How to Visit Costa Rica’s Best National Parks (& Why)

What’s one of the first things you think of when someone mentions Costa Rica? 

Nature.

Costa Rica’s national parks and rich forests cover over half of the country, so it makes sense. Its coastlines are blessed with pristine beaches that are the gateways to its extraordinary marine life and thriving coral reefs. Inland, it doesn’t take long to find a sloth chilling out or hear a monkey howling from the treetops. 

Visitors arrive with their fingers tightly crossed, hoping to witness these remarkable creatures. And where better to find them than in the national parks? And with 29 to choose from, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

This guide will lead you to Costa Rica’s best national parks to experience all the nature and wildlife you’re searching for. 

Ready? Let’s go.

Best national parks in Costa Rica

San Jose to Drake Bay for Corcovado National Park

Most people start their Costa Rican adventure in San Jose, the capital city. And many people will tell you to head straight to your first destination, skipping the city. 

I disagree. 

While a busy and noisy city probably isn’t why you came to Costa Rica, it is a great place to set your foundation of knowledge about the country. A walking tour is a fascinating way to learn about the country’s history, politics, and traditions — something you might miss in other places. 

Once you’re filled to the brim with fascinating facts, it’s time to discover the country’s phenomenal nature.

Corcovado National Park, located near Drake Bay, is often missed by most visitors. For some, it’s too far. For others, it’s too expensive — a day visit costs around $100 since you have to hire a tour guide. 

But I promise it’s worth the journey and the money. Why? Because it was named the most biologically intense place on earth by National Geographic. The 13 ecosystems within the park are home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. The world! 

Keep an eye out for tapirs, sloths, toucans, crocodiles, an array of monkeys, and so much more!

Unlike other national parks in Costa Rica, Corcovado feels completely untouched, which adds an extra sprinkle of magic. And, as if that’s not enough to convince you, Drake Bay is stunning. You’ll inevitably fall in love with the small-town vibe, dark sand beaches and jungle trails.

How to get from San Jose to Drake Bay

There are two stages to this journey. 

First, you need to get to Sierpe. 

You can book a shared or private minivan from San Jose to Sierpe, which takes 4-6 hours. 

Or, a cheaper local bus runs daily, leaving San Jose at 8:30 a.m. The journey time of the bus varies between 6-8 hours. 

Then, you’ll hop on a boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay, which takes around 1.5 hours. 

Pro tip: There are only two boat departures from Sierpe daily, at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The bus runs the risk of missing the last boat of the day to Drake Bay, so you’ll need to spend the night in Sierpe. 

Drake Bay to Uvita for Marino Ballena National Park

It will be hard to beat Corcovado National Park, but a whale-shaped national park might help to do the job, especially if you visit in the right season.  

The Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita is shaped like a whale’s tail and is home to some of the best beaches in Costa Rica, making it the perfect place to relax, swim and go snorkeling. 

Plan to be there between December to March or July to September, and keep an eye on the water at all times. You might just spot a humpback whale breaching from the water or babies splashing about. 

How to get from Drake Bay to Uvita

To get to Uvita, you’ll first need to hop back on the boat from Drake Bay to Sierpe. There are only two daily departures, at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. However, to make your minibus connection to Uvita, you’ll need to take the early boat. There’s only one minivan at 9:30 a.m.

From Sierpe to Uvita, it’s a short 1.5-hour minivan ride. 

Uvita to Manuel Antonio National Park

Next up is Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most popular. 

It’s a brilliant blend of lush forest and golden sand beaches. 

People love this park since the chances of spotting a sleepy sloth and tons of monkeys are pretty high, especially if you hire a guide with an eagle eye, and you should — they see things you’ll walk right past. After searching for sloths, take a dip with the locals in the refreshing waters. It’s a popular spot among both tourists and residents.

The downside to Manuel Antonio National Park being so popular is that it feels quite busy and touristy. 

How to get from Uvita to Manuel Antonio

Getting from Uvita to Manuel Antonio is nice and easy. Book your minivan, and you’ll be there within 1.5 hours. 

Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna for Arenal Volcano National Park 

La Fortuna is many people’s favorite place in Costa Rica — there aren’t many places where you can sleep at the foot of an active volcano. 

Arenal Volcano National Park is home to two volcanoes — Arenal and Chato. Through their eruptions, these giants have created fascinating lava fields and areas littered with huge boulders thrown from the volcano at speeds of up to 2,000 km/h (1242 mph). 

And while the volcanoes are awe-inspiring and magnificent, the forest below is full of wildlife and thriving nature, which means more magic for you. 

