Right at the heart of Central America, in between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, sits the small yet incredibly diverse, Costa Rica.As a holiday destination, Costa Rica has something for everyone; from tropical beaches to fiery volcanoes and mysterious cloud forests to lush rainforests, it’s brimming with natural wonders. We think its landscapes are some of the most unique in the world.What's more, it boasts one of the world’s best conservation policies; it’s absolutely abundant in wildlife and home to some of the best tropical flora and fauna you could hope to find. You can't go wrong really.Dawn and Lou are our experts in all things Costa Rica holidays, and they’re ready to design you a completely tailor-made adventure of a lifetime.
The numbers say it all; in Costa Rica, you’ll find 13 different microclimates and more than 500,000 animal species, including hundreds that can’t be found elsewhere.Despite making up just 0.03% of the planet, Costa Rica boasts an incredible 5% of the world’s biodiversity. In fact, a quarter of the country is part of a protected forest or reserve. If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, Costa Rica also has a staggering 28 national parks, three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.It’s no wonder that Costa Rica holidays are so popular with HA customers! Read on to explore the different landscapes of this diverse country and round up our favourite national parks…
Arenal Volcano, Arenal, Costa Rica
We’ll kick things off with Arenal Volcano National Park, a natural wonderland and one of the best nature reserves in Central America.Arenal is one of the most recognisable landscapes in Costa Rica, thanks to its almost perfectly conical crowning glory – the Arenal Volcano. This dramatic backdrop sets the perfect scene for Costa Rica’s adventure capital.Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s youngest, and it last erupted back in 1968. At 5,358 feet high, it towers over 30,000 acres of misty cloud forest and winding wild rivers below.The surrounding national park and private reserves are full of well-maintained trails that weave their way through the rainforest. Spend a few hours exploring and you can expect to see coatis, monkeys, toucans, and so much more. Arenal is home to around 800 different species of birdlife!
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The area is also known for hanging bridge walks – elevated pathways through the canopy that offer a different perspective on the forest. The guides here are absolutely brilliant; they’ll help you see the rainforest through completely fresh eyes and notice things you would have rushed by without them.Alternatively, you may want to tick off the bucket list and take on one (or more!) of the many exhilarating outdoor activities on offer; rafting and zip-lining are popular choices for thrill-seekers!Or, you could navigate the famous hanging bridges in the charming town of La Fortuna. And afterwards? Well, nothing goes together better than volcanoes and hot springs! So enjoy a bit of relaxation as you soak your adventuring limbs in the naturally warm waterfalls and thermal pools at tranquil Ecotermales. Pure bliss.
When to go to Arenal
At a push, Arenal can work all year-round. We would recommend avoiding September and October if you can, as the weather can get very rainy on the Pacific Coast. (The Caribbean side of the country is a good alternative during these months!) Costa Rica is a tropical country, so it’s worth packing prepared for occasional rain even in the drier months of December to April.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Set on a small peninsula on the Pacific Coast, Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most scenic national parks, and with both primary and secondary forest, it’s a fantastic place to observe the local wildlife. It's one of Costa Rica’s best-known national parks, but for good reason. Easy to access, perched on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country and packed with nature. There’s so much wildlife here, you often don’t even need to leave your hotel room to spot it.Our expert, Dawn, says: “The key with exploring Manuel Antonio is the timing. Be sure to set your alarm and head out early in the morning with a private naturalist guide, and the experience feels completely different.”Manuel Antonio is nice and compact, so there’s no need to hike for hours to see wildlife. Look out for howler monkeys swinging from the treetops and two-toed sloths lying in the forest canopies as you amble along the jungle trails. You might even spot iguanas lazing in the sun, or tiny colourful frogs dotted throughout the lush green forest. Make sure you listen out for kingfishers too!
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The park is all dramatic rocky inlets, sandy coves and mangroves, with dense forest right up to the shore. Punta Catedral is the star of the coastline, surrounded by some of the prettiest beaches in the area. Manuel Antonio’s beaches are all genuinely beautiful and lovely to swim off, so it’s the perfect national park to visit if you’re keen to combine wildlife-spotting with a few lazy afternoons on the sand.We recommend Manuel Antonio to first-time visitors, couples looking for a bit of romance and families who want wildlife without long, strenuous hikes. It works wonderfully when paired with Arenal and Monteverde. Have a little look at our 16-day Classic Costa Rica holiday idea to see the route in full.There are plenty of accommodation options in Manuel Antonio. From the boutique jungle hotels perched above the Pacific – many have open terraces where you’ll spot monkeys at breakfast, to family-friendly resorts with sprawling swimming pools.
When to go to Manuel Antonio
You can visit Manuel Antonio all year round; it’s great at different times for different reasons. The dry season on Costa Rica’s west coast runs from December to April, so you’ll be enjoying those long sunny days and calmer seas. The green season months (May and November in particular) are a quieter time to visit, and there might be a few showers to contend with. But it’s still an excellent time for wildlife, and there will be fewer people on the trails to share those magic sighting moments with.
A hummingbird flitting about in Monteverde
Costa Rica is such a diverse country to explore, and you’ll experience that for yourself when you head from the tropical rainforests along the coast, up into the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Monteverde is tucked away, inland and at a higher altitude, so you’ll feel the difference immediately. The air is fresher up here, the atmosphere is shrouded in a drifting mist, and the trees are thick with moss and orchids. Monteverde isn’t exactly an unknown Costa Rica’s cloud forest, but that’s for good reason. It’s accessible, packed with so many opportunities for adventure and home to some really lovely places to stay just outside of town.
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Thanks to the different ecosystems, there’s so much unique flora and fauna to see here. We’d recommend heading out on an early morning guided walk with a naturalist guide. You’ll get so much valuable insight into what makes this environment so special. Plus, we’re always amazed by their ability to spot wildlife. If it’s there (and it usually is in Costa Rica), they’ll find it! Adventure is on the menu here, too. Test your nerve by flying over the canopy on one of the best zip-lining experiences in the country. (This is tried and tested by our experts! Our Lou even braved the ‘leap of faith’ at the end. She’ll tell you all about it!) Once the sun sets, spend one of your evenings heading back out into the wilderness to experience the forest after dark. It feels completely different at night, with plenty of creepy crawlies to spot. Did someone say tarantula?
When to go to Monteverde Cloud Forest
December to April typically brings clearer mornings in Monteverde, though the cloud forest conditions mean mist is always part of the experience. September and October are best avoided as the weather can be very wet.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Rincón de la Vieja feels more rugged and less visited than Costa Rica’s central volcanic regions. Found right up in the north, not far from the border with Nicaragua, it works perfectly if you’re spending time in the Guanacaste region or flying into Liberia. The landscape here is shaped by geothermal activity, with plenty of steaming fumaroles, sulphur pools, and volcanic mud bubbling alongside the trails. Days can be spent exploring the quiet pathways, venturing through the forest on horseback in search of hidden waterfalls, or soaking your weary hiking limbs in volcanic mud baths. Rincón de la Vieja is ideal for travellers who like to do things a little differently. If you enjoy hiking and getting off the beaten track, do chat to us about factoring this into your Costa Rica holiday itinerary.
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When to go to Rincón de la Vieja National Park
The forest is at its driest from December to April, making the wildlife much easier to spot. September and October are the rainiest months to visit, but of course, holiday itineraries can be tailored to fit whenever you hope to travel. There are always options!
Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula
Corcovado National Park is tucked away in the Osa Peninsula, one of the wildest and most remote corners of Costa Rica. It’s a little trickier to get to (needing a small plane or boat transfer) but if you have the time and desire, you’ll be so well rewarded. Corcovado is one of the most biologically intense regions on the planet. This is a proper rainforest – thick, humid and full of sound and wildlife – we really love it.In the wild and untamed Osa Peninsula, you’ll find Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. It’s a total mecca for wildlife – in fact, it’s got nearly 3% of the earth’s total biodiversity within its boundaries. Home to the country’s most pristine rainforest, it’s undoubtedly the crowning glory of Costa Rica’s national parks and one of the best regions to spot rare wildlife.From rainforest hikes to bird spotting (look out for macaw, toucan, and hummingbird), here you can immerse yourself in a world of different ecosystems as you spot some of the richest wildlife you could imagine. From crocodiles to big cats, hammerhead sharks to humpback whales, it’s a dream destination for nature lovers. In fact, Corcovado is one of the only places in the world where two species of humpback migrate at the same time!Accommodation is in remote eco-lodges around Drake Bay or deep in the jungle itself, with everything from barefoot charm to the ultimate in luxury to choose from (Playa Cativo is particularly special!). Wherever you stay, expect plenty of early starts, guided hikes and night walks with experienced naturalists. We love including Corcovado in our more in-depth Costa Rica holiday itineraries. Take a look at our Undiscovered Costa Rica holiday idea for a little more inspiration.
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When to go to Corcovado National Park
The driest months to visit Corcovado are between January and April, though May to August can still work well. September and October are very wet, and access can be limited, so we wouldn’t recommend heading down to Osa if your holiday dates are tied to later in the year.
Playa Negra, Cahuita National Park
Cahuita offers a very different atmosphere from the national parks on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. The trail runs right along the coastline, so you’ll have the wildlife-packed rainforest on one side and the hues of the Caribbean Sea on the other.This might be a small national park, but don’t let that fool you. The wildlife is easy to spot here, with sloths, raccoons and monkeys a regular on the sightings bill. There’s a rich birdlife here, too, with the trees alive with toucans and kingfishers flitting from one to the next.
If you venture away from dry land, there are some extra special treats in store offshore. The colourful coral reefs offer some of the country’s very best snorkelling, particularly in the calmer months. So don your snorkel, pop on those flippers and keep an eye out for barracudas, rays and even octopus as you explore beneath the waves.Cahuita suits slower-paced travellers and couples who want to experience Costa Rica’s wildlife while also enjoying a strong sense of local culture and plenty of authentic interactions. Accommodation is often in small, characterful hotels in Cahuita village or nearby Puerto Viejo.
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When to go to Cahuita National Park
September and October are great times to visit this part of the Caribbean coast, with much sunnier weather than that on the Pacific side. If you’re tied to travelling over these months, it’s the perfect beach addition to a Costa Rica holiday at this time of year, avoiding the rains that can hit the western beaches.
Whether you’re looking for misty cloud forests or lush green jungles, there’s really no place quite like Costa Rica when it comes to wildlife and national parks. We’re experts in Costa Rica holidays here at HA, so if you want to embark on an unforgettable adventure exploring the national parks of Costa Rica, you can rest assured you’ll be in brilliant hands! Our experts Dawn and Lou live and breathe their love of the country day in day out. They’ll be more than happy to help! Give them a call today on 01242 253 073, or request a quick free quote to find out more!
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