Be aware that for some National Parks you will need to make a reservation and purchase your entry ticket online. The following parks are known to me that require an online reservation. For all the other parks you can purchase your ticket at the park entrance.

• [3] Corcovado National Park

• [6] Irazu Volcano National Park

• [7] Manuel Antonio National Park

• [10] Poas Volcano National Park

• [11] Rincon de la Vieja National Park

• [12] Tapanti National Park

• [13] Tenorio Volcano National Park (Rio Celeste)

• [14] Tortuguero National Park

• [-] Chirripo National Park

• [-] Carara Nationa Park

• [-] Isla San Lucas National Park

You can purchase your entry ticket through the official website of SINAC. Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservacion Costa Rica, or short SINAC, is the official organization responsible for the National Parks of Costa Rica and the only website where you can purchase your park entrance ticket directly. Corcovado National Park is an exception to this rule. Corcovado can only be entered with a guided tour which you will have to book through a tour operator. These tour operators will purchase the entry ticket to the national park for you. 

• Region(s): Northern Zone.

• Province(s): Alajuela.

• Vegetation: Tropical rainforest.

• Official website: SINAC ACAHN Arenal NP

Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal or Arenal Volcano National Park is located in the province of Alajuela. This is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica and due to the centralized location of the park, relatively close to both the international airports in San José and Liberia, it easily fits in almost any itinerary. The town of La Fortuna is the most common place to stay while visiting the area. La Fortuna is nicknamed as the adventure capital of Costa Rica due to the large amount of activities that can be done in the area, like canopy, lava trails, sky bridge trails, rafting, tubing and horseback riding. Lake Arenal also offers lots of water sports activities. The perfectly cone-shaped Arenal volcano can be seen from the town, dominating the beautiful green landscape. At night, lava streams might be visible coming from the volcano at the west slope. La Fortuna is located east of the volcano, so to see possible lava streams you need to get to the other side. The area is also known for its natural hot springs, which are highly recommended to visit, especially when you want to relax and reload from all the activities. Tabacon and Baldi are among the most famous, but these hot springs come with a price tag.

For more information on the region, explore The Northern Zone.

• Region(s): South Caribbean.

• Province(s): Limón.

• Vegetation: Tropical rainforest.

• Official website: SINAC ACLAC Cahuita NP

Cahuita National Park, or Parque Nacional Cahuita in Spanish, is without a doubt one of the best national parks of Costa Rica for a couple of reasons. It offers a unique combination of lush green rainforest, nice Caribbean beaches and beautiful marine life. The main entrance of the Park is located in the town of Cahuita. This small reggae vibed beach town has hotels, nice restaurants and bars where you can eat and relax before or after you have strolled through the park. The town is also the home base for some tour operators and guides that can take you to the park or on a snorkeling tour. The park is very accessible, with good trails that follow the coastline. The entrance fee of the park is a voluntary donation, and a guide is not mandatory. The park is home to a lot of animals of which sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, raccoons, ant eaters, snakes and poisoned dart frogs. A park that offers a similar experience is located south of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo near the town of Manzanillo, called Refugio Nacional Gandoca-Manzanillo. 

For more information on the region, explore The South Caribbean.

• Region(s):  Central Pacific.

• Province(s):  Puntarenas.

• Vegetation: Tropical Rainforest

• Official website: SINAC ACOSA Corcovado NP

Corcovado National Park, or Parque Nacional Corcovado in Spanish, is located on the Osa Peninsula in the South Pacific area of Costa Rica. It is a very large and remote park that is usually visited from the Puerto Jimenez or the Drake Bay (Bahia Drake) area. Drake Bay can be reached by boat from Sierpe or by car, but please note that driving to Drake Bay by car is challenging and needs some preparation on which road to take to avoid river crossings. For visiting Corcovado National Park a guide is mandatory and since September 2022 the number of tourist entries per day per station is limited. If you want to make sure you’ll have a spot when visiting the area, make sure you make a tour reservation in advance. Due to this regulation, the park remains one of the best places in Costa Rica regarding wildlife and nature. Weather conditions on the peninsula are challanging during October and November, with tremendous amounts of rains. If you are planning to visit in this period, check in advance if lodges and tours are available, as some are closed or have limited activity. Whale and dolphin watching tours and mangrove tours are also a nice option in the area and can also be undertaken from Dominical and Uvita which are common places to stay on your way to or from the Osa Peninsula.

