National parks in Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, Tortuguero, Cahuita, Rincón de la Vieja, Tenorio and more — entry, guides, best season.
Arenal Volcano National Park: what you can actually do and see in 2026
Can you climb Arenal Volcano? What trails are open? Best viewpoints, hanging bridges, night tours, and how to combine the park with La Fortuna's hot springs.
Cahuita National Park: reef snorkelling, sloths, and Caribbean shoreline
Complete guide to Cahuita NP: two entrance points, donation vs paid entry, reef snorkelling conditions, wildlife on the coastal trail, and best time to visit.
Carara National Park: scarlet macaws, crocodiles, and the best wildlife day trip from San José
Why Carara NP is the top wildlife day trip from San José: scarlet macaw roosts, Tárcoles crocodiles, trail guide, entry fees, and realistic expectations.
Chirripó National Park: hiking Costa Rica's highest peak
Climbing Cerro Chirripó: fitness required, SINAC permit process, Crestones Base Lodge, gear list, weather, and costs for Costa Rica's highest summit.
Corcovado National Park: the complete guide to visiting the Osa Peninsula
Everything about visiting Corcovado NP: mandatory guide rules, Sirena Station access, Drake Bay vs Puerto Jiménez, costs, and best months to go.
Irazú Volcano National Park: craters, dual-coast views, and the Orosi Valley circuit
Plan your Irazú Volcano visit: best arrival time for clear crater views, entry fees, Orosi Valley circuit, and day trips from San José and Cartago.
Manuel Antonio National Park: the complete visitor guide
Everything you need to visit Manuel Antonio NP: entry fees, quotas, certified guides, wildlife, trails, and how to avoid tourist traps at the gate.
Marino Ballena National Park: humpback whales, the whale tail, and Uvita's marine wonder
Complete guide to Marino Ballena NP near Uvita: two humpback whale seasons, the whale tail sandbar, entry fees, snorkelling, dolphins, and best time to visit.
Palo Verde National Park: Costa Rica's best wetland birding in the dry season
Peak season at Palo Verde is December to March: waterbird density, boat tours on the Río Tempisque, pottery in Guatil, entry fees, and how to get there.
Poás Volcano National Park: crater reservations, La Paz Waterfall, and visitor tips
How to book Poás Volcano NP reservations through SINAC, what to expect at the crater, best combined day trips with La Paz Waterfall Gardens and coffee farms.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park: volcanic hot springs, wildlife, and Las Pailas trail
Complete guide to Rincón de la Vieja NP: Las Pailas trail, volcanic mud pools, wildlife, entry fees, best seasons, and what you can do at Hacienda Guachipelín.
Santa Rosa National Park: dry forest, history, surf, and Guanacaste's wild north
Santa Rosa NP guide: La Casona historical site, Witch's Rock surf, dry forest wildlife, entry fees, and how to access Costa Rica's oldest national park.
Tenorio Volcano National Park and Río Celeste: the blue river explained
Why is Río Celeste blue? How to hike to the waterfall and Los Teñideros. Entry fees, trail conditions, best time, and tours from La Fortuna and Guanacaste.
Tortuguero National Park: sea turtles, canals, and Caribbean jungle
Plan your Tortuguero visit: turtle nesting seasons, canal wildlife, how to get there, where to stay, and when to go for green sea turtles.