![\"sneha\"](\"https:\/\/travellersquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Taylor-Brougham.jpg\")
\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t Taylor Brougham is a writer and a traveler \u2013 so naturally he combines the two. Originally from California, he now has no permanent place of residency, but rather continues to travel and work around the world. Find him on Facebook or at Blog – ponderingsoul.com <\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/div>\n How would you like to be surrounded by squirrel\nmonkeys<\/a> as they swing through the canopy? Spot colorful, exotic birds\nnesting in the trees? Or what about witnessing the mating rituals of black iguanas<\/a>?\nIn the tropics of Central America, these sights are more common than one might\nthink. So pack your hiking boots, sunscreen and binos, the jungle awaits! <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to plant and animal life, Costa Rica<\/a> is a top destination. Home to some of the most bio-diverse rainforests in the world, millions of tourists each year fit this one into their itineraries. And now that flights are frequent and better connected, arriving has never been easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The immense diversity\nof Costa Rica\u2019s jungles<\/a> is due, in part, to its proximity to the equator\n\u2013providing the heat and humidity necessary for rapid, unrestrained growth \u2013 but\nalso hugely to the great number of administered national parks. The Costa Rican\ngovernment has dedicated 25 percent of its landmass to preservation and\nconservation, further bolstering the naturally high concentration of life found\nthere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 161 parks and refuges<\/a> make up for a quarter of the entire country! These efforts create sanctuaries for local plant and animal populations that would perhaps otherwise dwindle. The results can be seen in the increasing numbers of species living free from human encroachment. For the eco-tourist, this means loads of thriving wildlife that can be witnessed and appreciated in its natural environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Discover the richness of Costa Rica<\/a> in this article as we guide you through its 21 best national parks in Costa Rica, with insider tips for making your journey an unforgettable experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n In ParqueNacional\nManuel Antonio<\/a> is one of the best national parks in Quepos, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica.\nToucans break the silence in the air, spider monkeys ruffle foliage above, and\narmy ant colonies march, non-stop, underfoot. A lot of life is packed into the\nspaces that are uninhabited by humans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although only covering an area of 3 square miles, Manuel\nAntonio hugs the Pacific coastline, and is home to a wide variety of\nland-dwelling and sea creatures alike. Some mentionable faunaare the endangered white-faced\ncapuchin monkeys<\/a>, anteaters, an occasional ocelot, and of course the\nvenerable two-toed and three-toed sloths \u2013 not to mention over 200bird species.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Animals are not the only interesting life to be found in the\npark; amongst the 10,000 plant species native to Costa Rica, plenty of them can\nbe found within the park\u2019s limits. The height and girth of some cedar trees\nliving there is astounding. The looming canopy overhead spawns vines that nearly\nreach the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With well-maintained trails crossing its hilly landscape,\nyou can safely ramble through the jungle and appreciate Costa Rica\u2019s natural\nbeauty. Even the creeks host a variety of life; fresh water fish, tadpoles,\ncrawdads and newts to name a few. Although it is a top national park in Costa Rica amidst\ntravelers, there is still opportunity to find yourself surrounded by nature\nwith no trace of human influence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP:<\/strong> Don\u2019t leave\nfood items unattended, as the local monkey and raccoon populations are wise on\ntourists\u2019 goodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location: <\/strong>Quepos, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours:<\/strong> 7am-4pm\nTuesday \u2013 Sunday <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong> +506\n2777 5185<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong> $16 Adult\n(children under 12 free admission)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica\u2019s southwestern\ncoast, Corcovado\nNational Park<\/a> is home to spider monkeys, jaguars, and scarlet macaws. But\nmany, many more animals reside within the park boundaries. In fact, because it\nis so remote and contains virtually no modern human artifacts, these grounds\noffer a backpacking experience like no other. Some of the country\u2019s shyest are\nrarest species are found here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dedicated to protecting the ecosystems it encompass, it is\nthe best national park in\nLos Patos Sirena Trail, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica. If you\u2019re\nfit for some tough hiking, the mountain rainforest provides unmatched views of\nthe Pacific Ocean once you break through the dense cover of the old growth\nforest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The lowlands and palm forest offer open space for bird\nwatching, and are home to a plethora of mammals including white-lipped\npeccaries and the herbivorous, pig-like tapir<\/em>.