pacure. This evening we’ll have dinner and a briefing for the upcoming day’s hike and an early night to prepare for the adventures ahead!

Day 2: Pacure Reserve – Cimarrones

Hiking: 27km | Ascent: 134m Descent: 63m

Highlights: Pacure reserve

We start our day with a short 5-minute boat ride to the Pacure reserve to touch the waters of the Caribbean Sea before hiking 7 km through the reserve, on the other side a boat will be waiting to take us to Goshen to continue the hike another 20 km to Cimarrones where there will be a transfer to our lodge.

A group of ten people in hiking gear stand outdoors around a small concrete marker, with palm trees and the ocean in the background.

Day 3: Cimarrones – Las Brisas – Tsinikicha

Hiking: 17 km | Ascent: 922 metres Descent: 428 metres
Highlights: Cordillera Central mountain range

A quick transfer will get us to the starting point for this morning’s hike where we’ll gradually start ascending up the mountain range known as the Cordillera Central which runs through central Costa Rica before ending the day at Tsinikicha.

Day 4: Tsinikicha – Tsiobata – Linda Vista – Tres Equis

Hiking: 24 km | Ascent: 420 m Descent: 261 m
Highlights: Nairi AwaRi indigenous lands

Today we’ll have the privilege of hiking through the Nairi AwaRi indigenous lands, we’ll be accompanied by a local indigenous ‘bosquero’ having lunch is Tsiobata village and crossing some rivers, let’s hike!

A group of seven hikers pose in front of an informational sign and a small thatched hut surrounded by dense greenery.

Day 5: Tres Equis – Pacayitas – La Suiza

Hiking: 27 km | Ascent: 858 m Descent: 1100 m
Highlights: Valley views

Today we’ll be walking through small villages connected by gravel roads, there will be some steep ascents and descents along with some amazing views of the valley below before finishing the day in Plaza de Canada and taking a shuttle to the lodge.

A group of hikers with backpacks and walking sticks walk along a dirt trail surrounded by trees and grassy hills under a clear blue sky.

Day 6: La Suiza – Canada – Pejibaye – El Copal

Hiking: 23 km | Ascent: 762 m Descent: 298 m
Highlights: El Copal preserve

Today we’ll be hiking across what’s known as the old sugar cane trail which passes through the small community of Atiro where farmers used to bring their sugar cane to be processed. Later we’ll reach the beautiful El Copal reserve which preserves a 177-hectare area of humid and diverse tropical forests close to the Macizo de La Muerte National Park.

Day 7: El Copal – Muñeco Navarro

Hiking: 32 km | Ascent: 887 m Descent: 651 m
Highlights: Tapanti National Park

The route today offers beautiful views of the Copal Reserve on one side and the Tapanti National Park in the other, later we’ll be passing through the Orosi Valley where we should get a good view of the Orosi river before having lunch in Purisil and finishing the day in Muñeco.

A group of ten hikers pose together outdoors in front of a lush, leafy background under sunny skies.

Day 8: Navarro – El Empalme

Hiking: 25 km | Ascent: 1385 m Descent: 559 m
Highlights: Palo Verde cloud forest

Our day starts with a wonderful few hours hiking through Palo Verde cloud forest before crossing the reserve and reaching El Empalme which is the highest point on our hike. Some steep ascents take us through the town of La Luchita and our day finishes in Cerritos Alto.

Day 9 : El Empalme – Napoles

Hiking: 18 km | Ascent: 583 m Descent: 1207 m
Highlights: Coffee plantations views

Today we’ll hike through the beautiful area of Los Santos to reach San Pablo de Leon Cortes where you’ll get your first glimpse of the coffee plantations on the side of the mountains. Some steep ascents will reward us with good views of the surrounding valleys and mountains around Cerro de la Muerte before finishing the day in Napoles.

Two women pose and smile on a grassy hilltop, each holding a hiking pole aloft, with trees and a distant landscape in the background.

Day 10: Napoles – Naranjillo – Esquipulas

Hiking: 25 km | Ascent: 434 Descent: 1659 m
Highlights: Esquipulas bird paradise

Today we start descending toward the Pacific, our final destination! Starting our hike early in the morning we’ll head from Napoles towards Naranjillo where we’ll stop for lunch and enjoy the views before continuing on to Esquipulas, our endpoint for the day.

A group of seven hikers stand on a narrow, muddy trail surrounded by dense, green vegetation in a forest.

Day 11: Esquipulas – Quepos

Hiking: 19 km | Ascent: 206 m Descent: 512 m
Highlights: Reaching the Pacific!

Our last hiking day will take us through the towns of Naranjito and Gallega before a triumphant entrance into Quepos where you’ll touch the Pacific Ocean! A well-deserved lunch and comfortable hotel await just 100 meters from the end point of the Camino.

A group of twelve people sit and pose for a photo in front of large colorful “QUEPOS” letters on a sunny day, with trees and a waterfront visible in the background.

Day 12: Quepos – San Jose

Time to leave and head home after an amazing 12 days but this is not the end of your journey, maybe you’ll join a volcano hike in Guatemala next!

The airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), and the departure time on day 1 will be 11.30 am from Hotel Mango, which is close to the airport.

