The Republic of Costa Rica is a coastal country in Central America, wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea bordering Nicaragua and Panama. This bio-diverse and environmentally progressive nation is known for its ecotourism, and is the most visited country in Central America. It’s a challenge to provide a truly comprehensive guide to running in Costa Rica, but we’ve researched the best running spots in some of the most visited areas.
Some of the best places to run in Costa Rica are on the gorgeous, compact sand beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula (west coast). While not all of Costa Rica’s National Parks are runnable, some of the most popular natural areas — including Arenal, Manuel Antonio, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest — have great accessible trails. There are also some top-notch spots in the capital city of San Jose, Jaco Beach, and Quepos.
A couple of notes about running in Costa Rica: weather is a major factor — from the heat at any time of year to significant rainfall during the wet season, which can affect running surfaces. Roads might be narrow and pothole-filled in areas. And in the National Parks, there are set hours, admission fees, and crowds that might make affect the runnability of the trails.
