Tourist Attractions & Monuments Costa Rica

One of the only ever green forests on the Pacific coast.

162 ha land, 584 ha marine. On the Pacific coast, it is one of the most important nesting sites of the leatherback or baula turtle (January) and Ridley's turtle (between July and November).

Precipitation: 1 900 mm.

Average temperature: 28 ° C.

Practice: hotels, pensions and restaurants close to the protected area.

2 920 ha. The waters of the artificial lake are used for electric power generation and irrigation of the area. The flora is varied, including the mountain guava, the laurel or the rose wood. On the wildlife side, tapirs, paresseux, jaguars, deer, snakes (e. g. boa) will be watched with curiosity. Among the birds, you will notice some parrots, budgies or caimans. The waters of the lake, rich in fish, are suitable for fishing. The main attraction of the park is, of course, the Arenal volcano. Its ultimate period of great activity dates back to 1968. For several days, it belched fusion rocks, ash, steam and important lava flows. Attention, and it will never be repeated enough: the conical volcano is almost always hidden by clouds or mists that sometimes disappear around 3 o'clock in the morning!

Precipitation: 5 000 mm.

Average temperatures: 18 to 23 ° C.

Practice: camping. Housing around the lake and La Fortuna. Sentiers trails.

Northwest of San José by Interamericana Norte and Guacimal or Las Juntas. The famous Monteverde cloud forest is composed of a national reserve (Santa Elena) and a private reserve (Monteverde). Its high foliage constantly bathed in moisture that promotes the development of fantastic epiphytes plants houses some 450 species of birds, including quetzal and a variety enriched with migratory birds from North America.

5 600 ha. Easily accessible and close to the capital, the Parc volcano park is very popular. On the landscaped lookout, the families discover fumaroles, geysers and sulfur fumes that chafe their eyes.

The Poás has the largest active crater in the world (1,36 km in diameter), the bottom of which was a hot lake, evaporated since the beginning of the current active period. Because of the fumes, the fauna and flora are relatively rare, but the park protects a moist forest below the crater. The 600 m to travel (from administration to lookout) are prevented from those suffering from respiratory or eye conditions.

Practice: there is no camping. Hotels, restaurants and grocery stores in Alajuela and on the road. Marked trails.

6 000 ha. This park is only partially explored because of its highly disturbed terrain by the rivers and waterfalls that abound in this mountainous terrain covered by a thick mountain rain forest. Birds and mammals (including ocelot, tapir or the cat-tiger) inhabit this space protected by its very nature. To be seen: the quetzal nest of the position of guardian. This pleasant park is not visited, except during the weekend.

Precipitation: from 3 200 to 7 000 mm. The rainy months are January, February, March and April.

Average temperature: 21 ° C.

Practice: camping and picnic areas. Marked and unmarked trails.

217 ha. A archaeological site whose paved streets, sidewalks and petroglyphs go back more than two thousand five hundred years, the Guayabo National monument is also a conservation area that houses as many orchids as typical forests of the slopes of the Turrialba volcano.

Precipitation: 6 500 mm. March and April are the least rainy months.

Practice: Hotels, restaurants and grocery stores in Turrialba. Marked trails.

45 899 ha. In the north-east of the central valley, this park includes the Barva volcanoes, Cacho Negro (both extinct) and the Bajo de Hondura. Its situation on the central volcanic cordillera gives it a very cut look, alternating high mountains covered with humid forests and deep valleys dug by rivers falling from volcanoes. Without following the park trails, it is possible to have a sublime glimpse along the 24 km road that passes through it through Dirigeant. But you may only contemplate the ferns that line the walls of the klokot mountain and the waterfalls whose brightness bursts in all this green green blue, obscured by fog. Be careful on this road, because fog and rain prevent you from seeing more than 10 m when no less. Some days, we don't even distinguish the entrance arch from the Zurquí tunnel.

Precipitation: from 2 500 to 6 000 mm.

Average temperatures: 9 to 25 ° C.

Practice: camping near the Barva volcano, accommodation and restoration along the road San José-Guápiles. Trails marked or not.

4 000 ha. This small park, since it officially opened on July 1, 2004, houses a large population of scream monkeys (monos congos) and fourmiliers.

82 027 ha land and 78 000 ha marine. The two nearby national parks are located in the dry part of the Pacific. They present a large diversity of habitats due to the significant difference between 0 and 2 000 m of the Orosí volcano. Santa Rosa is a historic place for the country. This was the victorious battle of 20 March 1856 against the mercenaries of William Walker. 240 species of trees (including guanacaste, national tree) are visible as well as 140 mammals, 300 birds, 100 amphibians, 10 000 insects and 5 000 nocturnal butterflies. Since 4 December 1999, the Guanacaste Conservation Zone has been registered as UNESCO World Natural Heritage.

