National park · Costa Rica
Cocos Island National ParkParque Nacional Isla del Coco
Do a day‑trip dive or hike to the summit with a licensed boat and guide; book a permit (cost ~USD 2 000, check), go Dec–May for calmer seas, and return the same day – overnight stays are prohibited.
- 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
24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²)
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Apr–May, Dec–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, 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.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²)
- Park covers 24 km² of land; surrounding marine zone of about 60,000 sq mi was added to protect shark species (check).
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Apr–May, Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Cocos Island National Park is a remote, jungle‑covered island 300 mi off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, protecting dense tropical forest, waterfalls and world‑renowned shark‑rich waters; access requires a government day‑visit permit and a licensed guide, with no overnight stays allowed.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1997Cocos Island added to the World Heritage list for its marine biodiversity.
Size and age
24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²) · national park since 1997
Park covers 24 km² of land; surrounding marine zone of about 60,000 sq mi was added to protect shark species (check).
Why go
- World‑class scuba diving with hammerhead, whale and reef sharks.
- Hike to the island’s highest point for panoramic Pacific views.
- Explore remote waterfalls and dense tropical jungle.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry season, calm seas.
- FebDry, good visibility for diving.
- MarShowers increase, sea may be rough.
- AprDry, high marine life activity.
- MayEnd of dry season, still good diving.
- JunRainy, seas become choppy.
- JulFrequent storms, rough water.
- AugStormy, low visibility.
- SepTransition to rainy season.
- OctRainy, sea conditions variable.
- NovIncreasing rain, possible closures.
- DecStart of dry season, calm seas.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, reef sharksAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Manta rays, marbled rays, giant moray eelsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Pigs (feral), occasional dogs and catsAll 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 Puntarenas
36‑hour boat charter (usually 2‑day round‑trip) from the port; operators depart from Puntarenas harbor.
36 h total (≈ 18 h each way)
From San José
Bus or shuttle to Puntarenas (≈ 4 h) then boat charter as above.
≈ 40 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Landing zone (Ranger’s beach) | Designated ashore area for guided hikes and beach visits. | Permit holders only; guided walk to summit. |
| Dive sites (e.g., Wolf, Darwin, Cocos) | Marine zones with high shark and pelagic fish activity. | Boat‑based dive trips, permit 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; island is small and remote.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government permit (day visit) | US$2,000–2,500 | person | Includes boat charter; exact price varies by operator (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day‑visit permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must have a government‑issued day permit; no overnight stay allowed.
- Guides
- A licensed guide must accompany any on‑foot activity, including the summit hike.
- Fishing & collecting
- Prohibited within park waters and land area.
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit ranger permission.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no open fires.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puntarenas
Hotels, hostels and budget lodgings; base for boat departures.
Safety
Rough seas high
Jungle heat and humidity medium
Shark encounters (diving) low
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
- Landing zone reachable by boat; no wheelchair access due to steep terrain.
- Guided summit hike requires moderate fitness; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use operators that follow the park’s marine protection guidelines.
- Do not feed or disturb wildlife; take all trash back to the mainland.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cocos Island National Park?
A day‑visit permit (including boat charter) costs roughly USD 2 000–2 500 per person; exact price depends on the operator (check).
What are the best hikes in Cocos Island National Park?
The guided summit hike (3–4 h round‑trip) offers the best view; it requires a permit and a licensed guide.
When is the best time to visit Cocos Island National Park?
December to May gives the calmest seas and best diving conditions; avoid July–August when storms are common.
Can I stay overnight on Cocos Island?
No. Overnight stays are prohibited; visitors must return to the mainland the same day.
Do I need a guide to dive around Cocos Island?
Yes. All dive trips must be with a licensed operator that holds the required permits.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cocos Island National Park
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