The clue is in the name: la Costa Rica, the Rich Coast, has long been known for its astonishing wealth of natural life, an abundance of biodiversity that places it at the top of every nature lover’s vacation wish list.
And thankfully, given the country’s diminutive size, this natural richness is easily accessible to visitors while enjoying their Costa Rica vacations.
But with almost 30% of the country designated as environmentally protected land, the only dilemma is in trying to figure out which of the 35 national parks you should squeeze in to one Costa Rica vacation.
Choosing between Costa Rica’s numerous national parks is no easy task but the following profiles, based on first-hand Costa Rica travel experience, should help.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
This dense blanket of mountain-side cloud forest is over 10,000 hectares in size and is among the most popular of Costa Rica’s protected areas thanks to its ethereal, mysterious atmosphere, stunning mountaintop views, and a vast collection of exotic, but often elusive, wildlife.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is owned and maintained by a private, non-profit organization, the Tropical Research Center. There are over 10km of trails through the reserve with marked routes of varying lengths. The trails are well maintained and access is easy for all visitors, but paths can get muddy year round so bring sturdy boots.
A popular bird-watching destination, the reserve is home to hundreds of bird species. Monteverde cloud forest is particularly well known for its most glamorous inhabitant, the resplendent quetzal, although sightings of this shy bird are fairly uncommon. Other mammalian locals include sloths, howler monkeys and the guinea-pig like agouti.
The nearby town of Santa Elena is a quaint settlement with enough hotels and restaurants to cater for the area’s popularity, but as with all Costa Rica hotels, consider booking ahead to ensure availability.
Hiring a guide is highly recommended, to help spot some of the wildlife hiding above your head in the trees. Monteverde tours are available and can be booked in advance through a provider of Costa Rica vacation packages.
Entrance fee: $16. Information office opening hours: 7am-4pm.
Insider’s Tip:
Monteverde cloud forest is a justifiably popular stop on a Costa Rica vacation, the only drawback being the number of visitors the reserve attracts on a daily basis. For a much quieter experience with a higher chance of spotting some of the area’s timid wildlife, try the neighboring Santa Elena reserve too.
Corcovado National Park
For visitors looking for a much more secluded spot during their Costa Rica travels, the Corcovado National Park, at the country’s far-southern tip on the remote Osa Peninsula, is the idea destination.
This is the most isolated of Costa Rica’s national parks; arriving here usually requires an internal flight followed by a boat transfer. But your perseverance will be handsomely rewarded: Corcovado is home to over 40,000 hectares of protected land which include no less than thirteen separate ecosystems.
This national park is a true natural gem, the only major lowland tropical forest left in the world, it is home to a bewildering number of species including jaguars, pumas, tapirs, crocodiles, giant anteaters, sloths and numerous species of monkey.
In total, Corcovado is a refuge for around 500 species of tree, 400 types of bird, 140 separate species of mammal, and over 100 types of reptiles and amphibians. Furthermore, thanks to the region’s under visited tranquility, the chance of actually seeing some of these creatures is much higher than elsewhere.
Getting to the peninsula, arranging accommodation in the national park and finding a reliable and professional guide can be a tricky business, so it is recommended to book one of the Corcovado tours on offer from reputable Costa Rica tours operators.
Insider’s Tip:
Having made the journey to this distant corner of Costa Rica, it makes sense to stay for at least four days and see as much of the Osa Peninsula as you can. Another nearby gem is the Ca
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