Extreme Nature La Fortuna to Monteverde - A friend and I took the extreme nature overnight hike. Our guide, Roney, was wise and mature beyond his years. He pointed out so many plants and animals, things we would never have noticed without his help, and was often checking on us (the hike is quite serious … thin jungle paths with steep inclines and declines). This hike was a highlight among many great adventures we had in our nine days in Costa Rica. I heartily recommend Lava Tours.

Pura Vida hike - The hike from La Fortuna to Santa Elena, guided by Roney from Red Lava was a very nice way to discover the landscapes and surroundings. It is a tough trip at times because it often involves climbing. But before starting the climb we had a nice swim. Along the way you are completely immersed in the beautiful nature and Roney David, our frivolous guide, knew a lot about the plants and animals. We spent the night with Sefarino, a spry seventy-year-old. His house shines in all its simplicity between the mountain peaks. After all that climbing, our home-prepared Costa Rican meal tasted twice as good. Thanks to Roney who expertly guided us in this. This hike is recommended for anyone who wants to get to know authentic Costa Rica better.

Would definitely do it again!!! - The hike started adventurously with the crossing of the river. Nobody has stayed dry, water shoes (no flip-flops) are an advantage. It is best to pack electronics and important documents in a watertight manner. Then we went into the jungle. The beginning was quite challenging, but our guide Carlos took breaks again and again. We also saw some animals and he explained a lot. In the afternoon we reached the hut where we were greeted by Sefarino and his animals. In the evening we cooked with the ingredients we had taken with us (leave some room for it in the backpack). The next morning we continued towards Monteverde. Actually you are collected at one point and needed in the village, but since we were quite fast, we walked directly to the village. On both days it was together about 22 km that we covered. For me the hike was the highlight of my holiday and absolutely worthwhile! Would do it again and again!

Challenging but lifetime memories !!! - We had the best lifetime experience! My husband and i did this the day after summiting the Cerro Chirripo so the hike itself was very manageable. However the condition of the hike was very unexpected. Muddy paths almost the entire way. Once you let the uncomfortable feeling just be the part of the experience, everything becomes fun ! =) at first we wanted to keep our hiking boots clean until the river crossing not knowing it would be muddy the whole time. we started walking in slippers which ended up being pretty difficult in mud so we both ended up bare feet until the river crossing. The river was up to our chest due to the rain but our guide Uriel made sure if was safe. The cabin at the half way point was the best part. I didnt expect anyone to be living there. Grandpa Serafino is a 75 year old sweetest and most pure human being in the world. I have never met anyone like him. I will keep this part short so you can experience him yourself. Watch out if you are a clean freak or have some kind of phobia with bugs and germs. You will be in the center of nature so be mentally prepared so you can enjoy the experience. Yes spiders right above our beds and not the most sanitary kitchen for meal prep but i didnt care because i was so touched by the owner Serafino. We got to chat with him and hear his stories. I miss him already and want to do the hike again so i can take him a box of essentials and gifts for him. Yes he is that amazing. Second day was pouring with high wind so no views but just trying to survive and make it through. It was fun ! Five of us in the group stuck together until the end. (oh six ! Because Serafino joined us to get errands done in the city. We got super lucky to finish the hike with Serafino on his horse and two dogs guiding us) Overall, 10/5stars. I highly suggest it to nature lovers who knows how to appreciate the beauty of the nature. If you are a complainy person , don't do it. You will not like it. Things do bring: Water shoes. dry cloths to change into for the next day. Flashlight, dry bag. Just waterproof everything in your bag , poncho or rain jacket, bug repellent, sturdy hiking boots,

A must do hike througout the untouched nature - This adventure was one of the best moments I remember of my trip in Costa Rica, regardless the rainy season! The two days hike was stunning, the path goes through a very untouched nature landscape and you can enjoy this peaceful place while seeing many different animals as well. I did the tour with Christian, which made our experience unique and a precious occasion to learn from this beautiful country. You can tell Christian is very passioned about his job and pass though his excitement about nature. Also the experience of sleeping in the shelter in the jungle was amazing, and I feel blessed for being hosted by such a lovely man as Serafino. I would totally recommend this experience! Letizia

