National park · Costa Rica

Braulio Carrillo National ParkParque Nacional Braulio Carrillo

Do it as a half-day stop on the San José–Guápiles highway: Quebrada González trails from 08:00, 2–3 h, wet and steep; skip Volcán Barva unless you have a 4x4 and a pre-paid SINAC permit.Do it as a half-day stop on the San José–Guápiles highway: Quebrada González trails from 8:00 AM, 2–3 h, wet and steep; skip Volcán Barva unless you have a 4x4 and a pre-paid SINAC permit.

Not field-verified

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

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)

approximate

Established

1978

Best months

Jan–Mar

UNESCO

None

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: 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²); About 50,000 ha after expansions in 1986, 1991, 1995 and 2015 (check).
Established: 1978
Best months: Jan–Mar
Permits: For some areas
Base: San José

Braulio Carrillo protects a block of primary rainforest and cloud forest on the mountain wall northeast of San José, created in 1978 when the San José–Guápiles highway was cut through it. Most of the 50,000 ha is closed to visitors; two sectors take the public — Quebrada González, a ranger station and three marked trails right on Highway 32, and Volcán Barva, a foggy 2,906 m summit reached by a rough dirt road via Sacramento with a pre-paid SINAC permit. The forest holds over 500 recorded bird species and a large share of Costa Rica's plant and animal species, and it is wet, steep and muddy in every month of the year.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1978.

Size and age

500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 1978

About 50,000 ha after expansions in 1986, 1991, 1995 and 2015 (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San José.

Why go

Primary rainforest at 1,500 m, 40 minutes from San José — the closest real jungle to the capital.
Quebrada González has three marked trails and a ranger station right off Highway 32, so you can walk in without a guide.
Over 500 bird species recorded, and the park holds a large share of Costa Rica's plant and animal species.
The aerial tram at the Rainforest Adventures site next door lifts you into the canopy if you cannot walk far.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanBest
FebBest
MarBest
AprGo
MayCaution
JunCaution
JulCaution
AugCaution
SepAvoid
OctAvoid
NovCaution
DecGo

JanDriest window; trails still muddy
FebClear mornings, cool at altitude
MarDry, good visibility
AprWarm; afternoon showers start
MayRain builds; leeches on trails
JunWet; cloud and fog on the ridge
JulWet, brief dry spell possible
AugWet; landslides can close the highway
SepWettest month; heavy rain most days
OctWet; road closures possible
NovRain eases late in the month
DecDrier; wind and mist on the ridge

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Braulio Carrillo National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Resplendent Quetzal (cloud forest canopy)Dec–Apr · Breeding season; sightings are never guaranteed.	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes
Howler and white-faced capuchin monkeysAll year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Poison dart frogsMay–Nov · Look, never touch.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no
Fer-de-lance and other snakesAll year · Common on and beside trails; wear long trousers and closed shoes.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Leeches on wet trailsMay–Nov	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	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 San José

Drive or take a taxi/Uber northeast on Highway 32 (Ruta 32) to the Quebrada González entrance; the park boundary starts about 25 km (16 mi) out.Drive or take a taxi/Uber northeast on Highway 32 (Ruta 32) to the Quebrada González entrance; the park boundary starts about 16 mi (25 km) out.

40–60 min

Open the page →

From Heredia

Same highway, shorter run; no public bus stops at the trailhead, so a car or booked shuttle is needed.

30–45 min

Open the page →

From Guápiles

Highway 32 southwest toward San José; the entrance is on the mountain side of the road.

45–60 min

From Central Valley base

Where to sleep and how to move around the valley before and after the park.

Zones and sectors

Zones of Braulio Carrillo National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Quebrada González sector	The main public entrance: ranger station, restrooms, picnic tables, water and three marked trails.	Open with a ticket, about 08:00–15:30 daily (check).Open with a ticket, about 8:00 AM–3:30 PM daily (check).
Volcán Barva sector	Cloud forest, four marked trails up to about 10 km (6.2 mi), and the park's highest point at 2,906 m.Cloud forest, four marked trails up to about 6.2 mi (10 km), and the park's highest point at 2,906 m.	Reached by rough dirt road via Sacramento; 4x4 needed, permit pre-paid.
Conservation sector	The third administrative sector, kept for research and protection.	No general access.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions for orientation only; the park spans a large area either side of Highway 32.

1Quebrada González entrance · Gate≈10.159, -83.940Approximate; on Highway 32.Map ↗
2Volcán Barva summit · Summit≈10.135, -84.100Approximate; 2,906 m.Map ↗
3Sacramento village · Village≈10.120, -84.120Approximate; access point for the Barva sector.Map ↗
4San José · Town≈9.932, -84.080Map ↗
5Heredia · Town≈10.002, -84.117Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

5 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.

Approximate positions for orientation only; the park spans a large area either side of Highway 32.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsModerate2–3 hQuebrada González loop trailsThree cleared, marked trails: a short loop along the Río Quebrada González and Río Sucio, and a longer loop that climbs into the rainforest. Muddy and slippery year-round.

ViewpointsEasy1.5–2 hAerial tram canopy rideCable car above the canopy on the adjacent private reserve; the easiest way to see the forest if you cannot hike.Booking: Book with the private operator on Highway 32

TrailsHard3–5 hVolcán Barva trailsFour marked routes — Cacho Venada, Laguna Barva, Copey and Mirador Vara Blanca — on remote, often foggy ground up to about 10 km (6.2 mi).

