Los Quetzales National Park
Declared a national park in July of 2005, Los Quetzales National Park has the distinction of being the most recent addition to Costa Rica's extensive park system. The park encompasses what was formerly the Los Santos Forest Reserve, stretching across 12,355 acres (5,000 hectares), three types of rainforest, and fourteen different ecosystems. Set at a high altitude (between 2,000-3,000 meters) along the Talamancan mountain range, much of the park is covered in cloud forest and protects a crucial habitat for a number of plant and animal species.
Perhaps the most notable of these animals is the quetzal, for whom the park was named. Although the bird is renowned for being elusive and skittish, park authorities claim that the quetzal is easier to spot here than in the cloud forests of Monteverde and Santa Elena, which lay to the north. Not surprisingly, bird watching is quite popular here, as it gives visitors the chance of spotting this "must-see"? bird. Other bird species residing within the park include colibri, trogons, tanagers, and hummingbirds. Sloths, coyotes and pumas are also rumored to sidle through the park's limits.
The park's terrain varies widely from mountains to lakes, cloud forests to rainforests, rivers to streams, there is a bit of everything in this park. Most of the park lies on both sides of the Río Savegre, which originates in the Cerro de la Muerte and empties into the Pacific Ocean near Manuel Antonio. Oak and cypress trees grow at the higher altitudes, and significant portions of the park are covered in aguacatillo trees, which are a relative of the avocado and one of the quetzal's favorite foods. All kinds of exotic flowers dot the landscape, adding bits of color to the overwhelmingly green terrain. With an average rainfall that varies from 79-188 inches, the topography of the park is bounteous and bursting with life.
Los Quetzales National Park, lying 47 southeast of San Jose, is easy to reach from Manuel Antonio. From Jacó it's about a two-hour trip. The entrance to the park is on Cerro de la Muerte, just before the turnoff for San Gerardo de Dota.
Where to stay in Los Quetzales National Park
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Los Quetzales National Park accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure Lodge
Staying at Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure Lodge, you’ll get to experience Costa Rica’s agro-tourism at its finest. These accommodations put you in the heart of Costa Rica’s awe-inspiring and diverse landscape, tucked away on the side of an imposing mountain.
El Toucanet Lodge
Set amidst the cloud forest near Santa Maria de Dota in the south central region of Costa Rica, El Toucanet Lodge provides a comfortable, rustic setting with panoramic views and direct access to an optimal bird watching habitat.
Paraiso Quetzal Lodge
Paraíso Quetzal lodge offers guests cabins in the midst of Costa Rica’s most interesting national parks. This hotel has received Costa Rica’s “blue flag” award for its environmentally friendly practices.
Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge
Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge is an eco-boutique hotel. It's located on top of a hill in the Los Santos Forest Reserve — rooms here offer a breathtaking view of the cloud forest. This lodge has an eco-friendly design and prides itself in its harmony with the environment.
Savegre Natural Reserve & Spa
The Savegre Hotel is located in the central valley, near San Jose. The hotel lies in San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Talamanca Mountains, in the midst of a precious ecosystem. The beautiful town of San Gerardo de Dota offers fresh mountain air, outstanding cloud forests, some of the best bird watching in the country and amazing peach, plum and apple orchards.
Pacific Paradise Resort
The Pacific Paradise Resort is settled upon a private nature reserve just outside of the town of Quepos, part of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region. Quickly becoming one of the country’s most popular destinations, Quepos is only minutes away from Manuel Antonio, an area that boasts an assortment of white-sand beaches and an incredible national park.
Trogon Lodge
The small, charming Trogón Lodge is in the highlands of Costa Rica, at 4 miles (7,000 m) above sea level. This peaceful lodge has pristine grounds and offers a beautiful place to connect with nature.
Best Western Hotel & Casino
The Best Western Hotel and Casino Kamuk is located in Quepos in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica near the stunning National Park of Manuel Antonio.
Villa Romantica
The Villa Romantica lies just on the outskirts of the popular fishing town of Quepos, on Costa Rica’s the Central Pacific coast. Quepos boasts excellent sport fishing for Marlin, Tuna, and Sailfish, and offers an array of boutiques, surf shops, as well tasty restaurants and bars that host live local music. The renowned Manuel Antonio National Park is a seven-minute drive, filled with unspoiled beaches, tropical forests, and swift rivers and waterfalls.
Tabulia Tree Hotel
Tabulia Tree Hotel and Villas offers eco-friendly accommodations just a short drive north of Manuel Antonio National Park. The grounds offer a convenient and comfortable place to unwind in between intense nature tours. If you want to try local restaurants and cafes, the small town of Quepos is just to the north.
Condotel Las Cascadas
Condotel Las Cascadas is located in the Puntarenas province, in the town of Quepos along Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast. This destination is renowned for its natural beauty, which includes gorgeous white sand beaches, pristine lagoons and cascading waterfalls, and an array of wildlife found within the tropical jungle of the Manuel Antonio National Park. The town of Quepos is famous for its sport fishing, and hosts a selection of restaurants, supermarkets, banks, and bars that often feature live musicians.
Villas Mymosa
Villas Mymosa is located on the Central Pacific coast between the famous fishing town of Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park. This area of Costa Rica is popular and attractive due to its gorgeous white sand beaches, vibrant wildlife, and spectacular activities. Quepos is a nice town filled with tasty restaurants, bars with live music, and artisan shops. However, the town is best known for its sport fishing, the best of which is done for Tuna, Marlin, or Sailfish.
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Get StartedPrivate drivers; English-speaking available.
Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Real Voices, Real Benefits
We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list, it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
