National park · Costa Rica
Barbilla National ParkParque Nacional Barbilla
Enter Barbilla National Park: pay the entry fee (check), drive 1 h from Siquirres on a gravel road, and hike the Cerro Tigre trail (3–4 h) in the dry season (Dec–Apr) for wildlife; skip if you lack backcountry experience.
- 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
119 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (119 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
Apr
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 10Guatemala, 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.
- Limón Province ↗Colones are the norm; cards work in Puerto Viejo and Cahuita hotels and larger restaurants, less so in Bribri and Sixaola. Carry cash for buses, taxis and sodas.
- Limón Province ↗Rain is possible any month. Pack a dry bag and expect short afternoon downpours rather than a dry season.
- Limón Province ↗The Sixaola crossing to Panama is a pedestrian bridge; have your onward ticket and exit stamp ready before you queue.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 119 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (119 km²)
- Park covers 11,938 ha (≈119.38 km²); figures may vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Barbilla National Park is a remote, high‑rainfall rainforest in eastern Costa Rica, spanning mountains, the Dantas River, Laguna Ayil and Cerro Tigre, and home to jaguars, tapirs and diverse birdlife; access is limited to experienced backcountry hikers with a guide for any trek beyond the entrance area.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1997Part of the Talamanca‑La Amistad Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
119 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (119 km²) · national park since 1988
Park covers 11,938 ha (≈119.38 km²); figures may vary by source (check).
Why go
- Remote rainforest with jaguar, tapir and abundant birdlife.
- Cerro Tigre summit offers panoramic views of the Dantas River valley.
- Cultural encounter with the Cabécar indigenous community (check access).
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler mornings.
- FebDry, good trail conditions.
- MarDry, occasional showers.
- AprEnd of dry season, clear skies.
- MayStart of rainy season, trails get muddy.
- JunFrequent rain, road potholes.
- JulHeavy rain, possible road closures.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRain persists, trails slippery.
- OctRain decreasing, but still wet.
- NovTransition to dry, better trails.
- DecDry, cooler temperatures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, ocelot, puma, tapirAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Resident and migratory birdsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 San José
Drive east on Route 32 to Siquirres, then turn north on the unpaved 3 km (1.9 mi) road to the park gate.Drive east on Route 32 to Siquirres, then turn north on the unpaved 1.9 mi (3 km) road to the park gate.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Limón
Drive west on Route 32, then follow signs to Siquirres and the park gate.
2–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance area | Gate, ranger station, basic parking. | Open to all visitors with entry fee. |
| Cerro Tigre sector | Mountain trail to summit, viewpoints. | Backcountry hike, guide recommended. |
| Laguna Ayil basin | Lake and surrounding forest trails. | Open, but remote; self‑sufficient hikers only. |
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 are approximate centre of the park.
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 5,000–8,000 | person | Official fee at entrance gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry hike permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any backcountry trek beyond the entrance area.
- Camping
- Only permitted in designated sites; otherwise leave‑no‑trace camping.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited throughout the park.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Siquirres town
Basic hotels and guesthouses, 10 min drive to the gate.
In the park
Backcountry campsites
Designated primitive sites; must register with ranger station.
Safety
River crossing medium
Lost in remote forest high
Road condition 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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walks on firm ground.
- Trails are steep, rough, and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Follow Leave‑No‑Trace principles; pack out all waste.
- Support community‑run lodges in Siquirres that employ local staff.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Barbilla National Park?
Entry is around 5,000–8,000 CRC per person at the gate (check official fee).
What are the best hikes in Barbilla National Park?
Cerro Tigre summit (3–4 h, moderate), Laguna Ayil loop (4–5 h, moderate) and the Rio Dantas riverside trek (2–3 h, easy).
When is the best time to visit Barbilla National Park?
The dry season, especially December to April, offers the most reliable trails and road access.
Are there facilities inside the park?
No visitor facilities; hikers must be self‑sufficient and follow Leave‑No‑Trace rules.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated primitive sites; otherwise you must leave the park.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Barbilla National Park
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