After all that walking, your legs might be aching a little. Good thing La Fortuna is famous for its hot springs. 

On a budget? Find the free hot springs that are unbelievably relaxing. Or you could treat yourself and visit one of the many resorts in the area that utilize the volcano’s geothermal energy. 

There’s so much going on in La Fortuna. Yet, the cozy town has remained somewhat tranquil and intertwined with nature. 

How to get from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna

The journey from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna isn’t the shortest, but at least in a minivan, you’ll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel. 

Download enough Netflix and music to keep you entertained for 5.5 hours. 

Added bonus: Tortuguero National Park

Hitting all four national parks mentioned above will take some time. But if you have some extra space on your adventurous Costa Rican itinerary, Tortuguero needs to fill it!

Located on the Caribbean Coast, you’ll need to travel to the other side of the country. But it’s completely worth it.

Tortuguero National Park is a phenomenal place. 

Nestled in a labyrinth of waterways and dense jungle, staying here feels like you’re on an island when, in fact, it’s connected to the mainland. It even has a laidback island vibe, with one street running through the town, people walking barefoot, the beach on one side, and the river on the other. 

That’s not what makes it so memorable, although it definitely adds to the vibe. 

Tortuguero is known as “The Place of the Turtle.” Every year, 20,000 Green Turtles come here between July and October to lay their eggs on the beach. Watching a powerful mother turtle laying eggs or witnessing babies scrambling to the sea is a sight you will never forget. 

And on top of all of that, you don’t even need to enter Tortuguero National Park to see animals. They live side by side with the humans in town. It’s not unusual to see monkeys or sloths chilling in the tree next to you.

How to get from San Jose to Tortuguero

Chances are you’ll need to return to San Jose to visit Tortuguero unless you’re already on the Caribbean Coast. 

You can book a shared or private minivan from San Jose to take you directly to Tortuguero. The journey takes around 3 hours. 

Weather in Costa Rica

When exploring Costa Rica’s National Parks, you will want the best weather possible — trudging along muddy paths, soaking wet, isn’t nearly as fun! 

Dry season (December to April)

The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April. During this period, you can bask in abundant sunshine, relish the idyllic temperatures, and enjoy higher chances that rain won’t disrupt your plans too often. 

Pro tip: It’s worth keeping in mind, though, that 51% of the country is covered in lush rainforests, so a little rain is never entirely out of the question, even in the dry season!

However, you’re not going to be the only one after the good weather, so the national parks and beaches are going to be pretty busy. 

To avoid the crowds and potentially save some money, consider visiting in May or June. While it marks the start of the rainy season, it’s also the green season. You’ll encounter fewer tourists and still experience good weather, especially on the Caribbean Coast.

 Just don’t forget your rain gear!

Rainy season (July to October)

From July to October, Costa Rica experiences heavy downpours as it enters the heart of the rainy season. If you’re not a fan of getting wet, it’s best to avoid these months. 

However, for those who don’t mind a bit of rain, July is the beginning of turtle nesting season in Tortuguero National Park and the migration of whales along the Dominical coast.

Packing essentials for visiting the national parks in Costa Rica

If your goal is to explore Costa Rica’s national parks, consider bringing some of these things: 

• Comfortable shoes – Walking around the national park racks up a large number of steps. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes or walking sandals. Make sure they are already broken in.
• Mosquito repellent – Jungle + rain = mosquitos, so come prepared to fight them off. 
• Rain jacket – Even if you’re visiting in the dry season, you never really know when it’s going to rain. 
• A reusable water bottle – You can drink tap water in some places. And if you can’t, many accommodations will offer free drinking water. Save on plastic and money. 
• Blow up travel pillow – To hop between the national parks, you must spend some time on transportation. Bring a blow-up travel pillow to get in a few power naps along the way.

Map of Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s 29 national parks are scattered all throughout the country. The majority of national parks included in our route are located on the western side of Costa Rica. You’ll first head down to the Osa Peninsula before working your way up the coastline to Alajuela province.

How to get around Costa Rica

Most people arrive in Costa Rica via its main airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport, in San Jose. 

To get to the city center, you can hop on a local bus for around $1, take a taxi from outside the arrivals hall, or book a minivan. 

Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste is another option, popular with people coming from the U.S. 

If you’re arriving by land, knowing how to cross the Panama – Costa Rica border or the Nicaragua – Costa Rica border might be helpful so you can travel further.

Got your binoculars ready?

Hopping between Costa Rica’s national parks allows you to immerse yourself in the country’s nature and see different towns, communities, and cuisines along the way. 

Make the most of the national parks, but don’t forget to see what else Costa Rica offers. It’s popular for a reason!

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