The green soul of Costa Rica: discovering its national parks

Costa Rica, often presented as a global showcase for ecotourism, devotes more than a quarter of its territory to nature conservation. Its 30 national parks, true sanctuaries of biodiversity, are home to more than 5% of the species recorded on the planet. From the Caribbean jungle to active volcanoes, each park illustrates the country's philosophy: making conservation an economic and social driver.

Whether you want to discover the most famous protected areas or venture into wilder regions, here are the most visited national parks in Costa Rica in 2018 according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).

#5 Cahuita National Park

On the Caribbean coast, Cahuita National Park combines tropical forest and coral reef. Walk along white sandy beaches, among iguanas, howler monkeys, and turquoise waters. Its coastal trails allow you to discover both the richness of the land and the seabed, one of the best preserved in the country.

#4 Tortuguero National Park

Accessible only by small boat, Tortuguero National Park is nicknamed “Little Amazon”. Its canals, lined with rainforests, are home to caimans, toucans, sloths, and jaguars. The park is also one of the world's most important nesting sites for green sea turtles, an unforgettable natural spectacle during the green season.

#3 Marino Ballena National Park

Located on the southern Pacific coast, Marino Ballena National Park is a symbol of the meeting between ecology and natural poetry. Every year, humpback whales migrate here to breed, while at low tide, a geological curiosity in the shape of a whale's tail appears. A coincidence of nature? More like a wink from the ocean to those who know how to observe it.

#2 Volcán Irazú National Park

At an altitude of 3,432 meters, Volcán Irazú National Park towers above the clouds. Its huge emerald green crater bears witness to volcanic activity that is still perceptible. On days when the sky is clear, you can see both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, a rare and breathtaking experience.

#1 Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest of Costa Rica's major parks, but also the most visited. Jungle-lined beaches blend with trails populated by sloths, monkeys, and colorful birds. Between primary forests, mangroves, and Pacific coves, nature unfolds in all its splendor.

The national parks of Costa Rica to discover off the beaten track

For those who prefer adventure to crowds, Costa Rica has other gems to offer:

• Corcovado National Park: located on the Osa Peninsula, it is home to 2.5% of the world's biodiversity. A total immersion in the primary rainforest, accessible only on foot or by boat.

• Tenorio National Park: known for its unreal milky blue river, the Río Celeste. A hike through volcanoes, mist, and the magic of the elements.

• Rincón de la Vieja National Park: between fumaroles, waterfalls, and volcanic mud baths, this park offers a geothermal journey in the north of the country.

• Barra Honda National Park: a network of spectacular limestone caves, perfect for lovers of caving and karst landscapes.

• Santa Rosa National Park: one of the oldest parks in the country, a mecca for history and conservation of the dry forests of Guanacaste.

In summary

Costa Rica's national parks embody a philosophy: preserve to share better. Between volcanoes, jungles, and oceans, they remind us that nature here is not a backdrop but a living promise.