4 National Parks to Visit in Costa Rica

Pura vida—literally “pure life”—is a two-word term that encompasses optimism, contentment, gratitude, well-being, and a whole universe of positive feelings and experiences. It’s a lifestyle and a way of life associated primarily with the country and people of Costa Rica.

If you want some of that pura vida experience, check out available Costa Rica vacation packages and book a trip to Costa Rica on your next break.

It’s no wonder Costa Rica lives, breathes, and identifies as pura vida. Costa Rica’s people can’t help but be content, grateful, positive, and optimistic, given the country’s breathtaking beauty and abundance of natural resources.

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a 19,729-square-mile country in Central America, bordered to the north by Nicaragua and the south by Panama. It is a mountainous country with two major mountain ranges (Cordillera Volcanica and Cordillera de Talamanca) and several active volcanoes.

To the east lies the Caribbean Sea, while to the west lies the Pacific Ocean. Rainforests comprise more than half (51%) of Costa Rica’s land area, and among these rainforests, nearly a quarter are primary rainforests, untouched or undisturbed by logging, construction, and other such activities.

Given all these characteristics, Costa Rica has exceptional biodiversity, with more than 200 reptile species, 9,000 flowering plants, and 1,200 orchid varieties. It helps that the government of Costa Rica has regulations in place to protect its lush rainforests, such as classifying many places as protected areas and national parks.

Below are a few of Costa Rica’s protected areas and national parks.

1. Santa Rosa National Park

Combining history and natural beauty, Santa Rosa National Park is famous for the historic La Casona, a symbol of Costa Rican independence and the legendary Battle of Santa Rosa, and around 15,148 square miles of diverse ecosystems, including savannahs, dry forests, and pristine beaches.

Take a day trip to Playa Naranjo, which is perfect for surfing, or visit Playa Nancite, an Oliver Ridley sea turtle nesting beach. You can hike scenic trails and spot wildlife like howler monkeys, jaguars, and many dry forest bird species.

2. Rincón de La Vieja Volcano National Park

Another captivating destination is Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, located about 15 miles northeast of Liberi. It is home to the active Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, so some of the park’s interesting features include bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and natural hot springs. It has two sectors: Santa Maria and the more popular Las Pilas, which offers a close-up look at the Park’s volcanic features and waterfalls.

Popular water features include La Cangreja waterfalls, Encantado Forest waterfall, and Las Pailas de Agua Fria. On your visit, you can hike, walk, climb, raft, zipline, and swim.

3. Palo Verde National Park

With a network of diverse wetland ecosystems, including mangroves, swamps, and marshes, Palo Verde National Park has over 750 species of plants, including five of the six mangrove species found in Costa Rica.

The Park has a remarkably rich birdlife, with over 280 bird species on record, including scarlet macaw, jabiru, great curassow, long-tailed manakin, and caracaras. It attracts numerous migratory species, is home to various non-migratory birds, and is an essential refuge for herons, egrets, and other waterfowl, especially during the dry season.

The Park’s unique combination of wetlands and dry forests makes it a critical habitat for the country’s wildlife and an excellent destination for anyone who loves to be closer to nature. Visitors can explore the park’s many features via its network of trails as well as boat tours along the Tempisque River.

4. Las Baulas National Marine Park

Located on the Pacific Coast, Las Baulas National Marine Park covers a surface area of approximately 348 square miles of marine and terrestrial zones. It’s a critical sanctuary dedicated to protecting one of the planet’s most endangered marine creatures—the leatherback sea turtle.

Forests of fully grown mangrove trees are another distinct feature of Las Baulas National Marine Park. It has a variety of mangrove types, including red, black, white, and tea.

The best time to visit is between October and March when leatherback turtles come ashore to lay eggs on Playa Grande, the Park’s primary beach. Playa Langosta and Playa Ventanas are other sea turtle nesting sites. You can go on regulated night tours during sea turtle nesting season.

Naturally, the park strictly regulates these sightseeing trips to minimize human impact. This is crucial to conservation efforts, especially since leatherback populations have been significantly declining due to threats like poaching, climate change, and loss of nesting habitats.

The park’s mangroves and estuaries, particularly around the Tamarindo estuary, are home to a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles, howler monkeys, and a wide range of bird species. Nature enthusiasts can explore these ecosystems through guided boat safaris or established hiking trails.

The best time to visit is during the leatherback nesting season, but the park is open year-round for other activities, such as kayaking, birdwatching, snorkeling, and exploring the mangrove forests.