Costa Rica’s national parks and rainforests are some of the most biodiverse in the world thanks to their tropical climates and world-leading conservation.
In fact, the nation has won several environmental accolades in recent years including the UN Champion of the Earth Award in 2019 and the Earthshot Prize in 2021. These awards were earned following decades of successful conservation policies introduced in retaliation to the rapid decline in forest cover from 67% to 17% between 1940 and 1983—a deforestation of half the country—due to cattle ranching, agriculture, and logging.
But perhaps of more interest to avid explorers was the resultant establishment of the country’s national parks and the restoration of its rainforests. In this guide we delve into Costa Rica’s national parks and rainforests to learn how the country protects its habitats rich in biodiversity—and how you can visit them responsibly.
Costa Rica’s rainforests are a natural wonder, with cascading waterfalls, diverse plant life, and an atmosphere of breathtaking beauty that captivates every visitor.
Currently there are some 190 protected areas in Costa Rica covering around 26% of its territory, making it one of the most environmentally-protected countries on Earth.
With a couple of notable exceptions (see one below), nearly all—around 85%—of the protected areas in Costa Rica are managed centrally by the government’s National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). These include forest reserves, protected zones, biological reserves, national wildlife refuges, wetlands, marine reserves, marine management areas and national parks.
Protected areas collectively support biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, albeit with different focuses. For example, the specific aim of biological reserves is strict biodiversity preservation by limiting human contact and prioritizing scientific research, while national parks promote responsibly-managed ecotourism in areas of high biodiversity.
Costa Rica’s commitment to conservation is evident in its extensive network of national parks and protected areas, which safeguard its incredible biodiversity.
Monteverde is Costa Rica’s most celebrated example of a privately protected area, having been operated by the Tropical Science Center since its inception in 1972. Safeguarding over 10,500 hectares (26,000 acres) of pristine unique cloud forest habitat, perched atop the Continental Divide at roughly 1,600 meters elevation, it harbors one of the world’s highest concentrations of biodiversity: over 2,500 plant species (with the most orchid species found anywhere), more than 100 species of mammals—including jaguars, ocelots, and pumas—400 species of birds, and 120 amphibians and reptiles. Star residents include the resplendent quetzal and endangered three-wattled bellbird—making the reserve a top global destination for birdwatching and ecological tourism.
Only a small portion of Monteverde is open to the public, with about 13 km (8 miles) of marked trails guiding guests through dazzling, fog-shrouded vistas, hanging bridges, waterfalls, and lookout points like La Ventana on the Continental Divide. Night hikes are especially atmospheric, giving visitors a glimpse into nocturnal life—frogs, insects, and elusive mammals stirring in the mist.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is open daily from 7 am to 4 pm. Entry fees are $26 USD for non-resident foreign adults, $13 USD for children under 12. Standard guided tours as well as early morning birdwatching and special sunrise or sunset tours are also available for around $35 USD per person. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
A walk through the misty canopy of the Monteverde Cloud Forest offers a unique perspective on this biodiverse ecosystem, home to countless species.
Roughly three in every five tourists visit protected areas in Costa Rica and the national parks play a huge role in attracting visitors. The first official national park, Poás Volcano National Park, was established in 1971. Since then, 29 more have been set up all over the country:
From cloud forests to volcanoes, and from pristine waterfalls to diverse wildlife, the variety of landscapes within Costa Rica’s 30 national parks is incredible.
Next, we outline some of the most interesting national parks from the above list.
This is one of the best national parks in Costa Rica for wildlife spotting as it’s home to a whopping 2.5% of Earth’s biodiversity. Corcovado’s tropical rainforest is filled with species such as Baird’s tapirs, boa constrictors and scarlet macaws. If you’re lucky, you may see an elusive jaguar.
Wildlife spotting and hiking are the main activities in Corcovado and most people visit the Sirena and San Pedrillo sectors. There are a range of trails at both sectors of differing lengths and difficulties which take you through primary and secondary rainforest.
In and around the San Pedrillo sector there are also a select few luxury lodges, ideal accommodations for resting and recuperating after a day of rainforest adventures. Some of the most luxurious include Corcovado Wilderness Lodge, nestled in the heart of the sector, and The Jaguar’s Jungle, located at the edge of the national park.
To visit Corcovado National Park you must hire a certified guide and pay the park entrance fee ($15 US for foreign non-residents). While you can organize a trip yourself, the most convenient option is to book a tour as you usually need to arrive by boat.