For more information on the region, explore The Osa Peninsula.

• Region(s):  The Nicoya Peninsula.

• Province(s):  Puntarenas.

• Vegetation: Tropical Dry Forest

• Official website: Curu Wildlife Refuge

The Curú Wildlife Refuge, or Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú in Spanish, is home to a diverse range of animals, including monkeys, white-tailed deer and many birds. You can explore the trails in the reserve, which offer a combination of both forest and beach. The reserve also offers a variety of tours, such as bird watching tours, guided hikes, and night tours to observe nocturnal animals. A beautiful natural phenomenon that can be witnessed in the waters of the Golf of Nicoya near Curú is bioluminescence.  From Curú tours also depart to the nearby bounty island Isla Tortuga.

For more information on the region, explore The Nicoya Peninsula.

• Region(s): Central Valley.

• Province(s): Cartago.

• Vegetation: Pre-montane rainforest.

• Official website: SINAC ACCVC Guayabo

Monumento Nacional Guayabo or the Guayabo National Monument is a hidden gem near the town of Turrialba in the Cartago province. This archeological site contains various pre-Hispanic structures, discovered in the pre-montane rainforest early in the 19th century. Although only a small portion of the area has been excavated, there are several foundations of buildings, aqueducts and roads visible to the public. It is estimated that the site was home to a population of approximately 10,000 people during 1000 BCE until 1400 CE. From the park entrance, it is only a small hike to the historical area, and the site also has a lookout point.

For more information on the region, explore The South Central Valley.

• Region(s): Central Valley.

• Province(s): Cartago.

• Vegetation: Low vegetation.

• Official website: SINAC ACCVC Irazú NP

The main attraction of, Irazú Volcano National Park, or Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú in Spanish, is the volcano crater. With an altitude of 3432 meters (11.260 feet), it is the highest volcano in Costa Rica. Due to the altitude, the area consists of low vegetation, low temperatures, and the weather is usually wet and cold. With clear skies you are able to see both the Caribbean and the Pacific coast, the park however is not unknown to foggy conditions. Visiting the main crater is easy as it is just a short walk from the main parking lot near the entrance. While the main crater is the obvious touristic attraction of this park, if you like hiking, you might consider the lesser known Prussia sector which holds approximately 15 kilometers (10 miles) of more forested hiking trails to discover the surrounding area of the volcano.

For more information on the region, explore The South Central Valley.

• Region(s):  Central Pacific.

• Province(s):  Puntarenas.

• Vegetation: Tropical Rainforest.

• Official website:  SINAC ACOPAC Manuel Antonio NP

If you have heard about Costa Rica, you’ve probably heard about Manuel Antonio National Park or Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio in Spanish. It is without a doubt one of the most well-known and most visited parks in the country. The coastal park is small, easy accessible, the beaches are gorgeous and the town of Manuel Antonio and the nearby town of Quepos are home to great hotels and restaurants. However, I have to seriously warn you that the success of Manuel Antonio comes with a huge downside. During high season, the park and the town are overcrowded. Yes, people will tell you that you can escape the crowds by staying away from the city center and by visiting nearby lesser known beaches, but when visiting the park during high season you will have an amusement park type of experience. If you do visit during high season, note that the park has multiple hiking trails, some of which are less crowded. Also make sure that you figure out where the official car parking area is to avoid being drawn to privately owned overpriced parking areas. Note that the park is closed on Tuesdays and that you are not allowed to bring single use plastics such as bottles and bags. Rules are very strict on reducing plastic waste in the area. You can bring your reusable water bottle.