TrailsExpert3–4 daysBackcountry trek with a local guideDeep jungle routes from the Barva side; camping near the entrance. Only for fit, well-equipped walkers.Booking: Local guides, arranged in advance

WildlifeEasy1–2 hBirding from the entranceTanagers, hummingbirds, parrots and, in the cloud forest, Resplendent Quetzal — most active in the first hours after opening.

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

CRC ranges · check

Fees for Braulio Carrillo National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry (Quebrada González)	CRC 1,000–2,000	person	Residents and nationals pay less; foreign visitor rate is higher — 2026 estimate (check).
Volcán Barva entry	CRC 1,000–2,000	person	Pre-payment through the SINAC online system is expected (check).
Aerial tram (Rainforest Adventures, outside the park)	US$60–75	person	Separate private operation on the highway, not a park facility — 2026 estimate (check).
Guided 3–4 day backcountry trek	US$300–600	person	Arranged with local guides; price varies with group size and food (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Quebrada González entry permit or guide

Pay at the ranger station at the highway entrance; no advance booking needed.

Volcán Barva entry permit or guide

Reserve and pre-pay on the SINAC online services site before you drive up; do it from your hotel, as signal near the park is unreliable.

Backcountry camping near Volcán Barva permit or guide

Arrange with the park authority and a local guide; camping is allowed near the Barva entrance, not elsewhere in the park.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

Nights or days

Park entry (Quebrada González)per personCRC 1,000–2,000
Volcán Barva entryper personCRC 1,000–2,000
Aerial tram (Rainforest Adventures, outside the park)per personUS$60–75
Guided 3–4 day backcountry trekper personUS$300–600

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. Confirm on SINAC online services (permits and pre-payment) before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Clothing: Long trousers and closed shoes, not shorts and sandals; venomous snakes are common.
Stay on marked trails: The forest off-trail hides poisonous plants and animals and is easy to get lost in.
Water: Potable water only at the Quebrada González and Barva entrances; carry your own for the trails.
Wildlife: Do not touch or feed anything; monkeys bite and frogs are toxic.
Camping: Allowed only near the Volcán Barva entrance; no camping at Quebrada González.
Drones: Not allowed without permission from the park authority (check).check

Where to stay

Near the park

San José

Most visitors base here; 40–60 minutes to the Quebrada González gate.

Near the park

Heredia

Closer to the highway and quieter than the capital.

Near the park

Sacramento (Barva side)

Village near the Barva entrance with basic food, camping and backpacker lodging.

Near the park

La Selva area, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí

Biological station and lodges on the Caribbean slope, beyond the park.

Safety

Venomous snakes on trails high

Wear long trousers and boots, watch where you step and never handle a snake; get to a hospital immediately after any bite.

Slippery, muddy trails medium

Expect mud even in the dry season; trekking poles and shoes with grip help.

Getting lost off-trail high

Stay on marked routes; phone signal is patchy to absent inside the park.

Heavy rain and landslides on Highway 32 medium

In the wet months check road status before setting out; the highway can close after storms.

Cold and fog at altitude low

Take a light rain shell for Volcán Barva; temperatures drop and fog is dense on the east-facing slopes.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

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

The Quebrada González entrance has parking, restrooms, picnic tables and water, with short walks from the car park.
The marked trails are steep, root-covered and muddy; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
The aerial tram on the adjacent private reserve is the practical option for visitors who cannot hike.

Visiting lightly

Take all rubbish out; there are no bins or shops in the park.
Do not book wildlife handling or feeding; frogs, snakes and monkeys are all best watched from the trail.
Use a licensed local guide for backcountry routes so the Barva side stays low-impact.
Support the biological station and lodges on the Sarapiquí side, which fund research in the same forest.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Braulio Carrillo National Park?

Entry at Quebrada González is a few thousand colones for residents, with a higher foreign visitor rate — 2026 estimate, pay at the ranger station (check). The Volcán Barva sector is pre-paid through the SINAC online system. The aerial tram is a separate private attraction and costs far more.

What are the best hikes in Braulio Carrillo National Park?

For most visitors, the marked loops at Quebrada González: a short one along the Río Quebrada González and Río Sucio, and a longer loop that climbs into the rainforest, 2–3 hours in total. The Volcán Barva sector has four longer, rougher trails up to about 10 km, reached only by 4x4.

When is the best time to visit Braulio Carrillo National Park?

January to March: drier trails and better views. September and October are the wettest and least pleasant. Whatever the month, expect mud, fog and rain — this is rainforest at 1,500 m.

Do I need a guide to hike in Braulio Carrillo?

No for the Quebrada González trails, which are marked and start at the ranger station. Yes in practice for Volcán Barva backcountry routes and multi-day treks, where local guides are recommended.

Can I stay overnight in the park?

There are no lodges and no camping at Quebrada González. Camping is possible near the Volcán Barva entrance, and multi-day treks with camping are arranged through local guides. Most people sleep in San José or Heredia.

Is Braulio Carrillo worth visiting if I only have half a day?

Yes, as a stop on the San José–Guápiles drive. Arrive near opening, walk one or two loops, and continue; the park entrance is right on Highway 32.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide