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RichardHol wrote:

What are the good hikes in Costa Rica? Preferably without a guide.
Are trails marked? Are there any hiking maps around?
Please share your experience.

Hola Richard,

I was an avid backpacker prior to moving to CR.  I wanted to pack here but have never found any topo maps.  The trails are not marked.  I don't mind hiking without markers, but trying to navigate with no map is not possible for me.  There are many, many kilometres of trails to explore at your own risk.  Every year there seems to be a story of a lost hiker that's found years later.

Has anyone else been able to find topographical trail maps for CR parks???

- Expat Dave

GPS hiking:

RichardHol wrote:

GPS hiking:

Hola Richard,

Interesting but a bit scary to me.  I've never used a GPS for hiking.  Always used compass and map.  Without a detailed topo map what happens if your GPS fails?  Not in anyway meant to be a condescending question, serious question, what do people do?

Thanks,
- Expat Dave

I have never solely relied on GPS, (I always hiked marked trails) but I am ready to do so. I guess together with other safety measures it is the safest way to go unmarked trail. Minimum of 2 people, 2 devices (a mobile is good enough), good battery life and the path printed out the internet. If even the backup device goes off then good luck.

This is nice info on topographic maps of Costa Rica:

The book:

RichardHol wrote:

This is nice info on topographic maps of Costa Rica:

The book:

This is great!  I make take an interest in hiking CR after all.  I've kept all my backpacking gear so wouldn't have that expense.  Thank you much for the info.!

- Expat Dave

Note that in some  rural areas of the country, getting connected  by your cell phone may difficult if not impossible.

kohlerias wrote:

Note that in some  rural areas of the country, getting connected  by your cell phone may difficult if not impossible.

When I backpack, a cell phone is the last thing I'd take with me - never have.  Over the years I packed many, many miles, including the Oregon-Washington portion of the PCT.  I've never used GPS either.  Just for me personally, I want to escape anything and everything electronic.  It's why I've always wondered when you read a story of someone becoming lost in the wilderness, WHY would they not learn orientation skills before entering the wilderness?  If you have just a bit of experience, as long as you have a good topographical map and a compass, you cannot exactly get lost.

Before everyone jumps on me  , this again is just my personal opinion of how "I" like to backpack.  I do not recommend it to anyone without proper training and experience.  I'm also not saying there is anything wrong with using GPS for backpacking.  Just talking about my personal preference.  And probably a bit reflection of the time period that I grew up in.   

- Expat Dave

I brought this up, due to it being mentioned in an earlier post. We had an occasion where it was necessary to call an ambulance when out in the 'boonies'.    A member of the group we were with, had to travel quite a distance before they could get a signal to summon help.

Kohlerias,

I wasn't meaning to be critical of your post at all.  I was just saying that I personally prefer not to have electronics.  You're right, for safety it's much smarter to have a phone with you.  My point was only that I like the feeling, experience of being far from civilization with as little reminders of it as possible.

- Expat Dave