There are plenty of National Parks, Forests, Reserves, etc.one can visit in Costa Rica. Some of them are more popular than the other ones, what makes them pretty crowded... However in all cases my advice is: if you are planning to visit any of the National Parks in Costa Rica, do it early in the morning, at the time when the Parks open :)
1) LA FORTUNA HANGING BRIDGES
We needed to choose: Arenal Volcano or La Fortuna Hanging Bridges, as we did not have enough time to visit both. The choice was La Fortuna and we did not regret that decision!
2) TENORIO VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
One of the things I have learned through my travels is that when you go to the tropics, to the regions where it rains a lot, it is worth it to take additionally wellington shoes with you. No matter how good and waterproof your hiking shoes are... and once again it proved to be right 😀
It was very humid on the day we did the trail, but we enjoyed it a lot anyway. Rio Celeste rocks! Especially the place where the two rivers join together: the regular one with "normal" color, and the other turquoise-blue one (with minerals from the volcano). Amazing!
3) MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST
If you are low on your budget and can choose only one thing to visit in Monteverde (it has a lot to offer), then choose Monteverde Cloud Forest. If you have an option, you can go to La Fortuna Hanging Bridges in order to experience walking above the forest or through the crowns of the trees. The entrance fee there is cheaper than in Monteverde Hanging Bridges and you can feel the vibe you wanted.
4) MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
This is my favourite from all of the parks we have visited in Costa Rica. I mean, every park has different things to offer, but this one has 100% my taste :)
4) CARARA NATIONAL PARK
This park is popular mostly because of its macaws. I have expected to see here far more than what we saw. You have to be lucky to get to see the parrots. Thankfully we did, but not too many. Nevertheless it was a nice experience :)
5) MARINO BALLENA NATIONAL PARK
Everyone comes here to see and/or walk on the "whale tail" beach, which is accesible and visible only during the low tide. "Whale tail" is a result of converging currents. The currents deposit sand on top of the rock formation and create this unique whale tail shape in this part of the coastline. This is as well a spot where hundreds of humpback whales congregate each year. We did not manage to fit into the tide schedule, so by the time we got there, the whale tail was already underwater. But we still got the chance to walk along the beach. The coast of this marine park is very beautiful. Take a wlak there and enjoy the tropics!
6) OSA PENINSULA (DRAKE BAY, CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK, CANO ISLAND BIOLOGICAL RESERVE)
This is the wildest part of the Pacific coast in Costa Rica, pristine rainforest, the most unspoiled by the tourism and human activity. There is plenty to explore in Corcovado National Park. Cano Island and Coco Island are the best places on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to go for diving or snorkeling. The marine life is very rich and colorful in here.
