Highland gateways
Stations on the Pacific slope in the Talamanca mountains and near San Vito, with trails in cloud forest, are the easiest to reach.
Talamanca mountains · Costa Rica and Panama
La Amistad International Park (Talamanca)
The largest protected area in Costa Rica, a UNESCO site spanning the Talamanca mountains and shared with Panama.
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Over 200,000 ha in Costa Rica
- Park created in 1982
- Remote, with basic facilities
About the site
La Amistad (Friendship) International Park covers a large part of the Talamanca mountain range on the border of Costa Rica and Panama. Together with the adjoining reserves it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves, and the largest area of protected forest in Central America.
The terrain goes from lowland rainforest to cloud forest, páramo and mountain peaks, with many species of plants, birds and mammals, including jaguars, tapirs and pumas. Indigenous territories lie around the park. The park is remote and only has a few simple stations, so it is visited with a local guide or as an extension of a stay in the highlands.
- The largest protected area in Central America
- A UNESCO World Heritage site shared with Panama
- Forests from lowland to páramo
- Indigenous communities around the park
Wildlife
Jaguar and puma, rarely seenBaird's tapirResplendent quetzalMany hummingbirdsFrogs and orchids
Gateways
Caribbean side
The Caribbean side is more remote, reached from villages in Talamanca by foot and on rural roads, and visited mostly with local communities.
Plan your visit
- Access
- Most of the park has no tourist infrastructure. We arrange the visit with local guides and tell you the access and conditions when you ask.
- Entrance
- Paid per person per day according to the SINAC fee schedule, which changes from time to time. We confirm the current price in your quote.
- Best time
- The dry season from December to April; the high forest is wet and cold at any time of the year.
- What to bring
- Warm and waterproof clothes, strong boots, insect repellent and water.
Dates, areas and conditions are approximate and based on published information from SINAC and UNESCO; hours, fees and rules can change. We confirm the current conditions when you book.
Getting there
By road
From San José several hours to the gateways, depending on the sector, often with the last stretch on gravel. Ask us for the route that fits your plan.
Transfer
We arrange private transfers and local guides on request.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it a UNESCO site?
For its enormous area of different forest types and its wildlife, shared across the border with Panama.
Can I visit easily?
No. It is remote, so we arrange a visit on request with a local guide.
Do you offer this as a tour?
Not as a ready-made tour yet. Tell us your plan and we propose a route.