National Parks of Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park

First Park Poás Volcano National Park, 1955
Smallest Park San Lucas Island National Park, 4.49 km2
Largest Park La Amistad International Park, 1991 km2
Governing body SINAC

In 2023 thirty National Parks of Costa Rica are managed under the umbrella of SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservacion), a department of Costa Rica's Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE). All told, Costa Rica's protected areas, including national parks, encompass more than 25% of the country's total land area.[1] Many of these protected areas are national parks.

Costa Rica's progressive policies on environmental protection and sustainable ecotourism in the National Parks System have been lauded as a model for other countries. The rainforests, tropical forests, marine areas and wetlands of Costa Rica are the subject of many university and scientific organization studies. The enrichment of the world's knowledge of these important habitats is an invaluable contribution from the National Parks System of Costa Rica.

The Cordillera de Talamanca is home to an impressive collection of national parks and other preserved areas, including the La Amistad International Park, which extends into Panamá. On the southern Osa Peninsula is the internationally renowned Corcovado National Park, which preserves a remnant of sizeable lowland tropical rainforest that is unique in the world. Manuel Antonio National Park was listed by Forbes in 2011 among the world's 12 most beautiful national parks.[2]

The Camino de Costa Rica is a 280 km long hiking trail across Costa Rica. It runs from the Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean coast), the southernmost part of the Tortuguero Canals, up the mountain and through indigenous territory near the Barbilla National Park and through valleys and mountain ranges of the central region of the country, just south of the Turrialba and Irazu Volcanos and through the Los Santos coffee region down to the Pacific coast in Quepos.

