Best Natural Parks of Costa Rica To Visit in 2023

Costa Rica is the ultimate paradise - a natural wonderland of diverse ecosystems, stunning landscapes, and endless adventure. One of the best ways to experience Costa Rica's breath taking beauty is by visiting its network of protected national parks. With 28 incredible National Parks dotting its landscape, every trip to Costa Rica would only be complete by taking time to explore at least one!

Whether it's a romantic getaway or an adventure with friends, we've compiled the list of Costa Rica's best natural parks for 2023.

Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park is a nature-lovers paradise. It's a hidden gem that's only accessible by plane or boat, making it a truly unique destination. But don't let the remoteness deter you, as it is the third most visited park in the country! The park boasts incredible plant and animal life diversity, with eleven distinct habitats interweaving to create a rich tapestry of natural wonders. One of the best ways to explore Tortuguero is by boat or kayak.

But what really sets Tortuguero apart is its reputation as a haven for sea turtles. Every year, these gentle creatures return to the park's beaches to nest, attracting turtle enthusiasts from all over the world.

Location: Limon Province

Fee: $5 Children And $15 Adults

Open time: Every day from 6 AM to 12 PM and from 1 PM to 4 PM, the park is open.

Piedras Blancas National Park

This park, located in the southern zone of Costa Rica, boasts lush Jurassic forests and houses a number of plant and animal species that are native to the region. Its importance goes beyond its beauty, as it is actually a wildlife corridor that connects Corcovado National Park and gives Jaguars their last chance for refuge.

Do you want to be close enough to the park to feel like you're part of it? Reserve your stay at Playa Nicuesa Lodge – it's right at the edge of Piedras Blancas, so you can get up early and wander among all this natural beauty.

Location: Osa Peninsula

Open time: The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Tuesdays, the park is closed.

Manuel Antonio National Park



Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica's most beautiful landscapes, and it was rightfully named one of the top parks by Forbes Magazine in 2011. The park offers several hiking trails that wind through the rainforest, providing excellent opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. With white sandy beaches cuddled gently by coves, any beachgoer will be excited by what they find here.

Specially the park is known for its breath taking scenery, lush tropical rainforest, and pristine beaches. It's home to diverse wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, iguanas, and various species of reptiles and amphibians. When traveling from Manuel Antonio to San Jose in Costa Rica, consider taking the private minivan for a convenient and affordable option.

Location: Pacific Coastline, south of Quepos

Fee: $16 for Adults

Open time: Usually, it's open daily from 7 am to 4 pm. On Tuesdays, the park is closed.

Santa Rosa National Park



Santa Rosa National Park is an experience like none other—situated in the northwesternmost corner of Costa Rica, this park contains some of the world's last remaining tropical dry forests. It was created to connect critical habitats to ensure wide-ranging wildlife, including jaguars, have enough habitat to survive. Basically, the park is home to howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, coatis, deer, and many species of birds. You might even spot a jaguar or a puma if you're lucky!

One of the park's most popular areas is the beach at Playa Naranjo. This is a great spot to relax, swim, or even surf.

Location: R7QV+5XC Hacienda Murciélago, Provincia de Guanacaste

Open time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Las Baulas National Marine Park

The lovely Las Baulas National Marine Park is located on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. It was created in 1990 to conserve the nesting beaches of the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle, the world's largest sea turtle species. However, the 3.2km stretch of white sand beach is perfect for swimming or surfing if you visit during daylight hours; between September and May, it closes down after sunset so that these ancient animals can lay their eggs in peace.

Once you're inside the park, you can take a guided tour to see the nesting turtles, or you can explore the park on your own. One thing to remember is that Las Baulas National Marine Park is a protected area, and visitors are expected to follow certain rules to minimize their environmental impact.

Location: 500 m SO de la Escuela de Playa Grande 933, Provincia de Guanacaste, Santa Cruz

Fee: $10

Open time: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Marino Ballena National Park

Located in Costa Rica, Marino Ballena National Park is home to some of the most stunning beaches and marine life you'll ever see. The park is named after the humpback whales that visit the area between December and April to mate and give birth. Aside from the whales, you'll also find dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of fish and other sea creatures in the park's waters.

If you enjoy water activities, there are plenty of options here. You can go snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, or even take a boat tour to see the whales up close.

In an effort to protect this special area, it was declared the first-ever marine park in Central America - making it a truly unique place to explore.

