| Protected area |
Size in hectares |
Main features |
| 1 Santa Rosa National
Park (map) |
49,515 |
The largest remaining area of tropical dry forest in Central America, historic hacienda house |
| 2 Guanacaste National
Park (map) |
32,512 |
Hills that are relicts of Plio-Cuaternary volcanoes an plains that have been formed by the accumulation of ash, pyroclasts and ignimbrite |
| 3 Las
Baulas Marine National Park & Tamarindo National Wildlife
Refuge |
552 |
Nesting beach for Leatherback Sea Turtles |
| 4 Cabo Blanco Absolute
National Reserve (map) |
1,280 |
Good beaches, tide pools, abundant birds and wildlife amidst beautiful tropical moist forest |
| 5 Barra Honda National Park |
2,295 |
Impressive limestone caverns (previous permission from Park Service needed to enter), tropical dry forest |
| 6 Palo Verde National Park |
16,804 |
Seasonal marsh good for waterfowl; dry forest, rivers, mangroves |
| 7 Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve |
2,279 |
Good example of tropical dry forest, also gallery forest along Cabuyo river |
| 8 Ostional National Wildlife Refuge |
160 |
Nesting beach for Pacific Olive Ridley Sea Turtles |
| 9 Carara National Park (map) |
4,700 |
Good example of tropical rain forest, complete with scarlet macaws, monkeys and crocodiles |
| 10 Manuel
Antonio National Park (map) |
682 |
Gorgeous beaches, excellent wildlife viewing possibilities |
| 11 Ballena National Park |
110 |
protected area for hump-backed whales, the magnificent frigate bird and several reptiles; pristine beaches |
| 12 Isla del Caño Biological Reserve |
300 |
Pre-Columbian burial ground, excellent diving and snorkeling |
| 13 Corcovado National Park (map) |
41,788 |
The largest tract of lowland rain forest on Pacific side of Costa Rica, great wildlife potential, "The most biologically intense place on Earth" according to National Geographic |
| 14 Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge |
5,013 |
Same as Cahuita (15) but muh more remote and secluded |
| 15 Cahuita National Park |
1,067 |
Coral reefs, swimming beaches, swamp forest, great snorkeling. |
| 16 Tortuguero National Park (map) |
18,946 |
Costa Rica's "Amazon," explore the rain forest via rivers and lagoons teeming with monkeys, crocodiles, toucans; major nesting beach for Atlantic Green Sea Turtles. |
| 17 Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge |
92,000 |
Same as above; great Tarpon and Snook fishing |
| 18 Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge |
9,969 |
River and marsh habitat, excellent for viewing waterfowl, caimans, and other wildlife |
| 19 Rincón
de la Vieja National Park (map) |
14,083 |
Numerous geothermal features (fumaroles, hot springs, boiling mud pots), waterfalls, majestic tropical moist forest with much wildlife |
| 20 Arenal National Park |
5,208 |
One of the world's most active volcanoes, bordered by the scenic Lake Arenal |
| 21 Volcán Poás National Park |
5,600 |
One of the most beautiful scenic sites in the country where the flora and fauna are highlighted by geological features |
| 22 Braulio
Carrillo National Park (map) |
45,899 |
Extensive tract of lower montane and pre-montane rain forest with many unique and unusual plants and animals; dormant volcano with lush cloud forest |
| 23 Volcán Irazú National Park |
2,309 |
Highest volcano in Costa Rica (11,000 ft), devastation from past eruptions gives "moonscape" aspect |
| 24 Guayabo National Monument |
218 |
The largest and most important archeological site discovered to date in Costa Rica; enhanced by a river canyon and forests |
| 25 Tapantí National Park |
6,080 |
The rushing Orosi river cuts through luxuriant rain forest full of orchids, birds, butterflies, raining most of the year. |
| 26 La Amistad International Park (World Heritage status) |
193,929 |
Magnificent highland oak forests, resplendent quetzals, remote and relatively undeveloped |
| 27 Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve |
9,154 |
Caribbean Foothill rain forest for birdwatchers and Nature lovers looking to get off the beaten track |
| 28 Chirripó
National Park (map) |
50,150 |
The highest point in Costa Rica and home to unique páramo (subalpine) vegetation; often cold and wet; advance permission from park service needed |
| 29 Golfito National Wildlife Refuge |
1,309 |
Lowland rain forest similar to Corcovado (13) |
| 30 Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge |
25 |
The only nesting colony of magnificent frigate birds in Costa Rica; impressive display during the mating season |
| 31 Islas Guayabo, Negritos and Pájaros Biological Reserves |
91 total |
Biological reserves for large populations of sea birds |
| 32 Curú National Wildlife Refuge |
84 |
Oyster banks, white beaches, giant conchs, iguanas and much more |
| 33 Juán Castro Blanco National Park |
14,258 |
Rain and terrain combine to produce the most impressive waterfalls, primary rain forests, large number of reptiles |
| 34 Isla del Coco National Park (World Heritage status) |
2,400 |
World-class scuba diving, declared World Heritage by United Nations, 100% undisturbed. |
