National park · Costa Rica
La Cangreja National ParkParque Nacional La Cangreja
Enter La Cangreja National Park for $5 (≈ ₡2600) and hike Cerro la Cangreja peak (≈ 2 h) in the dry season; avoid rainy months July‑Oct.
- 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
19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²)
approximate
Established
2002
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Guatemala, 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.
- Central Valley ↗SJO (Juan Santamaría) is in Alajuela, about 20–30 min from central San José; most international arrivals land here.
- Central Valley ↗The valley floor sits around 1,100–1,200 m; nights are cool (10–15 °C) and rain is common May–November.
- Central Valley ↗San José traffic is heavy on weekdays; drive outside 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:30 when you can.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²)
- 1860 ha = 18.6 km² (source).
- Established
- 2002
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- San José
La Cangreja National Park, established in 2002, protects over 1,860 ha of mountainous forest in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, offering bird‑watching on a major migratory corridor and a climb to Cerro la Cangreja (1,305 m) for panoramic forest views.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2002.
Size and age
19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²) · national park since 2002
1860 ha = 18.6 km² (source).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San José.
Why go
- Birdwatching on a key migratory corridor in the Central Valley.
- Hike to Cerro la Cangreja (1,305 m) for forest views.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarTransition, some showers.
- AprIncreasing rain.
- MayStart of wet season.
- JunFrequent rain.
- JulHeavy rain, trail mud.
- AugPeak rain.
- SepRainy.
- OctRain tapering.
- NovDrying.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident birds (≈ 80 species) and > 100 migratory birds (spring/fall)Mar–May, Sep–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| White‑faced monkeys, coatis, agoutis, snakesAll 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance near Santa Rosa | Gate, visitor info, trailheads for Cerro la Cangreja and birdwatching loops. | Open with entry ticket. |
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 centred on the park entrance; summit location approximate.
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 | CRC 2,600 | person | Approx. US$5 (bus fare included). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; use nearby Santa Rosa accommodations.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Santa Rosa town
Budget hotels, hostels, and guesthouses ~15 min from the gate.
Safety
Snakes on trails low
Heavy rain making trails slippery 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 walks are uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned lodging in Santa Rosa.
- Leave no trace; pack out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter La Cangreja National Park?
Entry is ₡2,600 per person (about US$5) paid at the gate.
What are the best hikes in La Cangreja National Park?
The main hike is to Cerro la Cangreja summit (2–3 h round‑trip, moderate). Short birdwatching loops are also popular.
When is the best time to visit La Cangreja National Park?
The dry season, especially December to February, offers the best conditions for hiking and birdwatching.
How do I get to the park from San José?
Take Route 28 bus to Santa Rosa (≈ 3 h) or drive 75 km via Highway 239 (≈ 2 h, 4WD recommended in rain).
Are there accommodations inside the park?
No. Stay in nearby Santa Rosa town, which offers budget hotels and hostels.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about La Cangreja National Park
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