National park · Costa Rica
Palo Verde National ParkParque Nacional Palo Verde
Enter Palo Verde for about CRC 800‑1 000 (≈$1.5‑$2) per person, then hike the 540 m Sendero la Roca loop (≈30 min) or the 2.1 km (1.3 mi) La Venada trail (≈1 h) in the dry season; avoid July‑Oct crowds.Enter Palo Verde for about CRC 800‑1 000 (≈$1.5‑$2) per person, then hike the 540 m Sendero la Roca loop (≈30 min) or the 1.3 mi (2.1 km) La Venada trail (≈1 h) in the dry season; avoid July‑Oct crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1978
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- Guanacaste ↗Dec–Apr is the dry season; many beach towns are at peak prices and full over Christmas and Easter week.
- Guanacaste ↗A car helps on the coast; unpaved access roads and one-lane bridges are common, and Waze is the standard app.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Approximate total area of 150 km² (land and wetland combined); figures vary by source.
- Established
- 1978
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Liberia
Palo Verde National Park protects a dry‑forest and wetland mosaic in Guanacaste, offering over 280 bird species, crocodile‑rich rivers, and short marked trails that let visitors experience lagoons, mangroves and wildlife in a few hours.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandDesignated Ramsar wetland.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1978
Approximate total area of 150 km² (land and wetland combined); figures vary by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Liberia.
Why go
- Dry‑forest and wetland habitats host over 280 bird species.
- Easy short trails let you see lagoons, mangroves and wildlife in a few hours.
- Boat tours to Isla Parajos show crocodiles, ducks and herons.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool; ideal birding.
- FebDry, warm; few visitors.
- MarDry, good visibility.
- AprDry, warm; peak dry season.
- MayEnd of dry season, some rain.
- JunStart of rains, trails get soggy.
- JulHeavy rains, mosquitoes high.
- AugPeak wet season, trails muddy.
- SepWet, high humidity.
- OctRain recedes, but still wet.
- NovDrying out, fewer birds.
- DecDry, cool; best overall.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migratory waterbirds (herons, ibises, jabiru, roseate spoonbill)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Crocodiles (river banks)Jun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Howler and capuchin monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Liberia Airport (LIR)
Rent a car, drive south on CA‑1 35 km (22 mi) to Bagaces, then turn right onto road 922 for 25 km (16 mi) to the park entrance.Rent a car, drive south on CA‑1 22 mi (35 km) to Bagaces, then turn right onto road 922 for 16 mi (25 km) to the park entrance.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Bagaces town
Follow signs to the park gate; road is paved but narrow.
15 min
Open the page →
From Puerto Humo village
Hire a boat for a river tour up the Rio Tempisque to Isla Parajos and park bird‑watching sites.
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance & visitor centre | Ticket booth, information desk, parking, short trail to Sendero la Roca. | Open daily; fee required. |
| Laguna Palo Verde trails | Sendero la Venada, la Cantera, el Mapache and other marked paths. | Open; stay on marked trails. |
| Isla Parajos & river zone | Boat‑access area with crocodiles, ducks and herons. | Boat tours only; guided recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | CRC 800–1,000 | person | 2026 estimate; check at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Feeding wildlife
- Not allowed; keep food sealed.
- Stay on marked trails
- Required to protect fragile dry‑forest and wetland habitats.
- Fires
- No open fires; use designated grills only.
- Boats
- Only authorized tours may enter river zones; private boats need permit.
- Pets
- Dogs not permitted in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Palo Verde Biological Research Station
Dorms, cabins and basic camping; meals included.
Near the park
Rancho Humo
Eco‑resort with rooms, restaurant and guided tours.
Near the park
Bagaces town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, 15 min drive to gate.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Crocodile encounters high
Mosquito‑borne illness medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and short loop trail are wheelchair‑friendly with firm paths.
- Longer trails have uneven ground and steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on boardwalks and trails to protect dry‑forest soil.
- Take all rubbish with you; no littering in wetlands.
- Support local guides who follow permitted boat routes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Palo Verde National Park?
Entry is about CRC 800‑1 000 per person (≈$1.5‑$2) as of 2026; purchase the ticket at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Palo Verde National Park?
The 540 m Sendero la Roca loop (30 min) and the 2.1 km La Venada shoreline trail (≈1 h) are the most popular; longer routes exist but need a guide.
When is the best time to visit Palo Verde National Park?
Dry season December‑May offers dry trails and excellent birding; avoid July‑October when heavy rains make trails muddy and mosquitoes abundant.
Can I see crocodiles in Palo Verde?
Yes, on guided boat tours along the Rio Tempisque, especially June‑November.
Is there accommodation inside the park?
The Biological Research Station offers dorms and cabins; otherwise stay in nearby Rancho Humo or Bagaces town.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go