Travel Guide for Costa Rica's National Parks

Costa Rica is a country where nature rules in the best way possible—a place where you can wake up to the sounds of howler monkeys, hike through misty cloud forests, and relax in volcanic hot springs, all in one day. Costa Rica's national parks should be top of an itinerary for this amazing country!

🌋 1. Arenal Volcano National Park – Hiking Lava Fields, Hot Springs & Adventure

Driving into La Fortuna, the town at the base of Arenal Volcano, felt surreal. The near-perfect cone of the volcano dominates the landscape, towering above lush rainforest and Lake Arenal. The town itself is small but packed with adventure activities, and you can see the steaming volcano from almost everywhere. Be careful if you're driving yourself though - the roads around Arenal and La Fortuna are steep and narrow, so take care if driving.

Top Activities & Tours:

If possible, you'd ideally spend 2-3 days in and around Arenal as this is primarily where you'll get access to those thrill-seeking, adrenaline based activities, mixed in with some relaxation in a typically cooler part of Costa Rica. We would highly recommend the tour linked below which packs a few different activities into one fun filled day!

• Hiking Lava Trails – Walking on solidified lava flows from past eruptions was an incredible experience. You can join onto the Las Coladas & Los Heliconias Trails ($15 entry) and wind through black volcanic rock, where the landscape feels almost otherworldly. Along the trail, I saw brightly coloured poison dart frogs and howler monkeys swinging in the trees - it's a great trail to check out wildlife and have the sense you are walking on different ground.

• La Fortuna Waterfall – This 200-foot waterfall crashes into a turquoise swimming hole ($18 entry). The hike down 500 steep steps is tough and can be quite steep, particularly when you get to the bottom and have to wade over small pockets of the water or clamber over slippery rocks. However, once I jumped into the cool, refreshing water, it was totally worth it. I even watched a local guide dive off the rocks like a pro! This, however, is not recommended for non-locals! They know where the rocks are beneath the surface and can judge their dive accordingly (as I was told by my guide describing the less fortunate fate of another traveller who got injured).

• Soaking in Hot Springs – After a day of hiking, make sure to head to one of the popular thermal resorts (I personally tried Tabacón Thermal Resort) where hot mineral-rich water flows through natural pools surrounded by jungle. I also visited El Chollín, a locals’ secret free hot spring right next to a river, where I sat in warm water under the stars while sipping a cold Imperial beer.

• Kayaking on Lake Arenal – If, like me, you like an activity but aren't overly fussed around high adrenaline, then this is perfect for you. As the sun set, I paddled across calm, mirror-like waters, watching the volcano reflect on the surface. The sky turned shades of orange and pink, making this one of the most peaceful moments of my entire trip.

Where to Stay in Arenal?

🏡 Budget: Arenal Backpackers Resort – $15–$25/night (social vibe, pool, dorms & privates).
🏡 Mid-Range: Hotel Lomas del Volcán – $90–$140/night (bungalows with volcano views).
🏡 Luxury: The Springs Resort & Spa – $350+/night (private hot springs & 5-star service).

🏝️ 2. Manuel Antonio National Park – Wildlife & Breathtaking Beaches

If your focus for Costa Rica is wildlife and nature, then look no further. Walking through Manuel Antonio felt like stepping into a wildlife documentary. Within the first ten minutes on the trail, I saw a sloth hanging from a tree, a group of capuchin monkeys stealing food from an unsuspecting tourist, and bright red macaws flying overhead. This is one of Costa Rica’s smallest national parks, but it’s packed with wildlife and stunning beaches.

Top Activities & Tours:

• Wildlife Walk – Manuel Antonio is the best place in Costa Rica to see sloths up close. On the main trail, my guide spotted a two-toed sloth slowly munching on leaves, while a family of howler monkeys leaped through the branches above us. A guide isn't essential for Manuel Antonio, and you can actually spend the whole day here (it's that big), but you can therefore hire a guide for an hour or two of your visit and then explore by yourself (which is just as fun in my opinion).

  • Make sure for Manuel Antonio to purchase your ticket in advance of visiting the national park - this is the only place you'll need to do this in Costa Rica. In the off season, this is more of a formality, but if visiting in peak season, you'll need to book a fair way in advance to secure your spot.

  • You'll need to, when booking, select a time period for entry into the park - once you enter, you can't leave and come back in. Water is allowed into the park, but all other foods are banned, unless in recyclable material. There is a small cafe in the middle of the park which serves all typical lunch and drink options.

• Hiking to Cathedral Point – The moderate 1-hour trail leads to a stunning lookout over the Pacific Ocean. From the top, I watched waves crash against dramatic cliffs, and on my way down, I saw a raccoon digging through someone’s backpack! It's a great segment of the park after you've worked along the more trodden along trails (but be warned of the steps involved!)

• Swimming at Playa Manuel Antonio – This white-sand beach with crystal-clear water is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. After hiking, I jumped in the water to cool off, but I had to keep an eye on the capuchin monkeys—one almost ran off with my sunglasses!

Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio?

🏡 Budget: Selina Manuel Antonio – $20–$30/night (great for solo travellers).
🏡 Mid-Range: Jungle Beach Hotel – $100–$150/night (walking distance to the beach).
🏡 Luxury: Arenas Del Mar Beachfront Resort – $450+/night (5-star beachfront stay).

