Cerro Yarcazú (summit hike above Mastatal)
Viewpoint · Central Pacific · hidden gem
A 1,083 m forested summit on the edge of La Cangreja National Park. From the Mastatal side the trail crosses farm gardens and pastures, then climbs steep, humid forest. The very top is often in cloud, but a grassy hill a little below opens a huge view down to Parrita, Quepos and the Pacific.
- Cost
- about $10
- Time there
- 6 h
- Best time
- start at dawn
- Kids
- 2 / 10
- View
- 9 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 1 / 10
- Effort
- 9 / 10
- Location
- 9.70958, -84.37284 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Better to book ahead
- Road
- Gravel — a regular car is fine
- Walk
- 5,000 m
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Bring
- water, jacket, repellent, sunscreen, picnic
- Season
- afternoon downpours in the rainy season (May–Nov) — start at dawn
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Start around 5 am with a local guide and be back before the afternoon rain; pack a picnic for the open hill below the summit.
Be careful
Demanding hike with steep, slippery stretches and no water on the way. The path crosses private farms and forks often — go with a guide.
Getting there
Base in Mastatal (Puriscal): from the coast take Route 239 up from Parrita toward Puriscal and turn onto Route 318; from San José go via Santiago de Puriscal toward La Cangreja. A high-clearance car is best. About 5 km each way from the farm trailhead; OSM also maps a summit trail from the Alto Concepción (Zapatón) side.
Places nearby
- Villas Mastatal Eco Lodge (guides, breakfast & lunch for hikers)Tours & AdventureA small organic farm lodge in the Puriscal mountains that works as the base for hikes to the Las Gemelas waterfalls and Cerro Yarcazú: they line up local guides and serve home-cooked breakfast and lunch to day hikers, with a shower after the walk.
- La Iguana Chocolate (bean-to-bar farm tour, Mastatal)Food & CoffeeA small family cacao farm in the mountains of Mastatal making organic bean-to-bar chocolate.
- Catarata El Salto de GamalotilloParks & WildlifeFamily-run waterfall about 45 minutes from Esterillos and Bejuco: a 6 m (20 ft) fall into a deep round pool, a shallow wading area, picnic spot and a 1.5-hour forest trail past a second fall.
- Macaw LodgeParks & Wildlife · takes 1.5 h–4 h · from $40An eco-lodge on a private forest reserve in the Turrubares hills near Carara, where more than 350 bird species have been recorded.
- Mirador y Restaurante Donde AndrésFood & CoffeeWeekend farm restaurant and viewpoint run by Andrés and his wife, with food made from local ingredients and stunning views over the countryside.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/9280793171 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/9280793171 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1124228810 · https://quebuenlugar.com/es/lugares/cerro-yarcaz-puriscal