In 2023 thirty National Parks of Costa Rica are managed under the umbrella of SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservacion), a department of Costa Rica's Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE). All told, Costa Rica's protected areas, including national parks, encompass more than 25% of the country's total land area.[1] Many of these protected areas are national parks.
Costa Rica's progressive policies on environmental protection and sustainable ecotourism in the National Parks System have been lauded as a model for other countries. The rainforests, tropical forests, marine areas and wetlands of Costa Rica are the subject of many university and scientific organization studies. The enrichment of the world's knowledge of these important habitats is an invaluable contribution from the National Parks System of Costa Rica.
The Camino de Costa Rica is a 280 km long hiking trail across Costa Rica. It runs from the Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean coast), the southernmost part of the Tortuguero Canals, up the mountain and through indigenous territory near the Barbilla National Park and through valleys and mountain ranges of the central region of the country, just south of the Turrialba and Irazu Volcanos and through the Los Santos coffee region down to the Pacific coast in Quepos.
Arenal Volcano, 1,633 m (5,358 ft) in elevation, has been active almost continuously since 1968. A second volcano, Chato, has a lake in the crater.[4][5]
Elevations from 110 m (360 ft) to 1,600 m (5,200 ft), The park features foot travel in wet and very wet rain forests and pumas, jaguars, ocelots, and tapirs.[7]
Steep topography, several volcanoes, rain forests, and proximity to the capital city of San José are attractions. The highest elevation is 2,906 m (9,534 ft)[9]
On the Atlantic coast, 55,200 ha (136,000 acres) of the park is water. The park includes Costa Rica's largest coral reef and preserves marine life.[10]
Near the Pacific Ocean, Carara is the northernmost coastal rain forest in Costa Rica. The park is popular with bird watchers and has a large population of scarlet macaws.[11]
Chirripó features Costa Rica's highest mountain with an elevation of 3,820 m (12,530 ft). Alpine tundra (Costa Rican Paramo) and glacial lakes are found at elevations above 3,000 m (9,800 ft)[12]
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cocos Island is 550 km (340 mi) off the Pacific Ocean coast of Costa Rica and features marine life, evergreen forests, and waterfalls.[13]
On the Pacific coast, most of the park is shallow lagoons, mangrove forests, beaches, and low altitude cloud forests. Access is only with approved guide.[14]
Irazú is Costa Rica's highest volcano at 3,432 m (11,260 ft). A paved road reaches to near the summit from where both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts can be seen.[17]
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest wilderness area in Costa Rica, the park extends into Panama. Rugged terrain and some of the highest mountains in the country are features. Bio-diversity is outstanding for both flora and fauna.[19]
Most of this park is ocean. The beaches of Las Baulas are the largest nesting ground in the world for sea turtles. The coastal area of the park features mangrove forests.[21]
Rich as it is in biological life, Piedras Blancas is also part of the Osa Conservation Area along with several adjoining parks and reserves devoted to conservation.
The volcano, 2,708 m (8,885 ft) in elevation, has several fumaroles emitting gas and causing acid rain which has killed much of the vegetation and force frequent closure of the park.[26]
The volcano, 1,916 m (6,286 ft) in elevation is continuously active with foot trails to nine volcanic cones, fumaroles, mud pits, and hot springs.[27][28]
Santa Rosa protects a dry tropical forest and beaches with sea turtle nests. The park is the site of the Battle of Santa Rosa and military monuments.[29]
Elevations up to 2,560 m (8,400 ft), rain forests, ancient oak and alder trees characterize this park in one of the rainiest parts of Costa Rica.[31] Precipitation exceeds 6,500 mm (260 in) annually.[32]
Two-thirds of the park is water. The park hosts the largest green turtle nesting beach in the Americas. Ninety-nine percent of the park is for preservation; one percent is open to visitors.[33]
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