National parks of Costa Rica

ParkCoordinates[3]Area[4]Attractions
Arenal Volcano10°28′N 84°42′W / 10.46°N 84.70°W / 10.46; -84.7012,124 ha (29,960 acres)Arenal Volcano, 1,633 m (5,358 ft) in elevation, has been active almost continuously since 1968. A second volcano, Chato, has a lake in the crater.[4][5]
Ballena Marine9°10′N 83°45′W / 9.16°N 83.75°W / 9.16; -83.755,330 ha (13,200 acres)Located on the Pacific Ocean. 5,160 ha (12,800 acres) of park is water with seasonal visits by humpback whales, dolphins, and other marine life.[6]
Barbilla9°59′N 83°27′W / 9.98°N 83.45°W / 9.98; -83.4511,955 ha (29,540 acres)Elevations from 110 m (360 ft) to 1,600 m (5,200 ft), The park features foot travel in wet and very wet rain forests and pumas, jaguars, ocelots, and tapirs.[7]
Barra Honda10°11′N 85°22′W / 10.18°N 85.37°W / 10.18; -85.372,295 ha (5,670 acres)The park features extensive limestone caves, some unexplored, with stalagtite and stalagmite formations.[8]
Braulio Carrillo10°13′N 84°01′W / 10.21°N 84.02°W / 10.21; -84.0250,000 ha (120,000 acres)Steep topography, several volcanoes, rain forests, and proximity to the capital city of San José are attractions. The highest elevation is 2,906 m (9,534 ft)[9]
Cahuita9°44′N 92°50′W / 9.74°N 92.84°W / 9.74; -92.8457,932 ha (143,150 acres)On the Atlantic coast, 55,200 ha (136,000 acres) of the park is water. The park includes Costa Rica's largest coral reef and preserves marine life.[10]
Carara9°47′N 84°37′W / 9.78°N 84.61°W / 9.78; -84.615,800 ha (14,000 acres)Near the Pacific Ocean, Carara is the northernmost coastal rain forest in Costa Rica. The park is popular with bird watchers and has a large population of scarlet macaws.[11]
Chirripó9°44′N 84°37′W / 9.73°N 84.61°W / 9.73; -84.6150,150 ha (123,900 acres)Chirripó features Costa Rica's highest mountain with an elevation of 3,820 m (12,530 ft). Alpine tundra (Costa Rican Paramo) and glacial lakes are found at elevations above 3,000 m (9,800 ft)[12]
Cocos Island5°32′N 87°04′W / 5.53°N 87.06°W / 5.53; -87.062,310 ha (5,700 acres)A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cocos Island is 550 km (340 mi) off the Pacific Ocean coast of Costa Rica and features marine life, evergreen forests, and waterfalls.[13]
Corcovado8°32′N 83°34′W / 8.54°N 83.57°W / 8.54; -83.5741,788 ha (103,260 acres)On the Pacific coast, most of the park is shallow lagoons, mangrove forests, beaches, and low altitude cloud forests. Access is only with approved guide.[14]
Diriá10°10′N 85°35′W / 10.16°N 85.58°W / 10.16; -85.585,429 ha (13,420 acres)The park features wetlands and forests.[15]
Guanacaste10°58′N 85°31′W / 10.96°N 85.51°W / 10.96; -85.5133,796 ha (83,510 acres)Part of the Guancaste World Heritage Site, the park has two volcanos, Orosi and Cacao; dry, wet, and cloud forests; and a large population of collared peccary. Access is through Santa Rosa National Park.[16]
Irazú Volcano9°58′48″N 63°53′42″W / 9.98°N 63.895°W / 9.98; -63.8952,000 ha (4,900 acres)Irazú is Costa Rica's highest volcano at 3,432 m (11,260 ft). A paved road reaches to near the summit from where both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts can be seen.[17]
Juan Castro Blanco10°29′N 84°20′W / 10.48°N 84.33°W / 10.48; -84.3314,308 ha (35,360 acres)The mountainous park has volcanoic cones and vents, Lake Pozo Verde, waterfalls, and many bird species, including quetzals.[18]
La Amistad9°25′N 82°59′W / 9.42°N 82.98°W / 9.42; -82.98199,147 ha (492,100 acres)A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest wilderness area in Costa Rica, the park extends into Panama. Rugged terrain and some of the highest mountains in the country are features. Bio-diversity is outstanding for both flora and fauna.[19]
La Congreja0°42′N 84°24′W / 0.70°N 84.40°W / 0.70; -84.402,570 ha (6,400 acres)Forty-four species of plants are endemic to Costa Rica and crystalline water from the sources of two rivers.[20]
Las Baulas10°20′N 85°51′W / 10.33°N 85.85°W / 10.33; -85.8590,100 ha (223,000 acres)Most of this park is ocean. The beaches of Las Baulas are the largest nesting ground in the world for sea turtles. The coastal area of the park features mangrove forests.[21]
Los Quetzales9°37′N 83°49′W / 9.61°N 83.82°W / 9.61; -83.824,117 ha (10,170 acres)A mountainous park reaching an elevation of 3,190 m (10,470 ft). As the name indicates the quetzal bird is the main attraction.[22]
Manuel Antonio9°23′N 84°08′W / 9.39°N 84.14°W / 9.39; -84.1427,587 ha (68,170 acres)One of the few remaining homes of the Grey-crowned Central American squirrel monkey, an endangered species. Most of the park is ocean. Twelve islands shelter marine birds.[23]
Miravelles Jorge Manuel Dengo10°45′N 95°09′W / 10.75°N 95.15°W / 10.75; -95.154,300 ha (11,000 acres)The Miravalles Volcano rises to 2,028 m (6,654 ft). The Miravalles Geothermal Power Project is on the slopes of the volcano.[24]
Palo Verde10°23′N 85°20′W / 10.38°N 85.33°W / 10.38; -85.3318,332 ha (45,300 acres)Decalared a wetland of international importance, about one-half of the park is water or wetland, hosting migratory and non-migratory aquatic birds.[25]
Piedras Blancas8°43′N 83°16′W / 8.71°N 83.27°W / 8.71; -83.2715,350 ha (37,900 acres)Rich as it is in biological life, Piedras Blancas is also part of the Osa Conservation Area along with several adjoining parks and reserves devoted to conservation.
Poás Volcano10°12′N 84°14′W / 10.20°N 84.23°W / 10.20; -84.236,506 ha (16,080 acres)The volcano, 2,708 m (8,885 ft) in elevation, has several fumaroles emitting gas and causing acid rain which has killed much of the vegetation and force frequent closure of the park.[26]
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano10°46′N 85°20′W / 10.77°N 85.34°W / 10.77; -85.3414,127 ha (34,910 acres)The volcano, 1,916 m (6,286 ft) in elevation is continuously active with foot trails to nine volcanic cones, fumaroles, mud pits, and hot springs.[27][28]
Santa Rosa10°50′N 85°43′W / 10.84°N 85.71°W / 10.84; -85.7139,322 ha (97,170 acres)Santa Rosa protects a dry tropical forest and beaches with sea turtle nests. The park is the site of the Battle of Santa Rosa and military monuments.[29]
San Lucas Island9°56′N 84°55′W / 9.94°N 84.91°W / 9.94; -84.91472 ha (1,170 acres)Located 2 km (1.2 mi) off shore in the Pacific Ocean, the park is a former prison and wildlife preserve.[30]
Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte9°46′N 83°47′W / 9.76°N 83.78°W / 9.76; -83.7858,495 ha (144,540 acres)Elevations up to 2,560 m (8,400 ft), rain forests, ancient oak and alder trees characterize this park in one of the rainiest parts of Costa Rica.[31] Precipitation exceeds 6,500 mm (260 in) annually.[32]
Tenorio Volcano10°43′N 84°59′W / 10.71°N 84.99°W / 10.71; -84.9912,905 ha (31,890 acres)The park is characterized by cloud forests and rain forests. The volcano reaches an elevation of 1,917 m (6,289 ft).
Tortuguero10°27′N 83°34′W / 10.45°N 83.57°W / 10.45; -83.5776,397 ha (188,780 acres)Two-thirds of the park is water. The park hosts the largest green turtle nesting beach in the Americas. Ninety-nine percent of the park is for preservation; one percent is open to visitors.[33]
Turrialba Volcano10°01′N 83°46′W / 10.02°N 83.77°W / 10.02; -83.771,257 ha (3,110 acres)Turrialba is the second highest volcano in Costa Rica with an elevation of 3,340 m (10,960 ft). The volcano is periodically active.[34]
Total816,521 ha (2,017,670 acres) (including ocean)The land area of national parks make up 13 percent of the area of Costa Rica and about one-half of the total protected land area in Costa Rica.