Precipitation: from 1 600 to 1 800 mm. The dry period runs from December to May.

Practice: a few campsites inside the park.

In the extension of Corcovado, this recent park protects a zone of low-altitude rain forest.

1 068 ha. In one of the most beautiful places in the country, this park protects one of Costa Rica's three live coral reefs, off its forest and white sandy beaches. This reef has 35 species of corals, 140 species of molluscs, 44 species of crustaceans, 128 species of algae and 123 species of fish.

Precipitation: 2 700 mm. Dry months are September, October, March and April.

Average temperature: 27 ° C.

Practice: Hotels, restaurants and grocery stores in Cahuita. Camping in Puerto Vargas. Sentiers trails.

92 000 ha. In northeast Costa Rica on the Atlantic coast, these protected areas can only be reached by plane or boat. At the confluence of the San Juan River (border with Nicaragua) and natural or artificial canals in Tortuguero, it is a wetland area of tropical rainforest that is very wet where live, frogs (including tiny red and poisonous frogs), monkeys and lazy, and 240 species of birds. It is also the nesting place of the green turtle. Many thousands arrive on Tortuguero beach between June and August.

Precipitation: 5 000 mm. There are no well-defined dry times.

Average temperature: 26 ° C.

Practice: Hotels, pensions, restaurants and grocery stores in Parismina, Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado. Camping in Tortuguero, Jalova and Agua Fría. Marked canals and trails along the beaches.

On land of volcanic origin covered by dry tropical forests bordered by more humid forests, this refuge was created to save areas threatened by their proximity to the major cities of the Central Valley.

North-east of Esparza on Interamericana Norte, Cordillère cordillère. In the extension of. Blancas.

In the face of Isla Terrace well known for the day tours, this refuge protects a 200 m wide coastal strip, which has been preserved as one of the last forests of the very heavily cleared peninsula.

91 ha. Restricted access. This reserve was created to protect the beauty of the four islands (the Pájaros are two). The flora is low due to soil poverty and the strength of the winds. The islands are the refuge of hundreds of birds living there permanently and of migratory birds including the pèlerin falcon.

Practice: camping prohibited on the islands. Housing and restoration in Puntarenas.

16 804 ha. A green bush with delicate yellow flowers gave its name to the park. Along the Tempisque River, swamps are home to aquatic birds, palmipèdes and wading birds common to all Central America (279 species). On the banks of the Río River, crocodiles can reach 5 m long. The park is perhaps the largest bird sanctuary in Central America.

Precipitation: 1 500 mm.

Practice: administration for camping at Tel 2671 1062. Hotels, restaurants and grocery stores in Cañas or Bagaces. Marked trails.

Surrounded by the temporary lake of How Negro, this wetland region is one of the most humid in Costa Rica and most frequented by migratory birds.

248 337 ha with a portion of absolute protection. These two parks, covering most of the Cordillera of Talamanca impenetrable, constitute the largest protection area in Costa Rica (the Amistad extends even after the border with Panama) and houses an impressive number of animal and plant species. Their relief is typical of the glacial age (- 30000). Mount Chirripó, the highest point in the country with 3 820 m altitude, is considered the northern boundary of the Andes and paramó, the Andean vegetation.

Precipitation: from 3 000 to 8 000 mm.

Average temperatures: 6 to 25 ° C.

Practice: shelters in Chirripó (see administration), camping at La Amistad (Tel 222 3155), in Hitoy-Lamartine on the Atlantic coast (see administration), hotels, restaurants and grocery stores in San Isidro, San Vito, Limón and Cartago. Signposted trails in Chirripó and not marked at La Amistad.

Specifically: 5 ° 30 ' 34 "north latitude and 87 ° 18 ' 6" west to avoid losing you. 2 400 ha land and 73 100 ha marine. The journey, to get there, can last 36 hours. Anchorage in the Baies and Chatham bays north of the island. This «green bouquet in the middle of two seas» of volcanic origin (3 000 m altitude from the seabed), the dream of any experienced diver, was discovered in 1526 by Juan Cabezas. The island later became a point of fresh water supply and a collection of stolen treasures between 1684 and 1821. The "treasure" of Lima, which included a representation of gold from the Virgin to the Child, was perhaps hidden by the pirate William Thompson. The island's relief descends sharply towards the sea, promoting spectacular waterfalls. Rainfall of 7 000 mm per year provides a green vegetation where there are some 235 different species of plants, including 70 endemic species, 97 bird species, 3 species of which are specific to the island, 2 endemic species of reptiles (the lizard Norops townsendi and the salamander), 450 species of insects and 3 species of spiders. In the marine part of the park, there are 57 species of crustaceans, 120 species of molluscs, 300 species of fish and 18 species of corails. This rather technical list shows the ecological importance of one of the largest virgin islands, which served as a model for Michael Crichton for the Island of Jurassic Park and the Lost World of Sir Conan Doyle. It was classified as a World heritage by UNESCO in 1998 and became even more difficult to reach.