For more information on the region, explore The Central Pacific.

• Region(s):  South Pacific.

• Province(s):  Puntarenas.

• Vegetation: Tropical Rainforest.

• Official website:  SINAC ACOSA Marino Ballena NP

Marino Ballena National Park is a protected area located near Uvita. The park was established in 1990 and covers an area of approximately 270 acres (110 hectares) of land and 13,300 acres (5,400 hectares) of ocean. One of the most distinctive features of Marino Ballena is its iconic whale-tail-shaped sandbar, also known as Punta Uvita. This natural formation, created by a series of sandbars and submerged coral reefs, is what gave the park its name. Marino Ballena means "Marine Whale" in Spanish. Another reason why this name is spot on is because of the opportunity to spot humpback whales during their migration season (typically from December to April). There are several beaches, such as Playa Uvita and Playa Arco, which is named after the arch formed cave formations at the beach shown in the picture below. Besides tropical beaches, the park also has mangrove forests along the coastline. These mangroves serve as crucial breeding and feeding grounds and provide a unique ecosystem to explore. Last but not least, the Marino Ballena National Park is an important nesting site for sea turtles, including Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, and Pacific Green turtles. In the surroundings of Uvita and Marina Ballena National Park you will find various waterfalls, one of which is Catarata Pavon shown in the picture below.

For more information on the region, explore The South Pacific.

• Region(s): Northern Zone / Central Pacific.

• Province(s): Puntarenas.

• Vegetation: Cloud forest.

• Official website: Cloud Forest Monteverde

Reserva biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde or in short, Monteverde Cloud Forest is a beautiful cloud forest reserve located at the de Cordillera de Tilaran. The area is also home to the La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena or in short the Santa Elena Cloud Forest and the Bosque Eterno de los Ninos or Children’s Eternal Rainforest. Cloud forests as the name suggests are higher altitude forests with a high fog density. Due to the foggy and moist conditions, the trees are usually covered with moss ferns, orchids and bromeliads. Lots of wildlife can be spotted in Monteverde like various wildcats, monkeys, tapirs, sloths and births like the beautiful Quetzal. Most visitors stay in the town of Monteverde or the town of Santa Elena and the area has a lot of hiking trails with spectacular views, sky bridge trails, and canopy opportunities. Night hikes are also popular.

For more information on the region, explore The Northern Zone.

• Region(s): Northern Zone/Central Valley.

• Province(s): Alajuela.

• Vegetation: Low vegetation.

• Official website: SINAC ACCVC Poás NP

Poás Volcano National Park, or Parque Nacional Volcán Poás in Spanish, is located north of the San José. The main attraction of the park is the Poás Volcano with a height of approximately 2700 meters (8850 feet) above sea level and has a very impressive and large crater. The Poás volcano is an active volcano. Activity is visible in the hot and acidic lagoon of the main crater, which is in fact a large geyser. Small geyser eruptions might occur and witnessed if you are lucky. The park also has a hiking trail to Laguna Botos, an old crater lake.  Access to the park is limited and tickets can only be bought online. From the parking lot it is a short walk to the main crater and the Laguna Botos hiking trail is not that difficult, but very nice as it shows the distinctive low vegetation of the volcano area.

For more information on the region, explore The North Central Valley.

• Region(s):  Guanacaste.

• Province(s):  Guanacaste.

• Vegetation: Tropical Dry Forest & Cloud Forest.

