A Guide to Costa Rica’s National Parks, Reserves, Nature Tours and Wildlife Refuges.
The country of Costa Rica is known for more than being an incredible tourist destination. The country encompasses more than stunning scenery. It is home to some of the most unique and dynamic ecosystems in the entire world. Costa Rica is famous for its sprawling grasslands, tropical beaches, epic mangroves and magical rainforests. The varieties of plants and flora may feel infinite and these plant species do not exist in very many other places in the world— making it special to Costa Rica. When you plan your trip to Costa Rica, we suggest that you take a nature tour. There are many tours available throughout Costa Rica to choose from.
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world — you can find nearly 5 percent of all known plants and animal species in its world famous protected National Parks and expansive Wildlife Refuges.
Costa Rica’s biodiversity can be attributed to the rugged shifts in the geographical terrain. This country consists of a variety of terrains including mountains, rivers, and wetlands. There is a variety of forests here, including tropical dry forests, rainforests, and cloud forests.
This country feels straight out of Jurassic Park, with grand volcanoes, rain forests, waterfalls as well as absolutely stunning flora and fauna.
It is these lush and diverse environments that make Costa Rica a perfect destination for experiencing wildlife watching tours. Here are our Top Picks for Best Nature Tours and National Parks in Costa Rica:
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
You may have heard of it before, but here in Costa Rica there is a magical forest high up in the hills, they call Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. It is a top tourist destination now, and is a great opportunity to see some of the incredible nature that the country has to show you. This area of Monteverde in particular, is of interest to bird watchers because this part of Costa Rica is home to some of the most unique tropical highland birds that exist. The notable species of birds include: the quetzal, the emerald toucanet and the bellbird.
Monteverde is also home to a variety of other animals such as white faced monkeys, sloths, Pizotes and wild deer.
Take your waterproof backpack and hit the misty trails covered in green foliage and let butterflies sit on your shoulder. It sounds like something straight out of a movie. But you can make your dreams come true and experience the magic to be found in Monteverde, Costa Rica’s Cloud Forest. It is called Cloud Forest because the forest is often surrounded by a kind of fog that encapsulates the area. Its low-hanging clouds float around the upper canopies, before condensing onto the leaves of trees and to the plants and roots below.
The sky meets the forest, and as you walk the path you feel like you are literally amongst clouds in the sky.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Located in La Fortuna, this nearly 30,000-acre National Park is home to the Arenal Volcano. It is
said that in 1968, the volcano began a 48-year stretch of consistent eruptions that devastated all nearby towns. This park is home to another less recognized volcano as well, known as Chato, which has been inactive for 3,500 years. Arenal has notably been erupting on and off for 7,000 years but has stretches of inactivity that can go on for 400 years or even more.
This park offers amazing hiking trails for you to witness a variety of colorful and talkative parrot species, white-faced monkeys and snakes, which can all be seen here in this amazing protected parkland. Arenal Volcano is also a power production tool used by the people of Costa Rica to generate (via Lake Arenal) 12 percent of the country’s hydroelectric energy.
Marino Ballena National Park
Costa Rica is known for its beautiful coasts and tropical waters that are filled with incredible aquatic life and a variety of species. Marino Ballena National Park works to preserve these marine wildlife in the area. This protection was implemented to protect the large fleets of whales and dolphins that visit the area to procreate and raise their offspring. Whale watching enthusiasts will be able to catch a glimpse of humpback whales, dolphins and sea turtles. The best way to view these sea creatures is by taking a marine boat tour.
Not a boat person? No problem. On the beach at low tide, snorkeling is a wonderful activity to take part in from the shore. Be mindful to watch out for currents and riptides. You can also sign up for scuba training and dive trips around the islands. Come to the jungle and be up-close-and-personal with humpback whales, green marine iguanas, dolphins, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles, lobsters, brown footed boobies, and pelicans.
Manuel Antonio National Park
#1 Most Visited National Parks in Costa Rica!
Manuel Antonio might be small but it is one of the most popular protected parklands in Costa Rica. It sits just southeast of Quepos on the Pacific Coast and became famous in 1519 by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, who was searching for the Fountain of Youth. This park displays a variety of natural habitats, including a dry and wet rainforest, swamps and lagoons.
Come visit Manuel Antonio National Park to witness the 184 species of birds and more than 109 species of animals. We have everything from howler monkeys to tree frogs to sloths to deer.
Cool off and relax on the white sand beaches and coral reefs, creating the perfect atmosphere for scuba diving underwater exploration. Playa Manuel Antonio, the southern facing beach, is a half-mile long which is the perfect way to end your adventure with some peaceful beach time.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Rincon de la Vieja National Park spans almost 35,000 acres with volcanic wonders and gorgeous tropical forests. To no surprise, the main attraction is Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest volcano in the northwest. Its dormant sister cones Santa Maria and Cerro Von Seebach sit next to it. While the last major eruption of Rincon happened about 3,500 years ago, a number of events have occurred in the mountain’s lake-filled crater.
Trails reach from the Santa Maria ranger station throughout the park, covering more than 5,00 vertical feet. If you’re up for a swim, be sure to check out the sulfuric hot spring one mile down
the trail. You can also take a dip in thermal mud pools, waterfall swimming holes and freshwater lakes. The park is located in the Guanacaste province.
A number of activities can be enjoyed at the park such as hiking, horseback riding, enjoying hot springs, swimming, picnicking, and camping.
The name, Rincón de la Vieja, translates to English as ‘the old woman’s corner.’ According to locals, the indigenous people of the Guatuso tribe named the volcano thus for one of two reasons. Either there was an old witch on top of the mountain who sent columns of smoke into the air when she was angry, or there was a kindly old woman occupying the same nook, and the smoke was from her cooking fire as she prepared meals for weary travelers. Maybe it’s both because the Rincón de la Vieja crater has had at least eight periods of intense volcanic activity, and still bubbles and streams.
Costa Rica Eco Tours & Nature Tours
Ecotourism in Costa Rica offers something different and is for a different kind of traveler — the nature lover. It is a great way to explore another country sustainably and to support the Locals who depend on this tourism. The Eco Tours available in Costa Rica, offer a combination of fun, adventure and education. If you are into sustainability and are an environmentally conscious human, this kind of vacation and tour is perfect for you! You will have a minimal impact on the environment you are exploring. Eco Tours offered in Costa Rica bring together those who have a common interest in nature, traditional culture and wildlife. These adventures educate the tourist on environmental impact and have many offerings for you to get involved in the conservation projects in the area. Preservation of our natural world is an important aspect of this kind of travel.
Tourists can volunteer to support various conservation projects. This includes Preservation programs, permaculture, marine turtle volunteer work, jaguar conservation programs and saving the rainforest initiative — all for tourists to take an active and useful role in protecting the ecosystems and jungle of Costa Rica.
What are you waiting for? This is your sign to come to Costa Rica and For a eco adventure you can head to the various biological reserves and the national parks that we have mentioned above.
Pura Vida.