Protected Areas in Costa Rica

Piedras Blancas National Park, located in southern Costa Rica, protects over 34,000 acres of evergreen primary forest, indigenous plants and wildlife. The park is home to a number of rare tropical trees and is the habitat for many species of birds, reptiles and mammals.

The Poás Volcano is an active stratovolcano in north-central Costa Rica with the world's second-largest volcanic crater. The volcano is located in Poás Volcano National Park, part of the Cordillera Volcánica Central Biosphere Reserve.

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park spans over 34,000 acres in northwestern Costa Rica and helps protect montane and dwarf cloud forests. Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, an active andesitic complex volcano, is set within the park and is one of six active Costa Rican volcanoes.

Santa Rosa National Park in Costa Rica protects endangered tropical dry forests. It features diverse habitats and is home to various species, such as monkeys, big cats, and sea turtles nesting on its beaches. The park honors the fallen heroes of the Battle of Santa Rosa with the "La Casona" monument and connects to Guanacaste National Park, forming a vital biological corridor.

The Savegre Biosphere Reserve is located on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast and borders two other biosphere reserves in the north and east. Due to its varied topography and its heterogeneity of microclimates, it is one of the most biodiverse sites in the country.

Nestled along the luxuriant northern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca in central Costa Rica, Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park is a testament to the region's rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. Spanning an expansive area, the park extends its embrace into the neighboring western reaches of Panama, showcasing the ecological wealth of the Cordillera de Talamanca.

Tenorio Volcano National Park, in northern Costa Rica, forms part of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area and consists of four volcanic peaks and two craters. Thermal springs, small geysers, rivers, waterfalls, and lagoons, along with panoramic views, dot the area.

Guayabo de Turrialba, nestled amidst the lush wilderness of the Turrialba Volcano, is a testament to Costa Rica's rich pre-Columbian history, nestled amidst the lush wilderness of the Turrialba Volcano. As the largest pre-Columbian city discovered in Costa Rica, the Guayabo National Monument offers a glimpse into the lives of the people who once thrived in this ancient urban center.

Tortuguero National Park is a masterpiece of nature in the northern reaches of Costa Rica's Limón Province. This vital Ramsar site coastal gem embraces an intricate assortment of eleven distinct habitats, including rainforests, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. It weaves seamlessly into Nicaragua's Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, forming a vital corridor for the region's rich biodiversity.

Turrialba Volcano is located in the easternmost part of the Central Volcanic Range and is the second-highest volcano in Costa Rica. Turrialba Volcano National Park is a part of the Central Conservation Area of Costa Rica and encompasses the area around the volcano.