\nBut if you\u2019re the daring type, look out for crocodiles skulking in the mangrove swamps.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of the park\u2019s position on the peninsula, 11 miles of\nbeaches outline the dense, green jungle. Swimming is allowed but be warned that\nschools of hammerhead sharks migrate through there every year. Although they\nare not known to be aggressive, bull sharks are. And they also swim the coastal\nwaters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Daytrips are a bit complicated since the park is so remote.\nComing all that way becomes more worth while if you stay for a few days and\nreally soak in the natural beauty. Camping is the common method at one of two\npossible sights. 5 ranger stations within the park provide points of reference,\ninformation, and potable water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP:<\/strong> Apply for a\npermit well ahead of time; because this is one of the best national parks in Costa Rica, only a\nlimited number are sold per season<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location:<\/strong> Los PatosSirena Trail, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours:<\/strong> 8am \u2013 4pm\nMonday \u2013 Sunday <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong>+506\n2735 5036<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:\n<\/strong>$15<\/p>\n\n\n\n As its name suggests, several turtle species call Parque Nacional\nTortuguero<\/a> home. In fact, 4 of the world\u2019s 8 kinds of green sea turtle\nfrequent its shores. Winding rivers empty their waters into the Caribbean Sea,\nfavoring a nutrient dense habitat that is rich in aquatic life forms, making it\nthe best national park in\nRoxana, Pococ\u00ed, Provincia de Lim\u00f3n, Costa Rica. This brackish <\/em>zone shelters caimans and river\nturtles alike, and are not uncommon sights among the locals. The rivers can be\nnavigated by boat or canoe for sight-seeing as well as for transport \u2013 in fact,\nfloating or flying are the only methods for arriving to the park, as there are\nno roads nearby. \u00a1Puraselva!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Aquatic animals are not the only ones to be found in this\nregion. The park is home to a menagerie of exotic birds as well. Ornithologists<\/a>\n\u2018flock\u2019 to this local each year to observe some of 330 bird species now\nidentified. Most of them are migratory, meaning sightings are seasonal. Among\nthem are scarlet macaws and other parrots, woodpeckers, many varieties of\nhummingbird, herons, egrets, falcons, oriels, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t stare to the skies all the time or you may just miss\nwhat is right under your nose. In this top national park in Costa Rica, the red dirt\ntrails are ridden with critters waiting to be discovered; the reason why\nTortuguero is also a destination for entomologists and biology students. One\nspecies of note is the giant\ngrasshopper<\/a>, capable of reaching a length of 8 inches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to creepy crawlers and fluttery flyers, our\nsimian cousins can be found swinging in the trees. Various varieties of monkeys\nlive here and the occasional sloth may even be spotted when it decided to move\nabout the tree-tops (but not very quickly!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP:<\/strong> Book a\nseaplane as your transport and witness the spectacular mazeof estuaries before\ntouching down<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location:<\/strong> Roxana, Pococ\u00ed, Provincia de Lim\u00f3n, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours:<\/strong>Reservation\nonly<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong> +506\n8363 2736<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong> $15<\/p>\n\n\n\n With an active volcano as its\ncenterpiece, tourists make the trek up to 6,000 feet every year to witness the grandeur <\/em>of this natural cauldron. The\nbiggest eruption was in 1998, but subsequent smaller ones have been recorded in\nthe past two decades\u2013 the most recent in early 2019, in which the inhabitants\nof a local village were forced to evacuate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Parque Nacional Volc\u00e1n Rinc\u00f3n de la Vieja<\/a> is\nthe best national park\ninGuanacaste, Costa. The volcano is a real piece of geological history.\nOn the way up tothe 600,000-year-old mountain, visitors may be blessed along\nthe trail with the presence of armadillos, toucans, or even the coati<\/em> (a lemur-like creature). But that\nis certainly not all. Thousands of animal species call this region home (the\nmajority of which are insects and birds). <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Arriving can be a difficult and arduous\ntask, however. The nearest city is Liberia<\/a>,\nthe capital of the region. Any necessary amenities can be found in the city.