Prices for single-day tours to La Sirena station start at around $120 US per person. The park opens every day from 7 am to 4 pm. You’ll have the best chance of spotting wildlife if you take the earliest tour, as animals are usually active before temperatures become hot.
Corcovado National Park, an icon of conservation on the Osa Peninsula, is a sprawling, wild landscape of winding rivers and old-growth rainforest, home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity.
Despite its proximity to the capital city, San José, Braulio Carrillo is one of the lesser-known cloud forests in Costa Rica. While the vast majority of tourists flock to Monteverde and Santa Elena, here you can experience the majestic mist without the crowds.
The park is a natural wonder featuring lowland tropical and montane rainforests, over half of the plant species recorded in Costa Rica and two extinct volcanoes. The Barva Volcano Sector has four hiking trails and is the best for experiencing the cloud forest.
Birders will love Braulio Carrillo as there are 515 recorded resident and migratory bird species here. If you have a sharp eye, you might get a sighting of the beautiful but near-endangered resplendent quetzal, which has excellent camouflage abilities despite its vibrant colors.
The aerial tram offers a unique way to experience the rainforest canopy. You journey through different layers as high as 170 ft from the ground in an open gondola and the accompanying guide points out wildlife as they spot it.
Braulio Carrillo National Park covers an extensive area of Costa Rica but only has two sectors: Quebrada González, which is closer to San José and the more remote Barva Volcano. The park opens every day 8 am to 3:30 pm. Non-resident foreigners pay $12 US (adults) and $5 US (children) to enter.
The unmistakable call of the howler monkey is a common sound in Braulio Carrillo National Park. Its dense, humid forests are home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.
Chirripó combines rainforests, tough hiking and sensational mountain views. It’s the national park to visit if you want to experience the most rugged landscapes in Costa Rica.
The main attraction is Cerro Chirripó (Mount Chirripó) which, at 3,821 meters, is the highest point in the country. Hikers tackle a 42 km round-trip along a challenging trail starting and finishing at San Gerardo de Rivas (there’s a less popular trail from San Jerónimo).
Spending the night at Crestone’s Basecamp and summiting for sunrise is the most spectacular way to do the hike. The Milky Way is visible during the dark morning hours and later golden sunlight illuminates the surrounding peaks. The summit of Cerro Chirripó is also one of the few spots in the world with views of both coasts of a country.
You can hike without a guide, but their knowledge of the tropical lowland rainforest which transitions to montane cloud forest as you ascend will enrich the experience.
To organize your visit, you’ll need to head to the SINAC website to reserve entry to the park ($18 per day for foreign non-residents) and Crestone’s Basecamp ($35 US per night). You also need to arrive in San Gerardo de Rivas to register at the national park office by 4 pm the day before you plan on entering the park.
A multi-day trek in Chirripó National Park rewards hikers with stunning panoramic views and a unique perspective on Costa Rica’s mountainous landscapes.
At Marino Ballena National Park the low tide reveals a marvel of nature; a sandbar, or tómbolo, that looks just like a whale’s tail. Humpback whale breeding season takes place July to October and whales actually arrive at the tómbolo to deliver newborns. The second best time to spot whales here is December to April.
There’s a range of marine life to discover below the waves too and you can see these with a snorkel or scuba diving tour. Species include spotted dolphins, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, parrotfish and corals.
Marino Ballena National Park is open every day 7 am to 4 pm and entry for foreign non-residents costs $6 US. Children under the age of 11 enter free.
Marino Ballena National Park, named for its whale’s tale-shaped sandbar, is a protected marine area where you can spot dolphins, sea turtles, and humpback whales during their migration.
While Marino Bellena may be best overall for marine life, as the name suggests, Tortuguero is a famed haven for turtles, being a nesting site for leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and green sea turtles. Sea turtles migrate huge distances to reach Tortuguero and deliver their young under the cover of darkness on its 35km expanse of black sand beaches. Typically nesting season runs from June to October, with hatching a couple of months later, but this is subject to ecological dynamics.
It’s not all about the sea turtles though. Amid the park’s rainforest lies a dense network of canals and lagoons rich in other wildlife, both on land and in the water. You can spot a variety of species including river turtles, manatees, spider, howler, and capuchin monkeys, as well as sloths, caimans, and—if you are very—jaguars. A study from 2000 to 2022 recorded over 380 jaguar sightings, with the majority occurring during the sea turtle nesting season when the big cats take advantage of their beached predicament to prey upon them.
The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to over 300 species of birds, including great green macaws, jacanas, toucans, herons, and kingfishers. Exploring the canals by boat or canoe is the best way to observe the diverse flora and fauna.
