The best national parks in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a land that has its greatest attraction in nature, both on a tourist level and on a more strictly environmental level. In fact, thanks to its vegetation, the small Central American state contributes largely to the balance of the global ecosystem. For this reason, the government has been fighting for years to protect the country’s natural heritage, ensuring that it is not distorted or violated by external factors dependent on human activities. In this article we show you which, in our opinion, are the best national parks in Costa Rica.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is the best known in Costa Rica. Among the 10 most visited parks in the world, it is also one of the smallest, but despite this it provides visitors with an extremely varied and suggestive ecosystem. Among the faunal species, Manuel Antonio includes iguanas, capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, raccoons, turtles, pelicans, sloths, toucans, Scarlet Macaws, tamanduas, agoutis and much more. Manuel Antonio National Park is located in southern Costa Rica, on the Pacific coast.

You can read the complete 2024 guide to Manuel Antonio National Park at this address.

• Manuel Antonio Prices: Adults $18, Children 2-12 years $5.65, infants under 2 years free.
• Manuel Antonio Tickets: BUY
• Directions: ITINERARY

Cahuita National Park

On the Caribbean coast lies the Cahuita National Park, which has the particularity of developing along the coast along a single path of approximately 7 km. This park is suitable for everyone thanks to its flat route and has two entrances: one from Puerto Vargas and the other from Playa Blanca. Here too you will admire a varied fauna that is very accustomed to human presence, a particularly valid argument for raccoons who are also a bit of pranksters. Among all the national parks in Costa Rica, Cahuita is one of the quietest and most private.

If you want to know opening hours, prices and attractions of the Cahuita National Park, read our dedicated 2024 guide.

• Cahuita Park Prices
  • Playa Blanca entrance: voluntary donation
  • Puerto Vargas entrance: $5
• Tickets: to be purchased on site
• Directions: ITINERARY

Tenorio Volcano National Park

Located in the northern area of the country, the Tenorio Volcano National Park is famous above all for the blue waters of the Rio Celeste that runs through it. Although it is not among the most visited, seeing the waters of the river change color is an experience you cannot miss. Among other things, Tenorio Park is home to rich fauna and surprising vegetation, as well as unforgettable paths for those who love trekking with a more advanced level of difficulty.

By reading this 2024 guide to the Tenorio Volcano National Park you can learn in detail about opening times, prices, paths and attractions. Probably you will need a car to reach the park.

• Tenorio Volcano National Park Prices: Adults $13.56, Children 2-12 years $5.65, Infants under 2 years free
• Tickets: BUY
• Directions: ITINERARY

Marino Ballena National Park

If you like marine life, Marino Ballena National Park is ideal for you. This place is the first marine park in Central America and is the eighth in the ranking of the best spots for whale watching. Here you can observe humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays and hammerhead sharks.

Read our experience with a mother whale and her calf.

• Marino Ballena National Park Prices: Adults $6.78, Children under 11 years free
• Tickets: can be purchased on site only by credit card
• Directions: ITINERARY

Tortuguero National Park

This park is one of the largest parks in terms of biodiversity in all of Costa Rica. What gives the Tortuguero National Park its name is precisely the vast presence of green turtles and other species, which usually lay their eggs on the coasts of this protected area. The park is open every day from 6.00 to 16.00.

• Tortuguero National Park Prices
  • Cuatro Esquinas y Jalova sector: Adults $16.95, Children between 2 and 12 years old $5.65
  • Cerro Tortuguero Path Sector: Adults and children $2.26
• Tickets: BUY
• Directions: ITINERARY

Other National Parks in Costa Rica

There are many other national parks in Costa Rica that you can visit during your trip. However, this is our Top 5 for importance and diversity. You won’t find the Monteverde Biological Reserve on this list because it is actually a private protected area, but it too is definitely worth a visit. For this reason we have drawn up a very detailed guide that we recommend you read.