Costa Rica has six types of rainforests. These forests are home to many different flora and fauna, as well as bird species, including various Costa Rica rainforest animals and rainforest flowers.
Tropical rainforests are lush and green, with tall trees and dense canopies. These areas get over 200 inches of rain every year. This heavy rainfall creates habitats for wildlife, from the forest floor to the treetops.
In contrast, tropical dry forests receive less rainfall. They are found at lower elevations in drier regions, particularly in Nicoya and Guanacaste.
Lowland rainforests experience warm, wet weather and shorter dry seasons, often featuring rivers and streams. Cloud forests, located at higher elevations, are frequently shrouded in fog and low clouds.
Forests that grow near bodies of water provide habitats for terrestrial and aquatic animals. Mangrove swamps develop where fresh and saltwater meet, creating unique ecosystems that blend dry and wet environments.
You can enjoy options like horseback riding and white water rafting for Costa Rica rainforest activities, and, of course, an abundance of Costa Rica wildlife.
Accessing these areas requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle in most cases. Adobe Rent a Car offers excellent options for your travels.
From the most remote and pristine rainforest to the most accessible.
Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park is one of the most remote and untouched rainforests in Costa Rica. It receives over 200 inches of rain each year.
Located on the Osa Peninsula, the park is a great place to see rare and endangered wildlife. Animals like tapirs, tanagers, spider monkeys, scarlet macaws, harpy eagles, and various wild cats live here.
The park is about 60 miles from San José in Costa Rica’s South Pacific region. It features many different ecosystems, including cloud forests, tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, beaches, and waterfalls.
Piedras Blancas National Park
Piedras Blancas National Park is located across the Golfo Dulce from the Osa Peninsula. It is a wild and untouched paradise that attracts fewer visitors than Corcovado National Park. This remote rainforest is perfect for adventurous people looking to escape daily life and enjoy nature.
The park was once part of Corcovado National Park. In the 1990s, much of the area suffered from private deforestation projects. Since then, the land has been set aside for public use, creating two separate parks.
Piedras Blancas National Park is home to some of the last remaining jaguars. It also has four other wild cat species: pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarundis. The park has many types of birds and wildlife from Costa Rica. You can find coatis, toucans, scarlet macaws, anteaters, sloths, spider monkeys, and white-faced capuchin monkeys here.
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is known as the “Little Amazon” because it has a lot of different plants and animals. You can only get there by plane or boat.
Visitors can take boat tours along the canals to see wildlife like sloths and caimans. The lush vegetation makes Tortuguero an excellent place for nature lovers.
Cahuita National Park
Cahuita National Park is on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It protects coral reefs, beaches, and lowland tropical rainforests.
There is a scenic trail that runs along the beach and the seashore. This makes it great for hiking, exploring wildlife, and enjoying beautiful views. The trail takes you to Puerto Vargas at the southern end of the park.
If you want to snorkel, walk to Punta Cahuita, just over two miles away. This area has amazing snorkeling opportunities and beautiful white-sand beaches. You can book guided tours for the best snorkeling experiences.
Carara National Park
Carara National Park is located on the northern part of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. This place is known for its many scarlet macaws and tropical birds. It is a great spot for birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. In the indigenous Huetar language, “Carara” means “River of Lizards.”
The park has the only transitional forest in the Central Pacific region. This unique environment supports many different plants and animals found in both dry and humid forests.
Visitors can also see two-toed and three-toed sloths in the park. Carara National Park is easy to visit, making it a great choice for day trips from the Central Pacific Coast or San José.
Monteverde Rainforest
The Santa Elena and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserves in north-central Costa Rica are famous for their beautiful rainforests. They offer a chance to see the rare quetzal bird. These reserves are important national landmarks, full of lush greenery and heavy rainfall.
For cloud forests, Costa Rica, Monteverde, is a top eco-destination and appears in many vacation packages.
Visitors can explore the reserves through guided day or night hikes. They can also enjoy stunning views from aerial trams, canopy tours, hanging bridges, and zip lines. The region is home to many types of wildlife. You can find jaguars, ocelots, coatis, poison dart frogs, eyelash pit vipers, and the colorful quetzal.
Cloud forests and rainforests both get a lot of rainfall. However, cloud forests get much of their moisture from clouds that pass through the trees, while rainforests create their own rainfall.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park is famous for its active volcano and the beautiful rainforest around Arenal Lake.
Visitors can enjoy adventure and nature by hiking on old lava trails. They can also watch howler monkeys and toucans in the trees. Zip-lining and whitewater rafting are also popular activities in the area.
When you visit La Fortuna de San Carlos, the volcano is the first thing you notice. It stands out in the town where this natural wonder is located.
If you want to avoid the crowds while experiencing one of Costa Rica’s amazing volcanoes, visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Its location in Guanacaste Province makes it a good choice for visitors flying into Liberia International Airport.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is a popular place to experience a rainforest in the country. Visitors often see monkeys that come surprisingly close! The park has beautiful coastal views and lush vegetation.
It offers a mix of rainforest, beaches, and coral reefs. Many people think these beaches are the most beautiful in the country, surrounded by dense forests. The park is home to two- and three-toed sloths, toucans, iguanas, playful squirrel monkeys, many colorful crabs, and more.
Braulio Carrillo National Park
Braulio Carrillo National Park is close to San José, the capital city of Costa Rica. It offers a quick and exciting experience in the tropical rainforest. The park is a great day trip for nature lovers who want to stay near the city. It has several trails, waterfalls, and volcanic formations.
Covering 50,000 hectares, Braulio Carrillo National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Costa Rica. It is located in a steep region with high mountains thickly covered in forests and many canyons. Numerous rivers and streams flow through this area, which are important for producing hydroelectric power.
Adobe’s FAQs
Corcovado National Park is famous for its rich rainforest, which is home to many types of plants and animals. It has a great balance of various animal species, tall trees, thick vines, and plenty of plant life.
Costa Rica has different types of rainforests, including tropical rainforests, cloud forests, and tropical dry forests. These rainforests are home to many kinds of plants and animals.
The Amazon jungle is not in Costa Rica. It is a huge area that covers eight countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. It also includes French Guiana, which is a part of France. The health of the Amazon rainforest is very important for the health of our planet.
When to visit Costa Rica’s rainforests depends on what you like. If you want to see lush plants and diverse wildlife, come during the rainy season, also called the green season. If you prefer warm weather and clear skies, visit during the dry season.
Yes. Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests are famous ecosystems. A rainforest has tall, evergreen trees and gets a lot of rain. In Costa Rica, the average annual rainfall is between 80 and 260 inches.