Tortuguero National Park is open every day from 6 am to 4 pm. The entry fee for foreign non-residents is $15 US per person, $5 US for children. Note to view the nighttime nesting or hatching (no photography allowed), visitors must be with a certified tour group accompanied by a licensed guide which is ticketed separately.
Tortuguero’s beaches are famous as a crucial nesting ground for endangered green sea turtles. Look for their distinctive tracks in the sand and, if you’re lucky, a jaguar’s.
The Arenal region often gets a bad rep for being a tourist trap, but it’s still a must-visit destination for the fun activities and incredible nature. There are plenty of hiking trails near the iconic Arenal Volcano and the views against the backdrop of Lake Arenal are dreamy.
For 500 years, Arenal Volcano lay dormant before destructively erupting in 1968. The eruptions lasted 42 years, with varying activity levels, until 2010. The volcano is once again a sleeping giant, but underground it still creates thermal energy.
This energy heats water sources within the national park, making it the best place in Costa Rica to relax in hot springs. There are many hot spring resorts here, with several located close to each other along the main road heading west out of La Fortuna, the tourist hub in the area.
Arenal Volcano National Park opens 8 am to 4 pm daily. Foreign non-residents pay $15 (adults) and $5 US (children) to enter. A taxi is the best way to get between La Fortuna and the national park. Expect to pay around $15 US for the journey which takes roughly 25 minutes.
Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of its national park, offering a stunning backdrop for activities like hiking, ziplining, and relaxing in the park’s famous hot springs.
At Manuel Antonio National Park, visitors get the best of Costa Rica’s stunning beaches. The warm, turquoise waters are inviting and tropical rainforest grows right to the shore.
The national park is a great option for families who want to explore nature. There’s a plethora of wildlife to spot, including crocodiles and sloths, and tours such as the mangrove boat tour require no walking, great for young ones and the elderly. Another benefit to families is the proximity of the national park to San José, just three hours away.
Manuel Antonio National Park opens Wednesday to Monday 7 am to 3 pm. The park is closed Tuesdays. Foreign or non-residents pay $16 US (adults) and $5 US (children) to enter. Children under two years old enter free. You must reserve entry tickets online beforehand via the SINAC website.
Manuel Antonio National Park seamlessly blends pristine beaches with lush rainforest, offering visitors the chance to relax on the sand or explore the vibrant wildlife of the forest.
Costa Rican rainforests have seen a remarkable recovery since industrial deforestation peaked in the late 1980s. Following over a century of logging and clearing for cattle ranching and farming, almost half of the country’s rainforest coverage had been destroyed.
By the late 1990s several rainforest restoration policies were in place, but arguably the most effective has been the Payment for Environmental Services (PES). PES pays landowners to manage their forest sustainably. By financially incentivizing landowners, the government reduces the risk of forests being sold off to cattle ranching or logging companies.
These kinds of policies have given Costa Rican rainforests new life and overall coverage has surged from just 24% in 1987 to over 50% today.
Costa Rica’s rainforests are a biodiversity hotspot. With 6% of the world’s biodiversity, these forests are a treasure trove of life and a primary reason for visiting the country.
The country’s tropical rainforests are mostly located along its Pacific and Caribbean coasts, where moist ocean air and heavy rainfall create ideal conditions. These forests are hot, humid and teeming with wildlife such as sloths, jaguars, howler monkeys and toucans. National parks with vast tropical rainforest coverage include:
There are different types of tropical rainforests in Costa Rica including lowland tropical rainforest, tropical wet forests and tropical moist forests.
One of the main distinctions between these is how much rain they receive. Lowland rainforests receive the most. The Osa Peninsula, for example, which has extensive lowland rainforest coverage, sees an annual average of roughly 200 inches of rain.
A view of a tranquil beach on the Osa Peninsula, a remote and rugged destination with a huge protected rainforest area and abundant biodiversity.
Montane rainforests, more commonly known as cloud forests, sit at higher altitudes and are shrouded in a mysterious yet fascinating mist. The biodiversity within cloud forests reflects the cooler temperatures and flora such as mosses, orchids and ferns flourish here. Particular protected areas to see montane rainforests in Costa Rica include:
Costa Rica’s montane rainforests, also known as cloud forests, are perpetually shrouded in mist, creating a unique, ethereal atmosphere and a home for a variety of species.
While the country only comprises 0.03% of the Earth’s landmass, Costa Rica contains around 6% of the planet’s biodiversity. These next species are some of the most intriguing.
