Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in San José, Costa Rica

1. Carara National Park

A tropical rainforest and dry forest blend, known for its scarlet macaws and endangered jaguars.

Rich Biodiversity: Home to over 400 bird species and various monkey, sloth, and jaguar populations.
Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary: Offers a unique opportunity to observe these vibrant birds in their natural habitat.
Location: Conveniently located just a few hours west of San José, making it accessible for tourists.

A remote national park on Costa Rica's Atlantic coast, famous for sea turtle nesting.

Sea Turtle Nesting Sites: Witness green and leatherback sea turtles laying their eggs from July to October.
Canal Tour: Explore the park's extensive network of canals by boat, observing wildlife like caimans and monkeys.
Rainforest Hiking: Hike through dense rainforests, home to jaguars, sloths, and various bird species.

A massive park featuring extensive rainforest, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.

Waterfall Hikes: Offers hiking trails that lead to stunning waterfalls like Catarata La Fortuna.
Biodiversity Haven: Home to spider monkeys, jaguars, and over 300 bird species.
Cloud Forest Exploration: Allows visitors to explore the unique cloud forests that make up part of this vast park.

One of the most biologically intense places on Earth, boasting a vast array of wildlife and plants.

Amazing Biodiversity: Features over 140 mammal species, including tapirs, jaguars, and all four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica.
Remote Wilderness: Accessible only by boat or small aircraft, making it a true wilderness experience.
Hiking Opportunities: Offers various hiking trails that lead to breathtaking beaches and lush rainforests.

A popular beachfront national park known for its rich wildlife and beautiful coastline.

White Sand Beaches: Features pristine white sand beaches ideal for swimming and relaxation.
Capuchin Monkey Encounters: Provides opportunities to observe these playful monkeys up close in their natural habitat.
Mangrove Forest Kayaking: Offers kayak tours through the park's mangrove forests, where you can spot various wildlife.

A vast network of wetlands teeming with wildlife and home to the Bió Bay, a magical mangrove estuary.

Bió Bay Tour: Experience a unique bioluminescent tour of the Bió Bay at night.
Wildlife Viewing: Spot wildlife like crocodiles, caimans, and various bird species in their natural habitat.
Mangrove Canoe Tour: Explore the vast network of mangrove channels by canoe, taking in the sights and sounds of the wetlands.

A wetland reserve with diverse wildlife, particularly known for its birdwatching opportunities.

Birdwatching Paradise: Home to over 300 bird species, including the rare jabiru stork and various waterbirds.
Boat Tours: Explore the wetlands by boat, allowing you to observe wildlife like crocodiles, caimans, and sloths.
Close Proximity to the Border: Located near the border with Nicaragua, making it an easy day trip from San José.

A vast national park on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, featuring beaches and a variety of wildlife.

Tamarindo Beach: Offers a beautiful, secluded beach perfect for swimming and relaxation.
Osa Peninsula Wildlife: Home to diverse wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs, and various monkey species.
Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails that lead through lush rainforests and stunning coastline.

A marine protected area known for its large populations of sea turtles and dolphins.

Sea Turtle Nesting Sites: Witness olive ridley, leatherback, and hawksbill turtles nesting on the beach.
Dolphin Watching: Spot bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat during boat tours.
Marine Conservation Efforts: Supports various marine conservation projects, ensuring the preservation of this important ecosystem.

A remote wildlife refuge on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, known for its rich biodiversity.

Rich Biodiversity: Home to various monkey, sloth, and bird species, as well as crocodiles and caimans.
Boat Tours: Explore the refuge by boat, taking in the sights of its diverse wildlife and mangrove forests.
Remote Wilderness Experience: Offers a true wilderness experience, with few tourists and abundant wildlife.

A park featuring extensive limestone caves and diverse wildlife, particularly bats.

Limestone Cave Exploration: Explore the park's network of limestone caves, home to various bat species.
Bat Observation: Observe millions of bats exiting the caves at dusk.
Rainforest Hiking: Hike through lush rainforests, spotting various monkey and bird species along the way.

A volcanic national park featuring the active Poás Volcano and various wildlife.

Active Volcano: Offers opportunities to observe the active Poás Volcano, with a stunning turquoise lake at its summit.
Diverse Wildlife: Home to various bird and mammal species, including the resplendent quetzal.
Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails that lead through the park's volcanic landscapes and rainforests.

An active volcano with a large crater filled with multiple lakes.

Active Volcano: Offers opportunities to observe the active Irazú Volcano, with a stunning panoramic view from its summit.
Crater Lakes: Explore the various crater lakes at the volcano's summit, each with unique features and wildlife.
Birdwatching Opportunities: Features various bird species, including the resplendent quetzal and various hummingbirds.

An active volcano with various geothermal features and diverse wildlife.

Active Volcano: Offers opportunities to observe the active Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, with various geothermal features like fumaroles and mud pots.
Wildlife Viewing: Spot various monkey, sloth, and bird species within the park's rainforests.
Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails that lead to stunning waterfalls, hot springs, and various geothermal features.

A mountainous national park featuring dense rainforests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.

Rainforest Hiking: Offers hiking trails that lead through lush rainforests, home to various monkey, sloth, and bird species.
Waterfall Exploration: Discover various waterfalls within the park's mountains, including Catarata La Cangreja.
Biodiversity Haven: Home to various bird and mammal species, including the resplendent quetzal and jaguars.