Location: 500 m SO de la Escuela de Playa Grande 933, Provincia de Guanacaste, Santa Cruz, 5030

Open time: 6 am to 6 pm

Poas Volcano National Park



Poas Volcano is an active stratovolcano in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The park offers visitors the chance to see the volcano's crater, one of the largest in the world. The impressive cavity is filled with water of a stunning aqua color, from which ethereal steam rises. You'll need to take a short hike to get to the viewpoint, but the stunning views of the steaming crater are well worth it. In addition to the volcano, the park is also home to various flora and fauna, including several species of birds and monkeys.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as the weather can be unpredictable at higher elevations.

Location: 5QX6+6JW Parque Nacional Volcán Poas, Provincia de Alajuela, Valverde Vega

Open time: 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Braulio Carrillo National Park

Braulio Carrillo National Park is a protected area located in central Costa Rica, and it's named after Braulio Carrillo, a former president of the country. Spanning an impressive 108,970 acres, it boasts two volcanos and a plethora of river systems that cut through some of the steepest topography in Costa Rica. If the soaring heights don't take your breath away, soak in awe-inspiring views from Quebrada González and Barva Volcano – both spots guarantee spectacular things to look at.

While most of the park is preserved for preservation and research purposes, visitors are still encouraged to explore this paradise respectfully.

Location: Quebrada Gonzalez, Carr. San Jose Limon KM 2, Heredia

Open time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is a biodiversity hotspot where you can experience nature like never before. You should know that this is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth. It's home to over 500 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, and over 400 species of birds. Explore the canopy, and you'll have the chance to spot some of Costa Rica's most magnificent animals - including spider monkeys, jaguars, three-toed sloths, squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws and tapirs!

The park may be challenging to get to, but it is worth exploring if you're an avid wildlife admirer looking for something rare and special. Location: Osa Peninsula between Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez

Fee: $15

Open time: The park is open every day from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Wrap Up

Overall, Costa Rica is an amazing place to visit and experience the exotic culture and beauty that this nation has to offer. With its plentiful natural parks, it's worth visiting in 2023.

We encourage you to check out the parks on this list, as they are all incredibly beautiful and teeming with wildlife. If you're looking for a specific park, Manuel Antonio National Park is an excellent choice and should be at the top of your list.

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Costa Rica: Why it features in my bucket list?

Costa Rica…This country simply takes my breath away. I haven’t been to this country as yet, but I just took a look at this ‘Discover Costa Rica’ #justsayyes video and all I can say is ‘WOW’. This video makes you wanna say ‘YES’ to packing your bags and visiting this exotic destination. Abundant nature, volcanoes, gorgeous bird watching, rich overland and underwater wildlife and great adventure…Costa Rica seems to have everything that I like in my holidays. May be, I will pack my bags soon and head to this country. If I do, these would be the broad attractions for me.



Bio Diverse Forests



I am a sucker for pristine nature. And Costa Rica seems to have this in riches with rainforests, cloud forests and dry forests. It’s national parks and protected areas cover 23.4% of the country’s land area, which is the largest for any country in the world. It is home to the mighty  Arenal volcano, other active volcanoes like Poas and Irazus, stunning waterfalls, beautiful beaches on both the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts, volcanic lakes and spectacular coastlines.

Rich Wildlife and Bird Watching


The wildlife enthusiast and birder in me is all ready with his prime lenses and binoculars when he senses the potential to see gorgeous rare bird species like the chestnut-mandibled toucan, scarlet macaw and green parrot, the bright colored poison dart frogs and/or the elusive jaguar. Costa Rica possesses  the greatest density of species in the world and that in itself is reason enough for me to visit this country.

Adventure Activities



Zip lining through the tropical rain forests, Class II, II and IV white water rafting, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking, stand up paddling, mountain biking and many more high adrenaline activities are on offer here. Zip lining over the rainforest canopy is something that appeals to me the most. How can I forget the volcano treks? The volcanoes are one of the main reasons for me wanting to visit and explore Costa Rica. I am in total awe of this raw and powerful creation of mother nature.

Pristine Beaches

Who doesn’t like a long stretch of pristine white sand with swaying palms and lapping waves? The Caribbean and the Pacific beaches are where I would head to when I feel the need to get some rest after all the high energy activities. My friends who have been to Costa Rica tell me that the beaches near Corcovado National Park on the South Pacific coast and the ones on the Caribbean side offer a more exotic and off-beat beach holiday.

By now, I hope you can understand why I am so excited about this Central American tropical gem. May be, you should add Costa Rica to your travel bucket list while I start planning my logistics to visit this amazing country. And just so you know, Costa Rica, with its great tourist infrastructure is not just for backpackers and hardcore travelers like its neighbors, but it appeals to everyone from honeymooners, couples, families with kids, elderly and basically all kinds of travelers!

Note: The images in this post have been borrowed from wikipedia.org under the Creative Commons License. All images have been linked to their respective source page on wikipedia.