\nThe bus station is small but relatively well connected. From there multiple,\nlocal buses must be taken before stepping foot into the park. And most of them\nare crowded and uncomfortable \u2013 and it\u2019s a bumpy ride. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you make the journey to this best national park near Liberia,\nCosta Rica, your reward is a whopping 90 square miles of pristine land\nto uncover. No city, no streets, no loud and stinky cars. Just pure, wild\nnature. Don\u2019t worry about losing yourself here as all trails are well\nmarked and maps are available upon entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP:<\/strong>\nKeep your ear out for monkeys, and if you are startled by what sounds like a\nmix between a barking dog and a lion\u2019s roar, don\u2019t be alarmed. Howler monkeys\nare a common siting in the area and are much smaller than they sound!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location:<\/strong> Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours:<\/strong> 8am \u2013 4pm Tuesday \u2013 Sunday <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong>+506 8807 4954<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong>\n$15 adult $5 child<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hot springs are the main attraction around this best national park in Provincial\nde Alajuela, Costa Rica. Imagine slowly lowering yourself into fresh\nwaterpools, naturally steaming at over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, for a\nwell-deserved soak \u2013 and after scrambling over the rocky, rugged land cape to\nget there, its will be well-deserved. The lakes surrounding area is made up of\nmountainous earth and cooled lava fields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The lake is a stunning sight and somewhat of a \u201cwatering\nhole\u201d meeting place for water sports enthusiasts. From adrenaline junkies\ntrying to get their \u2018fix\u2019 to fishermen just looking for a bite \u2013 there\u2019s\nsomething for everyone at Arenal Volcano\nNational Park<\/a>. Options include renting kayaks and SUP boards, hiking to\nhigher ground for spectacular views, or simply spending the afternoon on the\nbeach watching the kite-surfers as they doodle their kites in the sky and\nswiftly skim across the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Animals that inhabit this top national park in Costa Rica include coati<\/em>, capuchin and howler monkeys,\nsloths, and jaguars (although not seen in the daytime). An overabundance of\nbirds inhabits the lake region. Sitting in the forest with your eyes closed,\nyou may be able to decipher the many peculiar birdsongs that fill the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP:<\/strong> Train your\neye to decipher the camouflaged green tree frogs and snoozing sloths \u2013 both\nfound here clinging to the local flora<\/em>,\noften above eye level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Location: <\/strong>Calle Real El Castillo, Provincia de Alajuela, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours:<\/strong> 8am \u2013 4pm\nMonday \u2013 Sunday <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong> +506\n2200 4192<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong> $15 Adult\n$5 Child<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you ever dream of lying under a bendy palm tree next to\naqua blue waters, listening to the sound of waves lapping on a white sand\nbeach? Your dreams will become a reality at one of the best national parks in Costa Rica – on the\ntranquil shores of CahuitaNational\nPark.<\/a> Palms joust from the sand so close to the waters edge they receive a\ndaily dose of salt at high tide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just 30 miles from Panama\u2019s northern border and a short bus\nride from Lim\u00f3n, the park is well situated and easily accessible. The main\nfootpath parallels the beach and is easy going for the first couple of miles,\nbut once you pass the primary beach access points, humans sightings become\nscarce as the jungle thickens. It\u2019s not\nhard to find a small rinc\u00f3n<\/em>all to\nyourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some sort of company is to be expected, however. Black and\nyellow garden spiders weave their webs between the thick brush hedging the\ntrails. If you glue your eyes on the ground in this top national park in Cahuita, Provincia de Lim\u00f3n,\nCosta Rica, you are bound to come across colonies of ants marching to\ntheir glory while carrying the day\u2019s loot on their backs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep your eye to the sky and you may spy a small flock of guacamayos<\/em><\/a>\u2013 scarlet macaws. And if\nyou bring a snorkel mask you will be rewarded with clouds of color under water.