Costa Rica: The Most Beautiful National Parks in the Country

When traveling to Costa Rica, you’ll discover an abundance of natural species that is rarely found elsewhere in the world.
This Central American country, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, captivated us from the very first moment with its mostly untouched nature, exotic wildlife, and vast, unspoiled beaches.
In this post, we've compiled the highlights, animals, and other natural wonders that await you in Costa Rica's national parks.

In Costa Rica, there are a total of 26 beautiful national parks, all of which are protected. The area of these parks, established to preserve and protect the country's flora and fauna, accounts for almost 27% of Costa Rica’s total land area, underscoring the country’s commitment to preserving its natural environment.

Given the limited duration of a “normal” trip (2-4 weeks), it’s nearly impossible to visit and explore all national parks in Costa Rica.
Therefore, we recommend focusing on a few and exploring them extensively.
We too were unable to visit all the national parks due to time constraints, so here we present the parks we visited.
To put it simply: no matter which national park you choose, they are all incredibly beautiful!

1. CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK

At the southern end of the small beach town Cahuita on the Caribbean coast lies one of the two entrances to the relatively small Cahuita National Park.
Despite its modest size, the park encompasses a vast diversity of flora and fauna across approximately 1,100 hectares of land and 22,000 hectares of water area.
You can explore the park either on your own or with a guide.

Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by capuchin monkeys and howler monkeys hanging from the tall trees of the rainforest.
The 8 km hiking trail through the park is well-maintained, and along the way, you may encounter coatis, raccoons, various bird species, and with a bit of luck, a sloth resting in the treetops. In the dense mangroves, you can spot crocodiles and caimans lurking for prey, and even some snakes hiding in the swamps or tree holes.

Once you reach the beach, you’ll quickly notice the crabs and hermit crabs scurrying into their holes.

If you’re still looking for accommodation near the park, we highly recommend Little Yemanja Bungalow, which is surrounded by lush greenery and yet centrally located.

The waters of Cahuita National Park are home to an intact coral reef, the reason for the park's initial founding.
To prevent visitor-related damage to the reef, swimming and snorkeling in the water is only permitted with a licensed guide.

Depending on the weather, Río Perezoso may pose a small challenge during your hike. Typically, this shallow river, about ankle-deep, is easy to cross.
However, after heavy rains, it can occasionally block the path.
Check with the park rangers at the entrance about the current water level—they’ll be happy to provide information.

For your visit to Cahuita National Park, you should plan for 2-3 hours.

Entrance at Puerto Vargas costs $10 per person, while at Kelly Creek, only a voluntary donation is requested.
Guide fees, both on land and for the reef, are around $25.
The park is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.

2. MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK

Located on the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest but also its most popular national park, covering an area of just 20 square kilometers.
In the tropical forests, you’ll encounter sloths, agoutis, squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, coatis, snakes, spiders, various types of lizards, a variety of birds, and much more.

One of the highlights is the hike along the Sendero Perezoso (Sloth Trail) up to Sendero El Mirador, where you’ll find a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.

The park’s paradise-like beaches invite you to swim or snorkel in the pleasantly warm waters.
‍Tip: While you’re in the water, don’t leave your belongings unattended on the beach—mischievous capuchin monkeys are known for stealing anything they can get their hands on.

Licensed guides wait at the entrance to offer guided tours of the park for an additional fee. They know the best spots for wildlife sightings and share a wealth of information about the park’s inhabitants. We chose a guide named Jason and would book a tour with him again in a heartbeat.
His equipment was top-notch, his knowledge of nature and wildlife vast, and his warm, friendly nature was ever-present.
Book a tour with him at costaricawakootours.com and tell him we said hello!

The entrance fee for Manuel Antonio National Park is $16 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance via the website. The park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
‍Note: At the entrance, your backpack/bag will be checked for food, as bringing food into the park is prohibited.

Hotel Recommendation: Just minutes from the park is the very modern Hotel Plaza Yara.

3. PARQUE NACIONAL MARINO BALLENA

The Parque Nacional Marino Ballena is particularly popular for its marine attractions along the coast of Uvita.
From July to October, it’s the perfect place to see humpback whales, various dolphin species, and stingrays.
It’s best to book a Whale Watching Tour with a reputable tour operator in Uvita.
They’ll take you and other visitors out to sea by boat to look for these amazing animals.

You can observe the animals while the boat engine is mostly off, ensuring a respectful distance is maintained.
During the tour, it’s prohibited to swim or get closer to the whales in the water. Our guide explained that these rules aren’t mandated by an authority but rather by the tour operators in the small town themselves. They recognized the importance of protecting these animals and their habitat years ago.
Tours, which include a snorkeling stop and a short snack break, typically last 2-3 hours and cost around $80 per person. You can find the link to our tour here: Whale Tour Uvita.

Our advice: While there’s no guarantee you’ll see marine mammals, if you’re one of the lucky ones, try to appreciate the moment instead of focusing on capturing the best photo.
Whales only surface briefly, making them difficult to photograph, so we recommend putting the camera away and just enjoying the experience!

