Costa Rica is famous for its diverse landscapes, including lush cloud forests and volcanic fumaroles. Its warm ocean waters host various marine life, while wetlands are abundant in reptile and bird species.
With over a quarter of its land protected, the country boasts 32 national parks and 186 protected areas. Many private landowners also contribute to conservation efforts.
Visitors can explore the best national parks in Costa Rica. It’s a good idea to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle because of the rough terrain and changing weather. Explore the best national parks in Costa Rica with ease. For a smooth journey through rugged terrains, consider the convenience of Adobe Rent a Car.
San José
Braulio Carrillo National Park
See in Heredia.
Chirripó National Park
Chirripó is the highest mountain in Costa Rica. It stands at 3,821 meters (12,536 feet) tall. On clear days, you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean oceans from the top. Named by the indigenous Cabecar people, “Chirripó” means “land of eternal waters” due to its lakes and rivers.
Chirripó National Park is famous for its diverse birdlife, with around 400 species, including the Resplendent Quetzal. The park also hosts wildlife like jaguars, tapirs, and pumas, though visitors often spot monkeys, deer, and coatis. The best time to hike is during the dry season, from December to May, while the rainy season offers fewer crowds and morning sunshine.
La Cangreja National Park
La Cangreja National Park is in the Puriscal canton of San José province. It is about 35 km southeast of Santiago de Puriscal. The park is named after its hill, which looks like a crab. The park features crystal-clear springs of the Río Negro and Quebrada Grande, offering visitors a chance to relax and swim.
The park is home to more than 300 bird species, such as macaws and toucans. It also includes various mammals like agoutis, coatis, deer, pumas, and ocelots.
Los Quetzales National Park
Los Quetzales National Park is located in the Talamanca Mountains, with heights ranging from 6,500 to 9,800 feet. The park is famous for its many quetzal birds and unique wildlife. The park has lush rain and cloud forests that are home to rare animals like Baird’s tapir, jaguars, and pumas. This makes it a great stop for travelers heading to the southern Pacific beaches.
Alajuela
Arenal Volcano National Park
The Arenal Volcano is the highlight of this 290-square-mile park, home to diverse wildlife across two-thirds of Costa Rica’s 12 life zones. Visitors can enjoy relaxing in hot springs, zip-lining, hiking to waterfalls, horseback riding, and kayaking on Arenal Lake.
Poas Volcano National Park
This is an active volcano and one of the most visited parks because it is close to San José and has beautiful surroundings. The drive takes less than one hour from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
Cartago
Irazu Volcano National Park
Irazú’s summit and visitor center are often foggy and cold due to constant wind. To have the best experience, wear warm clothes and visit in the morning during the dry season, which is from December to April. This will give you clearer views of the Central Valley and both coasts.
Tapantí Macizo de la Muerte National Park
The Reventazón and Pacuare rivers start in this national park. The Reventazón River basin supplies water for about half a million people in the Greater Metropolitan Area. It hosts four hydroelectric plants operated by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute, underscoring the park’s strategic significance for the country’s development.
Heredia
Braulio Carrillo National Park
Spans through 4 provinces: San José, Heredia, Cartago, and Limón.
Braulio Carrillo National Park features beautiful forests alongside a busy highway. This highway surprisingly helps conservation by providing stunning views of the park.
Visitors can see a wide variety of wildlife in the area. There are over 500 bird species, including the resplendent quetzal. Many mammals also live here, such as howler monkeys and jaguars.
Guanacaste
Barra Honda National Park
It is unique among Costa Rica’s national parks for its limestone caverns with whimsical formations. The flat mesa rises 300 meters above the Tempisque Valley and reaches a height of 450 meters. It originated from a coral reef over 60 million years ago. Tectonic activity brought it to the surface, while rainwater erosion created impressive underground waterways and natural galleries.
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park
Located twenty-two miles from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, this area features hot springs and unique geological formations. Hikers can explore trails leading to fumaroles and boiling clay pools—reminiscent of something from Dr. Seuss’s books.
Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa National Park is in northern Guanacaste Province, near the Nicaraguan border. It is a national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It features diverse ecosystems, including dry deciduous forests, savannas, marshlands, mangroves, and miles of pristine, often deserted beaches.
Tenorio Volcano National Park Costa Rica
In Alajuela, and Guanacaste.
