Since its inception El Camino de Costa Rica has attracted a lot of attention from the media, not only because of its concept, but because of its impact. Here is a summary of articles published in media organizations, by partners and by travelers between late 2020 and mid 2024.

Camino de Costa Rica: The 280 km Trail Running Coast to Coast Across the Country

In this article from 2024, Stuart Kenny, talks to Conchita Espino, the creator of El Camino de Costa Rica about the inspiration and reasons to bring to life the 174-mile (280 km) trek. 

Kenny explains that the hike goes from the Caribbean coast in Barra de Parismina to Quepos on the Pacific coast and how the 16-day, challenging hike crosses Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes, including high mountains, lush rainforests, cane fields, and coffee plantations, offering panoramic views of volcanoes and vibrant biodiversity.

Espino and her husband, Marco Marin, were inspired by Espino’s experience on the Camino de Santiago to design a trail that connects remote communities, promotes tourism, and protects local biodiversity. They founded the Mar a Mar Asociation, a non-profit organization that manages the Camino to promote sustainable tourism, community involvement, and environmental conservation, making it an epic coast-to-coast journey that showcases the rich, intense beauty of Costa Rica. 

Kenny mentions how the Camino allows hikers to engage with 25 communities, including the indigenous Cabécar people in the Nairi Awari territory, enhancing local economies and cultural exchanges.

From the Caribbean to the Pacific: walking the Camino de Costa Rica

The article published by the UK-based news organization The Financial Times, describes the experience of Rory Sullivan, a UK-based journalist who traveled to Costa Rica to hike El Camino de Costa Rica with the company Urritrek, joining a group of hiker from Australia, Canada, Germany, and the UK.

Sullivan explains that the 16-day coast-to-coast trek across Costa Rica, allowed him to experience a blend of biodiversity and cultural encounters. Eliseo Hampton Fallas, was his guide, and he describes him as a charismatic 30-year-old Costa Rican who had previously hiked the Camino as a client.

In the article, Sullivan highlights the variety of landscapes encountered—including banana plantations, jungles, sugar-cane fields, cloud forests, coffee farms, and distante volcanoes—as they hike a route, created by Conchita Espino, designed to highlight the country’s lesser-visited areas and drive economic development into small communities.

Also, Sullivan talks about the flora and fauna spotted by the group: broad-winged hawks, coatis, hummingbirds, scarlet macaws, a 700-year-old sweet cedar tree in a cloud forest, lone orange poró trees and the colorful peeling bark of rainbow eucalyptus trees.

Instituto Costarricense de Turismo

The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) congratulated the Mar a Mar Association and everyone involved in developing the “El Caminos de Costa Rica” project. On Sunday, May 12, ICT participated in the Association’s Annual Event at Hacienda Orosí. From ICT Management, Rafael Soto represented the institution and toured the site alongside special guests. They learned about the project’s new initiatives and how seed capital will be provided to families involved in El Camino de Costa Rica. This route highlights the nature, culture, and potential of various communities across the country.

El Camino de Santiago y El Camino de Costa Rica

Experienced guide from El Camino de Costa Rica, Juan Antonio Chavarría, known as Juancho or Oso, tell his story hiking over 1000 km across various routes of the Camino de Santiago, Spain (including the Northern Way, Primitive Way, Lebaniego Way, and Finisterre), all within a month, and guided by the Gronze app.

In this article, Juancho compares his experience at El Camino de Costa Rica with the Camino de Santiago. First, he says that in Costa Rica, the focus was on exploring diverse ecosystems and nature, and a stronger and deeper connection with locals, whereas Spain offered a different spiritual atmosphere highlighted by the camaraderie of fellow pilgrims, and the moments of introspection amidst nature, despite the lack of wildlife.

I Conferencia Biodiversidad de la Zona de Barbilla Nairi Awari

The video created by Universidad Estatal a Distancia summarizes the “I Conferencia de Biodiversidad de la Zona Barbilla Nairi Awari – OET y Mar a Mar, 2023” which focused on sustainable tourism and biodiversity in vulnerable communities along the Costa Rica Camino, from Barra de Parismina to Quepos. Asociación Mar a Mar, the NGO that created and works to improve the route, supports these communities by attracting hikers and helping develop tourism through infrastructure, training, and seed funding.

The event was held in Barbilla National Park, Nairi Awari territory, and the Las Prisas de Pagua community, which have been working to become a destination for biodiversity and environmental education over the past decade. Experts in sustainable tourism provided insights to help the community grow in this direction.

Challenges discussed included the need for more representation of Indigenous tourism in government efforts, which most of the time favor coastal areas. Indigenous communities have significant cultural and natural attractions, which are key for developing sustainable tourism.

