Walk coast to coast
A coast-to-coast crossing of one of Earth's most biodiverse countries, reimagined as a virtual challenge you complete with your everyday steps.
The Camino de Costa Rica is a 262.3 km coast-to-coast trail from the Caribbean village of Parismina to the Pacific town of Quepos. The route passes through Tortuguero's jungle canals, indigenous Cabécar territories, the legendary Pacuare River, Tapantí cloud forest, and the misty coffee plantations of Los Santos.
With Zelus, you walk the real trail coordinates across Central America's narrowest point. Your daily steps move you along the route on a live map, unlocking eight milestone checkpoints at landmarks like the Tortuguero Canals, Cerro Alto summit (the continental divide), and the Pacific coast at Quepos.
8 milestones along the way
Each milestone marks a real landmark on the coast-to-coast crossing. Unlock them one by one as your daily steps add up.
Begin your coast-to-coast journey at the Caribbean, where jungle meets sea and fishing boats line the shore.
Navigate the jungle waterways where sea turtles nest on pristine beaches and howler monkeys call from the canopy.
Enter the indigenous Cabécar lands — guardians of the rainforest for thousands of years in Costa Rica's remote interior.
Ford the legendary Pacuare — rated one of the world's most beautiful rivers, carving through pristine tropical gorges.
Ascend into the cloud forest where Costa Rica's heaviest rainfall feeds countless waterfalls and moss-draped trees.
Cross the continental divide at the highest point of your journey — from here, rivers flow west to the Pacific.
Descend through misty coffee plantations producing some of the world's most prized Tarrazú beans.
You've crossed Costa Rica! The Pacific Ocean awaits at journey's end. Route complete — your medal is earned.
How it works
Ready to start walking?
Download Zelus and pick the Camino de Costa Rica. Your first steps today count toward the Pacific.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this challenge take?
The target is 180 days, but there's no time limit. At around 3 km of walking per day (roughly 4,000 steps), you'd finish in about 12–13 weeks. Go at whatever pace feels sustainable.
What is the Camino de Costa Rica?
The Camino de Costa Rica is a coast-to-coast trail crossing the country from the Caribbean to the Pacific. It passes through 16 communities, indigenous territories, cloud forests, and coffee plantations — showcasing Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Do I need to run?
No. Zelus is built for walking — commuting, errands, lunch walks, pacing on a phone call. Running counts too, but it's not required.
How are my steps converted to distance?
Zelus syncs with your phone's step counter and converts steps into kilometres using a calibrated stride length. Your position updates on the map automatically.
What happens when I finish?
You earn the Camino de Costa Rica completion medal, which is permanently added to your profile. Then you can pick your next route from the 14+ challenges available.
What if I miss a day?
Nothing happens — your progress stays exactly where you left it. The goal is consistency over time, not perfection. Pick it back up whenever you're ready.