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Best Honeymoon Destinations for Active Couples

You've just gotten married, but your fantasy event is far from over! Now it's time for the honeymoon! Maybe you and your spouse aren't ones to laze around on the beach…maybe you want adventure, and experiences that might put you outside of your comfort zone, or those that allow you to challenge yourself physically.

If you are looking for a trip full of unique experiences for you and the love of your life, there are so many travel options for you!

1. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small, budget-friendly country with plenty of activities for the active couple. Both the Caribbean (Puerto Viejo) and Pacific (the Nicoya Peninsula and Manuel Antonio) sides offer snorkeling, scuba diving and game fishing. If you're a hiker, the Poas and Arenal volcanoes are great mountains. You can also whitewater raft into the interior jungles along the Pacuare and Reventazon River and stay at primitive or "glamp"-orous camping sites among the monkeys and jaguars. At the end of your trip, there are great places either on the beach or in San José to wind-down too!

2. South Africa
South Africa provides plenty of adventure and romance for a couple. Watch lions and leopards at Kruger National Park while staying at a private five-star game lodge. Travel to the Drakensburg mountain range for activities like mountain biking, kayaking, mountaineering and more. Why not test your nerve by cage-diving with great white sharks near Capetown? By night, you can enjoy South Africa's breathtaking views and fine wines to toast your amazing day!

3. American West
Maybe traveling abroad isn't your thing (or simply not in your budget). The American West can offer many options including staying at all-inclusive guest ranches like Vista Verde Ranch. You can get beginning or advanced horseback riding lessons, go fly-fishing, hike, rock climb or kayak. Take advantage of America’s national parks like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite if you'd like to explore on your own.

4. Los Angeles
Not only does this city offer amazing food and entertainment, it is also a hot spot of physical activity. Los Angeles' "Muscle Beach" encourages visitors to get their workouts in while visiting the ocean. There are many opportunities to surf and participate in various other water sports, like jet-skiing and sailing. Famous yoga, Pilates and fitness instructors offer intro classes at their studios, making the city great for adventurous fitness buffs. If you happen to plan your honeymoon in the spring, it may fall over the weekend of the LA Marathon, which newlyweds may want to participate in together!

If you're adventurous but still can’t decide between all of the potential honeymoon destinations that we’ve laid out for you, check out websites like The Knot for further ideas!

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Costa Rica Biking Adventures

For anyone looking to escalate their next travel destination and take part in an adventure which for many people may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, Costa Rica is the Central American country to focus on. This adventure filled expedition allows you to travel from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica all the way to the Atlantic by using only your man power to make it to the end. This is a trip that is only for the extremely adventurous and energetic of people because it is far from your average resort style vacation. This is a great opportunity to combine a tropical fitness routine with the scenery of a country that compares to no other.

If you are interested in exploring Costa Rica from a unique view that not many others can experience, than you need to consider an adventure which includes biking, hiking and white water rafting in order to cross from coast to coast. This 15 day biking trip is one that combines camping and hotels with the vast scenery and nature that you cannot experience anywhere else. You have an exquisite view of the mountain terrains, rainforests, white sandy beaches and tropical wild life at your disposal. No matter what recreational activities you are interested in, you can be sure that an adventurous expedition has been created to include the most popular activities. You can choose from vacation packages that include horse back riding, white water rafting, biking, hiking, zip lining, kayaking and more. Not only do you have the option to choose the best adventure package for you but you can also choose the length of your adventure. They range from 8 days to 15 days for your preferences.

Each of these adventure packages run around $2,500 USD and include your accommodations during the expeditions. This is very affordable for many people because it is the best way to view the country from the inside out and be guided by a professional to ensure your safety during your travels. Although Costa Rica is a safe country within Central America, there are still many dangers which can be encountered during journeys throughout the mountains, villages and rainforests. As Costa Rica is becoming one of the most popular Central American and Caribbean destinations during the height of vacation seasons, more and more people are returning to Costa Rica on several different occasions. Exploring the country via bike, etc may not be something a first time visitor would be interested in participating in but once you have seen Costa Rica and wish to return, there is no better way to see the country than from within its vast scenery.

Travelling to Costa Rica can range anywhere from a simple ocean front hotel to an all-inclusive resort and then for the most adventurous these active recreational packages throughout the country. The beauty of Costa Rica is something everyone must see as it is an experience that has no comparison throughout the Caribbean today. Whether you choose to take adventures through this tropical country or you choose to enjoy its luxury and splendour from their famous beaches, you will not be disappointed.

Credits
This is a guest post from Genuwave LLC.  Some of their blogs include International Travel Medical Insurance, Reward Credit Card, and Selling Time Share.

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