Rainmaker Park

You can explore Rainmaker Park on a self-guided walking tour or book a guided tour to learn more about native flora and fauna along the way. Day tours typically include traversing the tree-top canopy via swinging bridges and swimming at the base of waterfalls. Adventurous visitors can visit as part of a night tour, which increases your chance of observing nocturnal wildlife such as bats, owls, and frogs.

• Rainmaker Park is a must-see for nature lovers and outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

• Reserve your tickets in advance or arrive early before the park reaches its daily visitor quota.

• Don’t worry about taking your own food; an onsite restaurant offers convenient and affordable meals.

• Trail maps are available at reception and are posted throughout the park, making it easy to explore on your own.

Set in the rainforest 14 miles (22 kilometers) outside of Quepos, Rainmaker Park is located off Route 34 (the Costanera) in the small town of San Rafael Norte. Rainmaker signs along the route make the park reasonably easy to find. However, if you don’t have a car or would rather avoid navigating on your own, opt for a tour that includes hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off.

The park is open for self-guided tours from 7am-6pm, but to see the wildlife at its most active, book a tour that extends your time in the park past opening and closing time. Birdwatching tours begin at 5:30am, while a reptile and amphibian-focused night tour begins at 7pm.

The park’s 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) loop trail is a moderate hike that takes you through old-growth rainforest, past waterfalls and along a picturesque river. Several shorter loops branch off the main trail and lead to scenic viewpoints and suspension bridges that provide an aerial view of the surrounding rainforest. Hiking routes are suitable for most fitness levels but some include steep and slippery sections.

Yes, Rainmaker Park (officially Rainmaker Conservation Park) offers a unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s virgin rainforest, far from the crowds of more famous natural parks and reserves. There are hiking and river trails plus canopy bridge walks to take in the central Pacific scenery and spot native wildlife.

No public bus or train runs to Rainmaker Park, so you must reach the reserve with a rental car, driver, or a tour that includes transportation. The park is set a few minutes off Highway 34, about a 30-minute drive from the city of Quepos on Coast Rica’s Pacific coast.

The only way to explore the park is on foot, so avoid flip-flops and shoes with smooth soles and instead wear sturdy walking or hiking shoes that can take on the slippery trails and canopy walkways. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to dip in the streams.

Rainmaker Park has a 1.5-mile (2.5-km) trail system through the rainforest that skirts a natural river, passing several waterfalls and swimming holes. The main trail is generally level and suitable for most visitors; steeper side trails loop off the main trail, leading to lookout points and suspension bridges.

Yes, the park’s trail system includes a canopy bridge system with six small suspension bridges stretching about 800 feet (250 meters) high in the treetops. The bridges span between platforms built around hardwood trees, offering views of the forest from above that stretch to the Pacific Ocean.

It depends on the experience you are looking for. Rainmaker Park is a compact reserve that is remarkably pristine, filled with wildlife, and with few tourists. Manuel Antonio National Park is much larger, with more trails to explore and many more visitors that crowd the park in high season.