From lush rainforests to flowing rivers and unforgettable wildlife encounters, El Camino de Costa Rica shows you the soul of the country. Hikers describe it as a feeling they’ll never forget.
At Urritrek, we believe in supporting local talent and entrepreneurship. This isn't just an act of solidarity; it's a matter of trust built on the excellence of local service. At the same time, it adds authenticity to each visitor's experience, offering a genuine connection with the communities and everything they create and live day to day.
We've previously spoken about how important this is to us, but today we want to share human stories behind the services we work with.
We collaborate with local neighbors we trust, knowing they will make each journey even better, ensuring visitors enjoy great meals, get to know the region more deeply, and feel truly welcomed.
To everyone who helps make this possible, thank you.
A water adventure
One unforgettable tour takes visitors from Gochen Dock to the Pacuare Reserve, navigating the scenic Madre de Dios river. This boat journey, led by Juan Knight Chavarría, passes through banana and pineapple plantations.
If you keep your eyes open, you might spot caimans sunbathing along the riverbanks.n You’ll need sharp vision—these reptiles are experts at hiding in plain sight.
Wildlife watching
The Madre de Dios lagoon remains largely untouched, preserving the mountain’s wild beauty.
Julio explains that with a bit of luck, you might catch sight of sloths dangling from trees, three of the four monkey species found in Costa Rica, or even tiny basilisks sprinting across the water on two legs.
He once saw a jaguar peek out from the forest, and even manatees have been spotted when tourists are around.
Exploring Barra de Pacuare
Julio and his family’s involvement goes beyond river tours. They also provide lodging in a tiny village of only 50 or 60 residents.
Barra de Pacuare is known for its connection to sea turtle conservation, and it even hosts a coast guard station.
Visitors stay in local homes and enjoy a Caribbean-style casado with rice and beans, chicken, and pasta. Breakfast features Costa Rican staples like salchichón, arepas, gallo pinto, and fresh eggs.
“Our business started with smoothies and sandwiches. We’ve grown into more of a restaurant, and we love having deeper connections with tourists by sharing our story,” Julio says.
These connections are enriching for both sides. And if you want to take it a step further, Julio and his wife offer cooking classes where you can learn to make rice and beans or coconut milk bread. Maritza also teaches local crafts using coconut shells, bones, cow horns, seeds, and traditional weaving.
The athlete’s new path
Stage 7 of the Camino brings hikers to Pejibaye, where many hope to meet Kattia Segura in person. She’s a former pro adventure racer and a local legend. You might have already heard stories about her by the time you reach this point.
Sometimes she acts as a guide, but most often she’s waiting to welcome hikers in Pejibaye, a truly rural area surrounded by sugarcane and coffee plantations. This stage is flat, perfect for hikers to assess their progress and decide how to continue. By now, they already have Stage 8 in mind.
A stay that makes a difference
Kattia prepares the campsite, cooks dinner, and serves breakfast the next morning. Groups usually arrive in the afternoon, with time to relax by the clean and refreshing Pejibaye River. The lodging is set up in a classroom of an old school in Taos, just a few kilometers away.
The money collected from the stay goes to the Pejibaye Environmental High School, which offers sustainability education. One of their projects involves making clay spheres that decompose and release microorganisms that help clean the river.
“The school is thriving thanks to the contributions from hikers. Right now, they’re building a new classroom and improving their infrastructure. It’s one of only three environmental high schools in the country. Urritrek is helping to make a real difference,” Kattia explains.
If you want to learn more, Kattia will be more than happy to tell you about the school’s work. She loves to share it!
You might want to read: The Camino de Costa Rica: The Journey That Connects Communities and Changes Lives
This is the environmental high school from Pejibaye.
A thoughtful meal
Kattia works with several local women who prepare a light, protein-rich meal for hikers. It includes chickpeas and lentils. According to many visitors, the best chickpeas they’ve ever had. Breakfast features local fruits and delicious pancakes.
Kattia takes great joy in hosting travelers in her hometown. She loves welcoming them, spending time with her family, and seeing her community grow through tourism and kindness.
A meaningful exchange in Tarrazú
For Deily Castro and Geovanny Morales, nothing is more rewarding than hearing a guest say they felt at home. This couple has years of experience hosting travelers in La Esperanza de Tarrazú, a coffee-growing region known for its unique microclimates.
Frogs and forests
Their property, Los Lirios, includes a biological reserve. Along an 800-meter trail, guests can walk through the coffee fields and into the secondary forest, filled with bromeliads, succulents, orchids, mushrooms, and more. During the day, you’ll spot insects and plants. But at night, the frogs come out. We recommend a night tour to see them—and you might even hear coyotes.
With Urritrek, one group even discovered a rare and endangered species: Isthmohyla tica. Some lucky hikers have seen raccoons, armadillos, and even the elusive jaguar (puma yagouaroundi).
Learning through connection
Deily says, “Language isn’t a barrier when you want to share ideas.”
What connects locals and visitors is their shared love for nature and their openness to learning about new cultures. You’ll likely find yourself chatting in the living room or even cooking as if you were in your own kitchen.
Their meals adapt to each hiker’s needs and cravings. They cook with local legumes, vegetables, and meats produced on their land, using seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. (You might want to read: What Grows in Costa Rica? A Hiker’s Guide to Farming, Fruits & Sustainability)
With their warm hospitality, your stay in Tarrazú is sure to be unforgettable.
These are just three of the many stories waiting along the Camino de Costa Rica. Time and time again, we’ve seen how these genuine encounters can turn into lasting friendships that go far beyond a single night’s stay.
If you’re interested in more of these authentic experiences, we’d love to hear from you.
Send us your questions or ask about our available packages. We’re here to help you plan your journey. Oh, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram.
