How to visit Costa Rica's national parks (SINAC)

The Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservacion (SINAC), under the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energia (MINAE), manages Costa Rica's national parks and other protected forest areas. Most of the most visited parks now require purchasing tickets online in advance — you cannot assume you can pay at the gate on the same day.

Reservation system: the main official platform is serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr (also called SICORE). There you choose the conservation area, the park, the date, and a time slot for arrival — time slots are usually published about 4 weeks in advance and have a limited capacity of visitors per hour.

Exceptions to the main system (each has its own channel):

• Parques del Area de Conservacion Guanacaste (includes Rincon de la Vieja, Santa Rosa): reservaciones.acguanacaste.ac.cr
• Parque Nacional Corcovado y Reserva Biologica Isla del Cano: pre-booking by email to acosa.reservaciones@sinac.go.cr, with subsequent payment by bank transfer.
• Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal: no online sales; tickets are purchased directly at the park's ticket office on the day of the visit.
• Parque Nacional Cahuita (sector Playa Blanca): operates on a voluntary donation basis (minimum suggested of $5), payable at the sector's ticket office.

General rates: they vary by park, but as a general rule Costa Rican citizens and residents pay a substantially lower fee in colones than foreign visitors, who pay in dollars. Check each park's information sheet for the specific verified amount.

Free admission days: on August 24 (Dia de los Parques Nacionales) admission is free for any visitor; on the third Wednesday of each month admission is free only for residents and Costa Ricans.

Note: SINAC's prices and reservation systems change from time to time (new platforms, rate adjustments) — confirm the exact details of the park you plan to visit on sinac.go.cr before traveling.