Volcanoes and Central Highlands
Poás Volcano National Park
- Active crater lake with phosphorescent turquoise waters and smoking fumaroles.
- Easy, paved trails leading to three observation platforms—sunrise visits pop above the clouds.
- Optional side-trip to nearby Bajos del Toro waterfalls and high-elevation coffee farms.
Irazú Volcano National Park
Irazú Volcano National Park
- Costa Rica’s tallest active volcano (3,432 m). On a clear day you can glimpse both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean from its summit.
- Explore multi-colored craters and lunar-like landscapes.
- Combine with Cartago’s historic ruins for a culture-nature mashup.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
- A geothermal wonderland: steamy hot springs, bubbling mud pots and sulfur vents contrast with tropical dry forest.
- Multi-day treks to Cerro von Seebach reward you with panoramic views and cold-water river crossings.
- Canopy tours and waterfall rappelling add a shot of adrenaline.

National Parks in the Pacific Coast and Southern Peninsula
Manuel Antonio National Park is located in Quepos, Puntarenas.
- Despite its small size, this park blends pristine beaches, lush forest and accessible trail networks.
- Sloths, coatis and squirrel monkeys are almost guaranteed sightings on the coastal boardwalks.
- Striking sunset vistas framed by offshore islets.
Marino Ballena National Park
The national marine park is located in Osa, Puntarenas
- Named for the humpback whales (ballenas) that migrate here each year.
- The “Whale’s Tail” sandbar—an ever-changing tidal formation—emerges at low tide.
- Kayak or snorkel around offshore islands to glimpse dolphin pods and sea turtles.
Corcovado National Park is located in the province of Puntarenas
- Declared “the most biodiverse place on Earth” by National Geographic, Corcovado harbors jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws and four monkey species.
- Rustic ranger stations and multi-day treks on the Sirena-Osa trail test your wilderness mettle in this conservation area.
- Beach camping, remote waterfalls and ephemeral lagoons round out the expedition.

Cloud Forest & Montane Reserves
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (not a “national park” but a flagship reserve)—worth the mention
- Mist-enshrouded canopy alive with quetzals, trogons and resplendent biodiversity.
- Skywalk hanging bridges, night walks to spot tree frogs, and high-elevation trails that thread through epiphyte-laden trees.
Chirripó National Park
- Home to Cerro Chirripó (3,820 m), the country’s highest peak.
- The “Los Crestones” ridge hike spans paramo grasslands, dwarf forests and stony summits.
- Wake up at dawn for a summit sunrise that sets the Caribbean slopes ablaze.

You can visit the parks in the caribbean lowlands and wetlands
Cahuita National Park Located in the south coast of Limon
- A rare coastal rainforest where verdant jungle meets coral reef.
- Snorkel from the beach to see colorful parrotfish, octopus and nurse sharks.
- Trails peppered with howler monkeys and white-faced capuchins make for wildlife-rich hikes.
Tortuguero National Park
- A labyrinth of canals navigable only by boat—powerful nesting grounds for green, leatherback and hawksbill turtles.
- Guided night walks in nesting season (Jul–Oct) reveal turtle mothers laying eggs beneath moonlit skies.
- Afro-Caribbean villages infuse your visit with baking plantain breads and reggae-infused folklore.
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
- A shallow lagoon teeming with migrating waterfowl, jabiru storks and American crocodiles.
- Boat safaris guided by local naturalists give you front-row seats to fish-eating birds and iguana-lined banks.

How Parks Are Classified
Costa Rica’s system extends beyond “national parks” to encompass:
- Biological Reserves (e.g., Cabo Blanco, Santa Rosa) with restricted access for scientific research.
- National Wildlife Refuges (e.g., Caño Negro, Barra Honda) focused on wetland and cave ecosystems.
- Protected Zones & Forest Reserves that buffer core parks and link migratory corridors.
- Wetland Sites of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention (e.g., Térraba-Sierpe Mangroves).
Despite different labels, all share common goals: preserve biodiversity, enable research, foster sustainable tourism, and support local livelihoods.

Conservation and reforestation in Costa Rica
- Community-driven stewardship: Today, 25% of national territory is under some form of protection—one of the highest percentages worldwide—thanks to collaboration between government agencies, NGOs and local landowners.
- Roots in reforestation: Deforestation peaked in the 1970s–80s. A powerful grassroots movement, spurred by biologists like Alexander Skutch and a visionary Ministry of Environment, reversed the trend through forest-payments and protected-area designations.
- National park decree, 1970: Poás Volcano became Costa Rica’s first national park. In the decades that followed, parks multiplied to safeguard everything from coral reefs to cloud forest canopies.
Long history of conservation of national parks for decades in Costa Rica

Wildlife Highlights & Unique Encounters
- Jaguar corridors in Corcovado and Tortuguero connect to Panama’s Darién Gap—ideal for large-cat tracking.
- Quetzal-watching along the Los Quetzales Trail between San Gerardo de Dota and Cartago.
- Turtle releases at Tortuguero, Ostional and Gandoca—hands-on conservation that you’ll never forget.
- Shark dives off the Bat Islands in Santa Rosa National Park for adrenaline junkies.

Planning Your Park-Hopping Adventure
- Best Seasons
- Dry Season (Dec–Apr): Optimal hiking and beach days; popular parks get busy.
- Green Season (May–Nov): Lush scenery, fewer crowds, epic waterfall flows—plus discounted lodging.
- Permits & Park Fees
- National parks charge entrance fees ranging from $10 to $20 USD per adult.
- Remote parks (Corcovado, Chirripó) require advance permits and often guided tours.
- Guides & Ecotours
- Hiring certified local guides (many parks mandate them) enriches wildlife spotting and supports local economies.
- Look for operators with Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) ratings of 4 or 5.
- Gear & Logistics
- Waterproof hiking boots, high-quality rain jacket and quick-dry layers are must-haves.
- Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin-based) and reef-safe sunscreen will keep you comfortable and eco-friendly.
- National park offices often coordinate shuttles from nearby towns—research schedules in advance.

Conservation Challenges & Community Initiatives
- Illegal wildlife trafficking and unregulated hunting persist in remote pockets.
- Infrastructure development (roads, tourism facilities) risks fragmenting habitats when not planned carefully.
- Community-led patrols and payment-for-ecosystem-services programs pay private landowners to maintain forest cover, creating vital buffer zones around core parks.
- Citizen-science projects like camera-trap monitoring allow visitors and locals to contribute to big-cat and primate research.

Beyond the Gate: Volunteering, Research & Educational Opportunities
- Sea Turtle Conservation: Nest monitoring and hatchling releases in Tortuguero, Ostional or Gandoca.
- Reforestation Projects: Plant native tree seedlings in transition zones around Rincon de la Vieja.
- Biological Station Internships: La Selva, Costa Rica’s premier research hub, runs programs on tropical ecology, herpetology and rainforest restoration.

Looking Forward: The Next Chapter in Park Management
As Costa Rica pursues carbon neutrality by 2050, its national parks will evolve into living laboratories for climate adaptation:
- Green hydrogen research near geothermal parks like Rincón de la Vieja.
- Rewilding corridors reconnecting isolated reserves to boost genetic diversity.
- Digital interpretation (augmented-reality trails, bioacoustic monitors) that let visitors “hear” frog choruses and identify bird calls through smartphone apps.