Note: As of May 16, 2020 the following parks and reserves are open with restrictions – Arenal, Braulio Carrillo, Cahuita, Carara, Guayabo, Irazú, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Los Quetzales, Rincón de la Vieja, Poás and Tapantí. 

Another round of openings on June 1 for – Santa Rosa, Tortuguero, Tenorio, Coco Island, Barra Honda, Diriá, Las Baulas, Gandoca-Manzanillo, Cipanci, Ostional, Camaronal, Iguanita, Cabo Blanco, Grecia, Monte Alto

SINAC states that tickets must be purchased in advance but that is impossible for all parks except for Poás…for other parks go to the ticket windows as always.

Use the menu of the parks and reserves shown on the map for visitor guides with hiking, common birds and wildlife, getting there, and official accommodations available within the boundaries.

Map of Costa Rica’s Protected Areas

Leaders in Conservation

Costa Rica’s National Parks and other protected areas serve as a model of sustainable conservation.

The world owes Costa Rica a debt for the social conscience, political will, original economics, and plain old hard work that have led to the protection of a larger percentage of the land as natural habitat than in any other country.

The incredible ecological diversity is recognized as an irreplaceable treasure by the people and government of Costa Rica and international organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, The Rainforest Alliance, Worldwatch Institute, Organization for Tropical Studies, MacArthur Foundation and the Nature Conservancy.

Other countries including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Panama have also contributed much to the growth and protection of the wilds of Costa Rica with debt for nature swaps, grants, and scientific, economic and political expertise.

National Parks Day

Every August 24th is Costa Rican National Parks day and entry into all parks is free for residents and international visitors!