National Parks

---

Nestled within this compact yet extraordinary park is a mesmerizing mix of rainforest, pristine beaches, and coral reefs, creating a sanctuary of natural beauty. The beaches, considered among the most picturesque in Costa Rica, are fringed by dense, green forests, offering outstanding snorkeling opportunities in their clear, inviting waters.

The forest itself is a haven for an array of wildlife, including sloths, iguanas, the enchanting squirrel monkeys—a species rarely seen elsewhere—along with white-faced monkeys and countless vibrant crabs that add a splash of color to the landscape. The trail weaving around Punta Catedral affords hikers breathtaking panoramic views, further enhancing the park’s allure.

Within the confines of the park, visitors are enveloped in a rich tapestry of wildlife. Cathedral Point, distinguished by its forest-crowned cliffs, was once detached as an island but has since merged with the mainland through a slender isthmus. This natural causeway now delineates the boundary between the park’s two famed beaches: Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. The latter, a southern-facing beach, unfolds as a picturesque half-mile stretch of white sandy crescent, carving through lush greenery on one side and leading to a secluded, tranquil cove on the other.

As you stand with your feet nestled in the soft sand, gazing at the waves as they embrace the rocks framing the lagoon, there’s an overwhelming sense of solitude. It’s remarkably easy to feel worlds away from civilization, lost in a moment of natural serenity and the rhythmic sound of the sea.

The Carara Carara National Park, which in indigenous Huetar language means “River of lizards”, has the only transition forest in the Central Pacific, resulting in a diversity of flora and fauna, where typical species of dry and humid forests converge.

This National Park is a worldwide known birding destination as it has very diverse birdlife, where stands out the Scarlet Macaw (Lapa Roja – Ara Macao – ), a species that is in danger of extinction, being the second largest species of Psittacidae of Costa Rica.

It is certainly one of the major sites in the country for birdwatching, so it will be included in the next guide made by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute in this segment of tourism at a national level.

this park is also ideal for a one-day visit, visitors can easily move from the capital city, using their own car, rented or by public transport.

It is the first national park in having a universal access trail, where the visitor can live the experience of being in the forest, known endemic species like the Cafecillo (erythrocyte gymnanthus), large trees, and see the relationship between some of the species.

Originally Carara National Park was the La Gran Hacienda Coyolar, one of the largest private landholder’s property that has been in Costa Rica.

Rainmaker Park is one of the most important rainforest reserves in Costa Rica. Its evergreen primary forest habitat is home to a large number of species. Plus being a spectacular park with an amazing scenery full of breathtaking waterfalls. This is as well a hot spot for herpetology and ornithology in Costa Rica. 

Therefore we have the nature day tour, as well as the night tours every single day year around in the Rainmaker Park.  The Arenal Volcano is one of the most iconic landmarks the grand majority of Costa Rica travelers is aspiring to witness during their visit. However, astonishingly the Arenal Volcano National Park with a reach of 29,692-acre (12,016-ha) is located within the larger 504,094-acre (204,000-ha) Arenal Conservation Area, which protects about 16 nature reserves between the Tilarán and the Guanacaste Mountain ranges. The Arenal Volcano National Park (PNVA) was established only back in 1991, yet beholds an incredible history that many local Costa Ricans like to share.  

he Arenal Volcano National Park, in fact, has two volcanoes - the 5,357-foot (1,633-meter) Arenal Volcano and the 3,740-foot (1,140-meter) Chato Volcano. The latter has been inactive for nearly 3,500 years and has a collapsed crater that contains a picture-perfect lagoon. 

Until 2010, the Arenal Volcano was Costa Rica’s most active volcano. Much to the enjoyment of its visitors, Arenal spewed enormous amounts of lava, gas and ash on a regular basis. That eruptive cycle – which began with the infamous eruption of 1968 – ended recently. According to scientists at the National Seismological Network (RSN), Arenal is resting, not dead—a process that is natural for active volcanoes in its evolution. 

Within the national park, short trails (3.4 km and 2 km) pass through both secondary forest and lava fields from previous eruptions. The park rangers keep a close eye on the volcanic activity, and will not hesitate to close trails or portions of the park if they feel that it is unsafe.