National Parks

Rincón de La Vieja

Covering the upper slopes of a forest-draped volcano, Rincón de la Vieja National Park features a 125-acre/50-hectare expanse that contains small geysers, bubbling mud pots and hot springs.
The forests above contains waterfalls and a wealth of wildlife, including quetzals, three-wattled bellbirds, blue morpho butterflies, tapirs, tayras, peccaries, coatis and three species of monkeys.
Horseback riding is available, and there is hiking leading to bubbling mud pools. Hardy hikers can even ascend to the summit-a campsite caters to the majority needing to overnight atop the mountain.

Parque Nacional Barra Honda

This small park on the Nicoya Peninsula protects the flora and fauna of the tropical dry forest and has an extensive network of caves. We hire local guides to lead you through the caverns, but the descent into the darkness-using a climbing ladder and ropes-is not for the fainthearted. The hike takes an energetic hour over a winding and, in places, steep trail. Several trails in the park lead through the forest to scenic overlooks, which give tired hikers a minute to rest while they get their cameras out.

Palo Verde

A major attraction of this park is the seasonal swampland that provides temporary habitat for thousands of migratory waterbirds (November-February). But the tropical dry forest that covers most of the park contains such animals as coatis, agoutis, monkeys, white-tailed deer and black iguanas, and crocodiles can frequently be seen along the riverbanks. Scarlet macaws, ibis, roseate spoonbills and frigate birds are among the most common bird species. Nearby is Curu National Wildlife Refuge, a privately owned preserve that can be visited only with permission. Its beaches are nesting areas for leatherback, ridley and hawksbill turtles. An astounding variety of birds-more than 110 species-have been sighted in the small park.

Santa Rosa

This Pacific coast park was the scene of Costa Rica's most famous military victory in 1856. An army, led by U.S. adventurer William Walker, invaded from neighboring Nicaragua and fought fiercely for about 15 minutes before being defeated by Costa Ricans. The park is now the site of one of the largest remaining dry tropical forests in Central America. Monkeys, armadillos, anteaters and deer are the main attractions, although five big cat species are present, as are scarlet macaws. (Pacific oliveback ridley sea turtles nest at night on Nancite Beach in September and October. The park also has mangrove estuaries, beautiful deserted beaches and many birds. La Casona, a farmhouse on the site of the original battle, was lovingly replicated in 2002 after a fire destroyed the original structure. It's now a museum open daily