Costa Rica is famous for its staggering biodiversity, and with nearly 30 national parks to choose from, narrowing down your options can be a challenge when planning a Costa Rica adventure travel holiday. Two of the most iconic and dramatically different parks are Tortuguero National Park and Corcovado National Park, both featured on our guided tours to Costa Rica. Both offer unforgettable wildlife experiences, but the style of adventure, accessibility and landscapes vary greatly. So, which one is right for you?

Tortuguero National Park, tucked into the northeastern corner of Costa Rica, is a lush, water-bound wilderness defined by its intricate network of canals, lagoons and wetlands that run parallel to the Caribbean coast. This unique geography makes it one of the best places in the country for observing wildlife from the water by boat or canoe, a highlight of many Costa Rica adventure travel experiences and Costa Rica adventure tours. As you glide through the calm waterways, you’re likely to spot monkeys swinging through the trees, caimans lurking at the water’s edge and an astonishing variety of birdlife - over 300 species in total!

The park’s biggest draw, however, is its turtles. Tortuguero is one of the most important nesting sites in the world for several endangered sea turtle species, including green, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles. Witnessing a nesting turtle at night is one of the most magical experiences on a wildlife holiday in Costa Rica. Despite being one of the rainiest regions with frequent showers even in the dry season, the weather is part of what sustains its incredible biodiversity.

You can visit Tortuguero National Park on our Costa Rica Family Adventure, part of our wider Costa Rica adventure packages. A walking tour of Tortuguero Village offers a gentle introduction to the area, followed by a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum, which brings the park’s conservation story to life in an interactive way. The next day, exploring the canals by canoe is a real highlight, allowing families to quietly observe wildlife up close without disturbance. On July and August departures, you may see green turtles nesting on the beach, while in December you might witness hatchlings making their way to the sea - both are truly unforgettable experiences.

On the opposite side of the country, Corcovado National Park offers a completely different kind of adventure yet is packed with incredible wildlife, making it a standout choice for Costa Rica adventure travel. Located on the remote Osa Peninsula, it is often described as one of the most biologically intense places on Earth; home to an astonishing 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, encompassing lowland rainforests, cloud forests, mangroves and coastal ecosystems. It’s one of the last remaining strongholds for some of Costa Rica’s most endangered and shyest of species including jaguars, Baird’s tapirs, scarlet macaws and white-lipped peccaries.

You can visit this national park on our Costa Rica Walks and Wildlife adventure, a Costa Rica adventure travel and wildlife holiday. You'll be based in a comfortable yet simple lodge surrounded by rainforest and ocean views. You'll take a boat trip along the pristine coastline, often with dolphins and occasionally even whales making an appearance and visit a nearby marine reserve to snorkel, adding another dimension to Costa Rica’s wildlife encounters.

The best way to explore Corcovado National Park is on a guided hike through the forest with a specific park guide, which we also include on on our Costa Rica Walks and Wildlife adventure. Corcovado is undeniably wet, rugged and isolated, making it the perfect habitat for a huge variety of species. Yet its established trails are well-maintained and easily navigable with an experienced guide, which is why it’s a highlight of many guided tours to Costa Rica, allowing you to safely explore one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

KE's Andy, our Family Product Manager, has visited Tortugero National Park on our Costa Rica Family Adventure and KE's Bex, Digital Marketing Manager, has visited Corcovado National Park on our Costa Rica Walks and Wildlife adventure. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call and ask for either of them - they'll be happy to help.