Precipitation: from 2 000 to 3 000 mm.

Average temperature: from 27 to 33 ° C.

Practice: no accommodation because it is forbidden to stay on the island. In fact, you have to stay on a boat. Sentiers trails.

25 ha. To visit this wildlife reserve, a permit must be requested from the National Parks Service in San José Tel 233 4118 or Santa Rosa Tel 695 5598. This small island, located 4 km west of Puerto Soley (Guanacaste) in the bay just before the border with Nicaragua, is one of the driest land in Costa Rica. More than 500 brown pelicans and a thousand frigates spawn there.

Precipitation: 1 500 mm.

Average temperature: from 25 to 32 ° C.

Practice: Hotels and restaurants in La Cruz; restaurants, grocery stores and boats for the crossing in Puerto Soley.

500 ha land and 22 000 ha marine. Famous place that receives ponte turtles, the largest in the world. In dark blue, they can measure more than 2 m and weigh 700 kg. In October and March, lora and carey turtles arrived. Also a mangrove zone.

Precipitation: 1 700 mm. The dry period runs from December to April.

Average temperature: from 27 to 34 ° C.

Practice: Hotels and restaurants in Tamarindo.

Known as the "Insects Park", Lomas Barbudal houses more than 250 species of bees and about different night butterflies.

Precipitation: 1 600 mm.

Average temperature: 25 to 30 ° C.

Practice: Accommodation and restaurants in Bagaces. Possibility of camping with the agreement of the administration. Sentiers trails only practicable during the dry season.

The close for the island are 189 km away and 291 km from San José (Sierpe, Bahía Drake, etc.). 300 ha land and 2 700 ha marine. Still a protective island, but it, apart from giving sanctuary to birds and other animals (few), housed a pre-Columbian cemetery in its time, where the mysterious stone spheres were found, some of which remained in place. The natural forest has disappeared, replaced by a forest of persistent leaves trees, sometimes reaching 50 m high. The coral reef has a very interesting fauna.

Precipitation: 4 500 mm.

Average temperature: 27 ° C.

Practice: access and camping agreement with the administration of the Corcovado Park. Marked trails.

1 172 ha. At the south end of the Nicoya Peninsula, this marine bird sanctuary (brown pelicans, frigates, white-fronted gulls…) includes the small rocky island of Cabo Blanco with the blanchies walls by the thousands of birds that are in it. The peninsula promotes vegetation of dry tropical type (arbutus, mahogany cedar, dogwood) and a fauna (deer, hurleur monkey, capuchin, porcupine, coyote…) very abundant. At low tide, the sea leaves small ponds that retain all kinds of marine animals. To visit very early in the morning.

Precipitation: 2 300 mm.

Average temperature: 27 ° C.

Practice: accommodation and catering in Cabuya or Montezuma. Camping with permission from administration. Sentiers trails.

14 256 ha. More than 50% per cent of the protected area, rich in sources, is covered with primary forests, which are covered by clearings intended for regeneration of vegetation (secondary forest). In altitude, it is a dense and dark forest to trees hidden by the enchevêtrement of procedurally and epiphytes plants characteristic of fresh and humid climates. Caimans, peacocks, black turkeys, mountain goats and monkeys have installed their community.

Precipitation: from 2 500 to 5 000 mm.

Average temperature: from 12 to 25 ° C.

Practice: accommodation in Quesada or in villages near the park. Sentiers trails.

Information, Internet and tour organization in the region.

Reserve around a farm.

This project is managed by the Association of Banana Producers (Chumú in Bribri). The accommodation is in a typical, airy 30-seat rancho. The catering served is prepared from local products.

Proposed activities. Many activities are proposed, including cultural activities with visits to the community and visit of organic plantations of bananas, palm trees, cocoa and medicinal plants. The association also offers excursions to a 1 500 ha primary forest reserve including thermal springs and several rivers. Other attractions can be proposed such as the visit of the international park La Amistad and the descent of the Río River.