It was the end of 2017, a year of transition for me. I had just quit my job as financial manager of five companies, exhausted from the routine. I had also returned from a transformative hiking experience in Mexico, where hiking, which had been a weekend hobby, became my new passion.
I had read about the Camino de Costa Rica on social media, an idea that fascinated me, but money and time had always been obstacles. When I found out that we could be the first to officially complete the 280 km in 7 days, I didn’t hesitate long before accepting the challenge.
We met at the Balmoral Hotel to plan the logistics. Although I had experience as a hiker and guide, I had never faced such a long-distance trek. With a small team, we prepared to cross Costa Rica in one week.
Day 1: The Adventure Begins
The first day started in Caño Blanco. A boat took us to Barra de Parismina, and we began our walk filled with a mix of nerves and excitement. Despite the scorching sun and unfamiliar terrain, the landscape was spectacular: beaches, villages, banana plantations—everything was new to me.
After several hours of walking, we ended the day in Las Brisas, exhausted but satisfied. We spent the night in a school, sleeping on the floor. I remember it being so cold that I was tempted to wrap myself in the Costa Rican flag for warmth.
Day 2: Crossing the Indigenous Reserve
The second day was intense. We entered the Nairi Awari Indigenous Reserve, where mud and jungle really tested us. The terrain was tough, and every step felt like a challenge. The mud was so thick that, more than once, I felt like I would get stuck.
I remember falling off the side of a trail. Although my companions laughed and took pictures, they eventually helped me back up. It was a day of both physical and mental endurance.
Days 3 and 4: The Plains and Turrialba
After a hearty breakfast, we started the third day in Pacayitas, descending to La Suiza and passing through the sugarcane fields of Turrialba. Despite the blisters and accumulated fatigue, the landscape and views of the reservoir gave us the energy to continue.
Day four was particularly tough, with a 1000-meter elevation gain. Tapantí, with its steep climbs and descents, pushed our endurance to the limit. However, when we reached Rancho Río Perlas, we were rewarded with hot springs and a comfortable bed—a real luxury after so many kilometers of walking.
Day 5: The Premontane Jungle
The fifth day took us through an almost unexplored trail in the community of Navarro del Muñeco. It was a dense premontane jungle, with branches and vegetation barely allowing us to move forward. Armed with machetes and brute force, we made our way through.
This day was undoubtedly one of the hardest. The slopes seemed endless, and the elevation gain was brutal. We finally reached Cerro Alto, 2100 meters above sea level, where a cabin with a fireplace awaited us. That night, I was finally able to rest.
Day 6: New Year’s Eve in Nápoles
We spent December 31st among coffee plantations in the Zona de Los Santos, a landscape familiar to me. The hike was long and exhausting, but the views were so stunning that it made the effort worthwhile.
When we reached Nápoles, some of my companions went out to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the neighbors, but I decided to rest to face the last part of the journey with renewed energy.
Day 7: Reaching the Pacific
On the first day of the year, we embarked on a hike of more than 50 km, mostly downhill. The first views of the Pacific were moving. After six days of intense physical and mental effort, we were nearing the end of the challenge.
I remember the scorching sun and the emotion of the last few kilometers. When we finally reached the bridge over the estuary in Quepos, I called home, emotional and in tears. We had crossed Costa Rica in 7 days. It was the greatest physical achievement of my life up to that point.
This adventure marked a turning point for me. Since then, I’ve completed the Camino de Costa Rica 43 times, and I look forward to many more. by Juancho