• Official website:  SINAC ACG Rincon de la Vieja NP

Rincón de la Vieja is an active volcano located in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, which encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems and is known for its volcanic activity, hot springs, geysers, and tropical forests. The volcano is considered one of the most active in Costa Rica, with some recent minor eruptions mostly consistent of gas and steam, which are nonetheless impressive. The National Park covers an area of over 34,000 acres and was established in 1973 to protect the diverse ecosystems surrounding the volcano and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The national park offers a network of hiking trails that lead through rainforests, over lava fields, and to scenic viewpoints. Las Pailas and the Santa Maria Ranger Station are the most common access points and provide trails of various lengths to some of the park's geothermal areas. Las Pailas is closed on Mondays, while Santa Maria is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

For more information on the region, explore Guanacaste.

• Region(s): Central Valley.

• Province(s): Cartago.

• Vegetation: Various types like tropical rainforest and cloud forest.

• Official website: SINAC ACCVC PNTMM

Tapantí Macizo de la Muerte National Park, or in short Tapantí National Park, is located in the south central of Costa Rica at the edge of the Talamanca mountain range. The park consists mostly of montane forest, pre-montane rainforest, and cloud forest.  The mountainous region, and the fact that this is one of the places that receives the most annual rain in Costa Rica, makes the park a bit more adventurous than the average parks that are well visited by tourists. The park contains over 150 rivers and is home to 400 bird species, tapirs, monkeys and wild cats, although hard to spot due to the dense forestation. The main entrance to the park is located south of the town of Orosí located south of Cartago. The Orosí valley is a beautiful valley rich in coffee plantains, and a great place to stay when you want to explore the park and the surrounding area.

For more information on the region, explore The South Central Valley.

• Region(s): Northern Zone, Guanacaste.

• Province(s): Alajuela, Guanacaste.

• Vegetation: Tropical rainforest.

• Official website: SINAC ACAT Tenorio NP

The main attraction of Tenorio Volcano National Park, or Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio in Spanish, is Rio Celeste. This river has an intense turquoise color caused by a reaction in the water. This occurs when the particle size of aluminosilicates minerals in Rio Buenavista are altered at the mixing point called El Teñidero. The enlarged particles work as a prism, causing the blue tones when dispersing white light. At the main park entrance El Pilón there is a hiking trail that takes you to the Rio Celeste waterfall, the mixing point of El Teñidero, Laguna Azul, and past thermal hotbeds called 'borbollones'. You are able to shortcut and only visit the waterfall. After heavy rainfall, the trail can be muddy and the turquoise color of the river might be less intense. Tenorio Volcano National Park can be visited as a day trip from La Fortuna or you can choose to stay in the surroundings of the park at for example Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel.

For more information on the region, explore The Northern Zone.

• Region(s): North Caribbean.

• Province(s): Limón.

• Vegetation: Tropical rainforest, wetlands.

• Official website: SINAC ACTo Tortuguero NP

Tortuguero National Park, or Parque Nacional Tortuguero in Spanish, is a combination of tropical rainforest and wetlands, and earned the nickname little Amazonas or Amazonas de Costa Rica for good reason. The park cannot be reached by car, and the common way of transport is by boat through the many canals. Boats to Tortuguero leave at La Pavona and Moín, although La Pavona is the most common. You can go to La Pavona by bus or by car and buy your boat ticket at the restaurant. There is also a guarded car parking. The boats are called lanchas and the trip, which is quite an experience on its own, takes about one hour. The town of Tortuguero is small and has some hotels, stores and restaurants. Most tours leave from here, and the entrance to the national park is located near town. If you are located in a lodge in the surrounding area, you will usually be picked up and brought back to your lodge by tour operators. You should definitely do a guided boat or kayak tour through the canals to see a lot of wildlife. A hike to the lookout point called Cerro Tortuguero is also nice, but Tortuguero is most famous for nesting turtles. The park is home to an important turtle nesting beach. Green Sea turtles and Hawksbill turtles come ashore for nesting during July to October. Lesser seen Leatherback turtles nest from February to April, but there are no tours to spot Leatherbacks due to the low numbers. 

For more information on the region, explore Tortuguero.