In addition to the magical Rio Celeste and its stunning waterfall, there’s much more to explore. The park includes beautiful cloud forests and a colorful rainforest filled with exotic plants and animals. You can also find stunning natural lagoons, hot springs rich in minerals, and small geysers. A well-maintained hiking trail will lead you to these incredible sights.
Puntarenas
Carara National Park
San José, and Puntarenas
Carara National Park is a well-known place for birdwatching. It is famous for its bright scarlet macaws and has many types of wildlife, including crocodiles, monkeys, and sloths.
Located a short drive from San José, the park features lowland rainforest ecosystems. Many day trips include a stop at the Tarcoles River Bridge. Here, visitors can see large crocodiles in their natural habitat.
Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park is on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica’s southern Pacific Coast. The National Geographic Society calls it “the most biologically intense place on earth.” It features 13 distinct ecosystems and protects one of the last old-growth wet forests in Central America.
The park draws scientists and ecologists because it has a lot of different plants and animals. You can only enter the park through ranger stations with a licensed guide.
Manuel Antonio National Park
In 2011, Frommer recognized Manuel Antonio National Park as one of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
This small coastal area is home to many animals, birds, and reptiles. The park has well-kept trails and beautiful beaches. These areas can get busy on weekends. If you can, visit during the week to avoid the crowds.
Marino Ballena National Park/ Ballena Marine National Park
Marino Ballena National Park is on Costa Rica’s Whale Coast near the Osa Peninsula. The park protects coastal and marine habitats.
It is home to one of the largest coral reefs along the Pacific Coast. The beach is famous for its whale tail-shaped sandbar, which appears at low tide.
This spot is great for seeing migratory humpback whales and their young.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
At around 5,900 feet (1,800 meters), the misty mountains of Monteverde attract nature lovers and birdwatchers worldwide. Located on the continental divide between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the park covers 40 square miles. It supports about 2.5% of global biodiversity, including 500 bird species like the coveted Resplendent Quetzal.
Piedras Blancas national park
Piedras Blancas National Park is a beautiful wildlife reserve in Puntarenas province. It has a wide variety of plants and animals.
Cocos Island National Park
Cocos Island National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is about 530 kilometers from the coast of Costa Rica in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique marine ecosystems.
Visitors typically arrive by sea, a journey of 36 to 48 hours. The island features an information center, trails, restrooms, potable water, and lookout points. The area has more than 300 types of marine fish, 600 types of marine mollusks, and many scalloped hammerhead sharks.
Limón (Caribbean Region)
Cahuita National Park
Cahuita National Park is a beautiful Caribbean destination near the town of Cahuita. It features different habitats, such as colorful coral reefs, a shipwreck, mangroves, and palm-lined beaches. One unique aspect of this park is that it does not charge an entrance fee; visitors can choose to donate.
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero’s remote location attracts adventurous travelers who are keen to explore its rivers and rugged beaches. You can reach this area only by air or boat. The area has rivers, canals, and mangroves along the Atlantic coast where Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback turtles nest yearly. It is also home to diverse wildlife, including manatees, river otters, caimans, monkeys, and various waterfowl.
Costa Rica’s Protected Areas
Costa Rica has 167 protected areas. These include national parks, wildlife refuges, management areas, conservation areas, biological reserves, Ramsar Sites, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and World Heritage Sites.
Adobe’s FAQs
How many national parks are there in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has 32 national parks and 186 protected areas. Together, these areas cover nearly 25% of the country’s land.
What is Costa Rica’s most visited National Park?
Manuel Antonio National Park is the most visited park in Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. It has beautiful white sand beaches and warm turquoise waters. Surrounded by lush rainforests, it offers wildlife sightings like monkeys and sloths.
What is the main National Park in Costa Rica?
Corcovado National Park is the largest park in Costa Rica. It is on the Osa Peninsula. National Geographic called it “the most biologically intense place on earth.” The place to discover new flora and fauna.
What is the most famous park in Costa Rica?
Manuel Antonio National Park is the most famous park in Costa Rica, attracting over 360,000 visitors each year. Poás Volcano National Park is the second most visited, with more than 339,000 visitors annually.
What is the most popular way to get around in Costa Rica?
Renting a car is the most popular option. At Adobe Rent a Car, we have excellent options for driving to your adventures.
