National Parks

Costa Rica National Parks

Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park

When you visit a country like Costa Rica, you can’t help but notice how green and beautiful everything here is. I know from my experience first flying here in 2008, as the plane got closer to landing I was honestly blown away by how lush and green the mountains were. You have to wonder too, what creatures and insects live in those dense forests and jungles?  Pumas and jaguars are just a few of the many exotic animals that call this country home.  Many of the parks and reserves allow you to explore the beauty of this tropical country up close, so have your cameras charged, extra batteries and bug spray ready when visiting these national parks.

Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park

What makes this country unique compared to others is its great deal of nature preservation. The National Conservation Area System (SINAC), first began in 1994 and holds a very big importance to the wild life we have in Costa Rica. The SINAC, a department of Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), currently manages the 28 National Parks. Here you’ll be able to find dozens of reserves and refuges which aim to protect numerous ecosystems and habitats for the present and future generations to come. Other areas that the SINAC oversee are biological reserves, forest reserves, wildlife refuges, national monuments and protected zones. National Parks, refuges and protected zones occupy over 25% of the national territory. Tropical forests, rainforests, wetlands and marine areas are studied greatly throughout the universities and other scientific organizations. Here are the list of the national parks located in Costa Rica:

  1. Arenal Volcano National Park
  2. Barbilla National Park
  3. Barra Honda National Park
  4. Braulio Carrillo National Park
  5. Cahuita National Park
  6. Carara National Park
  7. Chirripo National Park
  8. Cocos Island National Park
  9. Corcovado National Park
  10. Diria Nationl Park
  11. Guanacaste National Park
  12. Irazu Volcano National Park
  13. Juan Castro Blanco National Park
  14. La Amistad International Park
  15. La Cangreja National Park
  16. Las Baulas National Marine Park
  17. Los Quetzales National Park
  18. Manuel Antonio National Park
  19. Miravalles Jorge Manuel Dengo National Park
  20. Palo Verde National Park
  21. Paos Volcano National Park
  22. Piedras Blancas National Park
  23. Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park
  24. Santa Rosa National Park
  25. Tapantí National Park
  26. Tenorio Volcano National Park
  27. Tortuguero National Park
  28. Turrialba National Park

There are quite a lot of parks to choose from, and I’ve had the chance to visit some of them, so hopefully you'll have a chance to visit a few of them while you're here!

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