List of national parks of Costa Rica: Difference between revisions

Parks Coordinates^[3] Hectares (acres)^[4] Attractions Arenal Volcano 10°28′N 84°42′W / 10.46°N 84.70°W / 10.46; -84.70 12,124 ha (29,960 acres) 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] Ballena Marine 9°10′N 83°45′W / 9.16°N 83.75°W / 9.16; -83.75 5,330 ha (13,200 acres) Located on the Pacific Ocean. 5,160 ha (12,800 acres) of park is water with seasonal visits by humpback whales, dolphins, and other marine life.^[6] Barbilla 9°59′N 83°27′W / 9.98°N 83.45°W / 9.98; -83.45 11,955 ha (29,540 acres) 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] Barra Honda 10°11′N 85°22′W / 10.18°N 85.37°W / 10.18; -85.37 2,295 ha (5,670 acres) The park features extensive limestone caves, some unexplored, with stalagtite and stalagmite formations.^[8] Braulio Carrillo 10°13′N 84°01′W / 10.21°N 84.02°W / 10.21; -84.02 50,000 ha (120,000 acres) 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] Cahuita 9°44′N 92°50′W / 9.74°N 92.84°W / 9.74; -92.84 57,932 ha (143,150 acres) 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] Carara 9°47′N 84°37′W / 9.78°N 84.61°W / 9.78; -84.61 5,800 ha (14,000 acres) 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 9°44′N 84°37′W / 9.73°N 84.61°W / 9.73; -84.61 50,150 ha (123,900 acres) 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] Cocos Island 5°32′N 87°04′W / 5.53°N 87.06°W / 5.53; -87.06 2,310 ha (5,700 acres) 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] Corcovado 8°32′N 83°34′W / 8.54°N 83.57°W / 8.54; -83.57 41,788 ha (103,260 acres) 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] Diriá 10°10′N 85°35′W / 10.16°N 85.58°W / 10.16; -85.58 5,429 ha (13,420 acres) The park features wetlands and forests.^[15] Guanacaste 10°58′N 85°31′W / 10.96°N 85.51°W / 10.96; -85.51 33,796 ha (83,510 acres) Part of the Guancaste World Heritage Site, the park has two volcanos, Orosi and Cacao; dry, wet, and cloud forests; and a large population of collared peccary. Access is through Santa Rosa National Park.^[16] Irazú Volcano 9°58′48″N 63°53′42″W / 9.98°N 63.895°W / 9.98; -63.895 2,000 ha (4,900 acres) 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] Juan Castro Blanco 10°29′N 84°20′W / 10.48°N 84.33°W / 10.48; -84.33 14,308 ha (35,360 acres) The mountainous park has volcanoic cones and vents, Lake Pozo Verde, waterfalls, and many birds species, including quetzals.^[18] La Amistad 9°25′N 82°59′W / 9.42°N 82.98°W / 9.42; -82.98 199,147 ha (492,100 acres) 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] La Congreja 0°42′N 84°24′W / 0.70°N 84.40°W / 0.70; -84.40 2,570 ha (6,400 acres) Forty-four species of plants are endemic to Costa Rica and crystalline water from the sources of two rivers.^[20] Las Baulas 10°20′N 85°51′W / 10.33°N 85.85°W / 10.33; -85.85 90,100 ha (223,000 acres) 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] Los Quetzales 9°37′N 83°49′W / 9.61°N 83.82°W / 9.61; -83.82 4,117 ha (10,170 acres) A mountainous park reaching an elevation of 3,190 m (10,470 ft). As the name indicates the quetzal bird is the main attraction.^[22] Manuel Antonio 9°23′N 84°08′W / 9.39°N 84.14°W / 9.39; -84.14 27,587 ha (68,170 acres) One of the few remaining homes of the Grey-crowned Central American squirrel monkey, an endangered species. Most of the park is ocean. Twelve…