Costa Rica Opens New Network Of Free Hiking Trails In Guanacaste

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Published on Thursday, November 12, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A new network of more than 11 miles of hiking trails has opened at the National Wildlife Refuge in Nosara Beach, Nicoya Canton, Guanacaste Province, according to the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).

The trail network was built by the Nosara Conservation Association, with support from the Municipality of Nicoya Canton. The organization, made up of local residents, works to protect the environment and promote the area as a tourist destination.

The trails are free and open to all visitors, including local residents and foreign tourists. The network provides access to forest areas, wetlands, beaches and tourist destinations along the coast.

Visitors can choose from nine hiking routes, ranging from 546 yards for beginners to nearly 11 miles for experienced hikers, authorities added.

The trails connect downtown Nosara Beach with a local park, mangrove forests, a beach lookout area, the Nosara River and other locations within the tropical forest that attract large numbers of tourists.

Along the routes, visitors can walk through small streams and tropical forest areas while observing local wildlife, including coatis, howler monkeys, blue morpho butterflies, deer, a wide variety of birds, iguanas, sloths and other species.

Maintenance costs for the trails will be covered through sponsorships from local tourism businesses, including hotels, retail establishments and tour operators, as well as community donations.

According to SINAC, the National Wildlife Refuge in Nosara is part of a protected area that includes Ostional, Nosara, Peladas and Guiones beaches.

Ostional Beach is located in the Cuajiniquil District of Santa Cruz Canton. The other three beaches are in Nicoya Canton. The entire protected area covers 470 hectares of land and 8,000 hectares of marine territory.

The best-known area is Ostional Beach, which is "dedicated to protecting the world's most important nesting and reproduction site for the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Thousands of turtles lay their eggs simultaneously throughout the year along a 7-kilometer stretch of beach, a phenomenon known as arribadas," SINAC added.

These arribadas, or mass nesting events, occur along approximately 800 meters of the beach. They take place throughout the year, once or twice a month, and attract between 15,000 and 200,000 female turtles.

This natural spectacle is one of only nine known events of its kind worldwide. Ostional is the second most important beach globally for this phenomenon, after Escobilla Beach in Mexico, authorities added.

The National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) is the government agency responsible for managing Costa Rica's national parks and protected areas.

In related developments, one of the four sectors providing access to Marino Ballena National Park, located in the Piñuela District of Osa Canton, Puntarenas Province, will remain closed beginning this week through May 2027.

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What have you heard about tropical forest conservation projects in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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