Costa Rica National Parks Map

About a quarter of Costa Rica is protected. These are the parks and reserves most worth your time, with how to get tickets and what you'll see.

A naturalist guide makes the difference in the parks: they spot animals you would walk straight past.

Guided park tours ↗
  • National parks & reserves

Tap a marker for details, tours and places to stay.

Land protected
~25%
National parks
30
Online tickets
SINAC
Chirripó
3,821 m

Tickets and rules

Most national parks are run by SINAC, which sells tickets online for a specific date and, at the busiest parks (Manuel Antonio, Poás), a time slot. Opening hours are usually 7 or 8 am to around 3 or 4 pm; Manuel Antonio is closed on Tuesdays. Corcovado requires a certified guide, and Chirripó requires overnight permits that sell out months ahead. Monteverde and Santa Elena are private or community reserves with their own tickets.

Best parks for...

  • Seeing lots of wildlife easily: Manuel Antonio, Cahuita, Carara.
  • Remote, wild rainforest: Corcovado.
  • Turtles: Tortuguero (July–October).
  • Volcanoes: Arenal, Poás, Irazú, Rincón de la Vieja.
  • Cloud forest: Monteverde, Santa Elena, Braulio Carrillo.
  • Whales: Marino Ballena.
  • A big hike: Chirripó, usually done in two days.

Guided park tours include tickets and a naturalist with a spotting scope.

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Plan your trip to Costa Rica's national parks

Where to stay

Compare hotels, guesthouses and cabins in Costa Rica.

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Tours & tickets

Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.

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Frequently asked questions

How many national parks does Costa Rica have?

Costa Rica has around 30 national parks, plus many wildlife refuges, biological reserves and private reserves. Together they protect about a quarter of the country.

Do you need a guide in Costa Rica's national parks?

Only in Corcovado, and for night tours and some activities. In other parks a guide is optional but greatly improves wildlife sightings.

Which national park is best for sloths?

Manuel Antonio and Cahuita are among the most reliable places to see sloths, along with the forests around La Fortuna and Monteverde.

Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.