There will be a group transfer from Quepos back to the airport on day 12, the earliest we will arrive at the airport on day 12 is 11 am so it’s advised to make sure your departure is from 2 pm onwards.

Food on this Costa Rica Camino hike is a huge part of the experience; you’ll enjoy generous, nourishing vegan meals that celebrate local flavours and communities.

Breakfasts usually feature gallo pinto (Costa Rica’s iconic rice and beans) alongside fresh tropical fruit and coffee, setting you up perfectly for the day ahead, while lunches are often enjoyed right out on the trail, prepared or provided by small local eateries and families, so every meal supports the people who live along the route as well as fuelling your hike.

Accommodation on this trip is varied and full of character, giving you a real sense of the places you’re travelling through while staying comfortable and well looked after. You’ll stay in a mix of small locally owned lodges, simple hotels, and two nights of camping, with room arrangements ranging from twin or double share to the whole group sharing one large room in more remote areas.

Most places (except for the night amping) have electricity, Wi-Fi and hot water showers so you can recharge both yourself and your devices after a big day on the trail.

This trip is rated as ‘challenging’ in the best, most satisfying sense of the word!

Expect long days of 8+ hours on your feet, plenty of steep ascents and descents, muddy boots, river crossings, and the kind of tired legs that make sitting down feel like an achievement.

You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but you do need to be up for moving all day and getting a bit scruffy in the process.

The good news? Fitness is trainable, and so is mindset. Show up willing to hike, laugh at the hard bits, eat well, and keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you’ll be amazed at what your body (and your sense of humour) can handle.

On this trip in Costa Rica, you’ll be walking in warm, humid tropical conditions for most of the hike. Daytime temperatures are typically sitting around 22–30°C (72–86°F) and feel hotter when the sun is out, especially on exposed ridgelines and trails.

You’ll get cooler temperatures for two to three days up in the mountains and the occasional tropical shower so it’s important to prepare for that as well but overall it’s a bright, sun-soaked environment—so hydration and sun protection are essential, including a hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lightweight long sleeves to keep you comfortable on the trail.

The cost of this trip is US$2600 per person on a shared accommodation basis.

There’s no private availability on this trip due to being in very remote areas with limited accommodation options but believe me when I say, after you’ve hiked for 30km through the jungle and over mountain ranges, you won’t care where you sleep!

No! All you have to carry is a day bag, you main luggage will be transported each day.

A reasonable base level of fitness is required (comfortably being able to hike 10 miles for example) but you will get a suggested training plan when you book the trip so providing you have around 3 months of training time pre-hike and a I’m-going-to-give-it-my-best-shot attitude you’re good to go 🙂

Changeable, you’ll need to be ready to experience heat and humidity in the jungle and low-land regions and possible rain and cooler climates at a higher elevations. Bring on the elements!

Absolutely! Around 60% of Vegan Adventure Holidays guests are single travellers, everybody is welcome.

Yes! It’s recommended to get a policy that covers trip and flight cancellations and should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, and evacuation/repatriation. Safetywing and World Nomad have good policies.

Tips for the local guide are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. I suggest between US$5-10 per person per day.

Email Emma at hello@veganadventureholidays and I’ll answer your questions and queries personally.

✔️ Intermediate and experienced hikers looking for a BIG challenge

✔️ Hikers looking to experience their first long-distance hike

✔️ Single travellers welcome

✔️ Multi passionate adventurers

 

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The Following List Can Be Used As A General Guide

BAGS & LUGGAGE

  • Soft-shelled bag or rucksack (this will be transported, you will not have to carry your main bag)
  • Daypack – 25+ litres should be adequate for daily use during the hike
  • Daypack rain cover

CLOTHING

  • Quick drying t-shirts & long sleeve tops
  • Quick drying shorts & hiking trousers trousers
  • One warmer/thermal base layer for higher altitudes
  • A decent mid-layer, such as a fleece or a synthetic down jacket for early mornings and evenings at higher altitudes
  • A lightweight rain jacket & and waterproof trousers
  • Clothes to sleep in
  • Swimming gear
  • Buff or bandana
  • Sun hat
  • Quick drying socks & underwear

FOOTWEAR

  • Hiking shoes or boots  – these must be worn in and not new!
  • Outdoor/hiking sandals that can be used for water crossings such as Tevas

OTHER

  • Hiking poles
  • Headlamp & and spare batteries
  • Travel pillow
  • Earplugs & eyemask
  • Quick-drying/camp towel
  • Any personal medicine that you might need
  • General toiletries/hygiene products
  • Insect repellant
  • Sunscreen
  • Polarised sunglasses
  • Water bladder/bottles
  • Water filter
  • Universal travel adapter
  • Power bank or solar charger
  • Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
  • Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
  • Antibacterial hand-gel

OPTIONAL ITEMS

  • Hiking Gators that cover your calf up to your knee and your foot – these help hike across stony or dusty ground and also suggested as snake deterrents during our jungle hikes but are not obligatory
  • Kula cloth – This is an antimicrobial pee cloth for women that saves carrying toilet paper and reduces waste
  • Dry bag to keep items inside days bags dry whilst hiking
  • Electrolyte sachets to add to water
  • Energy gels
  • A waist pack – not obligatory but great for keeping items such as phones, cameras snacks easily accessible