Palo Verde National Park is one of the best wildlife and bird watching parks in Costa Rica. It's swampland and river is a shelter for many species of migratory bird from both the northern and southern hemispheres.  This is a dry forest, making it much less dense than a rainforest so it is easier to spot wildlife.  It is mostly flat with the highest elevation being 879 feet.  A raised platform near the ranger station is a great place to observe waterfowl.  Palo Verde National Park is simultaneously a spectacular wetland and one of the best examples of tropical dry forest anywhere in the world!

Palo Verde National Park is approximately 76 square miles in size and about 32 miles from the Liberia airport at GPS coordinates Lat- 10.352 and Long- 85.308 and is bordered on the west by Rio Tempisque.

Activities in Palo Verde National Park include bird watching (best to go early in the morning) and the boat excursion to Isla Pajaros is highly recommended.  Other activities are river rafting (class I or class II) on the Rio Tropicales, or wildlife watching on large inflatable rafts.  Camping can also be arranged thru the park headquarters.

It can get quite hot in this inland part of the country during the dry season (Dec - April) so an early start is best for not only observing wildlife but for your comfort. Bring your camera as you are sure to get some memorable shots.  I actually have pictures of the white faced monkeys coming within 2 feet of me on the boat I was on….what curious little creatures they are!!!!

Although Costa Rica national park entrance fees do change often, plan on $10 park admission fee – open 7am-4pm Tuesday through Sunday, with the last admission at 1:00 PM. The fee does not include a guide. We highly recommend a guide to thoroughly get the most out of the natural flora and fauna and wildlife that you almost certainly will not see on your own.