The iconic animal of Costa Rica, with their smiling facial expressions, sloths are among the cutest creatures in the country. To avoid predators, these lethargic animals rarely leave the rainforest canopy which provides security and a delicious diet of leaves, fruits and twigs. You can see sloths at national parks such as Manuel Antonio, Arenal Volcano and Tortuguero.
Seeing a sloth in the wild is a quintessential Costa Rican experience. These famously slow-moving mammals are a symbol of the country’s rich biodiversity.
Possibly the most beautiful avian in Costa Rica, bright red feathers cover most of its body and the lower wings boast blues and yellows. You can see scarlet macaws primarily along the Pacific coast, especially near Carara and Manuel Antonio national parks.
A symbol of the Costa Rican wilderness, the scarlet macaw is a birdwatcher’s delight. Their bright red plumage stands out against the lush green canopy.
Known locally as “Danta”, Baird’s Tapirs are the largest land animal indigenous to Latin America. These elephant-esque mammals can weigh up to a crushing 880 pounds.
The largest population of tapirs lives in Corcovado National Park, but among other places they can also be found in Tortuguero and Rincon de La Vieja national parks.
Spotting a Baird’s Tapir is a treat for any nature lover. This large, shy mammal plays a vital role in shaping the rainforest ecosystem by dispersing seeds.
These spotted big cats are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active during dusk and dawn, often sleeping under the shade of trees during the day. The remote environment of Corcovado National Park is perhaps your best chance of seeing a wild jaguar. You might also spot one in Tortuguero National Park, where they prowl the waterways hunting prey such as sea turtles.
The elusive jaguar is a majestic symbol of the health of Costa Rica’s rainforest ecosystems. Spotting one is a rare and thrilling experience for any wildlife enthusiast.
Discounting species-specific seasonality for wildlife, the best time to visit for most travelers will be during the dry season, from December to April. During this period there is little rain and the weather is hot, ideal conditions for wildlife viewing and hiking.
However, visiting during the rainy months of May to November means you can avoid crowds while still enjoying a mix of sunshine and rain. Cloud forests will look particularly impressive during the rainy period as the mist will be thickest.
While Costa Rica’s weather has traditionally followed the above patterns, climate change is affecting these. Temperatures are increasing as are the number of days without precipitation. Short episodes of extreme rainfall are becoming more common too.
Whether you visit during the dry season for sunny days or the green season for lush scenery, the rainforests of Costa Rica offer a magical experience year-round.
Long-sleeve, light clothing will keep you cool in hot temperatures but protected from the sun. A loose fit is better as mosquitos can bite you more easily through tight-fitting clothing. Warm layers are essential for visiting cloud forests as is a waterproof jacket wherever you go.
Insect repellent is essential too. Ensure it has a high percentage of DEET, the chemical in the spray insects hate. 30% to 50% DEET will keep critters away.
Binoculars will help with animal spotting. Wildlife watching happens from afar and binoculars could be the difference between seeing and not seeing an animal.
Photographers should use lenses with longer focal ranges (400 millimeters and upwards) to zoom in from distance. Remember that cameras and humidity are not a good mix, so it’s a good idea to keep silicon pouches in your camera case/backpack to help absorb any moisture.
A reusable bottle will help keep you hydrated and reduce plastic waste. In fact, some of Costa Rica’s protected areas ban single-use plastic.
A successful adventure in Costa Rica starts with packing the right gear. Ensure you’re prepared for any weather, from a misty cloud forest to a high-altitude trek.
To visit several of Costa Rica’s National Parks, such as Manuel Antonio and Chirripó, you must reserve entry in advance. This can be done via the reservations page on the SINAC website. Users must create a profile to begin the reservation process. Reserving online beforehand to visit any of the national parks can help avoid having to wait in lines at entry points.
Visiting Costa Rica’s national parks and rainforests is an amazing experience, but one that must be enjoyed responsibly.
When organizing tours, it’s important to ensure that the agency takes measures to reduce its impact and abides by local laws. You can do this by booking with companies that have the national Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST) awarded by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT).
Always stick to the rules of a protected area leaving nothing but footprints and taking nothing but photos. Punishments for removing flora are serious and include jail time.
Finally, respect the wildlife. You should always keep your distance, especially when an animal is with its child. This is for your safety and animals’. Don’t feed wildlife either, this can create a dependence and potentially poison them.
Being a responsible tourist in Costa Rica means respecting the environment and its wildlife. Stick to designated trails to preserve the delicate ecosystems for future generations.
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