Most AMAZING Costa Rican Experience! - Our tour guide, Franklin, was amazing and extremely knowledgable about everything in nature. We started our hike through a farm and then had to cross a stream and a river. We then headed into the rainforest for a challenging but doable hike (about 9Km) to a wonderful, but basic cabin owned by Mr. Seferanio. It had several bedrooms with wood beds, a little foam cushion and sleeping bags. It was so peaceful being in thia cabin surrounded by nature with no technology. Franklin made us and amazing dinner and breakfast over the fire. On day 2 (8km) we packed up amd continued up the mountain. It started on a trail and most of day 2 was on a gravel road with the most incredible views! We stopped along the way and enjoyed taking pictures and learning from Franklin. It ended by getting picked up in a van and taken the rest of the way to Monteverde. Once in Monteverde, we had time to have lunch and walk through the shops. We then got in a bus to Lake Arenal and took a boat to the other side then back to a bus for the rest of the way to LaFortuna. We would HIGHLY recommend this tour with Red Lava and Franklin was amazing!

Rainforest hike - This is an excellent tour taking you through a private rainforest reserve where others cannot go to experience the real rainforest. The overnight stay was an experience and our hosts were very welcoming in their home. The tour guide was excellent and gave us lots of information along the route. I would highly recommend this tour to someone who is looking for something different in Costa Rica.

Best experience in Costa Rica... until now! - A fantastic experience, especially the overnight stay in the rustic mountain hut with a wonderful elderly gentleman was truly unique. You couldn't have been more welcoming. The first day was very strenuous, the second day was more of a leisurely stroll. Highly recommended, plus a fantastic guide (David) who turned his hobby into his profession.

A unique rainforest homestay and hike - This is a unique opportunity to spend a night in a remote location in a self build cabin. For me, this was the part that was the highlight of the trip. There is a lot of 'up' on the walk, but we walked at an appropriate speed for the group. I do believe that the guide, Christian, really enjoyed doing this tour and really wanted us to enjoy it. Himself and the cabin owner were very hospitable. Also, the pets were adorable. I recommend taking - water shoes, hiking shoes, torch, warm clothes for evening, everything in water proof bags, baby wipes, some snacks, power charger bank thing if you need to charge something. Finally - If you struggle with insects, remember that the rainforest might not be the place for you to sleep 😂🪳

Beautiful walk, but start earlier so it’s not a race or make clear there’s no time to appreciate the surroundings - Would I recommend? Yes with one main caveat. Check what the purpose of the hike is (will you get to appreciate the beautiful scenery or be rushed through) and that it matches your expectations. Be clear on the day with your guide what you have agreed to and what you’re expecting. I wish we had pushed to start earlier in the day as that might have made the day 1 walk more enjoyable. Day 1 is steep and as a result challenging. But if you have reasonable fitness you will be fine just take lots of short breaks 🙂 Overall Pros: trail was beautiful, varied and challenging in a great way. Señor Sefarino was v kind when we stayed at his cabin, good food and good company when he joined us for the day 2 walk. Cons from our walk: this wasn’t a guided hike the way I expected - no real engagement from the guide once we started walking and very little discussion. It felt a lot like we were abandoned by him. Our guide seemed to treat the walk like a race, and a significant amount of the time he was out of sight - on day 1 he was somewhere ahead for up to 15 mins at a time at least but completely out of sight; on day 2 he sent us off for 2 hrs before joining us (fuller explanation below). It felt like we were being marched from point A to point B, with little time to appreciate the surroundings which was the point of the walk in our view. The guide also seemed to take our slower pace of walking to mean dislike or inability to do the walk (for context, all of the group do regular sport - the uphill element of the walk was a challenge to tackle, but challenge, not impossible, unexpected or unwanted). As a result, he arranged an early pick up the next day without consulting any of the group (cutting out walk off). We were all pretty frustrated to be told this was being done because he thought we would like to stop walking based on the day before. As it arrived the ‘taxi’ got a flat tire so we were sent off to “carry on walking if you want to then” and the guide remained behind to help fix the tire. We walked for 2 hours without our guide. The walking was fine and the group really enjoyed it, but it’s a little insane to be left to walk for 2 hrs without a guide.