National park · Costa Rica
Guanacaste National ParkParque Nacional Guanacaste
Enter Guanacaste National Park for a day hike (entry $10 USD) or a full‑day trek to the Cacao volcano rim (guide $50 USD) in the dry season; avoid weekends in July‑August to skip 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
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
33,796 km² (13,049 sq mi)13,049 sq mi (33,796 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
World Heritage
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.
- North Costa Rica ↗A rental car is the practical way to see the north; buses exist but are slow and infrequent outside La Fortuna.
- North Costa Rica ↗Rain is normal here year-round; pack for wet roads and carry cash for small sodas and parking.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 33,796 km² (13,049 sq mi)13,049 sq mi (33,796 km²)
- The park covers 33,796 km² (check: this figure from Wikivoyage appears to include the entire Area de Conservación Guanacaste; the park itself is much smaller — verify with official source).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Guanacaste National Park protects a large stretch of dry‑forest, rainforest and cloud‑forest habitats in north‑western Costa Rica, linking the adjacent Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja reserves and forming part of the UNESCO‑listed Área de Conservación Guanacaste.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Part of Area de Conservación Guanacaste.
Size and age
33,796 km² (13,049 sq mi)13,049 sq mi (33,796 km²) · national park since 1994
The park covers 33,796 km² (check: this figure from Wikivoyage appears to include the entire Area de Conservación Guanacaste; the park itself is much smaller — verify with official source).
Why go
- Large contiguous dry‑forest and rainforest habitats for wildlife migration.
- Three landscape zones (Maritza, Pitilla, Cacao) with varied birdlife and scenery.
- Access to volcanic rim trails with views of Lake Nicaragua.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry season.
- FebDry season.
- MarDry season.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains; still walkable.
- JunRainy season; trails may be muddy (check).
- JulRainy season; trails may be muddy (check).
- AugRainy season; trails may be muddy (check).
- SepRainy season; trails may be muddy (check).
- OctRain tapering; fewer visitors.
- NovDry season resumes.
- DecDry season.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howler monkeys, white‑tailed deer, iguanasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 300 bird species, including toucans and trogonsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Reptiles and amphibians (e.g., poison dart frogs)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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 International Airport (LIR)
Rent a 4WD and drive north on CA‑1 for ~45 km (28 mi) to La Cruz; the park gate is near La Cruz (check onward route).Rent a 4WD and drive north on CA‑1 for ~28 mi (45 km) to La Cruz; the park gate is near La Cruz (check onward route).
45 min
Open the page →
From San José
Take a shuttle or drive via CA‑1 north (≈4 h).
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Playas del Coco
Drive south on CA‑1 for ~30 km (19 mi).Drive south on CA‑1 for ~19 mi (30 km).
30 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Maritza area | Foothills of Orosi volcano; mixed wet‑dry forest, birdwatching trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Pitilla area | Rainforest near La Cruz; short loops and miradors with lake views. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cacao area | Higher elevations, cloud forest, volcanic rim trail. | Guide and permit required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 approximated from map sources; central point near La Cruz 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 (adult) | Free | person | Check official rate; approx $10 USD (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Volcano rim access permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Guides
- Mandatory for Cacao volcano rim and any off‑trail travel.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; permits required.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Liberia town
Hotels and hostels 30 min drive from gate.
Near the park
Cañas
Small inns and eco‑lodges close to Pitilla area.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Rain‑induced trail slips medium
Wildlife encounters 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
- Main gate and short Maritza loop are reachable by car with short walks.
- Longer trails have uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned lodges; support community tourism.
- Follow park waste‑carry‑out policy.
- Use certified guides who respect wildlife zones.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Guanacaste National Park?
Entry is about 6,000 CRC per adult (≈ $10 USD). Check the latest rate at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Guanacaste National Park?
Maritza Trail (easy, 5 km), Pitilla Loop (moderate, 8 km) and the Cacao Volcano Rim trek (hard, 12 km, guide required).
When is the best time to visit Guanacaste National Park?
The dry season December to April offers clear trails and good wildlife viewing; avoid July‑August if you want fewer crowds.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
A guide is mandatory for the Cacao volcano rim and any off‑trail travel; other short loops are self‑guided.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated sites with a permit; otherwise stay in nearby towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Guanacaste National Park
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