Trails of fire: the best hikes in Central America

Few regions on Earth offer such a rich diversity of rare wildlife and vibrant flora as Central America. Throw in some smouldering volcanoes and mythical ancient ruins, and it sounds like the perfect recipe for your ultimate jungle adventure. Grab your walking boots, channel your inner Indiana Jones, and discover where to find the best hikes in Central America.

Touch clouds at Concepción Volcano

The active Concepción Volcano rises dramatically from Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in the country. The 10-hour, 16km (10 mi) hike to its summit is one of the best things to do in Nicaragua, but it's also one of Central America’s most gruelling one-day climbs and is not for the faint-hearted. Starting near sea level on Ometepe Island and gaining more than 1,600m (5,249 ft) in elevation, you hike through farmland and jungle before switching to volcanic rock and loose scree. The final push to the top is steep, and when the wind picks up, you might need to get down on all fours. But if the clouds play nice, you'll be rewarded with clear views that stretch from the Pacific to the Caribbean, taking in the nearby Mombacho volcano and making the hard scramble to the top worth every step.

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Watch Fuego erupt from Acatenango

One of the best things to do in Guatemala, a hike to the top of Acatenango Volcano is your chance to witness Volcán de Fuego, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, spitting fire into the night sky. Towering above the Guatemalan highlands near Antigua, this difficult 18km (11 mi) trail starts steep, rising through farmland and forest before you reach the bare volcanic landscape of base camp at 3,600m (11,811 ft). Spend the evening watching lava shoot into the air and light up the horizon with its fiery glow. Wake up to the sunrise over the rumbling volcanic belt. It’s cold, and it’s intense, but it’s unforgettable and worth every breathless step.

Meet monkeys on the Pipeline Trail

The Pipeline Trail is a moderate 6km (4 mi) hike through the jungle in the Bajo Mono region, just outside Boquete in western Panama. Named after the old moss-covered pipeline that runs alongside it, the trail is one of the top things to do in Panama and takes two to three hours to complete. The canopy arches overhead, creating a lush, green tunnel, and the forest floor stirs with hidden life. Along the way, you'll pass a large 1,000-year-old Cenizo tree before reaching a hidden waterfall tucked deep within the forest. Keep your eyes on the treetops, and you might spot a sleepy sloth taking a nap or a colourful quetzal flashing past. It's the ideal spot for a rainforest breather after all the epic volcano hikes!

Experience it for yourself on: Costa Rica to Panama: Surf, Treks & Starry Skies

Look inside Santa Ana Volcano

Santa Ana is the tallest volcano in El Salvador and sits at 2,381m (7,812 ft) above sea level. The moderate four-hour, 7km (4 mi) trail winds through the forests of Cerro Verde National Park before emerging into open volcanic terrain with picturesque views over Lake Coatepeque and other nearby volcanoes. As you arrive at the crater’s edge, look inside to see the steaming, bright turquoise lake that looks like it belongs on another planet. The Santa Ana Volcano is still active, though monitored. If you come on a weekend, you’ll need to fight with the crowds.

Find ancient ruins on the Mirador hike

Hidden deep in the rainforest of northern Guatemala, El Mirador is one of the most remote and rewarding hikes in Central America. Reaching one of the largest ancient Mayan cities ever built means trekking 120km (75 mi) through dense jungle, along a flat but challenging terrain. Along the way, you pass giant ceiba trees, hear howler monkeys echoing through the canopy, and sleep beneath the stars at jungle campsites. El Mirador is home to more than 850 structures, including La Danta, the tallest pyramid in the Mayan world. If you’re after comfort, you won’t find it here. But if you want adventure mixed with a touch of ancient wonder, you’re in the right place.

Swim in paradise at Semuc Champey

It's tough to decide whether to visit Guatemala or Costa Rica, but maybe this hike will tip the scales. Tucked deep in the Guatemalan jungle near Lanquín, this remote trail at Semuc Champey rewards you with one of the most stunning views in the country. The trail is only 2km (1.2 mi) long, but the steep, often slippery path makes it more challenging than it sounds. At the top, the view looks out over a series of tiered sparkling turquoise pools surrounded by dense rainforest. Below, the Cahabón River disappears beneath a natural limestone bridge, leaving behind a chain of tiered pools that are impossible to resist for a quick dip. After climbing through the jungle to get here, relax in the clear waters and watch playful monkeys swinging through the branches and tropical birds gliding by.

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Follow the Lost Waterfalls Trail

Tucked away in the forests near Boquete in Panama, the Lost Waterfalls Trail leads you through thick jungle to three magnificent cascades. At just over 3km (2 mi), the hike is short, but it’s steep and can be slippery, especially after rain. The first waterfall looks and sounds like a thundering wall of water. The second is the perfect spot to cool off and go for a swim, while the third feels like it’s been taken straight from the pages of a fairy tale, surrounded by orchids, moss, and hanging vines. This magical jungle trek is ideal for beginners.