Nairi Awari territory includes nine communities, four of which are actively developing tourism projects like integrated farms, ecotourism, hiking, and camping. Women play a crucial role, especially in hosting tourists, selling crafts, and providing food. Recently, 15 young community members graduated as certified tour guides, enhancing local capacity for guided tours

The community seeks greater recognition and support for its tourism initiatives, as many locals, even those from Siquirres, are unaware of the indigenous tourism potential. There is a need to raise awareness of the national park, indigenous territory, and ongoing tourism projects within these communities.

Coast to Coast & Person to Person: El Camino de Costa Rica

Author and travel influencer Ann Becker narrates her experience hiking several stages of El Camino de Costa Rica. The article is her Spring 2024 Newsletter, and it includes general information about the hike, like the fact that it  was established by Asociación Mar a Mar in 2015, and that the trail has positively impacted around 25 communities, 300 families, and 45 businesses.

Becker talks about meeting Conchita Espino, who spearheaded the project, dedicating a decade to its realization. She says that Espino’s commitment is exemplified by her meeting with the author of the blog at Verdesana Lodge, despite the long drive.

She also talks about engaging with local micro-businesses: Pilar’s home meals, Luz’s improved restaurant, and Mariana’s Camino markers. These contributions enhance the trail experience and reflect the dedication of the local people, according to the author. Jorle Aguilar, a dentist and Camino guide, integrates her professional life with her love for hiking, focusing on the enjoyment of the journey rather than tracking numbers.

The author highlights the enriching personal connections made with locals and encourages others to explore the Camino. She also suggests that for a deeper travel experience, you should consider using the Outlier Journeys Spotify Channel, which features music from various countries to enrich your journey.

El Camino de Costa Rica, la ruta de senderismo que une al océano Atlántico con el Pacífico

National Geographic Magazine, this time in the Spanish magazine dedicated another article to El Camino de Costa Rica. 

This entry includes general information about the trail and how it offers travelers the opportunity to experience rural communities, diverse ecosystems, and culinary delights. 

It mentions how the route is divided into 16 stages, each showcasing the rich landscapes and biodiversity of Costa Rica. It emphasizes how hikers cross over mountains, forests, rivers, and valleys, passing through banana fields, coffee plantations, sugarcane farms, and apiaries along the way. It also mentions how in Quepos, Puntarenas, on the Central Pacific coast, the final steps are marked by a staircase featuring an octopus mural. 

The article also mentions how the Camino de Costa Rica is part of a rural tourism initiative designed to extend tourism beyond the coastal areas and into the heart of the country, fostering community growth while preserving local traditions and the environment. 

As part of the information for interested hikers, the article explains that the trek can be done with the assistance of certified guides for an even more immersive experience.

Title: 52 Places to Go in 2024

El Camino de Costa Rica was selected by the renown US newspaper The New York Times as one of 52 destinations that travelers should consider for 2024. The New York Times, a newspaper with a long tradition and with more than 9 million digital subscribers and more than half a million print subscribers, places this Costa Rican hiking route on the same level as cities like Paris, Vienna, Brasilia and Montevideo, and experiences such as crossing New Zealand by train or experiencing a total solar eclipse in North America.

El Camino de Costa Rica

Hiker and blogger Javier Barajas writes in his personal blog about the experience of Hiking El Camino de Costa Rica.

Barajas writes about the characteristics of the route, and how it was inspired by Spain’s Camino de Santiago, and then it was designed by the non-profit Mar a Mar Association. It describes the 16 stages and how they can be completed in about 16 days or more, depending on the traveler’s pace. 

Barajas explains that the route can be done independently, by relying on available resources like maps, guides, and workshops that provide the necessary information for navigating the route on your own. Or through an agency, which offers support with transport, accommodations, and supplies. He also explains that hiring a company typically costs between 1,500 and 2,000 euros, whereas doing it independently requires thorough planning, such as organizing accommodations, transport, and meals.

He also explains how certain sections of the Camino require local guides, particularly in indigenous areas and private jungle terrain. 

He also gives suggestions, such as to bring appropriate gear, like quick-drying clothes, waterproof items, mosquito repellent and sun protection. He also mentions that he found the route to be safe, and that travelers are advised to carry cash, book accommodations in advance, and bring sufficient water and food for remote stretches.

On This 174-mile Trek Across Costa Rica, Stay With Local Families and Learn Cultural Lessons

Experience writer and adventurer Jen Murphy hiked El Camino de Costa Rica and wrote about it for Travel and Leisure, comparing some of her experiences as feeling inside of a Disney movie. 

