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Travel photo of Costa Rica

National parks · 27 parks

Flag of Costa RicaNational Parks in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has 27 national parks covering about 6,333 km² in total. The largest is Cocos Island National Park (1,971 km²); the oldest, Irazú Volcano National Park, dates from 1955.

Cocos Island National Park Cocos Island National Park1,971 km² · since 1978 Tapantí National Park Tapantí National Park583 km² · since 1982 Chirripó National Park Chirripó National Park501 km² · since 1975 Braulio Carrillo National Park Braulio Carrillo National Park476 km² · since 1978 Corcovado National Park Corcovado National Park425 km² · since 1975 Santa Rosa National Park Santa Rosa National Park390 km² · since 1972 Guanacaste National Park Guanacaste National Park340 km² · since 1991 Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero National Park312 km² · since 1975 Palo Verde National Park Palo Verde National Park183 km² · since 1978 Juan Castro Blanco National Park145 km² · since 1992 Rincón de la Vieja National Park Rincón de la Vieja National Park144 km² · since 1973 Piedras Blancas National Park Piedras Blancas National Park140 km² · since 1991 Tenorio Volcano National Park Tenorio Volcano National Park129 km² · since 1976 Arenal Volcano National Park Arenal Volcano National Park121 km² · since 1991 Barbilla National Park Barbilla National Park119 km² · since 1982 Poás Volcano National Park Poás Volcano National Park66 km² · since 1971 Carara National Park Carara National Park52 km² · since 1998 Marino Ballena National Park Marino Ballena National Park52 km² · since 1992 Los Quetzales National Park Los Quetzales National Park50 km² · since 2006 Diriá National Park28 km² · since 1991 La Cangreja National Park La Cangreja National Park25 km² · since 2003 Barra Honda National Park Barra Honda National Park23 km² · since 1974 Irazú Volcano National Park Irazú Volcano National Park20 km² · since 1955 Manuel Antonio National Park Manuel Antonio National Park20 km² · since 1972 Cahuita National Park Cahuita National Park11 km² · since 1978 Las Baulas National Marine Park Las Baulas National Marine Park7.7 km² · since 1991 Turrialba Volcano National Park Turrialba Volcano National Parksince 1955

Data: Wikidata (CC0), English Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. Photos under their Commons licences — the author is credited on each park page.

National parks in Costa Rica at a glance

Costa Rica has 27 national parks covering about 6,333 km² — roughly 12.4% of the country's 51,100 km². The 3 largest parks together account for 48% of that area.

Largest national parks

  1. Cocos Island National Park — 1,971 km², since 1978
  2. Tapantí National Park — 583 km², since 1982
  3. Chirripó National Park — 501 km², since 1975
  4. Braulio Carrillo National Park — 476 km², since 1978
  5. Corcovado National Park — 425 km², since 1975

Oldest national parks

Planning a trip? See the best time to visit Costa Rica, the Costa Rica travel guide and airports in Costa Rica.

Frequently asked questions

How many national parks are there in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has 27 national parks covering about 6,333 km² in total. The largest is Cocos Island National Park (1,971 km²); the oldest, Irazú Volcano National Park, dates from 1955.

What are the largest national parks in Costa Rica?

Cocos Island National Park (1,971 km²), Tapantí National Park (583 km²), Chirripó National Park (501 km²), Braulio Carrillo National Park (476 km²) and Corcovado National Park (425 km²).

How much of Costa Rica is national park?

About 12.4% of the country — 6,333 km² of national parks out of 51,100 km² in total.

What is the oldest national park in Costa Rica?

Irazú Volcano National Park, established in 1955, followed by Turrialba Volcano National Park (1955), Poás Volcano National Park (1971) and Santa Rosa National Park (1972).