National Parks

Costa Rica is home to 26 national parks which are a safe harbor for over 75% of the country’s flora and fauna. In an environmentally progressive move for 1970, the Costa Rican government created the national park system and allocated 11% of its land for protection.

Today, when factoring in wildlife refuges, private forest reserves and other protected zones, Costa Rica has saved more than a quarter of its total land from development. Some of the most visited national parks are Manuel Antonio, Arenal Volcano and Braulio Carrillo, where exotic wildlife and lush landscapes lure travelers year after year.

National Parks:

• Arenal Volcano National Park

• Ballena National Marine Park

• Barbilla National Park

• Barra Honda National Park

• Braulio Carrillo National Park

• Cahuita National Park

• Carara National Park

• Chirripo National Park

• Cocos Island National Park

• Corcovado National Park

• Diria National Park

• Guanacaste National Park

• Irazu National Park

• Juan Castro Blanco National Park

• La Cangreja National Park

• Las Baulas National Marine Park

  Los Quetzales National Park

• Manuel Antonio National Park

• Palo Verde National Park

• Piedras Blancas National Park

• Poas Volcano National Park

• Rincon de la Vieja National Park

• Santa Rosa National Park

• Tapanti National Park

• Tenorio Volcano National Park

• Tortuguero National Park

• Turrialba Volcano National Park

Costa Rica's National Parks System:

More than a century ago, long before "saving the planet" became the fashion, the people of Costa Rica realized that uncontrolled development could easily wreck the precious and fragile beauty of their countryside. To save their small corner of the earth from destruction, Costa Ricans began marking boundaries around forests, wetlands and coast-side areas they felt should be preserved for all time, for the pleasure of all people.

There are parks in Costa Rica where visitors tramp through rain forests which stand today as they stood a million years ago. There are beaches where people look down through seawater clear as window glass at fish the color of rainbows and turtles big as Volkswagens, well almost. There are parks built around steaming, grumbling volcanoes; parks alive with bird songs; parks with whitewater rivers running through them; and parks where you just sit and read a book.

Things to Know:

• There are more than 161 national parks, biological reserves, wildlife refuges and privately protected  areas in Costa Rica.

• The most recently designated national park is Los Quetzales National Park, as of 2005

• They cover more than three million acres of land.

• They are home to more than 4% of the world's total flora and fauna species.

• They take up no less than 25% of the nation's territory.

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Visiting a National Park:

National parks are usually open daily from eight to four. The best time to go is early in the morning. Some of the parks are closed Mondays.

Stop at the ICT Office in San Jose for the latest information about any park you plan to visit. When you arrive at the park, stop at the ranger station. The park rangers will be happy to answer your questions and point out the highlights of the place. If nobody's around, call out, "Upe!" This is a Costa Rican's way of calling out, "Anybody home?"

It's important to understand that Costa Ricans created the national parks to preserve the natural resources and wildlife of their country. Nobody was thinking of tourism when these lands were set aside. Therefore, don't be disappointed if the facilities are not up to the standards of some American parks. Also, be patient. There is no guarantee your visit to a park will give you an up-close-and-personal look at animals known to live there. Hiring a naturalist guide is your best bet for wildlife viewing.

Collection of any natural materials--animals, plants, rocks, shells, etc.--is strictly forbidden within Costa Rica's national parks, reserves and other protected areas.

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