This August 24, Costa Rica celebrates National Parks’ Day, under the slogan “National Parks: Our true treasure”, the Ministry of Environment (MINAE) and the National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC) invite all national and foreign tourists to visit the parks for free.

Over 25% of Costa Rica’s territory is under some kind of protection law, whether they are National Parks, Biological Reserves, Absolute Reserves, etc. The country has at least 5% of all the biodiversity in the world and through the National Parks and other areas of preservation seeks to protect these important resources.

Some of the areas included are: Braulio Carrillo, Cahuita, Carara, Santa Rosa, Tortuguero, Irazu Volcano, Arenal Volcano, Corcovado, Manuel Antonio, Marino Ballena, Tenorio Volcano, Los Quetzales, Juan Castro Blanco, and many other National Parks as well as the Guayabo National Monument.

The only National Parks excluded are: Turrialba and Poas Volcanos since both of them remain close to the public for security.

Also, keep in mind that access to Manuel Antonio National Park is restricted to 1,300 visitors a day during the next three months as announced earlier this week, due to problems with the wastewater system.

August 24 was declared National Parks’ Day in Costa Rica by decree number N° 16847-MAG-MEP in February 1986. Article 3 of this decree establishes that “during this day all visitors will have free access to the conservation areas”.