National parks comparator
Compare Costa Rica's national parks side by side. Sort any column, filter by region or difficulty, and find the park that fits your itinerary.
| Park | Region | Fee (USD) | Best month | Wildlife | Hike difficulty | Reservation | Closed |
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Entry fees as of 2026 (SINAC). Wildlife rating 1–5 (5 = exceptional). Reservation links: sinac.go.cr.
Planning your national park visits
Costa Rica's SINAC manages 28+ protected areas covering 26% of national territory — an extraordinary density for a country the size of West Virginia. The parks in this comparator represent the most visited and accessible for independent travelers in 2026.
Key planning tips: Manuel Antonio is closed every Tuesday; Poás Volcano requires advance reservation through the SINAC website; Corcovado mandates a certified guide for all trails beyond the ranger stations. For a deeper look at the parks most worth your time, read our volcano guide and the full Corcovado guide.
Heading to the Arenal area? Check out the La Fortuna destination guide for accommodation and logistics around Arenal Volcano National Park.
Book a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park with certified naturalist guides:
Manuel Antonio NP: guided tour with entrance fee included