National park · Costa Rica
Península de Burica
Visit Península de Burica for a day hike or a surf session: pay US$20 per night at Mono Feliz lodge, take the bus to Puerto Armuelles then the single car to Bella Vista before noon; avoid the wet season (May‑Dec) for road access.
- 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
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
—
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
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- Exact park size not published; estimate based on peninsula extent (check).
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- Not needed
Península de Burica is a remote coastal area split between Costa Rica and Panama, offering tropical forest, monkey habitats, surf beaches and low‑key rural life; access is limited to a single car service before noon in the dry season, with basic accommodation at Mono Feliz Lodge.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 2026
Exact park size not published; estimate based on peninsula extent (check).
Why go
- Remote tropical forest with monkey populations and surf‑ready beaches.
- Experience rural Costa Rican life and coastal wildlife in a low‑tourist area.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, roads open.
- FebDry, good surf.
- MarDry, mild.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayRain increases, road may close.
- JunWet, access limited.
- JulWet, frequent road closures.
- AugWet, road often closed.
- SepWet, check road status.
- OctTransition to dry, still risky.
- NovDry returns, roads clear.
- DecDry, good surf.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, white‑face monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various tropical birds and sea lifeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Snakes (keep to paths)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rican north coast | Beach access, surf spots, monkey habitats. | Open via road from Bella Vista. |
| Panamanian south coast | Less visited beaches, fishing villages. | Cross border; road often closed in wet season. |
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; based on peninsula centre.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mono Feliz lodge (room) | US$20,000 | person | US$20 per night, includes meals. |
| Camping fee at Mono Feliz | US$5 | person | Includes pool, showers, bathrooms. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$20,000
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires on the beach.
- Wildlife interaction
- Do not feed monkeys; keep a safe distance.
- Road access
- Check road status before travel; the car runs only before noon and may be cancelled by tides.
Where to stay
In the park
Mono Feliz Lodge
Four cabins with meals, pool, showers; camping allowed for a small fee.
Near the park
Puerto Armuelles
Budget hotels and hostels a short drive from the park entrance.
Safety
Road closures due to rain or tides high
Wild animal bites 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
- Walking and horseback are the main local transport; roads are unpaved and may be difficult for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at locally owned Mono Feliz Lodge to support the community.
- Use the single scheduled car service to reduce traffic and emissions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Península de Burica?
There is no formal park entry fee; accommodation at Mono Feliz Lodge costs US$20 per night, plus a US$5 camping fee if you camp.
What are the best hikes in Península de Burica?
Short walks to see squirrel, howler and white‑face monkeys along the north‑coast beach, and a longer beach‑to‑beach walk near Bella Vista; both are easy and can be done in a few hours.
When is the best time to visit Península de Burica?
Visit in the dry months November to April for reliable road access and good surf; the wet season May‑December often closes the only access road.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Península de Burica
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