Protected Areas in Costa Rica

The Guanacaste Conservation Area in northwestern Costa Rica contains a mosaic of diverse ecosystems, from the Pacific shores to lowland Caribbean rainforests. It comprises four contiguous protected areas containing critical terrestrial and marine-coastal environments and key habitats.

Guanacaste National Park is located in the northern part of Costa Rica. It was created to allow a corridor between the dry forest and rainforest areas where many species migrate seasonally. It is a part of the Area de Conservación Guanacaste World Heritage Site.

The Irazú Volcano is an active stratovolcano in the Cordillera Central of east-central Costa Rica. A popular tourist destination, Irazú Volcano National Park is part of the Central Conservation Area of Costa Rica and encompasses the area around the volcano.

La Amistad International Park is a Transboundary Protected Area that extends along the border between Costa Rica and Panama, which, along with the surrounding Biosphere Reserves, preserves a significant tract of tropical forest known for its extraordinary biodiversity and endemism.

Los Katíos National Park, located in northwest Colombia, has great biological wealth and holds a privileged role in the South American continent's biogeographical history. An exceptional biological diversity is found in the park, home to many threatened animal species and endemic plants.

Los Quetzales National Park encompasses both rainforest and cloud forest, encompassing fourteen different ecosystems, and is named for the colorful Resplendent Quetzal, Costa Rica's national bird found here.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a small national park in the Central Pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas. It is well known for its beautiful beaches and hiking trails and includes 12 small islets just off the coast.

Mount Chirripó (Cerro Chirripó) stands tall as the highest mountain in Costa Rica. This majestic peak is located within the boundaries of the renowned Chirripó National Park, a true gem of ecological wealth and biodiversity. The mountain's name, "Chirripo," meaning "land of eternal waters," was bestowed by Native Americans, aptly reflecting the abundance of lakes and streams that grace its surroundings.

Nestled in the heart of the Guanacaste Province, Palo Verde National Park is an integral part of SINAC's Tempisque Conservation Area. The park derives its name from the hardy palo verde shrub, an emblem of the resilience that characterizes this unique ecosystem. This national treasure is among the last bastions safeguarding the endangered tropical dry forests that once blanketed Central America.

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.