I had booked a 5-day trip to Costa Rica on a whim and it was everything I needed and more! Costa Rica is home to many sub-climates, like beaches, rainforests, cloud forests, and city life. I chose a hotel near San José that had a pool, yoga lookout, restaurant on site. What was totally unexpected was that the Mantra Hand Trail starts and ends at the hotel I booked! I didn’t expect to have a hiking trail near San José, and am so happy I stumbled upon this hidden hike in Costa Rica!
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Quick Facts
- Length: 3 km, 5 km and 9 km loops
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Time: Approx. 1.5 h to 4-5 h, depending on length and physical fitness level
- Fee: $15USD (as of April 2025)
- Location: Hacienda La Chimba, Santa Ana, Costa Rica
- Hours: Open daily 5:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Where is the Mantra Hand Trail in Costa Rica?
The Mantra Hand Trail is located just 30 minutes from the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Hacienda La Chimba is a tourist destination known for its natural beauty, rich history, and variety of recreational activities. Located on a coffee plantation, you can easily spend the day here doing the Coffee Tour, Mantra Hand Trail, a Zipline or High Ropes course, or the Climbing Wall.
There are a few hiking trails near San Jose, Costa Rica:
- Cerro Pico Blanco is the second highest mountain of the Cerros de Escazú, Costa Rica, with a summit elevation of 2,271 m
- Volcán Barva is the third highest volcano
- Parque Prusia in Irazú National Parl
- There’s a mountain in Tres Ríos (halfway between SJ an Cartago) called La Carpintera with trails with great views of Cartago and San José
However, the Mantra Hand Trail really is a hidden gem that needs to be explored!
How to Get to the Mantra Hand Trail + Entry Fees and Hours
The easiest way to get to the Mantra Hand Trail is by car. Either drive yourself, or take an uber! You’ll also be able to take an uber back into San Jose.
- As of April 2025, it cost $15USD (cheaper for Costa Rica residents)
- The trail is open daily from 5:30 am to 2:30 pm
- There is a parking lot if you drive yourself
- It’s quite easy to find. You’ll be stopped at the parking lot, and walk a little ways up to the entrance gate.
What to Expect on the Trail
Whether you’re up for a casual stroll or a challenging workout, the Mantra Hand Trail offers options for every fitness level. The trail has three lengths with varying difficulty:
- You can opt to do the short 3 km trail that cuts directly to the Mantra Hand (pictured below). It’s still an intermediate hike but easier. Takes about 1.5 h
- The 5 km trail takes you past various sculptures that frame the traditions of La Chimba. The most famous is probably the giant Buddha, but the others are also lovely. The trail is difficult. Not just because of the elevation and switch backs, but also because the heat in Costa Rica is brutal even if you pack lots of water! Takes about 3 h
- The 9 km trail hits all the 8 photo ops, and continues for an additional 4 km through difficult terrain with a lot of switchbacks. This is the hardest and longest of the three. Takes about 4-5 h
The trail is through the coffee plantation, so expect bugs but beautiful scenery. The most popular stop is the Mantra Hand, so if you just want to see the giant hand made of coffee plant branches, the 3 km trail is great.
Tips for Hiking the Mantra Hand Trail
The best time to hike in Costa Rica is early in the day, on a weekday. It gets hot on the trail, so starting early to beat the mid-day heat is ideal. Mid week, the trail is not busy. I visited on a Tuesday morning in early 2025 and didn’t have to wait for photos at any of the stops. In fact, I was the only person at the picture locations along the 5 km route, and only ran into people at the Mantra Hand.
Weekends are busier, as it is a spot known to locals as well. You may wait up to 10-30 minutes at each spot to take a photo. Other tips:
- Wear sports shoes – it is a trail through a coffee plantation so you’ll hike steep grades, stairs, and sandy or muddy terrain
- There is very little shade, so be sure to wear sunscreen and bring lots of water and snacks
- Insect repellent for all the bugs!
- In rainy season, bring a rain jacket and expect mud. Rainy season in Costa Rica just means at some point in the day it will rain – not that it’s rainy all day!
Solo Hiking the Mantra Hand Trail: My Experience
I died from the heat. Okay, no, I lived but it was SO hot out there and I was not used to the heat. I had brought 2 L of water with me and planned to do the 9 km hike, but I ran out of water by the time I got to the Mantra Hand so I cut it short and only completed the 5 km loop. I have no regrets! If I was better prepared with more water and snacks, the 9 km loop would be an excellent long hike.
It was very peaceful. I hiked by myself, and felt safe the entire time. Each person is different, and you should always be vigilant when hiking alone, but I vote this one as safe. Each of the photo stops were awesome, and I love that they each represent a part of Costa Rica:
- Buddha: Buddhism is a significant religious practice in Costa Rica, with the largest non-Christian following
- Cow and Wagon: the typical Costa Rican cart
- 7 jars: one for each type of coffee bean grown at Hacienda La Chimba
- Costa Rica sign: painted in the Costa Rica flag, you’ll replace the “I”
- Butterfly: morpho butterfly that symbolizes the nature that represents the country
- Heart: we love Costa Rica
- Mantra Hand: characterized by being built based on the axes of the stem of the coffee plant, and shows a beautiful view towards the mountains of San José
- LOVE: we love Costa Rica
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely it is! It’s great for solo travelers, nature lovers, and people who want to explore with their own two legs. If you’re looking for things to do near San José, Costa Rica, this is it! I would absolutely visit both the Hotel Don Ernesto, and Hacienda La Chimba next time I’m in Costa Rica. I like that the Mantra Hand Trail is a little more off the beaten path in Costa Rica.