Costa Rica National Park & Reserve Guides


This guide is designed to introduce some of the most diverse wildlife, marine life and birdlife havens that Costa Rica has to offer.  Whilst our sample itineraries provide what we feel are some of the best experiences the country has to offer, it is impossible to see everything in one visit. Therefore we hope this guide is a useful reference point, from which to help you plan a tailor made journey which incorporates places and activities which most interest you. As a testament to Costa Rica’s commitment to conservation, there are many more parks and reserves besides those listed below, so please do not hesitate to Contact Us further information.

Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park used to be famous for its almost continuous lava flows, bellowing ‘pyroclastic’ plumes of ash, rock and gases. Activity has currently subsided, so you will just have to make do with simply stunning volcanic landscapes, irregular vapour clouds and wonderful... more

Braulio Carrillo National Park

Braulio Carrillo National Park is one of largest and most diverse National Parks in Costa Rica. Its 47,500 hectares are covered by over 90% primary rainforest with an altitudinal range of almost 3,000 meters. You are likely pass through Braulio Carrillo en route... more

Caño Island Biological Reserve

Caño Island Biological Reserve (Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño) is the tip of a massive underwater mountain surrounded by a profusion of marine life. Located just 10km off the Osa Peninsula, north west of the Corcovado National Park, this 5,800 hectare marine reserve is probably the best... more

Carara National Park

Carara National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most diverse protected areas making it a must see for anyone interested in tropical biology. The park was formed to protect the river basin of ‘Rio Grande de Tarcoles’ which is a transitional area between tropical... more

Cocos Island National Park

Cocos Island National Park (Parque Nacional Isla del Coco) is the jewel in Costa Rica’s dive locations and one of the best places for diving on the planet. The isolation and geography of the islands has produced unique environments and wildlife with many species found nowhere else... more

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula is an area of outstanding ecological diversity and abundant flora and fauna – possibly the most important location in Costa Rica for a wildlife and marine life enthusiast to visit. The 41,788 hectare Corcovado... more

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is set in a stunning terrestrial and marine location, 3 to 4 hours south of San Jose.  Created in 1972 the 682 hectare terrestrial section of the park is the country’s smallest with an unequalled diversity of life. The 55,000 hectare... more

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

The roots of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve can be traced back to 1951 with the arrival of Quaker immigrants from Alabama. Monteverde’s 22,000 hectares is located in the Tilaràn Mountains and is one of Costa Rica’s premier ecotravel destinations. The prominent... more

Pacuare Reserve

Pacuare Reserve is a project which the team at Aqua-Firma has been active in the management and fundraising for since 2000. This combined rainforest and turtle conservation project is owned and managed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Rainforest Concern... more 

Poas Volcano National Park

Poas Volcano National Park is located in Costa Rica’s Central highlands. It is 2644m high and one of the most active volcanoes in Latin America having erupted some 40 times since the mid 1800s. Impressively beautiful and just 19 miles from San Jose, Poas make an excellent... more

Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve

Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve & Ecotourism Project is a privately run Reserve located next to Braulio Carrillo National Park. By virtue of the relative difficulty in reaching it, this 1335 hectares of high altitude rainforest is accessible only to overnight guests. It takes about 3 hours... more

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is situated next to the popular Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The cloud forest habitat and spectacular birdlife are very similar to that of its neighbouring reserve, which includes the iridescent Resplendent Quetzal. On a clear day is possible to view Arenal... more

Talamanca Highlands

Talamanca Highlands is the largest remaining natural forest in Central America, holding an incredible circa. 90% of Costa Rica’s known flora. According to the United Nations Environment Programme: ‘The species diversity is probably unequalled in any other reserve... more

Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most famous national parks due to the turtles which nest here and its diverse range of habitats including swamps, Caribbean lowland rainforests and beaches. Tortuguero translates as ‘turtle catcher’... more

  • Scarlet Macaw in Corcovado National Park
  • Tree Frog in Costa Rica
  • Tortuguero National Park
  • Stingray at Cocos Island
  • Newly Hatched Turtle in Tortuguero National Park
  • White Water Rafting on Rio Pacuare
  • Birdwatching in Arenal Volcano National Park
  • Howeler Monkeys in Monteverde Cloud Forest
  • Rainforest Lodge in Osa Peninsula
  • Sloth at Pacuare Reserve, Tortuguero National Park
  • Birdwatching in Costa Rica
  • Scalloped Hammerhead Shark at Cocos Island
  • Kayaking in Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Spider Monkey in Corcovado National Park
  • Hummingbird in Costa Rica
  • Ziplining in Corcovado National Park
  • Tree Frog in Tortuguero National Park
  • Pacuare Reserve in Tortuguero National Park
  • Monkey in Tortuguero National Park
  • Nesting Leatherback Turtle in Tortuguero National Park
  • Rainforest Walkways in Osa Peninsula

Arenal Volcano National Park

Braulio Carrillo National Park

Caño Island Biological Reserve

Carara National Park

Cocos Island National Park

Corcovado National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Pacuare Reserve

Poas Volcano National Park

Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

Talamanca Highlands

Tortuguero National Park

 

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