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Does it require hired guide? Can it be done with only a map or some kind of written guide?My husband and I just completed the El Camino de Costa Rica. It was mind blowing! An approximate 16 day trek from the Atlantic to the Pacific through 5 ecosystems and 16 stages approx 280 KM.... a little of everything including coastline, jungle, rainforest, cloud forest. The El Camino de Costa Rica is still in its infancy stages so not at all crowded and overdeveloped. We did many home stays and small lodges where we were housed and fed, all included. The trail runs through the indigenous territory, too and is helping the less populated and tourist areas of Costa Rica to sustain themselves. Our guide, Juancho from UrriTrek is an encyclopedia of flora and fauna!! More importantly, he is passionate about his country and people. We are avid hikers and travelers and by far, this was our very best adventure yet. Would love to share my life changing experiences and thanks for sharing yours! A must do for hikers of all ages!!! https://www.urritrekcostarica.com/ We are ready to take on our next Camino and look forward to learning from you all.
No, it really does need to be done with a guide for a couple of reasons. First, when you go through the indigenous territory, they require an indigenous guide to travel through their territory. Second, the trail is not very well marked. Third, because so many of the accommodations are arranged privately through the few guides and tour operators (because much of the route does not have many accommodation options and even meal options), it really makes sense to work with a guide/tour. Yet, we did this completely alone with our guide. While I believe a couple of people have done it without a guide (and we have hiked other trails both ways- with and without), this particular Camino was WELL WORTH the guide and help. It would not have been near the experience it was to do family stays and to learn so very much about the country, plants, animals etc. We researched this for well over one year and finally chose Urri Trek. Two guys who gave up full time careers to do this. Their hearts are in it and you won't be sorry.Does it require hired guide? Can it be done with only a map or some kind of written guide?
Terrific! Hope you can do it!! We wanted to do it before it got too popular. Hope you can, tooThat looks amazing. I have a nephew living in a rural area of Costa Rica. We haven’t visited him yet.I must send him the map and see where he is in relation to the walk. Thank you.
It really depends on the level of accommodation you want and probably the number of people. One reason we chose UrriTrek was we could customize the accommodation and in the end, we wanted to go alone which they were able to do. They also included moving our main duffle bag so we could hike with our day packs and all our meals. So, really just snacks and tips were not included. From what I remember as we created our plans, it ranged from about $3000 per person to $4,200 per person for the 2 1/2 weeks, but I am happy to share the contact information if you want so you can get a better idea, based on what you desire.That sounds beautiful! Can you give us an approximate budget for the guides / lodging / food?
Yes, I too just looked at UrriTrek link and the costs are less than I thought. We added 3 days to our Camino ( white water rafting, thermal pool day and Quepos, so our costs were different.That sounds beautiful! Can you give us an approximate budget for the guides / lodging / food?
We are both having terrible post Camino blues. Can't even begin to tell you how life changing it is for both of us. Not to mention, we made a forever friend and will go back for sure!Thanks for the response! I bet you had an absolutely amazing time - mesoamerica is a wonderful region.
Your enthusiasm is contagious and your pictures are lovely!My husband and I just completed the El Camino de Costa Rica
Funny thing is I can actually fly to Costa Rica for less than I can fly from Florida to Bangor, Maine. I hope you can find a reasonable flight and make it work. Once in Costa Rica, Urri Trek can really customize it to whatever level of expense works best for you. We opted for some extras and some terrific lodging options but they have glamping and camping options too. Hope your dreams can come true!It looks incredible but I assume quite a bit more expensive for those of us who live in Europe due to travel expenses. I'll check out the link though. One can always dream
Hmmm! Costa Rica hot, humid and buggy! Well, not really, only on the Atlantic coastal plain and on the much narrower Pacific coast, where, yes, it’s very hot, but not humid.Your enthusiasm is contagious and your pictures are lovely!
Costa Rica in summer sounds very hot, humid and buggy. Were any of these things a negative? I've been to Mexico in the summer many years ago and all three were present with the exception of higher elevations.
I personally would never attempt this walk without a guide; it sounds like yours was exceptional and he truly enhanced your trip.
Lucky you to live in beautiful Costa Rica and what a wonderful memory to have walked parts of the Camino de Costa Rica in its planning days. Our guide, Juancho also was a part of the blazing and planning of the original trail which is one of the reasons we chose his company, Urri Trek. There are now several companies, face book groups and forums on the Camino de Costa Rica and I am so happy to know that their original plan to bring revenue to the less touristy spots, and to give particularly women new employment through housing and feeding the hikers, has all come to fruition! Yes, one really does want to have a guide for so many reasons and I can't sing enough praise for Urri Trek. These two guys gave up their full time professional careers to guide this Camino so that is a testament to their commitment and passion.I live in Costa Rica and my late husband Adriaan and I walked various parts of the proposed route in its planning days, to help with logistics.
The experience is nothing like walking the Camino: most lodgings have to be organised as this is a very recent project. As far as I know, there are no guide books,forums, etc.
In my opinion, you definitely need a guide, who will be worth his weight in gold, although I read last week of a lady who has just completed it alone.
I was very happy to find this thread. I signed up for the January 2025 16 day trek with Urritrek and now trying to work out a training program. I also have a list of ongoing questions and trying to get in touch with the right people to answer them. It looks like an amazing journey. thank you for sharing.That looks amazing. I have a nephew living in a rural area of Costa Rica. We haven’t visited him yet.I must send him the map and see where he is in relation to the walk. Thank you.
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