Palo Verde National Park

Most tours of Palo Verde National Park include lunch and round-trip transportation from Tamarindo or Liberia area hotels. Much of the park can be explored by boat and excursions typically include a river cruise, during which you can travel down the Tempisque River and spot wildlife, such as crocodiles, birds, and monkeys.

Some tours also feature a visit to a Costa Rican waterfall or include a stop for bird-watching at one of the park’s marsh habitats. For a personalized experience, private tours are also available.

• Palo Verde National Park is a must-see for nature lovers.

• Mosquitoes are plentiful, especially during the wet season. Be sure to pack bug repellent.

• The park’s ranger station is open from 8am until dusk and has restrooms available for visitors.

• Palo Verde National Park is a haven for many species. As such, be careful not to disturb wildlife as you explore.

Palo Verde National Park lies roughly one hour from Liberia and two hours from Tamarindo by road. Public transportation is limited; it’s possible to arrive by private vehicle or on a guided tour. The Tempisque River can be explored on guided boat excursions.

You can visit Palo Verde National Park year-round. During the wet season, many migratory birds can be found in the park, while wildlife tends to congregate around shrinking waterholes during the dry season. Due to the park’s climate, there is a chance of flooding during the wet season, which typically lasts from May through November.

More than 60 bird species use the area as a migratory stop, and there are also about 75 mammal species, 55 reptile and amphibian species, and roughly a quarter of the world’s bee species. The bees, along with a number of other insects and many species of bats, can be found at the Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve, which lies adjacent to Palo Verde.

There are plenty of ways to experience Palo Verde National Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Palo Verde Boat Tour and Ortega
• Palo Verde National Park River Safari Boat Tour
• Palo Verde Boat Safari
• Palo Verde Boat Tour
• Monkey and Crocodile Riverboat Safari from Tamarindo

The entrance fee to Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica is about US$15 for non-residents. For Costa Rican citizens and residents, the fee is around CRC1,000 (just shy of US$2). Guided tours of Palo Verde National Park, which usually include admission as part of the tour price, cost around US$100-150.

You can reach Palo Verde National Park from San Jose via rental car; the drive takes 2.5–3 hours. Public buses do not go directly to the park, but you can take a bus to the nearby town of Cañas or Bagaces. From there, you would need to take a local taxi to the park. Guided excursions to Palo Verde National Park typically include round-trip transportation along with additional activities.

Palo Verde National Park is known for its rich biodiversity, especially its variety of bird species. Be on the lookout for herons, egrets, kingfishers, ospreys, scarlet macaws, coatis, and American crocodiles, as well as howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin monkeys. Some travelers say March is a good time to see migratory birds and crocodiles, while November is better for spotting monkeys and iguanas.

Yes. In Palo Verde National Park, you’ll find restrooms and designated picnic areas; but bring your own food and drinks, as there are no dining facilities within the park. An information center provides maps, park information, and guidance. Overall, the park does not have extensive amenities, so plan ahead and bring any necessary supplies.

Yes, there are several attractions you can visit near Palo Verde National Park, including Santa Rosa National Park, Rincón de la Vieja National Park, and Tenorio Volcano National Park. The Guanacaste beaches such as Playa Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, and Playa Flamingo are about 1–2 hours away by car, and the city of Liberia is around a 45-minute drive from the park.