She said that this visit to Costa Rica felt crowded and commercialized, but hiking El Camino de Costa Rica reminded her of why Costa Rica has had the reputation of an ecotourism hotspot since the 1990s, because the route avoids the usual tourist spots, winding through five microclimates, remote villages, Indigenous lands, and towns that rarely benefit from mainstream tourism, offering a blend of hiking, wildlife viewing, and cultural immersion, with trekkers staying in local homes and family-run lodges.

She said that although the trail can be tackled independently, hiring a guide is advisable due to its remote and challenging nature. That is why she did her hike under the care of Urritrek and its experienced guide Juancho, who helped her explore cloud forests, coffee farms, and banana plantations, and relaxed in natural hot springs. 

Murphy claims that this adventure confirmed that the Costa Rica she sought did exist, requiring just a bit more effort to uncover.

My Camino de Costa Rica 2023 Hike 

Blogger and hiker “Hiking Dude” tells his experience hiking El Camino de Costa Rica in January 2023, after four years of planning due to pandemic delays

In his post he gives a comprehensive explanation of his preparations for the hike, from a detailed list of gear, expenses and information about the hike and the country, like terrain, history, challenges.

25 Amazing Journeys for 2022

In 2022, National Geographic Magazine included Costa Rica, and specifically El Camino de Costa Rica as one of 25 best places to travel in 2022. El Camino was included as one of five Best Places for Adventure around the world. In the article they included general information about the hike, about Mar a Mar Association, the nonprofit managing the trail, and about tour operators that can help organize and guide the hike like Ticos a Pata, UrriTrek Costa Rica, and ViaLig Journeys.

El Camino de Costa Rica | Revista Oxigeno

The “Camino de Costa Rica” segment from Revista Oxígeno offers a comprehensive overview of the Camino de Costa Rica, a challenging and scenic trail that spans approximately 280 kilometers from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific Ocean. This long-distance hike weaves through 16 different communities, each offering a unique glimpse into the rich cultural and environmental diversity of Costa Rica. The trail traverses a range of landscapes, including tropical rainforests, volcanic regions, coffee plantations, and lush cloud forests, presenting hikers with a dynamic and immersive experience.

Starting in Barra de Parismina, the Camino introduces hikers to the village’s notable marine conservation efforts. Barra de Parismina is a focal point for sea turtle protection, with the community actively involved in conservation initiatives to safeguard nesting sites and promote environmental awareness. This local commitment is supported by the Pacuare Reserve, founded in 1989 by British conservationist John Denham. The reserve is dedicated to reforestation and wildlife protection, playing a crucial role in restoring deforested areas and enhancing biodiversity.

As hikers progress along the trail, they encounter various natural environments, from dense tropical rainforests and winding rivers to rolling coffee fields and volcanic landscapes. The route offers a range of accommodations, including eco-lodges and community-based stays, where visitors can engage in conservation activities and gain insights into local wildlife and environmental issues. Opportunities to participate in sea turtle monitoring, tree planting, and other conservation efforts are integrated into the hiking experience, providing a hands-on approach to environmental stewardship.

The Camino de Costa Rica is designed to promote sustainable tourism, encouraging hikers to support local economies and businesses. By staying in family-run lodges and purchasing goods from local vendors, visitors contribute to the economic development of rural communities. This model not only enhances the travel experience but also fosters cultural exchange and mutual understanding between visitors and host communities.

Overall, the Camino de Costa Rica offers a unique blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and environmental conservation. It provides an opportunity to explore some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes while actively participating in efforts to preserve its natural and cultural heritage. This trail is a testament to Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental protection, making it a meaningful and impactful journey for those who undertake it.

One step at the time

Thomas Enderlin applies the Solutions Journalism lens to El Camino de Costa Rica to understand how rural tourism has a real positive impact on the communities that practice it and how a trekking project can generate enough benefit for services providers, communities and hikers. 

Enderlin hiked several stages of the route, some with the help and guidance of Urritrek, some as a solo and independent hiker. As he walked the less bitten paths of Costa Rica he had deep meaningful conversations with rural tourism entrepreneurs, trying to understand their relationship with the route and also with the tourists. His article is part of an edition by the digital bilingual magazine El Colectivo 506, called The Trailblazers, where a group of reporters analyzed the impact COVID-19 had on rural tourism in Costa Rica, and how projects like El Camino de Costa Rica help them stay afloat. 

Hike Costa Rica El Camino from Coast to Coast

Podcaster and adventure traveler Kit Parks hiked El Costa Rica Camino in 2021 and 2022. She tells about her experiences in the article but also in several of her podcasts episodes. You can read and listen to all her insights and comments about El Camino de Costa Rica in the article itself.