\nThe coral reef is teeming with endemic species of fish that may take particular\ninterest in large swimming primates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best part is\u2026it\u2019s free \u2013 although donations are greatly\nappreciated, and proceeds contribute to the park\u2019s maintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP:<\/strong> If you are\nhoping to snorkel, plan your trip in the dry season (February to April) \u2013 the\nwater is too murky otherwise<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location: <\/strong>Cahuita, Provincia de Lim\u00f3n, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours: <\/strong>8am \u2013 4pm\nMonday \u2013 Sunday <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong> +506\n2755 0461<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong> FREE<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nestled into the hills above Lake Arenal<\/a> is\none of the world\u2019s rarest and most endangered ecosystems \u2013 the cloud forest of\nthe central tropics. As one climbs the mountain (by bus or car), white rocks\ndisappear and colorful flowers begin to emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The beige, dusty backdrop shifts through more and more vivid\nshades of green. There is a drastic change in the landscape from very dry and\narid to densely green and moist.The extremely unique scenery seemingly springs\nup out of nowhere upon reaching the 5,000 foot mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While visiting this best national park in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, the cleverly\nnamed trails lead up to the summit where howling, misty winds whip past your\nface \u2013 the life-giving stuff of these mountains. It is a truly unique\nexperience to find yourself in this raw, otherworldly forest that you couldn\u2019t\nimagine in your dreams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch your step, vipers have been spotted here, even at this\naltitude! But many other \u2013 an more friendly \u2013 creatures inhabit the park too;\ndeer, sloth, tapir<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of few private parks in Costa Rica; therefore it\nis a bit more expensive than the majority. However, great efforts are taken to\npreserve this fragile ecosystem that experts say could disappear completely in\njust decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Waterfalls abound in the area because of the extremely high\nhumidity and can be appreciated along almost every trail, anytime of year.\nWhere there is water, there is life. That fact is proven in Monteverde\u2019s cloud forest<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One interesting feature this top national park to visit in Costa Rica has added\nis the hummingbird caf\u00e9. A caf\u00e9 with outdoor seating where coffee and treats\ncan be purchased and enjoyed in the presence of fluttering hummingbirds<\/a>. Birdfeeders\ncontaining a sweet liquid \u2013 irresistible to the hummers \u2013 are strewn about the\npatio and attract more than just a handful of them. The complexity of their\nsocial hierarchy becomes apparent upon watching their behavior and antics while\nenjoying a cup of Joe in the sun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP:<\/strong> Hire a guide\nupon entry, they know where and how to find animals for guaranteed sightings \u2013\nplus get detailed explanations on everything related to the park\u2019s history and\nits wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Location: <\/strong>Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours:<\/strong> 7am \u2013 4pm\nMonday \u2013 Sunday <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong> +506\n2645 5122<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong> $25 Adult\n$12 Child\/Student<\/p>\n\n\n\n Santa Rosa National\nPark<\/a> was the first park to be established in the early 1970s and known as\nthe best park to visit in\nGuanacaste, Costa Rica, with the aim at preserving a severely endangered\necosystem. It protects some of the last remaining tropical dry forest in the world,\nmost of which was burned for pastureland by ranchers generations ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The park grounds, located in northwestern\nGuanacaste<\/a>, suffer every year from draught \u2013 something that the rest of the\ncountry does not know. This habitat is\ntherefore very different from that found in the rest of Costa Rica. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Santa Rosa isn\u2019t just grass and dried cow pies though,\nwithin its 150 square miles is encompassed a wide range of other habitats including\ncoastal marine, rock-strewn beaches, mangrove estuary, and the tropical dry\nforest makes it a top\nnational park to visit in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Long stretches of\ncoastline define the park\u2019s territory and provide a safe haven for protected\nmarine life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One very important specimen is the Pacific\nRidley Sea Turtle<\/a>. They migrate a great distance and come ashore each year\nin large numbers to lay and bury their eggs in the sand. Some years over 1000\nturtles beach on the new moon to leave behind the next generation of\nshell-backed swimmers! <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few surf spots along the coast but, due to\ndifficult access, are not frequented by beginners. Trail maps can be purchased\nonline or at the kiosk station when you arrive to visit this popular national park in\nGuanacaste, Costa Rica. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP: <\/strong>Rent a car.