Back on land, you’ll find another highlight during low tide—the natural whale tail of Punta Uvita. This sandbankresembles a whale tail when viewed from above.
During low tide, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll on the sandbank, taking in the sound of the ocean on both sides.

Plan to spend an additional 2-3 hours in Parque Nacional Marino Ballena. The entrance fee for Marino Ballena National Park is $6 per person.
If you book a Whale Watching Tour, the entrance fee is included in the ticket price, which can be purchased on-site. The park is open daily from 7 am to 4 pm.

4. PARQUE NACIONAL VOLCÁN ARENAL

With its perfect "cone", the Arenal Volcano in the Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal is a must-see landmark.
This 1,600-meter-high volcano grows a few meters taller each year due to the lava accumulating around the crater. However, climbing to the 1,600-meter-high crater is prohibited.
While the volcano has not emitted lava in recent years, it remains very active.
Until 2010, Arenal reliably spewed a glowing lava stream, creating an impressive sight at night. Today, Arenal rumbles underground, heating numerous hot springs in the area.

Even though the park's main attraction cannot be closely observed, a visit is still worthwhile due to the many activities around the volcano.
The national park has several well-maintained hiking trails, viewpoints, and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Plan 2-3 hours for your visit to the Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal. The entrance fee is $15 per person, and tickets can be purchased directly at the entrance.
The park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.

5. RESERVA BIOLÓGICA BOSQUE NUBOSO MONTEVERDE - THE CLOUD FOREST

Walking through Monteverde's Cloud Forest often feels like a stroll through fog, hence the name.
The Cloud Forest sits high in Monteverde’s mountains, where the climate is cool and damp.
Bring a light rain jacket.

We found the Monteverde Reserve to be a true jungle experience, complete with hanging vines, moss-covered trees, dripping leaves, bubbling streams, and the relaxing, often mysterious sounds of the wilderness.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is a marvel of diverse flora and fauna, home to a wide variety of plants, bird species, butterflies, insects, monkeys, and even wildcats you may be lucky to spot.

At the ticket counter, every visitor is shown a map of the reserve’s trails—you can take a photo of it. Maps and route markers are posted throughout the reserve.
Rangers recommend a route based on your fitness level.

Depending on the route, plan to spend between 2 hours to a half-day in the reserve.

The entrance fee for Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde is $26 per person and $5 for parking below the park, where a shuttle takes you to the entrance.
Tickets are available at the entrance. The park is open daily from 7 am to 4 pm. You may bring drinks and snacks into the reserve.

6. RESERVA BOSQUE NUBOSO SANTA ELENA

Located in Monteverde, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve spans about 5 square kilometers. The rugged journey to this higher-altitude reserve is worth it.
Due to its elevation, Santa Elena is often even mistier than its famous neighbor, the Cloud Forest.
If you’re short on time in Monteverde, we recommend visiting Santa Elena Reserve over Monteverde’s Cloud Forest Reserve!

You may not notice any significant differences in vegetation, but we enjoyed Santa Elena Reserve for its narrow, single-file trails and the solitude we experienced on our walk.
Only at the entrance and the impressive lookout did we meet other visitors.

At the ticket counter, every visitor is shown a map of the reserve’s trails—you can take a photo of it. Maps and route markers are posted throughout the reserve.
Rangers recommend a route based on your fitness level.

Plan 2 hours to a half-day depending on the trail.

We arrived two hours before the reserve’s closing and had to rush to see everything we wanted. So, plan ample time and try not to arrive close to closing!

The entrance fee for Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is $18 per person, and the parking lot directly in front of the reserve is free. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance.
The park is open daily from 7 am to 3 pm, and you’re allowed to bring drinks and snacks into the reserve.

7. TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

We would have loved to visit Tortuguero National Park. Unfortunately, due to its remote location—accessible mostly by boat—the journey was too lengthy for us to include on this trip.

OUR TIPS FOR VISITING NATIONAL PARKS

Some parks are closed on Mondays, so check before planning your visit.

Numerous guides with binoculars are available near park entrances. While prices can sometimes be negotiated, plan on about $20-25 per person.
Make sure to book an official guide with proper identification.
To save money, bring your own binoculars so you don’t necessarily have to hire a guide in each park.
Often, when a guide and group stop along the trail, you can quickly spot where the animals are hiding.

Bring a rain poncho and/or umbrella, especially in the rainy season.
Rain jackets sometimes aren’t enough during heavy downpours, and an umbrella can be useful for taking photos even in the rain.

Most parks are humid with limited access to drinking water, so pack plenty of water. Snacks can also be brought in, if allowed in the specific park.

WAS THIS GUIDE NOT ENOUGH? DO YOU WANT MORE TIPS, INSPIRATION, AND SIGHTS FOR YOUR COSTA RICA TRIP?
CHECK OUT OUR FOLLOWING ARTICLES:

• Costa Rica Round Trip: Top Sights & Highlights
• Costa Rica Adventure/ 3-Week Road Trip – Our Route, Tips & Highlights
• Costa Rica: Tips & General Information for Your Dream Trip

Enjoy browsing and planning!

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