Costa Rica national parks
Costa Rica national parks: volcanoes, cloud forests and turtle beaches
About a quarter of Costa Rica is protected, and the national parks are where you’ll see the volcanoes, wildlife and wild beaches the country is famous for.
These are the parks we think are worth your time, grouped by region so you can fit them into your route.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Tickets
Book most parks online ahead of time
Go early
Wildlife is most active in the morning
Guides
Optional in most parks, required in Corcovado
Heads up
Manuel Antonio is closed on Tuesdays
Don’t want to read all this?
Plan your park days
Car rental
Guided tours
Wildlife
Birding
Shuttles
Travel insurance
Flights
Trip planner
Northern Mountains
Parks near La Fortuna and Monteverde
Volcanoes, cloud forest and a river so blue it doesn’t look real.
La Fortuna
Arenal Volcano National Park
Hike the 1968 lava flow trail with close-up views of the cone. You can’t climb to the top.
Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Misty trails, a hanging bridge and some of the best birding in the country, including quetzals.
1.5 hours from La Fortuna
Río Celeste (Tenorio Volcano)
Follow the trail to a bright blue waterfall and the spot where the river turns turquoise.
Guanacaste and Nicoya
Parks in Guanacaste and Nicoya
Mud pots, wetlands and beaches where turtles come ashore by the thousands.
Near Liberia
Rincón de la Vieja
Bubbling mud pots, steaming vents and waterfalls on an active volcano.
Wetlands
Palo Verde National Park
Take a boat along the Tempisque River to spot crocodiles and hundreds of birds.
Near Nosara
Ostional Wildlife Refuge
Home to the arribada, when thousands of olive ridley turtles nest on the same beach.
Near Montezuma
Cabo Blanco Reserve
Costa Rica’s first protected area, with a jungle hike that ends on a white sand beach.
Central Valley
Parks near San José
Volcano craters and cloud forest, most within a couple of hours of the airport.
About 1 hour from SJO
Poás Volcano National Park
Look into an active crater with a milky blue acid lake. Go early before the clouds roll in.
Highest volcano
Irazú Volcano National Park
At 3,432 meters, this is Costa Rica’s tallest volcano. Bring a jacket, since it gets cold up top.
On the way to the Caribbean
Braulio Carrillo
Thick rainforest between the Central Valley and the Caribbean slopes, with quiet trails.
San Gerardo de Dota
Los Quetzales National Park
A peaceful high cloud forest and one of the best places to spot the resplendent quetzal.
Pacific coast
Parks on the Pacific coast
Wildlife-packed beaches, a whale-shaped sandbar and the wildest park in the country.
Most popular
Manuel Antonio National Park
Easy trails to white sand beaches, with monkeys and sloths everywhere. Closed Tuesdays.
Near Jacó
Carara National Park
A rainforest known for scarlet macaws, an easy stop on the drive to the Pacific.
Uvita
Marino Ballena National Park
Walk the whale’s tail sandbar at low tide and watch for humpbacks in season.
Osa Peninsula
Corcovado National Park
Remote, wild and full of wildlife. A licensed guide is required to enter.
Caribbean coast
Parks on the Caribbean coast
Jungle canals, coastal trails and turtle nesting beaches.
Hike and snorkel
Cahuita National Park
A flat trail through the jungle right along the beach, with coral reefs offshore. Sloths are easy to spot.
By boat only
Tortuguero National Park
Explore the canals by canoe or boat, and see green sea turtles nesting from July to October.
More to explore
More parks and reserves
Smaller parks and reserves worth adding if you’re nearby.
Far offshore
Cocos Island
A remote island famous for diving with hammerhead sharks.
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Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Tickets
Book ahead
Many parks, including Manuel Antonio and Poás, require tickets bought online in advance through SINAC. Tours usually include them.
Guides
Go with a guide?
Guides carry spotting scopes and find far more animals. They’re optional in most parks but required in Corcovado.
What to bring
In your day bag
Packing: good walking shoes, a light rain jacket and layers for the volcano parks, where it gets cold. See our Costa Rica packing list →
FAQ
Costa Rica national parks FAQ: your questions
How many national parks are in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has around 30 national parks, plus many wildlife refuges and reserves. About a quarter of the country is protected.
What is the most popular national park in Costa Rica?
Manuel Antonio National Park is the most visited, thanks to its easy trails, beaches and wildlife.
Do I need to buy national park tickets in advance?
For many parks, yes. Popular parks like Manuel Antonio and Poás sell tickets online and can sell out in high season.
Do I need a guide in Costa Rica’s national parks?
Not usually, but you’ll see much more wildlife with one. Corcovado requires a licensed guide.
Which national parks are closest to San José?
Poás Volcano, Irazú Volcano and Braulio Carrillo are all about an hour or two from San José.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring Costa Rica
Things to do
Our favorite activities across the country, from volcanoes to night tours.
Planning more of the region? See our full Costa Rica destinations guide.