\nThere are not many buses that pass by here, and the ones that do will leave you\non the side of the highway by the entrance to the park \u2013 still and hour and a\nhalf walk on the road to the hacienda<\/em>\n(where the trails start)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location:<\/strong> Puerto Castilla, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours:<\/strong> 8am \u2013\n3:30pm Monday \u2013 Sunday <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong> +506\n2666 5051<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong> $15<\/p>\n\n\n\n The park<\/a> was\noriginally created in 1989 to connect Santa Rosa National Park with the high\nelevation cloud forest, and all the way across the continental divide to the\nCaribbean rainforest. The\nintention of this top\nnational park in Guanacaste, Costa Ricaunison was\nto protect enough land to ensure sufficiently large habitats for wide-ranging\nspecies such as jaguars and mountain lions to roam freely. Another goal is to\ncreate an uninterrupted corridor for birds and insects to make seasonal\nmigrations between the dry forests, evergreen cloud forests, and Caribbean rain forests.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n It seems\nthe goal was met and that both small and large animal species have benefited\nfrom the augmentation of protected land. The number of different animals\nspotted here has increased, and is a main reason visitors are attracted to the\npark. Who doesn\u2019t want to witness apex predators roaming their natural habitat?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hiking and bird watching are the main attractions of the\npark. You\u2019ll often come across photographers looking for that one shot of a specific\nbird. Trails lead across varied landscapes from the coastline through the dry\nforest and up into the brisk cloud forest; all the while you may make the\nacquaintance of collared peccaries<\/em><\/a>, white-tailed deer, or\nmaybe even the rare and sought out quetzal<\/em>\n\u2013 an exotic, colorful bird with abnormally long tail feathers found (or more\noften not found) in the region. This diversity makes for one of the best national parks in Costa\nRica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP: <\/strong>December to\nApril is the dry season; if you plan on camping any other time of year, come\nprepared for regular afternoon showers if not more intense downpours<\/p>\n\n\n\n Location:<\/strong> Hacienda Oros\u00ed, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hours:<\/strong>8am \u2013 4pm\nMonday \u2013 Sunday <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact:<\/strong> +506\n2666 0630<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong> $10<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calling all birdwatchers! This ParqueNacional Palo Verde, Guanacaste\u2019s best national parkis an island popular for birds. Isla de P\u00e1jaros<\/em><\/a> stands in the middle of the R\u00edo Tempisque<\/em> and provides a safe place for many of the mangrove\u2019s bird species to breed. Some species that frequent the island include: Cattle Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, Green-backed Herons, Anhingas, Great Egrets, and Black-crowned Night-Herons.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meandering down the R\u00edo\nBebedero<\/em> is the best way to cover ground at Palo Verde. It is the easiest for\nquietly sneaking in for up close views of the native wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Much of the park\u2019s 70 square milesare inaccessible by car;\nroads are limited \u2013 further promoting the natural habitat to flourish. On foot\nyou can reach the interior of the park via a few maintained footpaths. Hikers\nmust pass through the station 20 miles out of the town of Bagaces. Boat tours\ncan be booked in Las Canas, about 2 hours north of San Jose, or at Hacienda La Ensenada<\/em>, near Puntarenas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/travellersquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/21-national.jpg\")
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Parque](\"https:\/\/travellersquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Parque-Nacional-Manuel-Antonio.jpg\")
Parque Nacional Corcovado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Parque Nacional Tortuguero<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Parque](\"https:\/\/travellersquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/turtle.jpg\")
Parque Nacional Volc\u00e1n Rinc\u00f3n de la Vieja<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Parque Nacional Volc\u00e1n Arenal<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Parque](\"https:\/\/travellersquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/volcan.jpg\")
Parque Nacional Cahuita<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Monteverde](\"https:\/\/travellersquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/forest.jpg\")
Parque Nacional Santa Rosa <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Parque Nacional Guanacaste<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Parque](\"https:\/\/travellersquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/birds.jpg\")
Parque Nacional Palo Verde<\/h2>\n\n\n\n