National Parks & Reserves in Costa Rica

Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve

A large Reserve with a peak at 1520 m, and an average rainfall of almost 3,500 mm.

Alternate Name: Reserva Biológica Alberto Manuel Brenes
Address: Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve, 702, Alajuela Province, Angeles Sur, Costa Rica
Province: Alajuela Province
Place Categories: Nature Reserves, Parks
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Frogs, Insects, Mammals, Reptiles (Snakes & Lizards)
Web Site: https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/accvc/ambbr/Pages/default.aspx

Alexander Skutch Bird Refuge – Los Cusingos

This reserve also contains the Pamela Lankester Orchid garden.

Almost 430 Bird Species have been seen in this Bird Sanctuary.

Alternate Name: Refugio de Aves Dr. Alexander Skutch
Address: Refugio de Aves Dr. Alexander Skutch “Los Cusingos", San José Province, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica
Province: San José Province
Place Categories: Botanical Gardens, Nature Reserves, Parks
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Frogs, Reptiles (Snakes & Lizards)
Web Site: https://loscusingos.com/en/

Arenal Volcano National Park

One of the most famous nature places in Costa Rica.

462 species listed on Ebird!

Alternate Name: Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal
Address: Arenal Volcano National Park Visitor Center, Calle Real el Castillo, Alajuela Province, San Carlos, Costa Rica
Province: Alajuela Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: Bats, Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Frogs, Hiking & Trekking, Mammals, Reptiles (Snakes & Lizards)
Web Site: https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/ACAHN/pnva/Pages/default.aspx

Arenal Volcano View and Lava Trails 1968

Walk on the hills formed during the Arenal Volcano eruption in 1968.

342 Species in Ebird.

Address: Arenal Volcano View and Lava Trails, Calle Real el Castillo, Alajuela Province, San Carlos, Costa Rica
Province: Alajuela Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Coffee Shop, Hiking & Trekking
Web Site: https://arenal1968.com/en/

Bosque Caricias

A private  Ecological Reserve of 15 hectares.

Address: Centro Recreativo Bosque Caricias, Calle Los Leones, Heredia Province, Concepción de San Isidro, Costa Rica
Province: Heredia Province
Place Categories: Birdwatching & Hides, Nature, Nature Reserves, Parks, Pickle Ball
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Hummingbird Gallery / Garden, Mammals
Web Site: https://www.facebook.com/b0squecar1cias/?locale=es_LA

Braulio Carrillo National Park – Barva Volcano Sector

Northern Central Valley in the Central Volcanic Range. Highest peak at 2,906 m (Barva Volcano). Precipitation is very varied and ranges from 2,500 mm (8.2 feet) on the southern slopes and up to 5734 mm (18.8 feet) on the Caribbean slope.

Alternate Name: Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo
Address: {10.130170102095937,-84.12535513074874}
Province: Heredia Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Frogs
Web Site: https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/accvc/bcnp/Pages/default.aspx

Cahuita National Park

Alternate Name: Parque Nacional Cahuita - Entrada Puerto Vargas
Address: Parque Nacional Cahuita - Entrada Puerto Vargas, Limón Province, Comadre, Costa Rica
Province: Limón Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: Bats, Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Frogs, Mammals
Web Site: https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/aclac/pnc/Pages/default.aspx

Corcovado National Park

A huge area that you need to book a guide to visit.

Alternate Name: Parque Nacional Corcovado
Address: Corcovado National Park, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Province: Puntarenas Province, Southern Puntarenas Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: Bats, Birdwatching / Birding, Boat Tours, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Diving & Snorkeling, Frogs, Guided Tours, Insects, Mammals, Mangrove Tour, Night Walks
Web Site: https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/acosa/pnc/Pages/default.aspx

Curú National Wildlife Refuge

Alternate Name: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú
Address: Curú Wildlife Refuge, Puntarenas Province, Paquera, Costa Rica
Province: Northern Puntarenas Province, Puntarenas Province
Place Categories: Accommodations, Hotels, Nature Reserves, Parks
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding, Coral Reef Restoration, Horseback Riding, Restaurant
Web Site: https://curuwildliferefuge.com/

Dave & Dave’s Costa Rica Nature Park

Address: Dave & Dave's Costa Rica Nature Park, North of the cemetery, 200 meters, Heredia Province, La Virgen, Costa Rica
Province: Heredia Province
Place Categories: Nature Reserves, Parks
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Coffee Tasting, Frogs
Web Site: https://www.daveanddaves.com/

EcoGarden Arenal

An Ecological Tropical Park run by José Adán and his family.

Address: EcoGarden Arenal, Alajuela Province, San Ramón, Costa Rica
Province: Alajuela Province
Place Categories: Accommodations, Cabins, Nature Reserves, Parks
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Guided Tours, Mammals, Night Walks
Web Site: https://ecogardenarenal.com/

Grecia Forest Reserve

Alternate Name: Bosque del Niño
Address: Grecia Forest Reserve, Alajuela Province, Grecia, Costa Rica
Province: Alajuela Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: 
Web Site: https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/accvc/gfr/Pages/default.aspx

Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG)

Covers about 2% of Costa Rica and 13% of Guanacaste Province.

Alternate Name: Área de Conservación Guanacaste
Address: Parque Nacional Guanacaste, Guanacaste Province, Hacienda Orosí, Costa Rica
Province: Guanacaste Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: Bats, Birdwatching / Birding, Butterfly Watching / Garden, Hiking & Trekking
Web Site: https://www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/index.php

Guayabo National Monument

Over 415 bird species have been seen here.

Address: Guayabo National Monument, Cartago Province, Turrialba, Costa Rica
Province: Cartago Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: Archaeology, Birdwatching / Birding, Hiking & Trekking
Web Site: https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/accvc/gnm/Pages/default.aspx

Irazú Volcano National Park

Book Tickets via the home page.

Address: Irazú Volcano National Park, Cartago Province, Lecheria San Gerardo, Costa Rica
Province: Cartago Province
Place Categories: National Parks, Parks
Activities & Services: Birdwatching / Birding
Web Site: https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/accvc/pnvi/Pages/default.aspx