Experience it for yourself on: Total Central America: Two Months of Wild

Explore lava fields at Arenal Volcano

Looming high over La Fortuna, Arenal was, until recently, one of the most iconic active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Although you can’t climb it, you can go canyoneering nearby or hike the lava fields and rainforest that surround it in the Arenal Volcano National Park. The park has several trails, but a popular route is the circuit linking two trails: Las Coladas, an easy 2km (1 mi) walk where you catch magnificent views of the volcano if it isn’t shrouded in clouds, and El Ceibo, a 3km (2 mi) loop through the jungle, where you pass the massive trunk of a fallen 400-year-old ceiba tree. Hiking in Costa Rica provides the perfect mix of volcano action and jungle adventure.

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Look for jaguars on the Tiger Fern Trail

The Tiger Fern Trail is one of the best ways to explore the natural world of Belize. Set inside the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, this moderately challenging 5.5km (3.5 mi) hike climbs through dense jungle known for its rich biodiversity and occasional sightings of the incredibly elusive jaguar. The trail winds past creeks and through tropical forest before reaching a lookout point with sweeping views of the Maya Mountains. There, you’ll find two waterfalls with pools that are ideal for a post-hike cooling off. It’s a rewarding half-day hike with an abundance of wildlife, rainforest, and adventure all rolled into one.

Experience it for yourself on: Belize Family Journey: Rainforests, Beaches & Ancient Caves

Go wild in Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to tons of Costa Rica animals, such as jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and howler monkeys. Located on Costa Rica's remote Osa Peninsula, the park protects tropical rainforest, coastal trails, and empty beaches where turtles come to nest. All visitors must enter with a registered guide, and access is limited to a small number of people each day to help preserve the fragile ecosystem. Most trails are flat but can be muddy. They range in distance from short loops to longer treks. Whether you’re walking for a few hours or heading deep into the forest, Corcovado is one of the best hiking trails in Central America to experience the unforgettable, untouched wilderness of the region.

Experience it for yourself on: Costa Rica: The Osa Peninsula & Manuel Antonio National Park

Reach the peak of Cerro Chirripó

Cerro Chirripó is Costa Rica’s highest peak and one of its most rewarding hikes. Reaching 3,821m (12,536 ft) above sea level, the 20km (12.5 mi) trail starts in the quiet mountain village of San Gerardo de Rivas and climbs steadily up rocky slopes and through rainforest. Most hikers complete the route over two or three days, spending the night at Crestones Base Camp before heading to the summit. The final stretch leads through páramo, a rare alpine environment full of spiky plants and wildflowers. On a clear day, you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts and magnificent views of the surrounding Talamanca Mountains from the top.

Climb Lake Atitlán's volcano

Lake Atitlán is one of Guatemala’s most scenic spots, and hiking Volcán Atitlán is the most challenging way to see it. This full-day climb covers about 17km (11 mi) and reaches 3,535m (11,598 ft) at its summit, so you better start your training schedule now. The trail starts in thick forest before steepening into a tough, slippery climb over rocky terrain. It’s not easy, but the view from the top makes all the effort worthwhile. On a clear day, you see the full panoramic sweep of Lake Atitlán, with small Mayan villages dotted along its shoreline, the surrounding volcanoes and even the Pacific lowlands in the distance. If that all sounds like too much effort for one day, there are other, less intense trails around Lake Atitlán and the surrounding forest.

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Hike forest paths in Piedras Blancas

If you’re looking for quiet trails and dense rainforest without the crowds, Piedras Blancas is your spot. Located in Golfito near the Osa Peninsula, this lesser-known park has trails ranging from short walks to longer treks, winding through remote terrain with an abundance of wildlife waiting around every bend. The park also connects protected areas in the Golfo Dulce region, making it an important part of Costa Rica’s conservation efforts. Find rivers, waterfalls, and secluded beaches that make off-the-beaten-track feel like an understatement.

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Birdwatch in Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of Costa Rica’s most popular hiking spots. With several well-marked trails, hanging bridges, and wildlife everywhere you look, it’s a nature lovers' paradise. Sendero Bosque Nuboso is an easy loop trail through the forest, and for sweeping views, follow the La Ventana trail to a superb lookout over the surrounding treetops. If birds are your thing, El Camino is a favourite among birdwatchers, where you might spot toucans and hummingbirds or one of the 400 other bird species. Don’t forget your binoculars!

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Spot sloths at Sendero El Perezoso

Sendero El Perezoso, also known as the Sloth Trail, is a short, easy walk inside Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica that gives you a great chance of seeing — you guessed it — sloths snoozing in the treetops. The raised boardwalk keeps you dry as you move through dense rainforest filled with birds, butterflies, and the occasional monkey passing overhead. It’s best to arrive early before the park gets busy, when the sloths are easier to spot and the forest is quieter. This trail also connects to the rest of the park’s paths, making it a perfect starting point if you want to follow your wildlife walk with time on Costa Rica's best beaches.

Experience it on: Costa Rica North and South: National Parks, Wildlife & Hot Springs