The most beautiful parks and gardens Costa Rica

54 539 ha land and 2 400 ha marine. The last real piece of rainforest throughout Central America is a rich and varied wildlife, as well as a few endangered specimens such as the puma, tapir, crocodile or jaguar who live among the 500 species of trees in the park. 1/5 th of visitors are researchers who work on the very rich ecosystem of Idealism. Beautiful park that imposes respect.

Precipitation: from 4 500 to 5 000 mm.

Average temperature: 25 ° C.

Practice: accommodation at Sirena Station by preventing the administration. To the north-west of the park, the Marenco biological station, housing and transport. Marked and unmarked trails.

683 ha land and sea. A popular park for foreign tourists such as Ticos, Manuel Antonio is a migratory bird sanctuary that enjoys both primary and secondary forests, mangrove forests and dozens of islets near the coast. In addition to the marine species found there, dolphins or whales can be seen along the coasts. The docility of monkeys and lizards who are easily allowed to observe the trail suggests that the ban on feeding animals is not very respected. Manuel Antonio's park and its beautiful white sandy beaches suffer a little from their success. The number of visitors, increasing, damages the tranquillity necessary for observation.

Precipitation: 3 400 mm.

Average temperature: 27 ° C.

Practice: private camping areas. Hotels, pensions, cabinas and restaurants in Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Marked trails.

14 084 ha. The Rincón volcano of La, part of the Cordillère cordillera, has nine volcanic activity points, including hot springs and volcanic mud basins. One of them is active, releasing fumaroles. The most recent eruptions date back to 1998. Fauna and flora are typical of the tropical rainforests (different varieties of monkeys, more than 200 species of birds and the main habitat of the morada morada, orchid became national flowers).

Precipitation: from 2 500 to 4 000 mm.

Average temperatures: 15 to 24 ° C.

Practice: Camping and hostels south of the park, hotels and restaurants in Liberia. Epiceries in Curubandé or Colonia Blanca. The ascent takes two days with a guide. Sentiers trails.

2 309 ha. The highest volcano in the country (3 432 m), the Irazú appears lunar. The last cycle of volcanic activity (1963-1965) completely depleted the vegetation around the five craters now at rest. A lake with the green water water formed at the bottom of one of them. In fine weather, we can see the two oceans of the summit of the volcano. If there are clouds, the trail after the two main craters becomes very impressive, especially when the wind hunts the cloud masses to you.

Precipitation: 2 158 mm.

Average temperature: 7,3 ° C.

Practice: camping (see administration). Hotels, pensions, restaurants and grocery stores along the road. Signposted trail.

9 154 ha. This park, situated on the foothills of Talamanca mountain in the south-east of the Las Estrellas valley, is criss-crossed by a multitude of fast alternating caillouteuses rivers and waterfalls. Moreover, the place is so wet that Hitoy ("wool" in bribri, because of mosses covering stones) and Lamartine ("clear waters") gave her his name. The fauna, very rich and more timid than in other parks more visited, lives mainly in the heights of the forest and remains, therefore, difficult to observe.

Precipitation: 3 700 mm.

Average temperature: 24 ° C.

Practice: no camping. Sentiers trails.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.