Costa Rica’s National Parks

Located on the Central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio combines lush rainforest, scenic beaches, and accessible wildlife viewing. Despite being Costa Rica’s smallest national park, it is one of the most biodiverse, home to monkeys, sloths, toucans, and colorful crabs. The park's well-marked trails and nearby town make it especially popular with families and first-time visitors. Conservation efforts here focus on managing high visitor traffic while protecting sensitive coastal habitats. This park is often included in itineraries for travelers short on time but eager to experience both rainforest and sea.

Often described as the most biologically intense place on Earth, Corcovado protects over 400 square kilometers of rainforest on the remote Osa Peninsula. Jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and four monkey species live here, many of which are threatened elsewhere. Reaching the park usually involves boats and long hikes, making it a great choice for travelers with extended stays and a sense of adventure. Corcovado is central to Costa Rica’s long-term conservation goals and is supported by ongoing research and rewilding projects. Local guides are essential to both visitor safety and sustainable tourism.

 Tortuguero is a network of canals, wetlands, and rainforest accessible only by boat or small plane. It’s best known for its sea turtle nesting beaches—especially the endangered green sea turtle, which returns here in large numbers from July to October. A long-running conservation project within the park monitors nests, protects hatchlings, and involves the local community in environmental education. Boat tours offer chances to see caimans, manatees, and dozens of bird species. Tortuguero is a prime example of how ecotourism and conservation can work together in a rural community. 

 Located on the southern Caribbean coast, Cahuita protects coral reefs, coastal forest, and black- and white-sand beaches. Visitors can snorkel over living coral or hike the easy coastal trail to spot monkeys, sloths, and snakes. The park operates on a donation-based system and is supported by local community participation. It is a model of low-impact tourism and shared stewardship. The nearby town of Cahuita retains strong Afro-Caribbean cultural traditions that add depth to any visit. 

Arenal is one of Costa Rica’s most famous volcanoes, surrounded by rainforest and recovering lava fields. Though the volcano is no longer erupting, steam vents and old lava flows remain visible. Trails pass through secondary forest where monkeys, coatis, and many birds—like toucans and oropendolas—can be seen. It’s a favorite for birders and nature photographers. The park helps protect local watersheds and supports sustainable tourism in the nearby town of La Fortuna.

 Spanning Costa Rica and Panama, La Amistad is the largest and most remote protected area in the country. It covers cloud forest, high-elevation páramo, and tropical rainforest, and includes Indigenous territories within its boundaries. The park is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and supports many rare and endemic species. Due to its remote location, it is not heavily visited, but it plays a key role in regional biodiversity and climate resilience. Conservation here focuses on large-scale habitat connectivity and cultural preservation. 

Santa Rosa, in the dry northwest province of Guanacaste, is one of Costa Rica’s oldest national parks. It was created to protect a rare tropical dry forest ecosystem and to preserve the site of the 1856 Battle of Santa Rosa. The park also includes nesting beaches for olive ridley sea turtles and habitats for deer, monkeys, and armadillos. Its wide trails and historical buildings make it ideal for those interested in both nature and Costa Rican history. Conservation efforts here focus on forest restoration and fire management.

Just off the central Pacific highway, Carara is where the dry forest of the north meets the wet forest of the south, creating a rich transition zone. It is a hotspot for birdwatching—especially scarlet macaws—and also home to crocodiles, poison dart frogs, and more. The park has accessible trails and boardwalks that allow visitors of all ages and mobility levels to explore safely. Carara is often overlooked despite being close to San José, but it’s a great educational stop. Conservation efforts focus on habitat corridors for species moving between forest patches.

This coastal park near Uvita is named for the humpback whales that migrate through its waters each year. It also protects coral reefs, rocky islands, and a distinctive whale-tail shaped sandbar visible at low tide. Marine conservation is central here, including efforts to reduce boat strikes and preserve spawning grounds. Visitors enjoy swimming, kayaking, and boat tours during whale season. It’s a popular stop on southern Pacific itineraries that combine wildlife, beaches, and volunteer projects.

 Palo Verde is a vital wetland sanctuary located along the Tempisque River in Guanacaste. It’s especially important during the dry season when thousands of migratory birds congregate in its flooded forests and marshes. The park protects one of the last remaining tropical dry forests and has been recognized as a Ramsar wetland of international importance. It is a major research site for waterbirds and wetland ecology. Boat tours and dry forest hikes are both possible here, depending on the season. 

 Irazú is the highest volcano in Costa Rica and offers views of both the Pacific and Caribbean on clear days. The summit crater contains a striking green lake surrounded by high-altitude paramo vegetation. The drive to the crater is straightforward, making it a popular day trip from San José. Conservation here includes reforestation efforts and research on volcanic impacts. Its cool climate and open vistas contrast sharply with the tropical forests elsewhere in the country. 

 Located over 500 km off the Pacific coast, Cocos Island is a remote marine park famous among divers. Its waters teem with hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, rays, and massive schools of fish. The island itself is covered in rainforest and supports rare birds and reptiles found nowhere else. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Isla del Coco plays a major role in global marine conservation. Visits are limited to liveaboard dive boats, but its protection benefits ocean life across the eastern Pacific.