Green Forest in Costa Rica
Guanacaste National Park is situated in the Northwest of Costa Rica and is also very close to the border of Nicaragua and about 4 hours away from Costa Rica’s capital city, San José. Connected to a few other national parks, Guanacaste National Park is perfect for hiking, nature walks, observing wildlife, and birdwatching. Read on to learn more about why you should visit Guanacaste National Park and things to do while you’re there.
Why Visit Guanacaste National Park?
Tropical Jungle in Costa Rica
Guanacaste National Park is home to some of the country’s most important biodiversity hotspots, which is why they were named a World Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO. It covers more than 84,000 acres of land. Guanacaste National park is located between two other national park sites in the Guanacaste conservation area; Santa Rosa National Park and Rincón de la Vieja National park. This incredible area has been largely overlooked by tourists.
There are many reasons why this park should be on your visit list. Not only because it’s close to the beautiful Santa Rosa National Park and Rincón de la Vieja National Park, but for a multitude of other reasons. One of them is that it offers visitors the chance to see some of the best wildlife reserves in the region. Another is that it is a very biologically diverse area that allows many species to migrate between bioclimates seasonally. There are a ton of animal species, including 140 mammals, 300 bird species, 100 reptiles, and over 10,000 species of insects.
Guanacaste National park is old-fashioned, and a little old, but it has bathrooms, dormitories you can sleep in, and equipment because it hosts the Guanacaste Conservation Center’s administration building. It also hosts the Maritza Biological station, Cacao Biological station, and Pitilla Biological station. You’re allowed to camp in the national parks, and there are facilities where you can stay overnight. There are even some dining options available by request.
There are many beautiful trails and hikes to weave between since there are multiple national parks in the area. The Tempisque River also flows through the park’s lowland areas. Last but not least, there are two volcanos, Orosi and Cacao, within and near the park. There is a trail that allows you to hike up to Orosi volcano as well.
Top Things To Do In Guanacaste National Park
Mud Pond in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica
Guanacaste Park is located in Costa Rica’s northwestern region and it covers more than 300 square km with three distinct ecosystems: dry forests, cloud forests, and rainforests. There are also several volcanos, wildlife, and rivers within the park. Here are some things you can do while you’re in the park.
Hiking or Walking in Guanacaste National Park
Guanacaste National park is often more popular among scientists than visitors. However, it is still worthwhile to go there. There are trails leading from the three biological station locations throughout the park, traveling through the park and linking them together. A beautiful opportunity to check out the native Guanacaste Trees during your hike is a must. It’s best not to hike alone if at all possible. You should always take a local hiking trail and make sure to take a certified guide who knows the area well before heading out. Climbing up Orosi volcano is allowed by following a primitive trail if prior approval has been given. If you’re looking for more established hiking trails, you can find them near Santa Rosa National park.
Explore The Guanacaste Region’s Beautiful Nature
Red Land Crab in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica
Hiking in Guanacaste National Park is one of its biggest draws. As a result of the significant elevation changes, hikers may experience a wide variety of habitats as they ascend from the dry Pacific forest to the high mountain cloud forests near the peaks of Orosi and Cacao Volcanos. If you’re heading north of Costa Rica, you can also come across a rain forest vibe similar to the Caribbean.
The dry forest habitats inhabit a variety of animals including howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys and squirrels, long-tongued bats, coatis, white-tailed deer, and collared peccary. There are also some noteworthy birds visitors may see in only an hour or so of walking: White-throated Magpie Jays, Orange-fronted Parakeets, and Crested Caracaras. Once you’re higher on the trail in the park, you may even be able to spot Groove-billed anis, tanagers, and squirrel cuckoos if you look closely and are aware of what they look like.
The park has two volcanos, Orosi and Cocoa, which are prime attractions and are definitely worth visiting. You do have to get prior permission to use the trail leading up to the volcanos, and you also would need a certified guide to accompany you, but it is definitely worth the trek.
Best Time To Go
Guanacaste National Parks’ habitats are fairly diverse, but they’re mostly arid, with an average yearly precipitation of 118 inches. These three months are characterized by high wind speeds and increasing rainfall, January, February, and March. On average, high temperatures range from 66 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit (19 to 27 degrees Celsius).
There are two distinct periods of time here: a rainy season from May to December and a dry season from January to April. The seasonal weather in Costa Rica in general is just the same. Arranging a visit during the dry season is advisable because the paths there are often quite difficult to navigate due to the muddiness of the trails. For more information on the weather in Costa Rica, feel free to visit our other article where we lay out all you need to know about the weather year-round.
