National park · Costa Rica
Piedras Blancas National ParkParque Nacional Piedras Blancas
Enter Piedras Blancas for $5‑$7 (CRC 3,000‑4,200) per person, then hike the Rio Esquinas trail (2 h) or the coastal mangrove walk (1 h) in the dry season; avoid the rainy months (May‑Oct) for safer trails.
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
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.
- South Pacific Costa Rica ↗Corcovado National Park entry needs a permit bought in advance through the official SINAC system; daily numbers are capped and ranger stations check names.
- South Pacific Costa Rica ↗Carry colones for sodas, parking and boat captains; cards work at hotels and tour operators.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²)
- Park covers roughly 140 km² (14,019 ha); area figures differ between sources.
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Piedras Blancas National Park safeguards the Esquinas rainforest and coastal mangroves on the Gulf of Dulce in Costa Rica’s South Pacific, providing high biodiversity, river habitats and over 300 bird species.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²) · national park since 1991
Park covers roughly 140 km² (14,019 ha); area figures differ between sources.
Why go
- Explore the Esquinas rainforest with high biodiversity.
- See coastal mangroves and the Rio Piedras Blancas mouth.
- Birdwatch over 300 species, including scarlet macaw.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- Jandry, cooler
- Febdry, good trail conditions
- Mardry, wildlife active
- Aprdry, clear skies
- Mayrain begins, trails muddy
- Junheavy rain, river rise
- Julrainy, risk of landslides
- Augpeak rain, trails slippery
- Sepstill rainy, occasional clear days
- Octrain decreasing, but trails wet
- Novdry season returns
- Decdry, cooler
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes (including fer‑de‑lance, coral, bushmaster)All year · Avoid stepping off trail; wear closed shoes. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monkeys, capuchin, howler, spiderAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Amphibians (red‑eyed leaf frog, poison‑arrow frogs)May–Oct · Most active in wet season. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds (scarlet macaw, toucan, trogon)All 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| La Gamba entrance | Gate, visitor info, basic trailheads. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Esquinas rainforest interior | Main hiking area, rivers, wildlife spotting. | Marked trails only. |
| Coastal mangrove zone | Mangrove boardwalk to Rio Piedras Blancas mouth. | Open, no guide required. |
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 approximate, centred on La Gamba entrance.
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 (La Gamba gate) | CRC 3,000–4,200 | person | 2026 estimate, check official site |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Off‑trail walking
- Not allowed; stay on marked paths to protect habitat.
- Fires
- Prohibited throughout the park.
- Collecting wildlife or plants
- Forbidden; fines apply.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails.
Where to stay
Near the park
La Gamba lodges
Basic rooms, some with private baths.
Near the park
Palmar town hotels
More options, 20 km (12 mi) from gate.More options, 12 mi (20 km) from gate.
Safety
Snakes high
Rainfall and river rise medium
Heat and humidity 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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short, even terrain.
- Longer trails have steep sections, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on trails to prevent erosion.
- Carry out all litter; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Piedras Blancas National Park?
Entry is CRC 3,000‑4,200 per person (≈US$5‑$7). Tickets are bought at the La Gamba gate.
What are the best hikes in Piedras Blancas National Park?
The Rio Esquinas trail (2 h, moderate) and the coastal mangrove boardwalk (1 h, easy) are the most accessible and scenic.
When is the best time to visit Piedras Blancas National Park?
The dry season, December – April, offers clear trails and good wildlife viewing.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not permitted; stay in La Gamba or Palmar accommodations.
Are guided tours required?
Guides are not required for the short trails, but a guide is recommended for longer rainforest routes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Piedras Blancas National Park
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