The 8 national parks to visit in Costa Rica and what makes each one special
- cam.campo
- Mar 23
- 6 min read
Costa Rica is home to 6% of the world’s biodiversity, and more than half of its territory is covered in forest. So it goes without saying — you simply can’t miss the national parks, which cover a large part of the country.
Of course, we didn’t have time to explore all of them, but we did manage to discover quite a few! Thanks to the variety of climates across the country, each park has its own unique features, so you’ll never get bored — the landscapes shift and change from one region to another.
In this article, discover what makes each of the following parks special:
Tortuguero National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Carara National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park
Marino Ballena National Park
Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
Poás Volcano National Park
Tortuguero National Park, the Little Amazon of the Caribbean
Tortuguero National Park is located on the Caribbean coast and is only accessible by boat. The town of Tortuguero is a must-stop destination if you want to visit the park.
This park stands out in several ways: it is made up of a network of rivers that flow toward Nicaragua on one side and Panama on the other, eventually reaching the Caribbean Sea. It also features a lush tropical rainforest with a walking trail and protected beaches, famous for sea turtle nesting.
You can explore the park by boat, kayak, canoe (our personal favorite!), or on foot.
→ To read the full article about Tortuguero, click here.
>> To visit the park by canoe, book your excursion here
>> You can also book your full 2- or 3-day excursion to Tortuguero (including full-board accommodation and an English/Spanish-speaking guide): book your excursion here
>> A day trip from San José is also possible: book your excursion form San José
Arenal Volcano National Park – The Most Iconic Volcano
Located near the town of La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park is instantly recognizable thanks to the majestic volcano rising at its center. The vegetation here is less tropical than on the coasts, but still absolutely beautiful.
Due to the number of visitors and the relatively small size of the park, it’s mainly known for its breathtaking views of the volcano, rather than for wildlife watching. That said, you can still enjoy a walk along old lava flows, which is a unique experience.
If you have a good car capable of handling a bumpy dirt road, we highly recommend checking out the viewpoint from the Laguna — it's definitely worth the detour!
>> Several activities are also available, and it's best to book them in advance: Ziplining, Kayak tour on lake Arenal, Excursion to La Fortuna waterfalls
Monteverde National Park – The Cloud Forest
To be completely honest, we had exceptionally sunny weather when we visited this famous cloud forest — not a single cloud in sight!
Monteverde is located in a region where two tectonic plates meet, which explains the frequent rainfall and gives the forest its name. You can even hike to a viewpoint overlooking the junction of these two plates, although it’s not easy to notice the divide, even from up there.
That said, this park was one of our absolute favorites. It’s where we saw the most beautiful birds, and the trails were pleasantly quiet, making the experience even more magical.
There are two options: the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve (which we visited), or the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.
Carara National Park – The Scarlet Macaw Park
What a disappointment! Carara National Park is known for its scarlet macaws, but we didn’t see a single one. Thankfully, we had spent the night before at Certo Lodge, located in the middle of the forest, where we saw dozens and dozens of them.
The park itself was quite underwhelming — not very well maintained and located very close to the main road. For the first few hundred meters, the sound of birds is actually drowned out by passing cars.
We saw very few animals in this park: a couple of monkeys, a few birds, but mostly green and black frogs that were everywhere. We later found out that these frogs are poisonous — so don’t touch them!
As you’ve probably guessed, unless you're really into frogs, this park isn’t really worth the detour.
Manuel Antonio National Park – Dream Beaches and Sloths
Manuel Antonio is one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica — and for good reason! It’s not just a place for nature walks; it also offers stunning white-sand beaches where you can relax and swim.
To avoid the crowds, try to arrive early and take the smaller side trails. And don’t forget to look up — many sloths hide in the trees above the paths!
Important tips:
At the park entrance, unofficial parking attendants may try to scam you — don’t fall for it!
Plastic bottles and food are not allowed inside the park.
There’s a food court available in the middle of the park with reasonably priced options.
>> Some unique activity ideas offered in Manuel Antonio : night hike in a nature reserve, catamaran cruise and snorkeling, mangrove tour
Marino Ballena National Park – A Whale-Shaped Wonder
Marino Ballena National Park is located near the town of Uvita, on the Pacific coast. The park is often symbolized by a whale, and this makes perfect sense at low tide, when a whale tail shape naturally forms in the sand.
Around September and October, nature works its magic as this area becomes a breeding ground for humpback whales seeking warm waters. With a good pair of binoculars, you might even spot them from the shore. But for better chances, many boat tours depart from Uvita, offering incredible whale-watching opportunities.
As you can imagine, the park is best visited at low tide. While there aren’t many forest trails, it’s still a beautiful spot for swimming and relaxing.
>> During whale breeding season, consider joining a boat tour to observe these majestic creatures and dolphins. We recommend booking in advance to make sure you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience: book here
⚠️ Watch your belongings! Never leave your things unattended on the beach — you might not find them again. Theft is common, and unfortunately, there are multiple incidents every day. We actually met some fellow French travelers at the park exit who had their backpack stolen, with their car keys inside… needless to say, it was quite a problem. Stay vigilant!
Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
Isla del Caño is a tiny island located within a highly protected biological reserve. You can only visit it with a certified guide.
The island is mainly known for its incredibly rich marine life — one of the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots in Costa Rica! Take your time to explore the underwater wonders during a guided tour.
The island itself is not very large or accessible, but you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the horizon from the designated viewpoint. A short trail also leads you to a pre-Columbian burial site, where you can see the mysterious spherical stones left by ancient civilizations.
>> To learn more, check out our full article on Isla del Caño: Discover Isla del Caño on a snorkeling tour from Uvita
>> Book your snorkeling excursion from Uvita to Isla del Caño
Poás Volcano National Park
Located not far from San José, we especially enjoyed the lush green scenery on the road leading to the park. Colorful traditional houses surrounded by coffee plantations — it’s a feast for the eyes! As you climb in altitude, the landscape starts to resemble the Alps.
To visit the park, you’ll need to book your entry ticket in advance on the official website, with a specific time slot. To increase your chances of good visibility, it's best to arrive early in the morning.
Once there, visits depart every 20 minutes, following a brief volcanic safety presentation and the distribution of protective helmets. The time allowed at the crater is limited to 20 minutes, which is more than enough — especially since the sulfur gases can cause headaches.
There is also a trail leading to a lagoon, but unfortunately it was closed during our visit due to high volcanic activity.
>> Excursion to Poás Volcano from San José : Book my excursion Or choose a full-day tour including Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, and a coffee plantation visit: book the full excursion.
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