Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cerro Dantas — Attraction in Varablanca

This hike is difficult and messy but 100% worth it.

For context, I went in the rainy season, and this hike is definitely challenging. I’d say it’s moderate- to high-difficulty with a LOT of mud (step in the wrong spot and you’re up to your knees). I’d recommend going with someone else. A hiking stick is a good idea for testing the ground to see where there’s something solid to step on.

The main road on the way there turns unpaved after a bit, and some cars may not be able to make it. Eventually it turns into a foot path. Parts are cobbled, parts aren’t, and you’ll cross a few sketchy bridges that have great views of some rivers. The hike up to the refuge goes both up and downhill. At the refuge, there’s three more hikes to choose from: a short but steep 150m one to a waterfall and a 3.5km one and a 6km one that I didn’t go on. You’ll have to pay a small fee to access these.

At the refuge, you’ll find a little restaurant with covered outdoor seating and the menu of a typical Costa Rican soda, bathrooms (no showers), and a few summer camp-style rooms. If you’re planning on staying the night, you might want to bring some sheets and blankets, because they only have the fitted sheet and some kinda itchy blankets (plus a pillow), and it can get cold up there. I’d recommend waterproof clothing, some extra warm layers, a change of clothes, and good hiking boots. I paid for a package that included two meals, the entrance fee to the refuge and bathrooms, and a room for the night, and it cost me 19,000 mil...

This an amazing place to experience a very wild in the middle of the forest hiking, but sadly the don't advertise it that way, intead they make you think that it is simple, ending you having a bad experience after that because you may not be equiped properly and mentally prepared. That's the reason I give it a 3 star review. But please go, this place is really nice and the experience is amazing. Bring another set of clothes and be prepare to walk a lot some in a very muddy road and some in an almost not existing trail in the middle of the jungle. Not suitable for children or people with...

Perfect if you want to disconnect from the city. Yes, the trails are rough and muddy, but what do you expect from going into the jungle? You will have to walk at least 2km to get to the station, then you can choose between a couple of trails (3 and 6.5km). You can also get accommodation, and the food is really good. Prices are very good for the location. If you have Kolbi, there is signal pretty much everywhere. If you want to walk less, you need a 4x4 to get to the highest possible point. Recommended for mid-level hikers but definitely a...