The park’s main attraction is the Leatherback Sea Turtle nesting, which is the largest such nesting ground in the world, and the sea turtle itself is an endangered species that is protected in Costa Rica. Within the refuge, another big attraction is the mangrove with full grown trees. The most common mangrove types are: red, black, white, and tea. These mangrove forests are an optimal place for fish, crustaceans and mollusks to thrive. While reptiles, amphibians and birds are also abundant.

La Cangreja National Park is located in the province of San José, in the canton of Puriscal, in Mercedes Sur and Chires districts, between the coordinates: N 4956392 W 1072932. The main entrance is located 35 kilometers southeast of the city of Santiago de Puriscal. La Cangreja refers to the unique shape of the hill at its highest point at 1,305 meters above sea level. The site has great panoramic and scenic beauty, and according to an indigenous tale, the mountain resembles a crab, and the hillsides a crab’s pincers.

Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, La Amistad International Park protects lands in both Costa Rica and Panama, hence its name: “Friendship.” Considered the largest tropical forest-covered mountain system in the country, the park contains wet, rain and cloud forest. An extraordinary number of different habitats give rise to a wealth of biodiversity.

This park features thermal pools (Fila Chocosuela), active volcanic vents (Platanar Volcano), inactive volcanic vents (Cerro Viejo, Cerro Pelon), volcanic cones and rugged topography. Wildlife is varied, and includes species such as quetzals, wild turkeys, chachalacas, black guans, monkeys, armadillos, agoutis and tapirs. The park is home to Pozo Verde Lake, the source of about 50 rivers and some of Costa Rica’s biggest waterfalls: Toro, Aguas Gatas, Gorrion and Claro River.

This park protects colossal Irazu, which, at 3,432 meters above sea level, is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica. The active volcano has a long history of eruptions. This protected area’s many geological features include the Hermosa Beach, Principal and Diego de la Haya craters, as well as the Sapper formation—the highest point in the massif, from which both Caribbean and Pacific coasts may be seen. Visitor services include information, a park ranger station, trails, restrooms, signage, a cafeteria, parking and several natural viewpoints.

The Guayabo National Monument is located to the northwest of the city of Turrialba, Santa Teresita district, Cartago province. The archeological site is located on approximately 20 hectares of the protected area. This part consists of a group of pre-Hispanic architectural structures made of stone – rounded river stones – which were built over a period ranging from 1000 BC to 1400 AD, indicating a prolonged occupation of some 2,400 years.

This park is around 70,000 acres and is home to the Orosi and Cacao Volcanoes, which are its main attractions. There are three main areas Maritza, Pitilla, and Cacao, which are described below: The Marita area measures 2,132 ft. above sea level in the foothills of the Orosi Volcano. There is a forest that transitions from wet to dry, springs and ravines. There are also a wide variety of birds and a large collared peccary population. Available services include potable water, restrooms, trails and an information center. The Pitilla area is located less than a mile from La Cruz.

Gandoca-Manzanillo is a mixed (state- and private-owned) National Wildlife Refige in which the combination of land, beach and sea landscapes along with the local culture make for a very attractive destination for visitors. The conservation and sustainable management of these ecosystems is carried out in parallel with community participation, leading to the protection of threatened species such as manatees and sea turtles. Its most important ecosystems are the golden sand beaches and wetlands: swamps, lagoons, reefs, beds of undersea plants and seaweed.

This park is located in Santa Cruz and is home to a system of wetlands and more than 3,000 acres of forest. Two-thousand feet up are primarily Evergreen species, with moss and giant bromeliads.

Protecting 41,788 hectares of shallow lagoons, marsh, mangrove swamps, rivers, wet forest and low-altitude cloud forest, as well as 46 kilometers of sandy beach, Corcovado is one of Central America’s most unique ecosystems. Within its extensive territory, visitors can observe some 6,000 insects, 500 trees, 367 birds, 140 mammals, 117 amphibians and reptiles, and 40 freshwater fish species. The park has numerous hiking trails and rustic camping refuges. It is mandatory to enter with an authorized guide.