National park · Costa Rica
Santa Rosa National ParkParque Nacional Santa Rosa
Enter Santa Rosa for CRC 2,500 (≈ $4) and hike the historic La Casona trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) or the dry‑forest loop (5 km (3.1 mi), moderate) in the dry season; avoid July‑August crowds.Enter Santa Rosa for CRC 2,500 (≈ $4) and hike the historic La Casona trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) or the dry‑forest loop (3.1 mi (5 km), moderate) in the dry season; avoid July‑August 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
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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
495 km² (191 sq mi)191 sq mi (495 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Dec–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.
- Guanacaste ↗Dec–Apr is the dry season; many beach towns are at peak prices and full over Christmas and Easter week.
- Guanacaste ↗A car helps on the coast; unpaved access roads and one-lane bridges are common, and Waze is the standard app.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 495 km² (191 sq mi)191 sq mi (495 km²)
- The park covers about 49,515 ha (≈ 495 km²) of dry‑forest, beach, mangrove and marine habitats.
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Santa Rosa National Park protects one of the largest blocks of tropical dry forest in Central America, historic sites from the 1856 Battle of Santa Rosa, and important sea‑turtle nesting beaches.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
495 km² (191 sq mi)191 sq mi (495 km²) · national park since 1970
The park covers about 49,515 ha (≈ 495 km²) of dry‑forest, beach, mangrove and marine habitats.
Why go
- Explore one of the largest dry‑forest blocks in Central America.
- Visit historic Hacienda La Casona and learn about the 1856 Battle of Santa Rosa.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, ideal for hiking.
- MarDry, warm.
- AprDry, pleasant.
- MayStart of wet, still good.
- JunMore rain, trails soggy.
- JulRainy, high humidity.
- AugRainy, leeches.
- SepRainy, but occasional dry spells.
- OctTurtle nesting, cooler.
- NovTransition to dry.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea turtles (Pacific Ridley) nestingOct–Nov · Arribadas on new‑moon nights. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Jaguar, puma, other large 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 Liberia airport (LIR)
Rent a car and drive north on Pan‑American Highway (CA‑1) 40 km (25 mi) to the park turnoff; follow dirt road to entrance.Rent a car and drive north on Pan‑American Highway (CA‑1) 25 mi (40 km) to the park turnoff; follow dirt road to entrance.
45 min–1 h
Open the page →
From Liberia bus terminal
Regional bus to La Cruz, then ask driver to drop at park turnoff; walk 7 km (4.3 mi) to entrance.Regional bus to La Cruz, then ask driver to drop at park turnoff; walk 4.3 mi (7 km) to entrance.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance area | Visitor centre, ticket office, La Casona museum, parking. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Playa Naranjo | Surf spot and campground. | Designated camping area; fee included in park entry. |
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 are the park entrance; other points are 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 2,500 | person | 2026 estimate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Fires
- No open fires; use camp stoves only in designated areas.
- Camping
- Allowed only in marked campgrounds (Playa Naranjo) and backcountry sites with permit.
- Off‑road driving
- Not permitted on park trails; stay on roads.
Where to stay
Near the park
Liberia town
Hotels, hostels, and restaurants 30 km (19 mi) north of the park.Hotels, hostels, and restaurants 19 mi (30 km) north of the park.
In the park
Playa Naranjo campground
Basic sites with toilets; bring your own gear.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Leeches 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
- Visitor centre and La Casona trail are wheelchair‑friendly with short walks.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in designated campsites; pack out all waste.
- Do not disturb nesting turtles; keep distance.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Santa Rosa National Park?
Entry is CRC 2,500 per person (≈ $4) as of 2026.
What are the best hikes in Santa Rosa National Park?
The easy La Casona historic trail (2 km) and the moderate dry‑forest loop (5 km) are popular; longer backcountry routes require camping permits.
When is the best time to visit Santa Rosa National Park?
The dry season (December–April) offers the best conditions; avoid July–August when rain and leeches are common.
Can I camp in Santa Rosa National Park?
Yes, at the designated Playa Naranjo campground and in backcountry sites with a camping permit.
Are sea turtles visible at Santa Rosa?
Arribadas of Pacific Ridley turtles occur on new‑moon nights in October–November on Playa Nancite.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Santa Rosa National Park
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