Camping
From Costa Rica Travel Guide: Vacation and Travel tips
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Camping
Are you more at home with a backpack and tent strapped to your back- braving the elements? Costa Rica’s heavy rains, difficult access, and in most cases, very limited facilities, make camping a serious challenge throughout the country, even for the experienced camper. And don’t forget the creepy crawlies and the mosquitoes and sandflies. As if that weren’t enough, you often have to worry if your ‘stuff’ will be secure, especially around beach towns. That being said, a backpack and tent can get you far from the crowds and into some of the most spectacular and under developed parts of the country.
Noteworthy- Costa Rica’s beaches are public party and you ARE allowed to camp on them BUT, camping is forbidden in some of the national parks, so read the descriptions and rules for each park carefully before popping your tent. Even if you're a first time camper- camping on the beach is entirely different form of camping as opposed to trekking some of the more remote inland areas of Costa Rica. There is NO comparison between the two.
Here’s a few places to consider:
Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp on the Osa Peninsula.
Almonds & Corals Tent Camp in Manzanillo.
The beaches in Santa Rosa National Park, or at the Puerto Vargas campsite in Cahuita National Park are two of the best places to pop up a tent.
Warning: Do NOT underestimate the ‘elements’ in Costa Rica as they can give even the hardcore camper a migraine. To the first time camper- don’t let Costa Rica be your first-time camping experience- or I can assure you, it will be your last. Now picking a camping tour company to trek around the country is a completely different matter. You choose your routes depending on your interests, have experienced guides with you at all times, and usually they supply just about everything you'll need to enjoy your camping adventure. So, first time 'true' camping in Costa Rica, we would recommend picking a reputable camping/backpacking adventure company.
