National park · Costa Rica
San Lucas Island National Park
Visit San Lucas Island National Park: pay $80‑$100 entry (boat tour) and hike the short coastal trail in the morning; go on a weekday in the dry season (Dec–Apr) to avoid 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
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
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.
- Central Pacific ↗A rental car is the practical way to cover several beaches; roads are winding, poorly signed in places and often unpaved off the highway.
- Central Pacific ↗Colones are the norm outside hotels; US dollars are widely accepted but change is often given in colones.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Park covers about 4.68 km² (468 ha); figures may vary slightly (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
San Lucas Island, a former prison turned national park in the Gulf of Nicoya, offers historic prison ruins, short coastal trails, beaches and abundant wildlife.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 202030th Costa Rica national park.
Size and age
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²) · national park since 2020
Park covers about 4.68 km² (468 ha); figures may vary slightly (check).
Why go
- Former prison island with historic cells and chapel.
- Coastal trails and beaches for hiking and snorkeling.
- Birdwatching hotspot with over 100 species.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry, sunny, ideal for hiking.
- FebDry, sunny, ideal for hiking.
- MarDry, sunny, ideal for hiking.
- AprDry, sunny, ideal for hiking.
- MayStart of rainy season, trails get muddy.
- JunRainy, higher humidity.
- JulRainy, occasional storms.
- AugRainy, occasional storms.
- SepRainy, higher humidity.
- OctRainy, higher humidity.
- NovRainy, higher humidity.
- DecDry, sunny, ideal for hiking.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbirds, pheasants, wild turkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Deer, anteaters, howler monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Crocodiles (shoreline)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Marine life: fish, sharks, sea turtles, raysAll 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 Puntarenas
Hire a boat at the waterfront; 6 km (3.7 mi) (≈30 min) crossing to the island.Hire a boat at the waterfront; 3.7 mi (6 km) (≈30 min) crossing to the island.
0.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Prison area | Historic cells, chapel, former guard posts. | Open with park entry; guided tours recommended. |
| Coastal trail zone | Short hiking trail along sandy beaches and cliffs. | Open with park entry; self‑guided. |
| Birdwatching zone | Wooded and grassy habitats with waterbirds, pheasants, turkeys. | Open with park entry. |
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 from Wikidata; landing point approximated.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat tour & park entry | US$80–100 | person | Includes boat, guide, and entry ticket. |
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 on the island; stay in Puntarenas.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
- Trash
- Carry out all rubbish; no bins on the island.
- Wildlife disturbance
- Do not approach crocodiles or feed animals.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puntarenas hotels
Range from budget hostels to mid‑range hotels, 6 km (3.7 mi) from the park gate.Range from budget hostels to mid‑range hotels, 3.7 mi (6 km) from the park gate.
Safety
Sun exposure medium
Crocodiles on shore low
Boat conditions 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
- Short, flat trails suitable for most walkers; some uneven rocky sections.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all trash; use reef‑safe sunscreen.
- Support local guides and avoid souvenir wildlife products.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter San Lucas Island National Park?
Boat tours that include the park entry cost US$80–$100 per person; the fee covers the ferry, guide and entrance ticket.
What are the best hikes in San Lucas Island National Park?
The short coastal trail from the landing point to the beach is the most accessible hike (2–3 h, easy). Longer routes require a guide.
When is the best time to visit San Lucas Island National Park?
The dry season (December to April) offers sunny weather and dry trails; weekdays are less crowded.
Can I camp on San Lucas Island?
No. Camping is prohibited; stay in Puntarenas and return to the island on a day trip.
Is snorkeling allowed?
Yes, at the island’s beaches; bring reef‑safe sunscreen and follow guide instructions.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about San Lucas Island National Park
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