🌿 3. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – Misty Jungles & Hanging Bridges

Monteverde is unlike anywhere else I’ve been. The cloud forest is covered in thick mist, with trees covered in hanging moss, orchids, and vines. The air is cool, crisp, and full of bird calls, making it a completely different experience from Costa Rica’s tropical beaches. It's such a contrast to other areas in Costa Rica and I'd highly recommend spending a few days here.

Top Activities & Tours:

• Hanging Bridges Walk ($30 entry) – Walking across these massive suspension bridges was breathtaking. Being high up in the jungle canopy, I saw colourful toucans, sleepy sloths, and a rare resplendent quetzal—one of the most beautiful birds in the world.

• Ziplining & Tarzan Swing ($50–$75) – Monteverde has one of the longest zip-lines in the world (1.5 km!), and flying over the jungle at 60 mph was an adrenaline rush like no other. Although it's slightly more expensive an activity, it's definitely worth it!

• Night Walk Tour ($25) – Monteverde comes alive at night. On my tour, I saw glowing fungi, a tarantula as big as my hand, and a sleeping toucan tucked inside a tree hole. It's a great feeling shining your torch through the forest trying to find different animals and insects, especially on a clear night with the stars shining.

Where to Stay in Monteverde?

🏡 Budget: Camino Verde B&B – $30–$50/night (cozy & affordable).
🏡 Mid-Range: Hotel Belmar – $150–$250/night (great views & eco-friendly).
🏡 Luxury: Senda Monteverde – $300+/night (high-end eco-lodge).

🏜️ 4. Corcovado National Park – Costa Rica’s Wildest Jungle

Stepping into Corcovado National Park felt like traveling back in time, into a world untouched by modern life. Located on the remote Osa Peninsula, this is Costa Rica’s most biodiverse and pristine jungle—a place where jaguars still roam, tapirs wander along riverbanks, and scarlet macaws soar above the towering trees. The sheer remoteness and rugged beauty of Corcovado make it one of the most exhilarating and raw travel experiences in Central America.

Reaching Corcovado isn’t just a simple drive—it’s an adventure from the moment you set off. I started my journey in Sierpe, a sleepy riverside town that serves as the gateway to the park. From here, I hopped onto a small boat, which quickly became one of the most thrilling rides of my life.

We sped through winding mangrove forests, where crocodiles lurked in the brackish waters and herons waded along the banks. As we emerged into open ocean, the waves turned rough, the wind howled, and for a moment, I questioned whether my tiny boat would make it. Then, suddenly, a deserted golden-sand beach appeared before us, backed by an impenetrable wall of jungle.

The boat pulled up right onto the shore—no docks here! I swung my backpack over my shoulder, jumped into the knee-deep surf, and landed on one of the wildest and most breathtaking beaches I’ve ever seen. And just like that, the real adventure began.

Top Activities & Tours in Corcovado

• Jungle Trek to Sirena Station ($150 guided tour): If you do one thing in Corcovado, let it be this trek. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s hands down one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in Costa Rica. The hike started early in the morning, with the air thick with humidity and the sounds of howler monkeys echoing through the jungle. Within the first hour, our guide motioned for us to stop and pointed to a Baird’s tapir—a large, pig-like animal that is incredibly rare to see. It stood motionless, camouflaged among the trees, before disappearing into the undergrowth. As we continued hiking, the jungle came alive:

  • Four species of monkeys (howler, spider, capuchin, and squirrel) swinging through the trees.

  • A vibrant toucan perched on a low-hanging branch.

  • Fresh jaguar tracks in the mud—proof that these elusive predators were nearby.

  • A pack of coatis foraging in the undergrowth.

    Bring high-quality binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens—you’ll want to capture every detail of this once-in-a-lifetime jungle trek.

• Diving at Caño Island ($140 per person): Corcovado isn’t just about the jungle—the waters around Caño Island offer some of the best diving and snorkelling in Costa Rica. I signed up for a full-day diving trip, and within minutes of jumping in, I was surrounded by white-tip reef sharks. But the highlights didn’t stop there:

  • Schools of colourful parrotfish and angelfish darting through the coral.

  • Spotted rays gliding gracefully beneath me.

  • A pod of dolphins appearing out of nowhere, playfully riding the boat’s wake.

  • Sea turtles drifting lazily through the water.

    Pro Tip: If you don’t dive, snorkelling here is still phenomenal—the water is crystal-clear, and the marine life is abundant.

Where to Stay in Corcovado?

🏡 Budget: Bolita Rainforest Hostel ($20–$40/night):

A true off-grid jungle experience—this hostel is deep in the rainforest,

accessible only by hiking in. You’ll sleep to the sounds of the jungle and wake up

surrounded by misty treetops and birdsong.

🏡 Mid-Range: Iguana Lodge ($120–$200/night): An eco-friendly beachfront retreat

with comfortable bungalows, incredible ocean views, and a focus on

sustainable tourism. Perfect if you want to combine adventure with relaxation.

🏡 Luxury: Lapa Rios Eco Lodge ($500+/night): One of the most exclusive lodges in

Costa Rica, offering all-inclusive luxury in the heart of the jungle. Private bungalows

with open-air showers, gourmet meals, and guided wildlife tours make this an unforgettable stay.