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National Park Photos


or see summary view of Parks or Reserves & Refuges

Costa Rica has almost 30 different National Parks each protecting an amazing diversity of tropical nature. From the elfin cloud forest on top of Poás volcano to the steaming jungle rainforests of Corcovado - beaches, estuaries, waterfalls, slot canyons, rocky crags and lush wetlands.

Tortuguero Beach – National Park & Sea Turtles Nesting

Turtle tracks on Tortuguero beach

Tortuguero is amazing.  Everything about every visit makes us want return again and again.  This time we were there for the turtles and timed our visit to coincide with the second half of the nesting season for the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas mydas.  October is perfect because the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Tortuguero Village & Canals Photos

Sea turtle mosaic

The community is built on the strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and Tortuguero Lagoon.  It's only a couple of blocks wide at most and the main street stretches between guest houses, tourist shops, mini-supermarkets and restaurants.  Along the lagoon side are docks where all the visitors and … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Savegre National Park

Clouds closing in on the forest

In June of 2019 Costa Rica announced the intention to create 5 new national parks including one encompassing the Savegre Watershed and River valley. Some amazing hiking trails are already in place in the mountains above Trogon & Savegre Lodges.  There's no funding for the park or … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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La Cangreja National Park Photos

Cangreja waterfalls

La Cangreja National Park is named after the rock formations in its center that have the shape of a giant crab.  The main 6km hiking trail crosses several rivers and streams flowing through the canyons and over rocks forming dozens of small waterfalls. It's close to San José but the winding … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Carara National Park Photos

Scarlet macaw (Ara macao) landing

Carara National park is located on the northern end of the central Pacific coast only 30 - 40 minutes from San José but it's a world away from the big city.  The vast majority of travelers to the region zip right past on their way to the well known beach destinations at Jacó and Manuel Antonio but … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Irazu Volcano Photos

Crater lake

Irazú Volcano National Park is one of Costa Rica's most popular because of it's proximity to San José and the good paved road all the way to the crater.  From the top the views into the emerald and turquoise lakes of the main crater and across the mountains and lowlands are equally … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Tenorio Volcano Photos

Catarata Río Celeste

Tenorio Volcano National Park is one of our favorite places.  Clicking around Costa Rica Guide you'll see that it shows up on the top ten list, and a dozen other categories. The first time we tried to visit we never made it.  If we'd known what we were missing we would have tried harder. The … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Tortuguero Photos

Tortuguero Village aerial

Tortuguero National Park is a photographer's dream. Except for that part where the canoe wobbles and you drop your 5D in the lagoon, and the incredibly dim lighting, and the tropical downpours that appear out of nowhere, and the complete darkness and flashes prohibited on the beach when the sea … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Turrialba Volcano Photos

The trees stop abruptly at the crater rim, Volcán Turrialba National Park

The Lost Hikes at Turrialba Volcano National Park UPDATE: November 2020 - Closed to the public due to high levels of activity for most of the past decade, SINAC announced the reopening of portions of Turrialba National Park as of Dec 4, 2020.  New restrooms and overlooks have been constructed and … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Arenal National Park Photos

Arenal Volcano across the lake

Arenal Volcano national park encompasses the impressive conical peak and surrounding lava fields as well as the extinct Cerro Chato and the lagoon in it's crater.  There are a number of trails and it would be possible to hike from the ranger's station on the northern flank around to the west then … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Costa Rica National Park Photos

Costa Rica National Park Photos
  • Tortuguero Beach – National Park & Sea Turtles Nesting
  • Tortuguero Village & Canals Photos
  • Savegre National Park
  • La Cangreja National Park Photos
  • Carara National Park Photos
  • Irazu Volcano Photos
  • Tenorio Volcano Photos
  • Tortuguero Photos
  • Turrialba Volcano Photos
  • Arenal National Park Photos



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