The El Burrito Extreme Jungle Hike will take you on a challenging 3.5-kilometer hike through the rainforest and into the cloud forest. As you climb and hike through the rugged terrain, you may spot exotic birds and animals and eventually reach a towering waterfall!
The day starts off when you are picked up from your La Fortuna area hotel. Transportation will be provided to a local finca at the base of Cerro Los Perdidos where the adventure begins.
Your naturalist bilingual guide will lead the way. First, you’ll pass through a finca until you reach the jungle edge and a trail that cuts through it. The rugged and often extremely muddy trail winds its way through the rainforest and eventually into the beginnings of cloud forest, where you’ll reach a height of 600 meters above sea level.
Along the way, you will be able to experience the beauty of the rainforest and cloud forest. There is also a mirador with amazing views of Costa Rica’s Northern Plains as well as Arenal Volcano on clear days from the southern side. You may be able to see colorful tropical birds or exotic animals such as monkeys or sloths. While you may have the opportunity to see them, it is important to remember that this is not a wildlife hike. Eventually, you’ll reach the beautiful 40 meters tall El Burrito Waterfall where you can take in the natural beauty and even cool off below the falls.
After the hike, you will stop by a traditional Costa Rican farmhouse. The wooden house has a dirt floor and characterizes the rural traditional lifestyle that still characterizes the people of San Carlos. You will also learn about how they grow plants such as yuca, nampi, sugar cane, jalapeno peppers, and various fruits.
The El Burrito Jungle Hike tour includes roundtrip transportation from designated La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano area hotels (some hotels require an additional transportation charge if located outside of the designated zone). The tour also includes a bilingual naturalist guide, entrance fees, and tropical fruits. The tour is expected to last approximately 4 hours of hiking, an hour for lunch and additional time in transportation but this is subject to change based on a variety of factors including but not limited to your hotel location, environmental factors, and speed of the people participating in the activity.
Warning: You must be in good physical condition to take part in this hike. People with respiratory or cardiac conditions or any physical injuries should not perform this activity. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or children under the age of eight years.
The El Burrito Extreme Jungle Hike is available from Arenal, Arenal Zone 2, Arenal Zone 3, Chachagua Rainforest Hotel, and Nuevo Arenal
8 - 64
Latitude: N 10° 25' 33.98"
Longitude: W 84° 37' 54.25"
05/03/2023
We loved our guides!!! Probably our favorite activity and experience! Restaurant we went for lunch was very good!!
04/10/2023
Loved Jose and his place. Our other guide was great too.
03/31/2023
great hike with friendly knowledgeable staff
12/06/2021
Highlight of our trip! We lucked out as being the only people on the tour. Our guide was amazing and we really felt like we were seeing the true beauty of Costa Rica.
08/13/2021
Extreme is no joke! I'm in good shape and this was still a work out. We got to see two fantastic waterfalls and hike around an area that not as many tourists visit. Our two guides were wonderful and welcoming, and we had an amazing lunch afterwards. Amazing.
04/22/2021
By far the best experience of the trip. The guide was phenomenal and the scenery was amazing.
03/07/2020
This was bar far the most intimate tour we went on, and that made it the most memorable.
03/02/2020
I can't rave enough about this experience. Our guide and driver were amazing. We were lucky enough to be the only ones on the hike, so it felt like we were all alone in the jungle; guided by someone who had so much flora/fauna knowledge to impart on us. The day prior, there was a serious storm, and he made adjustments mid-hike to prioritize our experience and safety. The waterfall destination was picture-perfect. Can't get much better than swimming under a waterfall. This was our absolute favorite part of our Costa Rican vacation. And, despite having top tour guides throughout our trip, the folks we met on this leg of our journey will be hard to forget. In fact, it was even sad to say goodbye! Thanks so much!!
12/25/2019
Jorge A . and Brian were great! We are so grateful for this magical gift of an experience with our kids ( 9/11) . This is a serious hike and our family is experienced. The guids were so warm, passionate and informative.The stop at Rauel's farm for lunch after was a great treat. Is hospitality was so kind. I felt this was such an authentic genuine display of true CR pura vida life. If you are in good shape and ready to hike this is definitely worth it. By far my best experience of the trip. Hiking boots and poles are a must.
12/23/2019
We loved Mario.
12/13/2019
Fantastic tour, personable guides, probably our top rated experience in CR.
12/12/2019
Favorite tour/experience!! Our tour guide (Mario del O) was the best!
10/12/2019
Three miles into the rain forest would have been scary but our tour guide Pedro knew exactly what he was doing! He knew so much about the plants and animals surrounding us.
05/28/2019
Lead guide Jorge or George assisted by Antonio, did a nice job, very passionate about the forest. Stop at Rula's place was quite interesting, some great exposure to local rural living.
03/06/2019
We would give this a 10+ if that were an option. The best part of our overall trip since our guide Fauricio was so knowledgeable, professional, courteous and all around excellent guide. The end of our trip at the home of a local was the topping on the cake! Totally unexpected.
02/26/2019
Great guide, found a number of wonderful flora and fauna. We got some great photos.
Waterfall was super to see. Also met wiht the trail's caretaker. It was a nice touch to meet with a real "local" of the rural area.
01/08/2019
Exceeded expectations. Probably the best part of my entire vacation! It was so much fun and a perfect hiking and cultural experience! I would recommend to all my friends!