Number of visitors to parks

RankParkTotal visitors (2012-2022)[35]
1Manuel Antonio4,388,469
2Irazú Volcano2,732,394
3Poás Volcano2,503,944
4Marino Ballena1,878,848
5Tortaguero1,277,816
6Cahuita1,113,911
7Arenal Volcano1,010, 866
8Tenoro Volcano975,754
9Rincón de La Vieja Volcano769,719
10Corcovado551,101
11Santa Rosa425,388
12Carara398,910
13Tapanti-Macizo de la Muerte240,482
14Braulio Carrillo240,089
15Chirripó155,696
16Coco Island107,295
17Palo Verde68,591
18Barra Honda52,067
19Los Quetzales28,751
20San Lucas Island18,872
21Marino Las Baulas18,012
22Diriá16,300
23La Cangreja12,556
24La Amistad International Park7,985
25Turrialba Volcano7,234
26Barbilla4,157
27Piedras Blancas3,727
28Juan Castro Blanco732
29Guancasten/a
30Miravalles Jorge Manuel Dengon/a

Photographs

See also

References

  1. ↑ Stater, Adam. "Protected Areas of Costa Rica".
  2. ↑ Jane Levere (29 August 2011). "The World's Most Beautiful National Parks". Forbes. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  3. ↑ Google Earth Pro
  4. 1 2 "Essential Costa Rica: National Parks". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "Arenal Volcano National Park". Arenal Costa Rica. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "Ballena National Marine Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "Barbilla National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "Barra Honda National Park". SINAC. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  9. ↑ "SINAC". Braulio Carrillo National Park. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  10. ↑ "Cahuita National Park". Costa Rica's National Parks. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  11. ↑ "Carara National Park". Costa Rica Guide. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  12. ↑ "Cerro Chirripo". Costa Rica Guide. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "Cocos Island National Park". Essential Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Corcovado National Park". Essential Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "Diria National Park". Essential Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "Guancaste National Park". Essential Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "Irazu volcano". Essential Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  18. ↑ "Juan Castro Blanco National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  19. ↑ "La Amistad Internal Park and Biosphere Preserve". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "La Congreja Natonal Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  21. ↑ "La Baulas Marine National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "Los Quetzales National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "Manuel Antonio National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  24. ↑ "Welcome to Miravalles National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "Palo Verde National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "Poas Volcano National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  27. ↑ "Rincon de la Vieja Volcano". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  29. ↑ "Santa Rosa National Park". Visit Costa Rica. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  30. ↑ "Discover the History of Isla San Lucas National Park". Essential Costa Rica. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  31. ↑ "Tapanti-Macizo de la Muerte National Park". Essential Costa Rica. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  32. ↑ "Tapanti-Macizo de la Muerte National Park". SINAC.
  33. ↑ "Tortuguero National Park". Essential Costa Rica. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  34. ↑ "Turrialba Volcano National Park". SINAC. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  35. ↑ Ruiz Leon, Francisco. "Estos son los parques nacionales mas y menos visitados de Costa Rica en los ultimos dias anos". El Financiero (Costa Rica). Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  • Franke, Joseph (1993). "Costa Rica's National Parks and Preserves".
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